Inheritance

Chapter 12

Just how was I going to get out of this...

"Hey Caleb, just a second. I'm coming out now!" I hesitantly responded, trying to think of the best approach to avoid him seeing Kendall and I had been alone in the bathroom together. Instant guilt infiltrated my mind, but I pushed it aside, needing my full attention focused on getting out of this very compromising situation.

After settling on what I thought to be a solid plan, I turned towards the silent man beside me who bore his usual smug expression. It was quite irritating how even in a moment like this, he still held so much composure. I, on the other hand, was internally and externally freaking out. 

Staring at him for a little while longer, I realized that this thing that kept happening between us had to end now. After all, this was so unlike me. Wasn't it?

"Look, I'm going to leave first. Stay in here for about two more minutes, then come out after me. Okay?" I whispered to Kendall, while he simply stared back at me with a neutral expression void of any emotion.

Ignoring his lack of a valid response, I took in a deep breath then nervously exhaled. Rapidly cracking opening the bathroom door, I squeezed through the tight opening before abruptly shutting it behind me. When I had successfully slipped out, Caleb was there to instantly pull me in for a hug that I was quick to end. 

Instead, I focused my intentions on leading him as far away as possible from the bathroom and back towards the public dining area.

"Someone's in a bit of a hurry." Caleb questioned humorously, as he cluelessly followed me through the hallway. 

He was such a nice guy and I almost felt bad for my previous lewd actions with Kendall, until I realized that we weren't exclusive. Technically speaking, we were still getting to know each other. So, I hadn't actually done anything wrong.

"Yeah, I-I'm just so excited for you to meet everyone." I rushed out, silently hoping that he wouldn't comment on my absurd awkwardness. Arriving back at the dinner table, Caleb and I sat down at two open seats next to Frank and Nicki. Seconds later, Kendall returned to the same table and sat beside Patricia.

 "There you are, where'd you go?" Patricia asked him, as he settled into his seat.

"To the bathroom." He kept his reply short, while his eyes drifted to mine for a brief second.

Frank's eyes travelled between Caleb and I, wordlessly prompting me to introduce him to the group. I anxiously scratched my throat in a subtle attempt to grab the attention of the guests. When my actions were rendered unsuccessful, Frank took matters into his own hands and used his silverware to clank his wine glass. The unnecessarily loud noise caused conversations amongst the guests to eventually subside, which was my cue to anxiously speak up.

"Hey everyone, so this is my friend Caleb." I said aloud, turning my body towards Caleb. Most people were quick to offer him a friendly smile. 

That is, all but two.

"Only a friend?" Patricia being the nosy person she was, further imposed. I chose to ignore her ridiculous comment, but Caleb surprisingly spoke up.

"Yes, just a friend. But who knows, things could change." His tone was so compelling that I found myself blushing from his words. Did he really mean that?

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Darrell, Sasha's father." My uncle reached over the table, and shook Caleb's hand. He liked to introduce himself as my father, since he practically was and very few people knew that I was adopted. 

"Nice to meet you, sir." Caleb and my uncle nodded to one another as a sign of mutual respect. 

From that interaction alone, I could tell that Caleb had imparted a good impression on my uncle. The notion was rather surprising, since my uncle had always been extremely vocal about wanting me to be with a conventional business man or politician. Caleb was clearly neither of the two. But, he was a successful Black man.