8 Weeks

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter 18 - Shelly

I looked over and studied Cal's face as he drove. He looked deep in thought, with a small frown on his face. I wondered if I should ask him what was wrong, or stay out of it. I'd left him, after all, so I didn't think I had a right to pry. I hated to see Cal upset though; he was always such a positive person. If he was troubled, there was a good reason for it.

When he'd come by for our date, I'd met him outside, rather than having him come in the condo. I don't know ifI was protecting him from the pain of seeing me on my own, or if I was protecting my newfound freedom. To ease the sting, I'd agreed to ride with him this time, rather than drive myself.

Now that we were in the car and on our way to date number three, I found myself struggling. Should I remain quiet, or ask him what was wrong.

Knowing Cal, he wouldn't feel better until he got whatever was bothering him off his chest, so I asked, "Is everything okay?"

Cal turned briefly to look at me, almost as if he'd forgotten I was there, then turned his eyes back to the road before him.

He was quiet for a minute, which made me rethink my decision to pry, then he sighed deeply.

Uh-oh, a big sigh usually meant it was something personal, not work related.

If it was something personal, it probably had to do with our situation.

Maybe I didn't want to know ...

"I went by my parents' the other day," Cal began. "I had kind of been avoiding them since everything happened between us."

"Cal," I said, my voice filled with surprise.He told his parents everything. "You didn't tell them we were ...separated?"

"I couldn't, Shel," he responded. "Not only because I hope it's only temporary and I didn't want to worry them,but because I didn't want to disappoint them."

My heart thumped loudly in my chest.

"Cal, your parents adore you, you could never disappoint them."

He turned to me, his eyes filled with sorrow.

"They didn't raise their sons to cheat."

I felt my anger at this entire situation ease a bit in my gut. I loved Cal's folks, and they loved me, but more than anything, they loved their boys. I knew that it would be hard for him to admit to them that he wasn't perfect, and it would be hard for them to hear, but I had to believe that they loved him unconditionally.

We pulled off and into a parking lot. Cal turned off the car, but we both just sat there.

"Babe," I said, the endearment I'd always used for him rusty on my tongue. I reached out and touched his cheek. "They'll forgive you."

Cal's eyes bore into mine.

"Will you?"

I dropped my hand and answered honestly, "I don't know."

Cal nodded, and after a moment's pause,forced a smile to his lips.

"Okay, enough of this depressing talk, it's time to get on with our date. Let's agree to leave the sadness in the car, and let the fun begin. Okay?"

"Okay," I said, returning his smile.

Cal walked around and opened my door, taking my hand to help me out of the car. I felt a familiar tug in my belly at the contact. Seeing him vulnerable was breaking down my defenses.

I followed him inside, too preoccupied with the sensations in my body to pay attention to where we were walking. The sound of Latin music made me look up, and I felt my jaw drop.