A Tangled Web We Weave (Completed)

27. I'll Be Back

Andy

The car door slammed in the garage. I tried not to show any emotion, focused on my reading, and prayed that he was drunk. He was only mean when he was sober.

The door opened and my dad walked in. "Heya, girlie. I brought you something just to let you know I'm truly sorry. I left that part of me behind and the real me is here now. I'm ready for me and you and your mom to be a real family."

At the mention of my mom, I looked up. "Do you know where she is? Is she coming? Can I live with-" I cut off quickly.

His jaw worked a little, but he didn't blow up at me. That was a good sign. "Anyway, like I was saying, I got you a present. Now, close your eyes and don't open them until I say anything."

I did as he said. On high alert, I listened as he went back to the garage, opened the car door, and came back inside. For a moment, he didn't say anything to me, but swore under his breath. Each word hit something scared inside of me.

"Okay, open your eyes," he said and I did. And almost cried.

There sat, on his lap, a little puppy, who opened its mouth to grin at me, tongue hanging out.

"Oh my God, you're kidding." I reached for the puppy, but it ran across the couch and settled itself in my lap, playing with my jogger pant strings. "What's his name? What type of dog is he? How old is she?"

"He doesn't have a name, he's a German Shepherd puppy, and he is 8 weeks old." My dad walked into the kitchen and pulled a beer from the fridge. "I'll be in my study if you need anything. I love you, sweetheart. Remember that."

Taking a deep breath, I thought about how things could be worse. So much worse. Picking up the puppy, I snuggled him close to my face. "Now, what should I name you? You're a German Shepherd, so maybe something German? I'm just gonna call you Gary for right now. I'll come up with something clever later," I muttered, petting his ridiculously soft fur.

My phone went off and I picked it up quickly. Seeing that it was Cal, I set it back down just as quickly. I wasn't ready to talk to him yet. I knew he deserved an answer but I just couldn't.

My phone rang again and I turned it off. I missed him. Part of me ached to be held by him. This sucked.

I heard a knock at the door and I went to answer it, taking Gary with me. Opening the door, I said, "Hi, what can I-" until I froze. There stood Cal, in all his glory. Using Gary as a sort of shield, I whispered, "Hi."

"Hi," he whispered back. Nodding at the dog, he stepped closer. "Cute puppy. What's his name?"

Making a split second decision, I smiled at the animal in my arms. "This is Arnold, Arnie for short."

"Arnold?"

"Yeah, after Arnold Schwarzenegger, ya know, since he's German."

"Ah. Clever." He stepped inside and shut the door behind him. "Andy, we have to talk."

Nodding, I led him into the living room. "Listen, Cal, I've been doing some thinking and I think it's time-"

"Please don't say you're breaking up with me," he pleaded quietly. His eyes were filling with water and by instinct, mine started to as well. 

"No, no, of course not," I leaned forward, and, intending to kiss him on his cheek, ending up on his mouth.

Our first kiss.

And I initiated it.

What the hell is going on?

Leaning back, I bit my lip and looked down at Arnie. "Was that ok?"

Smiling faintly, he moved the dog off my lap and took my face in his hands. "Andy," he sighed against my lips and finally, he kissed me.

At first, I focused on just the feeling of his lips against mine. His hand crept down my neck, my back, to linger on my waist and pull me closer. Leaning back into the couch cushions, he brought me with him, so I sat on his lap. It wasn't until he licked my lips that I realized that I had been practically comatose this entire time. Taking the very promising initiative, I threaded my hands through his hair and let my tongue slide next to his. He moaned a little and kissed down my neck.

"What the hell is going on here?" my father's voice had me flying back to the other side of the cough and Cal shooting to his feet.

"Sir, my name is Cal and I'm-"

"Whoring around with my daughter," my father snapped.

"Dad!" I shouted, beginning to cry. "Leave him alone."

"Don't you dare speak to me with such disrespect, you bitch," he snapped, his hand flying out to slap me.

"Dammit," Cal growled. "Stop hurting her."

I caught the smack with my entire cheek, but stood still. I knew if I moved, the punishment would be worse.

His hand came up again.

Instinctively, I shrunk back, my hands coming up the shield my face. When the blow never came, I glanced up. Cal had caught my father's hand and was struggling with him, his death glare leaving Dad look a little scared.

"Excuse me, sir, but I think it's time for you to leave." Cal shoved him towards the door. "Now."

"You can't do this," my father sputtered. "This is my house."

"No, it's not." Cal dragged him to the door, opened it, and threw him out. "Come back when you decide to be a decent human being." Slamming the door behind him, he turned around and saw me on the floor. 

Laughing through my tears, I smiled at him. "It's not his house. It's my aunt's." And then, thinking about how psychotic I probably seemed, I sunk back into my tears, not even stopping when Cal put his arms around me.