Without warning, I reached down and gave her ass a hard smack.
"That's for spray painting my car," I said.
Her breath hitched, and she bit her lip, trying to suppress a smile. "You're such a caveman."
"Caveman? How about this?" I said, smacking her...
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Caleb's POV
The following day felt heavy with anticipation. I woke up beside Esme, her head resting on my chest, the golden morning light streaming through the curtains, illuminating the contours of her face. She looked peaceful, and I couldn't help but trace my fingers along her arm, marveling at the beauty of the moment.
But the weight of what lay ahead lingered in the back of my mind. We were stepping into uncharted territory, ready to reveal our relationship to our families—two step-siblings in love. Would they understand? Would they accept us?
"Good morning," Esme murmured, her voice husky from sleep as she blinked awake, a small smile forming on her lips.
"Morning, beautiful," I replied, pulling her closer. "Ready for today?"
She sighed, looking thoughtful for a moment. "As ready as I'll ever be," she said, biting her lip. "What if they don't take it well?"
"We can't control how they react, but we can be honest. That's what matters," I reassured her, though my own nerves fluttered beneath the surface.
After a quick breakfast, we decided to meet at the park—a neutral ground where we could gather our thoughts before diving into the family discussions. As we walked, the air buzzed with unspoken words and nervous energy, our hands intertwined, a small act of defiance against the doubts creeping into my mind.
When we arrived, I found a quiet spot beneath a sprawling oak tree, its branches creating a natural canopy above us. I sat down, pulling Esme onto my lap, her warmth grounding me amidst the whirlwind of emotions.
"Caleb," she began, her tone serious as she looked into my eyes. "What if they don't understand? What if they think we're crossing a line?"
I brushed my thumb along her cheek, wishing I could erase her worries. "We're not crossing a line. We're choosing each other. And that's what matters most."
Esme nodded, her gaze shifting to the ground, the weight of her thoughts evident. "But our families... They're complicated. You know how my mom is about reputation, and your dad might see this as taboo."
"I know," I admitted, feeling the tension settle in my chest. "But we can't let fear dictate our happiness. We deserve this, Esme. You deserve this."
A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, and I could see the determination rising within her. "You're right. We have to be brave."
We spent the next few moments in comfortable silence, the sound of rustling leaves and distant laughter filling the air around us. My heart swelled with admiration for her courage, and I knew that whatever happened next, I wanted to face it all by her side.
"Let's do this," I said, rising from the ground and taking her hand. "Together."
As we walked back to my place, the atmosphere shifted from nervousness to resolve. The time had come.
Once inside, I glanced at Esme, her eyes wide but resolute. I took a deep breath, my heart pounding as I reached for my phone. "I'll call my dad first," I said, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me.
"Okay," she replied, squeezing my hand.
I dialed his number, my thumb tapping nervously against the screen. When he picked up, I felt a rush of adrenaline. "Hey, Dad. Can you come home? Esme and I need to talk to you about something important."
" Is everything okay?" His voice was calm, but I could hear the hint of curiosity.
"Yeah, it's fine. Just... come over soon." I hung up, feeling the weight of the conversation pressing down on me.
"Now we wait," Esme said softly, her fingers intertwining with mine, and I could feel her pulse racing.
When my dad arrived, he walked in with a smile- fake that quickly turned to curiosity when he saw our serious expressions. "What's going on? You two look like you're about to tell me something big."
"Can we sit down?" I asked, motioning to the living room, where I had tried to tidy up.
Once we were settled, I glanced at Esme, her expression a mixture of determination and vulnerability. I knew I had to start this off strong.
"Dad, there's something we need to tell you," I began, taking a deep breath. "Esme and I are together. We're in a relationship."
Silence hung in the air like a heavy fog. My dad blinked, his expression shifting from surprise to confusion. "Together? As in..."
"Yes, as in we're dating. We're more than just step-siblings," I clarified, my heart racing as I braced for his reaction.
"I didn't expect this. But you know how complicated family dynamics can be—"
"I know, father," I interrupted, feeling the determination welling up inside me. "But we can't let fear dictate our happiness. We care about each other. I love her."
Esme's gaze met mine, and I saw the hope reflected in her eyes. I had said the words that had been tumbling around in my heart, and it felt liberating to say them out loud.
My dad's expression softened, the initial shock giving way to contemplation. "Caleb, this is not just about you two. There are complications—our families are intertwined."
"Complications we can work through," I insisted, my voice rising slightly. "We want to be honest with everyone, and we're ready to face whatever comes our way. We just want your support."
Esme squeezed my hand, and I felt the strength of our bond pushing me forward.
"I need to think about this," my dad finally said, his voice serious but not dismissive. "It's a lot to process."
Relief washed over me, but I knew this was only the beginning. We had to talk to Esme's mom next, and that felt like a mountain to climb.
Once my dad left, I turned to Esme, who looked a mix of relieved and anxious. "How do you feel?" I asked softly.
"I feel... hopeful," she admitted, a small smile breaking through. "But talking to my mom is going to be a whole different challenge."
"We'll face it together," I promised, pulling her close. "You and me against the world, cherry."
