We’re still wrapped up together when the doctor comes in the next morning. I introduce him to Caleb, telling him he’s my husband. He’s very happy that Cal got me to open up, and after looking over my chart, tells me I’m free to go. I thank him and then cuddle back into the chest I love for a few more minutes. The sensible scientist makes me get up to put on clothes, reminding me that the sooner I get dressed, the sooner he can take me home to bed. I’m dressed and out the door in fifteen minutes. Being married to the town prince definitely has its advantages.
Chapter 18
Tegan
It’s been two weeks since I got out of the hospital, and things are finally dying down. Reina told me to take as much time off as I needed, and Luke got permission for Ethan to temporarily go to school here, but get credit at his school in Las Vegas. It’s been fun, watching him and Caleb bond even more.
I sleep in every day, and when Cal gets back from dropping Ethan off at school, he wakes me up with his mouth or hands. We make love for a couple of hours before he goes downstairs to his makeshift lab, and works on his formulas. I read or binge watch TV shows I’ve missed until school is out.
We both pick up Ethan, but while they go back to the ranch to do ‘cowboy things,’ I head to the high school. Soon after I got out of the hospital, the guidance counselor from the school contacted me, asking if I would be willing to talk to some of the girls at the school who were having a rough time. I immediately agreed, and now we meet daily.
I started with just a small group of girls who were the victims of bullying. For the way they dress, the poverty they live in, their weight, their sexual orientation, their skin color, or even their brains. Now, there are thirty girls, including most of the cheerleading squad and the girls’ sports teams. We even have a few pageant queens. All these girls are so different on the outside, but through just simple conversations where they can say whatever they need to, they’ve come to realize that they’re a lot alike.
Today is a special day—not just because we’re meeting on a Saturday—but because my friends are coming to talk to the girls, too. All the Society girls, plus all of the Griffin women will be meeting me at the school. I also invited Caleb’s mom, and some of the other women who’ve supported me. I’ll be going home after next week’s gala to celebrate the ‘fuel deal,’ and I want to make sure that there are others who can keep this program going. Especially now that some boys are asking to join, too.
“Why are you so smiling so big, Caleb Hall? You look like the cat who swallowed the canary.”
“Just happy, Tegan Hall. Very happy,”
“Whatever. Don’t tell me. I’ll find out, though, you know I will.”
“You’re about to. In 3, 2, 1…”
I look out the car window and my mouth drops in shock as tears form in my eyes. We’re at the school, but it looks like the whole town’s here, instead of just the people I was expecting to see. There are big signs all over with my face and positive messages.
“TegAn Kelly is______, and so am I!” is what the signs say. There are words like “smart,” “beautiful,” “nice,” “awesome,” and so many more handwritten in.
In the front of the crowd, my friends and the girls from the group are all wearing shirts, too. They say “TegAn Kelly is_____, and have sayings written on them in Sharpie. Stella’s says “my bestie for life.” Wayne’s says “My kryptonite.” Ethan’s says “my mama.” My eyes are getting too blurry to see any more, and I drop my head into my hands.
“Hey there, how are you going to see my shirt if you’re not looking at me,” Caleb asks as he turns off the car.
I look up as he takes off the jacket he’s wearing. His shirt has Kelly crossed out and Hall written in. The entire message says “Tegan Hall is the love of my life.” I burst back into tears. “You promised to never make me cry on purpose again, you jerk.”
“These are happy tears. I’m allowed happy tears.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too. Now let’s get out of this truck before they all come over and drag you away from me.”
He gets out and then comes around to open my door. We hold hands as the crowd cheers. I get more hugs than I ever thought I’d have in my life, before Cal takes my hand again. We lead the crowd into the football stadium which has a full on carnival going on. There’s also a stage with a DJ and a dance area on one end. Don’t even get me started on the food. My mouth is watering and Caleb has to throw me over his shoulder to keep me on track as I try to break away.
“Later, honey,” he tells me with a laugh as I smack his ass.
“You better buy me one of everything.”
“It’s all free for everyone. Courtesy of my family, and yours. Your real family, I mean,” he informs me as he sets me on the stage.
“We have the best families.”
“Yes we do.”
He sits next to me in one of the chairs on the stage as the high school guidance counselor steps up to the microphone. I squeeze his hand, knowing the waterworks are probably going to be back out in full force. He squeezes back, and hands me a box of Kleenex from next to his chair.
“Thank you all for coming out today to help us celebrate Tegan Kelly. For many years, she was vilified in this town, and when the incidents of a few weeks ago occurred, I knew she could help the girls—and boys—of this town look at how they treat each other and allow themselves to be treated. I approached her about meeting with some students, and she didn’t hesitate to say yes. Her small group has grown, with more students asking to join every day. She’ll be going home soon, but she’s passing the torch to some other amazing women in town so they can continue the work she’s started.
“The students came to me a few days ago, and asked if we could do something for Tegan. They wanted to remind her, and everyone else in this town, just how special and awesome she is. There were horrible words used to describe her in the past, and we all agreed that we wanted to replace them with all the good there is in her. Her husband and friends jumped in to help, and now we have this big celebration.” She turns to look at me, where I’m ugly crying with Caleb’s arm around me. “Tegan, we’d love for you to say something if you could.”
I can. In fact, in that moment, I realize that I’m going to reveal my biggest secrets. It’s time. I stand and hug her, before stepping up to the microphone.
“You all have no idea what the gift you’ve given to me today means to me. Besides filling me with love and gratitude, your gestures have given me strength. The strength I need to finally tell everyone what really happened to me right before I left this town all those years ago. Only a couple of people here today know all of the story. My husband, son, and best friend haven’t even heard what I’m going to tell you. For too long, I was scared to admit that I was weak, but Caleb has taught me that sometimes the person you love will be strong enough for both of you.”
I take a deep breath, and try to keep my voice steady. “When I was sixteen, I found out I was pregnant. Although I’m not here to condone teen pregnancy, I can tell you that I wasn’t scared, or worried. I knew my boyfriend loved me, and would love our child, too. Until I made a mistake at a party in Houston. It’s not the mistake you all have thought it was for over ten years, but it was a big, naïve mistake on my part none the same.
“I had heard the warnings about not letting someone give you a drink at a party if you didn’t watch them open in, or pour it. If a stranger had offered to grab me a drink that night, I would’ve declined. But it was one of my boyfriend’s best friends who offered, and it was just a soda. I thought I was safe with him, but I wasn’t.”
“Motherfucking bastard,” I hear Cal say behind me, but I make myself face forward so I can continue without breaking down.
“I started to feel weird, and very hot. I asked for Caleb, but Greg told me that he didn’t know when he’d be back. He said I should just take off my clothes if I was hot. In my drugged state, I thought that was an excellent idea; although, part of me
was telling me something was very wrong. It just wasn’t a big enough part to make me stop. When Greg pulled me into his room, and closed the door, I took off my shirt and jeans. I had on loose jeans, which allowed me to keep my boots on while I took them off. That was a good thing, because I’d need those boots later.
“When Greg started to lay me down on the bed, I felt myself getting sick. I was still in the phase of my pregnancy where I had morning, noon, and night sickness. I’ve always believed my son was protecting me that night, because I had to throw up. Greg put a trash can under me as I rolled to the side of the bed and threw up everything in my stomach. Doing that didn’t remove the drug from my bloodstream, but it did clear my head enough to make me realize I was almost naked in a bed with someone who wasn’t my boyfriend. I kneed Greg in the balls, and ran from the room.
“I honestly cannot even remember passing by the other partygoers as I got out of that house as fast as I could. I was lucky that the house in Houston was near campus, because there was a twenty-four hour women’s clinic just down the street. I had seen it when we’d driven past earlier, and I ran there like my life—and my baby’s—depended on it. When I ran in yelling about my baby, they thought I was in labor or miscarrying. The doctor on duty calmed me down enough for me to tell her that I thought I’d been drugged and was worried about my baby being affected by the drug.”
“I’m going to that fucking jail and ending his life. I swear it.”
“After checking me out, and keeping me overnight while she had a local hospital rush my blood tests, she confirmed that I’d been drugged, but told me my baby would be fine. She asked me if I knew what I was planning to do about my pregnancy, and I told her I was keeping my baby. I said that the father would be as adamant as I was, and we’d find a way to make it work.”
“Oh my God.”
I have to turn this time, because I know he’s beating himself up. “Stop it, Cowboy. You didn’t know. And it’s about to get worse, so I need you to be okay,” I say with my hand over the microphone. He nods, so I look back at the crowd and continue my story.
“Things didn’t work out the way I thought they were going to, as most of you know. Greg said I slept with him, and Caleb believed him. He and his friends called me horrible names, and said horrible things to me until the only thing keeping me from killing myself was the baby that was growing in my belly. My son was saving me, over and over again, before he was even born. That’s just the kind of awesome he is.
“I tried to hide my pregnancy from my parents while I was figuring out how to get out of town. When my mother discovered my secret, she told me I had to have an abortion. She made an appointment, and I wasn’t allowed to leave the house until she took me to Houston that day. Luck was on my side, since the appointment was at the same clinic I had run to the night of the party. The doctor had seen my name on the list and knew there was something wrong since I had been so sure that I wanted the baby. She called her friend, Cyndi Evans, and asked her to come to Houston.
“When we got to the appointment, the doctor insisted on seeing me alone. She took me into her office, where I met Cyndi for the first time. I told them my story, and they promised to protect me. My parents received a very large amount of money, and I received the love and support of a woman who became like a new mother to me.”
“You ungrateful little bitch,” I hear my mother say as she storms up to the stage. “Who fed and clothed you all those years you were sleeping with the rich kid?”
“I did,” Caleb’s mom says, coming up behind her. “I made sure Tegan was fed and had clothes that fit her, while you only cared about how much you could take from her. I know you stole some of those clothes for yourself.”
“I needed something new, too.”
“Then you should’ve gone out and got a job instead of stealing from your daughter.”
“You can’t fault me for wanting the life you were giving her. She never appreciated those things. She was just using all of you.”
“Say one more lie about Tegan, and I will lay you out right here in front of God and this entire town. I should, anyway, just for the fact that you tried to end the life of my grandson.”
“She shouldn’t have spread her legs.”
She’s on the ground in seconds, clutching her jaw. “I’ll sue you.”
“For what?” I say into the microphone. “Did anyone here see anything?”
Not one person speaks up as my mother gets to her feet. She glares at me one more time before leaving. I hang my head for a minute, and feel Caleb’s hand slip into mine as he stands next to me.
“I’m not going to bore you with a bunch more details, especially because those food tents all have my name on them, but I want to say that with Cyndi’s help and love, I was able to go to school and start a job I love. I have amazing friends who are here today, women and men who are so amazing that I have to pinch myself sometimes to prove I didn’t just dream them up. They helped me and Ethan through all the years I was away from here, and they’ve supported me since I decided to let this guy back into my life. If you take one thing from what I’ve told you today, I hope it’s that you all have value, and that things aren’t always what they seem. So try not to judge other people until you know their story. Thank you.”
I step back and they start clapping. Everyone in the stadium gets to their feet and starts clapping for me. They’re yelling my name, as I turn to Caleb and cry into his chest. He leads me off the stage and kisses me until my tears stop.
“I want my food now, please.”
“I hope they brought enough for you,” he says as he walks backwards.
“You trying to sleep on the couch tonight?”
“Definitely not.”
“Then shut up and take me to the food, dammit.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Chapter 19
Caleb
After Tegan has tried some of all the different kinds of food, we go on the Ferris wheel so we can kiss at the top, and then try out a couple more rides. We’re walking around looking at all the games and charity booths. All the money that’s collected is going to a Down Syndrome charity in honor of little Ben Griffin, Luke and Olivia’s son. He was born with the disease—which they were aware that he may be—and is being welcomed into this large ‘family’ of people in the same way I’m sure my son was. I think he’s an adorable baby, and if anyone says different, I’ll be more than happy to set them straight.
There’s a dunk tank featuring Zack and Miles. The line is a mile long, which makes me smile. I’d like to take a shot at Miles, just because I know Tegan slept with him. “It was only once,” she tells me with a laugh when she sees me glaring his way.
“That’s still one too many.”
“How was the monastery you were in while we were apart?”
“You’re funny. Not. But point taken.”
“Is there anything in particular you want to do?”
I’m about to answer no, when I see that the kissing booth is about to switch out guys. Well, actually I hear the screams before I see it, but I’m immediately heading that way. “Yep. I see something I want to do.” This will teach him to mess with me again.
“Oh my God. Are you serious?” she says when she sees where I’m heading.
“I am.”
“I’m so taking a picture of this.”
I walk to the front of the line and see Wayne’s eyes widen. I turn to the crowd. “Ya’ll don’t mind if I jump the line, do you. I’m going to pay $1,000 to kiss the pop star.”
“Fuck,” Wayne says.
“No. Just a kiss. Pucker up.”
I hand over my money and lean in. He shrugs, and meets me halfway. Our lips only touch for a few seconds, but I hear the clicks of cell phone cameras going off around me. I smile as I pull back, and so does he.
“Well played, man. Very well played,” he says as we both wipe off our lips with wet napkins.
I nod, and then turn to address the crowd. “His lips are reall
y soft, ladies. Enjoy.”
I walk over to Tegan, who is doubled over in laughter. “That was probably the best thing I’ve ever seen in my life. That picture is definitely going on the mantle.”
“Just as long as you got my good side.”
“Every side of you is good.”
“Oh yeah?” I ask as I wrap my arms around her.
“Mm-hm.”
“Wanna go make out under the bleachers?”
“We are too old for that.”
“Bite your tongue, woman. I am still young and virile.”
“What does virile mean?” Ethan asks as he walks up to us, along with Landon Wilson.
“Stupid. That’s what it means,” I tell him as I smack Caleb.
“I’ll tell you what it really means later, E.”
“Couch, Caleb. Couch.”
He leans in so only I can hear. “The dock, honey. I want you on the dock at the creek tonight at eight. I’m going to take the boys around while you hang with your friends, but I’ll see you later. Wear that sexy bikini you bought and lie down on the dock for me.”
“Okay,” I croak out as he kisses my cheek.
My guys walk away with Landon, while I start fanning my face with my hand. I see the Griffins and head over to them so I can hold the baby.
“Hi, Tegan. That was a great speech you gave today. I’m so proud of you. We all are.”
“Thanks, Maggie.”
“You want to hold Ben, don’t you?” Liv asks me.
“Yes, please.”
She hands him to me, and I cuddle him close. He’s such a cutie, and we all are totally in love with the little guy.
“Was I seeing things, or did Caleb really kiss Wayne?” Candi asks.
“Oh no. He really kissed him. I’m pretty sure it was to get back at him for messing with him about me all those times.”
“He’s a good guy, Teeg. I know he’s made mistakes, but haven’t we all?”
“You don’t need to sell me on him, Candi. I’m currently a very happily married woman.”
Uncovering His SECRET Page 16
