Love in the wheat field

Ch.11

Jenna has been doing more around the house and I am super happy about that. We've gone to the spa together 3 times now and I am starting to connect with her. I kind of feel like I have a sister when I hang out with her. Caeleb is still teasing me at work by whispering things but I've learned to control my reactions. I do blush a little here and there but not as bad as before. I've been dreaming about him almost every night since he kissed me and the dreams just keep getting more intense. My birthday is in 3 weeks and I can't wait. I have almost enough saved to get a place and get all the utilities turned on with a little money left to pay another month or two in advance on rent. I've already called the owner of two of the places I found and they both told me as soon as I turn 18, I am welcome to come check out the rentals. I am so happy I will be moving out soon and will get to start spending time with Caeleb again without having to worry about Aaron. I also called our family lawyer and set up a meeting with him for the day after my birthday. He was curious as to why I wanted to meet with him and I told him it had to do with the business. When I got to work, Caeleb's truck wasn't there.

"Hey Sal, where is Caeleb?"

"He called out today. He said he wasn't feeling well."

"Well, how am I supposed to load all this on my own?"

"I'll get Leo to help you today, Skyla."

"Leo? Ugh. Fine."

I can't stand Leo. He isn't as old as the other guys out here but he is a jerk just like them. He is one of those pretty boys who thinks he looks good and says ladies refer to him as a god but in all reality, he looks like a deformed Ken doll. His head is small, he has a long neck, he has broad shoulders and his legs look like chicken legs. My day went as I expected it to go working with Leo. He bragged about how many girls he had wanting him and how many he slept with. I spent half the day rolling my eyes at him. When I left the field I tried to call Caeleb before I made it t the house but I didn't get an answer. I sent him a text telling him that I hoped he felt better and not to stick me with Leo anymore but I didn't get a reply. I went inside and Jenna had dinner going. I told her I was going to go take a shower first. After my shower, I got dressed in my comfy T-shirt and pajama pants and went into the kitchen. I helped Jenna finish dinner and I helped her set the table. I noticed she only put 2 plates down.

"Uh, Jenna, why are there only 2 plates?"

"Aaron won't be home until later tonight so it's just you and I."

"Where is Aaron?"

"He had a meeting and then planned on going for drinks afterward."

"Of course he did."

"I know his drinking has gotten bad, Skyla. I am trying my best to get him to slow down."

"I doubt you will be able to, Jenna. Aaron doesn't want to slow down. My mom and dad never drank so I don't understand why Aaron started."

"He had just started when we met but I don't know what made me start."

Jenna and I sat and ate dinner and then I offered to clean up but she told me to go ahead and go to bed. I thanked her for dinner and then went to my room. I texted Caeleb again to say good night but didn't get a reply. I sighed and then set my phone on the nightstand. I turned over and closed my eyes. When I woke up the sun was already up and I knew I was running behind this morning. I got up and quickly got dressed. I grabbed an apple on my way out the door. When I got to the field, I noticed Caeleb's truck. I walked over to where we were working today and stared at Caeleb for a minute. Something seemed off about him but I couldn't figure out what. He looked ok but I just knew something wasn't right. We got to work and I whispered to him asking if he was ok. He whispered back that he was fine. He just didn't feel good yesterday. I asked why he didn't text me back and he told me he accidentally broke his phone. I asked him how and he said he dropped it and didn't see it and it got stepped on. He was being short with me and I noticed that he was wincing when he lifted the wheat bales.

"Caeleb, are you ok?"

"I'm fine, Skyla."

"Why do you keep wincing each time you lift the wheat?"

"I'm not."

"Oh, my god. Yes, you are! What is wrong with you?"

"Nothing. Forget about it please."

"I'm sorry but I can't. Did you get hurt the other day at work?"

"No. Just forget about it, Skyla."

I dropped it and got back to work. After work, I waited until Caeleb left and then I took the cart home. I parked it and decided to walk to town and go talk to Caeleb. When I got to his motel, I knocked on the door but no one answered. I knew he was in there because his truck was parked in the lot. I knocked again and I heard him calling out to hold on. I waited for a minute before the door opened and when it did my heart broke.

"Oh my god! Caeleb, what happened?"

"Skyla, what are you doing here?"

"I came to talk to you because I knew something was wrong and figured you just didn't want to talk at work. What in the hell happened to your ribs Caeleb?"

"Nothing, Skyla."

Caeleb let me in the room and closed the door.

"Caeleb, that's not nothing. Your ribs are bruised. Did you get into a fight or something?"

"Or something. Maybe you should get home before your brother freaks out."

"I'm not leaving here until you start talking, Caeleb."

"Skyla, it doesn't matter what happened. It's my problem."

"It does matter Caeleb. I care about you and you are hurt. Please tell me what happened."

"You aren't going to let this go are you?"

"No, I am not."

"Fine. My past caught up to me and I got my ass kicked."

"Looks more like someone stomped on your ribs, Caeleb."

"How the hell did you know that?"

"Caeleb, I can see the boot prints. Who did this?"

"No one I want you around. I'll be ok in a few days."

"What did you do to him?"

"Skyla, I don't want my past out in the open."

"Fine, Caeleb. Let me at least make sure your ribs aren't broken."

"What are you a doctor now?"

"I actually studied some healthcare in my junior year and senior year. Now sit down and let me feel your ribs."

I checked Caeleb's ribs and I couldn't feel any broken ribs. I told him they just seemed to be bruised. I told Caeleb I was going to go ahead and head home and as I was walking to the door he grabbed me by the hand and spun me around. I fell against his chest and looked up at him. He leaned in and kissed me.

"What was that for?"

"Because I wanted to thank you for checking out my ribs."

I started blushing and said bye to him. When I got home no one was there. I made myself a sandwich and then headed to take a shower. When I got out I climbed into bed and went to sleep.