Hated, Dated, Fated

Chapter 15 - Dated

ALEXA

 “Those are your parents?” I asked in disbelief. 

“They’re yours?!” Caleb squeaked, yes, squeaked.

I shook my head slowly and watch the tension slip away from Caleb’s body as he moved to give his parents a hug.

Turning to Caleb’s parents, I wondered internally how we never met earlier. Caleb’s parents were my parents’ best friends, having met and bonded while they were studying in college. I never even knew the Evans’ had a son, let alone a son and twin daughters.

“Aunt Kelly what are you doing here? Where are my parents?” I asked, puzzled why they didn’t answer the door instead. 

“Oh Alexa dear, your mom is cooking and your dad is actually on his way home. Now, I don’t have to invite you in do I?” she joked, a wide smile creeping its way onto her face.

I chuckled and hugged her as well as her husband Jake before walking in, only to be hit by the fragrant aroma of roast chicken.

“Love you mom!” I yelled into the kitchen, plopping myself down on the couch and turning the TV on.

 Caleb trailed behind me, unsure of whether to come in or not. Turning around to face him, I patted the seat next to mine and he sat down gratefully, still not sure if he was welcome.

“Who would’ve thought that the oh-so-smooth Caleb Evans would be nervous to meet his girlfriend’s parents?” I teased, hoping to get him to relax.

It worked and Caleb turned to me, a full-blown smirk already in place, eyes sparkling with mischief.

“You’re making fun of me? Baby you’re gonna pay for that,” he said, before launching himself at me, hands out as he grabbed me by the waist, pinning me to the couch.

“Let me go!” I squealed as he started tickling me incessantly.

I squirmed and writhed under him, hoping to get free from his evil clutches but failing miserably as he tightened his hold on me.

“Say Caleb you’re the best, hottest and coolest boyfriend ever,” he smirked evilly as my eyes went wide as his self praise.

“Never!” I said, and he shrugged casually.

“Alright then, prepare to be tickled!”

“No, no, no okay fine! Caleb is the best, hottest and coolest boyfriend ever!”  I shrieked, then huffed, pouting at him.

“Glad you love me so much,” he said, winking at me as he pulled us both upright.

I hit him gently, grumbling about how he was such a bully.

“You still love me anyway,” he murmured, nuzzling his face into my hair.

“YOU TWO ARE SO CUTE!” a loud voice caused us to jump about a mile into the air.

“Mom!”  Caleb groaned, and I laughed, scooting further away from Caleb in case he wanted to repeat his punishment.

He shot a narrowed glance at me but made no move attack me again. Giving him a wide cheeky grin I hopped off the couch and headed to the kitchen, hoping to swipe some of my mom’s mash potatoes.

“Alexa, no snitching!” my mom called, obviously knowing that I would try and take some.

I groaned but took a spoonful anyway, earning a smack on my ass and causing me to yelp with a mouthful of the milky goodness. Mom just laughed at me, moving to take the roast chicken out of the oven to rest it.

“Mmmm mom you’re an amazing cook why wasn’t I born like you?” I asked, scooping another spoonful of warm mash.

She just shook her head, muttering something about being like my dad. Just as the words left her mouth, I heard the doors slam close, a sure sign that my dad was home. I heard him moan comically as he took a whiff of my mom’s cooking.

“My favourite mash, and my worst enemy,” he said, entering the kitchen and playfully narrowing his eyes at me.

I held up the spoon and waved it in front of me, smirking triumphantly.

“I’m two up.”

Mom just shook her head and laughed, before calling Caleb and his parents in for dinner.

“Where are your sis– oof!” I started, only to be bombarded by two bouncing girls, nearly toppling me over in the process.

”Tracy! Lacy! Behave!” Aunt Kelly said, giving me an apologetic look.

I laughed and squatted down to their level.

“Hi, I’m Alexa,” I said, hoping they would be nice to me.

“You’re Caleb’s girlfriend right? CALEB AND ALEXA SITTING IN A TREE K-I-S-S-I-N-G! FIRST COMES LOVE THEN COMES MARRIAGE THEN COMEs CALEXA IN A BABY CARRIAGE!” They sang the childish rhyme together, making me laugh out loud.

“What’s calexa?” Caleb asked, an amused scowl on his face.

“Caleb and Alexa equals Calexa!” Tracy, I think, said proudly.

I gaped at her while everyone else burst out laughing.  Where did these twins come up with such things? 

“It’s all over social media Lexa. Didn’t you know? Star Quarterback’s ex-girlfriend and star basketballer become exclusive? People are sure to talk,” he said casually, cutting into a piece of roast chicken that my dad had served him.

I shook my head, wondering when my life became so full of drama.

Dinner went by almost uneventfully, if you don’t count my dad and I having our mash potato fight and the twins throwing the chicken bones at Caleb, causing him to flick peas at them. Well, I did say almost.

“All of you are cleaning up. Now,” Mom ordered as her and Aunt Kelly strolled into the living room to gossip.

I sighed. This is what happens when majority of the people at the table are either kids, or act like them.

“I’ll dry,” I said quickly, snatching the easiest job before anyone else could.

Collective groans went throughout and the work was divided. Caleb was washing while dad and the twins would clean up the peas and the mess on the table. I giggled to myself, drying the plates with Caleb. It just seemed so… domestic.

And I couldn’t decide if I liked the adventure and drama more or this calm content feeling doing something so mundane with Caleb.

My mind told me not to make the same mistake I had made with Alex, but another part of me, my heart, told me this was different, that I should take the risk, and deep down, I knew which one was right.