My Childhood Sweetheart's Brother

Part 11: Karen's Birthday

"Happy birthday Mum!" I shouted as I came into the kitchen in the morning.

My mum laughed as I hugged her tightly. "Thank you sweetie."

Holly ran in soon after me with a handmade card and a bouquet of flowers that I bought. She insisted on handing it to my mum so I let her. "Happy birthday mummy!"

"Awh baby, thank you so much." She picked Holly up and flowered her in kisses. I laughed seeing Holly squished in my mums arms.

"Who's coming over later?" I asked.

"The usual, family, the Spears, the Hurleys, O'Rileys and of course the Issacs." My mum told me.

I nodded, cursing in my head. "It's practically a tradition now."

/////////

A special occasion required a dress, or so my mum said. I slipped on an emerald satin trim overlay short sleeve dress that I bought just for tonight, and a pair of nude lace up peep toe heeled sandals.

I curled my hair and actually did my make up for once and after 2 hours of preparation I was finally ready.

"You look beautiful honey." My mum kissed my cheek as I left my room.

"Thank you. So do you mum." I hugged her, before pouring myself a glass of wine.

As I did so, the door bell rang and I heard my mum greeting our family and Conners and Bellas mums. Soon after, they walked into our living room, where I said hi to everyone before sitting with my best friends.

"Did you end up talking to him the other day?" Conner asked.

I shook my head. "He didn't turn up."

"Why am I not surprised?"

I was about to defend him but the doorbell rang again and my mum called for me to get it. I sighed, making my way to the door and opening it to be met by a smiling Mary.

"Abbie darling you look lovely." She grinned, giving me a hug.

"Thank you, as do you." I told her. "My mums in the garden."

"Alright, thank you." Mary took Derek by the hand and led him through the house out into the Garden.

Caleb walked straight past me without even a look in my direction, while Dan stood in the door.

"Are you coming in?" I asked. He nodded, taking a step inside and shutting the door behind him.

"You look beautiful." He said, kissing me on the cheek.

"Thank you, not too bad yourself." I smiled.

"Can we go for a walk?" Dan asked.

"Yeah, let me just grab a jacket." I told him, before we both left the house.
We walked in silence for a long while, before he took my hand in his. A feeling of familiarity rushed through me and I felt whole again. I had missed him over he last week. I had missed the no talking, no hugs, no holding hands, no kissing. I missed him.

"I'm sorry."

I stopped in my tracks and looked at him as he carried on speaking.

"I'm sorry Abs, you know I love you and I trust you and I know you would never hurt me or be disloyal."

"Well then why did you react like that?" I asked.

"Because it's him that I don't trust." He told me. "I've never been used to you being on such good terms with him and then suddenly you drop the bombshell that you're meeting up with him one on one, only one think popped in my head."

"Dan I would never even let him do that--"

"He's more persuasive than you think Abs." Dan said. "I can't stop you from meeting up with him, after all you're probably the most loyal person I know."

"So no more arguments about this?" I asked.

Dan shook his head. "No. The fact that I'm not on good terms with my brother doesn't mean you shouldn't be."

I smiled at him, cupping his face and giving him a kiss. "Thank you. I really appreciate it."

"Just be careful Abbie. I love you and I don't want you to get hurt." He told me.

"I love you too. You have to trust me."

"I do."

/////////

The night was coming to an end, and the guests were leaving. I made my way to the garden, to say goodbye to everyone that was still there.

As soon as I stepped outside, I spotted Caleb, smoking a cigarette on one of my mums benches. I walked over to him and stood there, staring.

"You look stunning tonight." That was the first thing he had said to me all night and it made me suddenly feel really warm. I tried to push that feeling aside though, knowing what I really approached him for.

"You keep on ditching me Caleb."

"I know I'm sorry." He said. "It really isn't on purpose. I need your help but I was just so busy last week."

"I had an argument with your brother over you that resulted in us not speaking for a week." I pointed out. "I hope you realise that."

Caleb sighed. "Why do you think I didn't say hi earlier? I just left you two alone."

"Caleb if you need my help then I will give it to you." I told him. "But quit playing games. I've got a life too and I'm not going to waste my time driving around to meet you and you don't even turn up."

"I do, I do need your help Abs." He admitted. "I need someone to talk to in private and alone."

I sighed. "I don't have my first period tomorrow, are you free?"

Caleb nodded with a smile, as he stood up. "I'll pick you up for breakfast." He then touched my arm and walked back inside, before disappearing into the crowd of people that was leaving.

I found myself standing there, staring after him, his touch still burning my arm.