The Pursuit

Twenty Seven

TWENTY-SEVEN 

I let the door close shut in front of me as barrier between me and Caleb. I looked at him through the glass with my tearful eyes. His mouth moved, saying something, but I couldn't hear or decipher it. My mind was on a wild rampant. My heart was thudding heavily against my chest like it would tear free sooner or later.

It was as if Caleb and I were the only ones in the world. In a bad metaphorical way. 

When he started moving towards me, I freed myself from the statute stance and turned away. My vision blurred as tears fell hot and fast against my cheeks. I ignored the inquisitive stares from Caleb's friends in the living room when I ran away from them towards the stairs.

I didn't know why I chose to go to Caleb's even more personal space where he could easily find me instead of going out the door. A small part of me wanted for him to come and hold me close. I wanted him to tell me that everything was a lie. I wanted him to tell me that everything was just fine. 

"All of you. Out." Even the sound of my sobs couldn't block away Caleb's roaring voice from the living room. I flinched when I heard them scramble and soon the door being fiercely slammed shut. I looked over the half wall and found Caleb running towards the stairs.

Shit. Why did I even decide to come up here? I would have had an easy way out if I just left. 

"Bethany!" I heard him shout as his footsteps fell heavily against the steps. "Bethany! God, please listen to me." 

I had my purse in my hand, and when I turned around Caleb was taking the final step. Eyes wide, I zoomed for his bathroom, closed the door, and locked the knob. A second later, knocks resounded on the door.

"Bethany..." He sounded hurt. Broken. 

I backed away from the door watching it. I badly wanted to wrap myself in his arms. Comfort him as he comforted me. The two of us... we work. No matter what his family or friends think. There was not a bone in my body that wouldn't fight for him. 

But right now I was just too hurt from tonight to do just that. 

"Bethany, please open the door." His voice softened a knotch. I felt a thud against the door, and it could only be his forehead resting against it. He jiggled the doorknob trying again. "You and I need to talk."

I sat down on the floor sideways, leaning the side of my head against it. "We'd had several times alone to talk. Why didn't you tell me then?" He and I both knew what I was referring to. "You should have told me everything the first moment I opened  the door for you last night."

He sighed. "That was my fault, and I'm sorry. I truly am sorry. I know I should have told you about it, even though it was nothing. I didn't want for you to hear it from anyone else."

"Much less from her." I bitterly replied.

The tears slowed down a bit. "Bethany, I love you. That didn't change then nor it ever will. My feelings for Liv are long gone. It's only you I think about every second of my day."

"You know what hurts the most, Caleb?" I didn't wait for him to answer. "It hurt me the most when you weren't being honest with me. We're in a relationship, and I want to be able to trust you. I did, but now... I don't know anymore."

"Please open the door. I can't talk to you when I can't even see your face."

After a few moments of hesitation, I stood up and opened the door. I found him standing there, his face full of regret. I walked past him, and he shot out his hand to grip my wrist. In one twirl, I was against his chest. He had me swaddled up in his arms.