3 Chapter 3

Somehow my phone is on silent and I missed 4 calls from my mom while I showered. She's usually very easygoing and calm, she never overreacts. My mother is a small, gentle, and nurturing woman. But I know she has power over her weird circle of friends. Anytime she walks into the room they stare in awe and listen as though she's an Angel delivering news from the Lord himself. As I think about it, it's actually the whole town. And... anyone we've ever met. Hmm.

I dial her number back quickly, my heart rate picks up. Something about today feels off and things keep adding to it. I have an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"Rose?" I roll my eyes as she says my name. Who else would it be?

My mother has a gorgeous sing-song voice. She could rock you into a gentle sleep just by speaking to you. "Hi mom, it's early. Is everything okay? Dad and my sisters?" I hear her sigh in relief. Weird. "Hi honey. Sorry, I know it's early. I wanted to make sure you were still planning on coming to dinner tonight." She never calls to see if I'm coming to dinner... "Yes mom. Is everything okay??" She pauses for a moment before she answers, "Honey we need to have a talk. I'm glad you were planning on coming because your dad will be there in about 45 minutes to drive you here himself. And before you say anything, I know you have a car and don't need an escort. But please don't fight me on this. Pack your things. I have a feeling you'll be here for a while."

I take a breath to ask- "And Rose, don't ask me what we need to talk about. It's not a conversation you have over the phone. We will talk when you get here." Dumbfounded I can only respond "Okay mom. Love you" I hear the smile in her voice as she says "I love you too honey." I hang up and frown to myself. I heard sadness in her voice too. Something is very very very weird. I don't know if I want to find out.

I feel my phone buzz and look down to see a text from my friend Cal.

"Open your door I have bagels and coffee" I smile and shake my head. He always seems to be around when I need a friend. Breakfast though, it feels like a special occasion.

I skip to my door and unlock both dead bolts and fling it open with a wide smile. Cal is standing there in all his large beauty with a toothpick hanging from his mouth. His hair is shoulder length, wavy. It's light brown with natural sun kissed highlights all throughout. He has hazel eyes just like mine.

His dark leather jacket is hugging his baby blue t shirt but I can still see the muscles rippling through. His blue jeans fit on his lower half like they were made for him. Hell, maybe they were. I didn't realize I was staring until he drops me back into reality on my head. "If I was a girl you probably would have just gotten me almost pregnant with that lust filled look. Christ." He rolls his beautiful eyes and pushes past me, bumping my shoulder on purpose and staring me down the whole walk to my kitchen.