Chapter 4: Compromises
Reaching Nicky's Tyler was already there waiting for us. "Oh so they did kidnap you?" Tyler teased, "You could say that" I muttered forcing a smile on my face. "Now what?" I demanded crossing my arms and staring down Pogue and Caleb. "Now you loosen up" Caleb told me putting his large hands on my shoulder steering me over to the foosball tables. I groaned looking around seeing all the Spenser students that were whispering like crazy to each other at seeing me and Caleb together like this. Some of them even full on gawking with their mouths hanging open.
I groaned making a face. "Since when did you care about what people said about you?" Caleb questioned, I jumped as he whispered in my ear. He chuckled at my reaction before he walked over to his side of the table. "I don't" I told him instantly. He raised an eyebrow, those gorgeous brown eyes watching me. "Then why are you looking around at the others instead of me?" He questioned. I groaned, he was right. Damn it. I looked back at him. "And what makes you different from them?" I questioned him nodding my head towards the rest of Spenser's junior and senior class. "Do you really want to know?" He questioned leaning on the table. I mimicked him and nodded my head.
He chuckled at my childish behavior before smiling down at me. He leaned forwards and I blushed holding my frame only for him to go the side his lips near my ear. "It's a secret" his husky voice filled my ear. I couldn't help but smile at his words. "Everything all right?" Pogue questioned two soda cups in his hands. Caleb and I both looked at him smiles on our faces. "Yep" I told him taking one of the soda cups. Pogue taking my spot at the table as him and Caleb played against each other. "So you two were getting close" Pogue commented. I blushed as I drank my drink. Using my hands to cover my cheeks so they wouldn't notice. Only my eyes visible over the cup. Caleb smiled and winked at me. "Don't know what you're talking about" Caleb commented. Pogue raised an eyebrow but let it go.
"Piper!" Cassie shouted jumping on me. I laughed and hugged her back. "I thought you weren't coming out tonight?" She questioned. "I wasn't till these two goons kidnapped me!" I told her nodding towards Caleb and Pogue who smiled at Cassie. "Oh" Cassie said with a knowing smile. I glared at her and pinched her arm. "Ow!" Cassie whined. "Be right back" I told the boys pushing Cassie out of ear shot. "What was that about?" I demanded from her. She just giggled. "So you're getting tight with the son's now are you? I thought you didn't like them?" She questioned. "I don't" I told her. "Then why are you hanging out with them?" She questioned. "Because they kidnapped me!" I complained, "then why are you still hanging out with them?" She teased. I bit my bottom lip. I didn't really have an answer to that one.
"I knew it!" She smiled pointing a knowing finger at me. I sighed rolling my eyes. "Uhuh, so are you going to hang out with me and make this less awkward?" I questioned her. "Hm" She hummed rocking on the balls of her feet. "Okay" she finally gave in walking back to the table with me. Caleb smiled at seeing my return and I smiled back. "Now what do you two boys say to playing two on two?" I questioned. Caleb raised an eyebrow. "Can you even play?" Pogue challenged. "One way to find out" I told him siding with Caleb. Cassie smiled and went to Pogue's side of the table. Us girls protected the goals while the boys fought for control in the middle.
Us girls weren't that great but the boys were letting us play either way. After an hour we were snacking on French fries at the table just laughing and enjoying ourselves. Tyler glanced at his watch before he groaned. "How late is it?" I questioned him. "Pretty late, nearing midnight" Tyler told me. "No way?" I questioned and he nodded. I groaned. "I better get going" I muttered standing up. "Oh come on! It's not that late!" Pogue tried to keep me there. I had to admit it did feel like old times hanging out again. I smiled softly at him squeezing his shoulder. "It's all right. We'll have tomorrow right?" I questioned him. He smiled and nodded. Caleb stood up pulling his jacket on. "Did you want to leave now or ride home with Baby Boy?" Caleb questioned Pogue. Tyler groaned at the nickname while Cassie and I snickered.
"Now I'll head back with you guys. Have to make sure you have to get home all right" Pogue winked at me. I rolled my eyes. "See you guys tomorrow" I winked at Cassie and Tyler. They would make a cute couple. I went to pick up my jacket but Caleb already had it. Holding it up for me expectantly. I rolled my eyes turning around slipping my arms into the sleeves. "Thank you" I giggled as we made it out side. "So where was Kate tonight?" I questioned Pogue. "Studying" he told me. I raised an eyebrow and gave Caleb a curious look. He made a face and I tried not to laugh. Kate never studied. Ever. Poor Pogue. Of course I had heard rumors of Kate cheating but since Pogue and I weren't friends anymore I didn't feel obligated to tell him anything.
But now things were different. I'd have to ask Caleb first. It seemed like he knew something. Reaching the house I furrowed my eyebrows at seeing the living room light on. Dad should have been in bed two hours ago! "Mind if I walk you to the door?" Caleb questioned getting out of the car moving his seat for me. I got out of the car. "Night Pogue. And yes you can" I told Caleb. He nodded closing the door and following me to the front door. Pogue watching us attentively. "So I take it you know that Kate's not studying" I told him. He sighed but nodded. "Yeah so does Pogue" Caleb muttered. I furrowed my eyebrows. "But then why stay with her?" I questioned, Caleb sighed. "I think it's because he's been missing someone for a while. And now that he's getting some female attention it fills the void." Caleb told me honestly watching my reaction.
"Then why put him through that?" I questioned Caleb. He sighed, shaking his head. "You still think it was me that told him to stop being friends with you?" Caleb questioned. "Well you were the only thing that changed that year" I told him. He sighed. "Unfortunately not the only thing" he told me. I raised a confused eyebrow at him. "What do you mean?" I questioned him. He shook his head. "Don't worry about it. Besides I thought you wanted to get to bed?" He questioned me. I rolled my eyes opening my door. "You know what Caleb?" I questioned him only to pause at seeing my dad laying on the ground in front of the stairs. "What?" Caleb questioned playfully when I didn't continue only for me to throw the door open and race inside. "Dad?" I demanded sliding down to my knees leaning over him.
Caleb rushed in after me. "Dad!" I shouted cradling his face. He felt cold. I checked his pulse and didn't feel anything. Caleb pulled his phone out calling 911 immediately.