Beyond Broken(55)

Maddie glanced around, noticing that despite the stale air, the living room looked lived in. A pillow and a blanket were sprawled on the couch and an empty plate and glass decorated the coffee table. Envelope and bills were opened and Maddie felt slightly guilty when she peeked down at one and saw a bill from the mortuary.

There were no paintings or pictures. The small dining table on the far side of the living was completely cleaned off. There were sagging cardboard boxes lined against the wall, which she'd also noticed in the hallway. If she didn't know any better, she'd think that Caleb was squatting here. He seemed to take up the smallest space he possibly could in the house.

She went back to the kitchen and wondered if she should try to get him to eat anything, to soak up some of the alcohol. Opening up the fridge, all she saw was a half-empty jar of peanut butter, some condiments, and a milk jug. She rifled through the cabinets as well but only discovered protein powder, a box of crackers, and a few packets of old oatmeal. She poured a glass of water for herself and then grabbed the box of crackers, bringing them over to the coffee table.

Hesitantly, she lowered herself onto the carpet next to him and snagged the blanket off the couch to drape over him. He stirred a little bit, but didn't wake up, repositioning himself so that his cheek rested on the couch cushion, facing her.

Maddie looked at him, her eyes studying his closed eyelids, the dark, strong curve of his eyebrows, the unshaven stubble on his jawline, the pinkness of his full, pouty lips. He was so beautiful it made her chest ache. She couldn't help but reach out and touch his warm cheek.

A phone rang and she pulled her hand away quickly and guilty. Caleb stirred again, the space between his eyebrows contracting, as she pushed off the floor to locate the phone. There was a handset tucked into a corner on the kitchen counter and she picked it up hesitantly, wondering who would be calling this late.

But she relaxed when she heard Brian's voice on the other side. "I just wanted to make sure you two got in all right."

"Yeah, we did," she said quietly, sneaking a peek over at Caleb. "I got him settled in the living room. I think I'll stay with him for a while, just in case."

"Okay," he said. "Take down this number and don't be shy about callin' if you need anythin', okay?"

"I will," she said.

He paused. "Thanks for doing this, sweetie. He won't tell you, but I'm sure he'll appreciate it once he sleeps off his whiskey binge."




       
         
       
        
"I hope so." She just hoped that she hadn't crossed a line with him. In the morning, it could go either one of two ways. He could be grudgingly thankful and try to ignore what happened entirely. Or he would try to push her away even more … again. She knew which option she'd put her money on. "Thanks for your help, Brian. I'll see you tomorrow."

After she hung up and made her way back to the couch, she saw that Caleb had woken up again. He was rubbing his forehead, but stopped when he saw her.

"What are you doing here?" he slurred.

"I helped you inside," she told him patiently. "Here, why don't you try to eat something."

Maddie offered him a cracker, but he wouldn't eat it.

"You're like a fussy two-year-old when you're like this," she informed him, munching on the cracker herself. She'd skipped dinner after all.

Even drunk, Caleb shot her a dark look, which made her smile. She figured if he could still glare at her in this state, he'd survive. Maybe she wouldn't have to spend the night sleeping on the floor and could go home to her own bed.

Still …

She debated getting something delivered since she didn't want to leave him quite yet. Glancing at her phone, she saw that it was only nine o'clock. Had it only been an hour since she went to go check on Caleb in the garage?

"Would you like me to make you some coffee?" she asked him, thinking that would help sober him up. She'd seen a coffee machine on the counter. Caleb shook his head. "Okay, well I'm going to order some food if that's all right. Maybe you'll eat pizza if you don't want a cracker," she muttered, almost to herself.

"What are you talking about, woman?" Caleb groaned.

"Nothing," she said, biting back a smile. "Just rest."

"Trying to."

Maddie inhaled a deep breath through her nostrils. Then she made a call to the local delivery pizza place her family had ordered from all the time when she'd been younger. It had been years since she'd had it last.

Caleb unsteadily pushed up from his spot on the floor.