“Rils.” Pain spread over his features. “Just let me explain.” He backed up as I stepped forward.
“No!” I shook my head. “Get out!” I pointed to the door. “You lied! Get out!” We stood there staring at each other, daring the other to move. Finally, his shoulders dropped, and he left, defeated.
“When you’re ready to talk, call me.” His voice was a little more than a whisper as he closed the door behind him.
I stood there shaking with anger as I heard his truck crank up, and gravel crunch when he drove away. “Riley,” Dad called, but I was too angry. I shook my head at the both of them as I rushed upstairs, tears streaming from my eyes, and threw myself on my bed. How could he do this? How could he lie like that? Did he not understand what he’d done? I’d given him everything, and it meant nothing to him. He’d been lying the whole time. Was he lying when he said he loved me?
Chapter 25Riley
I spent most of the first night in my room. Mom brought me dinner, and Dad stopped by to tell me goodnight. It took hours for me to fall asleep. When I woke up the next morning, I was more angry than hurt. I dressed in some workout clothes and went out to the home gym. It was empty, just the way I was hoping.
I went over to the stereo and cranked it up. I Hate Everything About You by Three Days Grace blared as I stormed over to the treadmill. After stretching for a few minutes, I turned up the speed and hopped on. The faster I went, the angrier I became. Visions of Caleb telling me he loved me floated through my head as sweat beaded on my body. I was punishing myself for believing him, and the harder I pushed, the better I felt. After a two-mile run, I moved over to the heavy bag. I’d taken a few kickboxing classes and worked with my dad so many times I could do this with my eyes closed. The music changed and Linkin’ Park filled the air. I spun, lifted my leg and kicked the bag. It rocked, and when it swung back, I switched feet. I pictured Caleb’s body as I delivered another kick and then a punch.
“Want some help?” I jumped when I heard him. “I’ve got a little experience with angry training,” Dad yelled over the music.
“What about with jerks who tell you they love you?” I huffed as I refused to look at him and took another swing at the bag. “What about the kind who lie?” I grunted as my leg made contact again.
Dad moved across from me and braced the bag. “I’ve had my heart broken before, Rils, we all have. Come here.” He motioned for me to come over to the mat he had in the middle of the room. I watched as he made his way to the box in the corner where he kept his gear. He yanked his shirt off, grabbed some head gear, and then slipped some gloves on. After grabbing a sparring pad, he was back. “Hit me,” he encouraged before slipping a mouth guard in place.
I bounced on my toes and ran straight at him. He spun and held the pad up as I threw a one two punch. His feet moved to brace him as I worked my way around the mat. I used my anger to fuel my strength. I needed to get it out, but being here just reminded me of him. I remembered us sparring at the gym, and goofing around in bed. “Again!” Dad barked as he braced for my attack.
I swung and kicked at his chest. My floor game was much better and I knew I’d have an advantage if I could get him down. Dad didn’t train like he used to. He didn’t fight anymore, he just trained the younger ones at the gym. He trained me, and I knew his weaknesses. He was stronger on the floor too, but I was smaller. “Pretend I’m him. Hit me, Rils!” he barked again. “Let me have it. Show me how mad you are!” he taunted. I kicked and punched, spun and swiped. I used everything in my arsenal to bleed the anger out.
When we finally stopped, I was breathing so hard I could barely talk. Tears fell like rain from my eyes. I was used up. I had nothing left. Dad had given me the workout I needed. The anger was gone, and now hurt filled its place. “I know you’re hurting right now, but he did the right thing. Caleb wasn’t lying to you when he said he loved you. It pains me to say that. You’re my little girl, and the idea of any guy loving you makes me want to break their face, but I know he cares deeply about you.”
“He promised. He told me he never broke promises. All this time I thought we were doing something wrong, and he was telling you everything. I just don’t know why he lied about it.” I sniffed.
“Maybe because he didn’t want to hurt you.” Dad’s head tipped to the side as if to say ‘think about it’. “He was trying to protect you. To make the right choice. He wanted you to get the answers you needed, but he also knew that we’d worry and we love you.” He patted my back. “You should think about it, and then maybe talk to him? I think he at least should get to explain himself.” Dad stood and walked out of the gym, leaving me there in a puddle of sweat and tears.
oooooooooCaleb
It’s been five days since I dropped her off at home. Five days of no communication. Five days of
