I stared at my laptop screen for most of the afternoon before I made the decision to not only find him, but meet him. I knew my parents would never agree, so I called the only person I could think of who would help me, Caleb. He answered on the first ring, “Hey, babe.”
I took a deep breath. “I need your help.” My voice shook as I forced the words out. I’d never done something like this, and my parents were probably going to kill me when they found out.
“Sure.” I could hear him moving around.
“Can you come pick me up tonight, like around midnight?” I chewed my lip, hoping he’d agree. I wasn’t sure how serious we were, but this was sure going to test his feelings.
“Princess, what’s going on?” A door closed in the background and then he sighed.
“Where are you?” I glanced back at my computer screen.
“My room at home. I closed the door. What’s up? You’re scaring me.”
“Did you know?” I started crying all over again.
“Know what?” He sounded genuinely confused, and I knew I wasn’t making much sense.
“I’ll tell you tonight. Come and get me at midnight. I’ll wait at the end of the driveway. Don’t tell your mom about this, and pack a bag with some stuff.” The words were rushed, and I was trying to keep quiet. The last thing I needed was Easton or my mom hearing me.
“Riley.” It was the first time he hadn’t called me “Princess” in a while. “Really, what’s going on?”
“I want to go see my dad. He lives in California. I want you to take me there.” I swallowed as I stood, pulled a bag from my closet, and started packing.
“I don’t think,” he started, but I cut him off.
“If you don’t take me, I’ll find another way. I’m going with or without you. I thought you cared about me?” My voice climbed as I tossed a few shirts in my bag. I knew I was acting crazy, but I couldn’t help it. Anger made you do crazy things at times.
“I do. This isn’t about that, and what do you mean ‘your dad lives in California’?”
“Wes McKay isn’t my dad, Alexander Bishop is.” I started crying all over again.
“Riley, are you sure?” Caleb paused and then sighed. “I mean, I’ve known your dad since we were babies. He’s always acted like your dad.”
“It’s on my birth certificate. I need to find him and talk to him. I’m not going to get answers here. Now, are you going to help me or not?” I tossed shorts into my bag.
Caleb paused, I could hear the bed squeak as he moved, and then more noises that sounded like clothes being tossed around. “I’ll be there at midnight. Your dad is going to go postal when he realizes what you’ve done. You better leave your phone behind. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a tracker on it.”
“Good point.” I closed the laptop. “See you at midnight.” I disconnected the call, powered my phone down, and tossed it on the night table. After grabbing the last few items I needed, I flopped across my bed, and waited. Midnight was going to take forever to get here.
ooooooooo
I almost fell asleep waiting. When midnight rolled around, Caleb took it upon himself to go old school. I was lifting my bag off the floor when I heard a small ‘ting’ sound. I glanced around, and then saw it when it happened again. I rushed to my window, only to find Caleb getting ready to hurl another small rock at it. I lifted the sash and stuck my head out. “What are you doing?” I whisper shouted.
“You turned your phone off.” He shrugged.
I shook my head at him as I ducked back inside, pulling the window closed behind me. I looked around one last time to make sure I didn’t forget anything, and then quietly slipped out the door.
The house was dark, and I almost fell going down the stairs. After grabbing my purse from where I had left it on the island, I carefully opened the front door. I felt slightly bad about what I was doing, but there was also a little voice reminding me that my parents have been lying to me my whole life. What if my real father had known about me? How different would my life be? Would I have been spending the holidays and summers in California?
I closed the door behind me, and briskly walked to the end of the driveway where Caleb was waiting. “Are you sure about this?” He rocked back on his heels. His dark clothes made it hard to see him at first.
I nodded as I pinched my lips together. I didn’t want to start crying. I’d done enough of that today. “Let’s just go.” I reached for the door of his truck as he took my bag from my hand.
“I just think we should talk to your parents again once you’ve calmed down.” He sighed as he tossed my bag in the back. I closed the door without answering him.
When he got in and started the engine, I turned to face him. “I am calm.” The words were clipped and held warning. I wasn’t sure why I was short with him, and in that moment of frustration, I didn’t care. “Can we go now?” I tipped my head toward the road.
“Yeah Princess, we can go.” He put the truck in drive and pulled away, leaving the only family I’ve ever known in the darkness behind us.
Chapter 14Caleb
You know that little voice in your head
