Giving into his demands, I mockingly pleaded, “Please, oh please, Mr. Hawkins. Tell me what your parents know about me?”
He laughed, throwing his head back.
“Did it work?”
“It’d be better if you were actually on your knees, but I’ll take the bait.”
I bit my lip, anxiously waiting for his response.
“They know everything.”
My eyes widened. “You’re joking.”
“Why would I joke about that?”
“So they know like everything, everything? Like our history too?”
“Cliff notes version.”
“When did you tell them?”
“When you started working for me.”
I gasped. “Caleb!”
“What?” He chuckled. “My mother is extremely overprotective. Especially when it comes to her only grandchildren. I had to ease her mind by telling her you’ve come on my coc—”
“Oh my God. You better be joking.”
He reached for my hand, kissing it. “I am. Relax. She knows how much you mean to me and my kids. They wouldn’t stop talking about you when they last spoke on the phone. Trust me, you’ve won them over already, and they haven’t even met you yet.”
“This isn’t making me feel any better.”
“You can sit on my face. That usually works for you.”
I rolled my eyes, nodding to the kids in the back.
“We can sneak into my bedroom.”
“Eww! Where you’ve taken all your high school hookups? No thank you.”
“Sweetheart, I never fucked anyone in my bed.”
I smirked.
“I always fucked them in theirs.”
“Caleb!”
My shouting caught Ethan and Ariel’s attention. For the rest of the ride, we interacted with them until Caleb drove through these huge golden gates that entered an enormous estate.
Their property was massive. I thought my brother had a compound, but it didn’t compare to Caleb’s parents’ estate.
“Wow.”
“Yeah, try growing up in this place.”
As soon as Caleb parked, Ethan and Ariel booked it out of the SUV, running toward the front door while I stayed glued to the seat.
“Come on, darlin’, let’s go.”
“Do I look okay?” I pulled down the visor, looking in the mirror.
“You look gorgeous. Now get your ass out of the car before I do it for you.”
He stepped out, and I followed his lead, unconsciously grabbing his hand.
“I have one more question.”
“Mmm hmm.”
“Do they know the truth about you and Tessa?”
“They fucking hate Tessa. They’ve always hated Tessa. My mother spent months trying to convince me not to marry her.”
“Okay.” I inhaled a deep breath. “I feel much better now.”
My heart was pounding out of my chest as we walked inside. Their home was like a museum with columns, portraits, and antiques in every corner. I couldn’t believe he grew up in this extravagance and decadence. I was mesmerized, trying to focus on one thing at a time, but there was too much to see.
“This is crazy,” I muttered under my breath.
“Tell me about it. This estate has been in my family for generations.”
“I can see that. The painting by the door? Is that a real Picasso?”
“Everything you see is real.”
“That painting alone is worth a fortune. There’s being rich, and then there’s wealthy. Your family is beyond both.”
“Don’t let it intimidate you.”
“How can I not?”
“Caleb!” His mom calling for him interrupted us. “Honey, we’re in the kitchen with the kids!”
I inhaled another deep, solid breath, making our way into the room.
“Caleb.” His mom rushed over to him, instantly pulling him into her arms.
They embraced for a couple of seconds before our eyes connected.
“Hi.” I extended my hand to her. “I’m Evie, so nice to finally meet you.”
“I know who you are. Welcome to our home,” she greeted, pulling me into a snug hug.
I was a little caught off guard. However, I quickly hugged her back. The rest of the day was easy, although I didn’t think it would be. Caleb’s father was just as kind as his mother was. I enjoyed being around them. It was effortless, like my connection with their son.
They caught me up on his life, telling me all about him when he was young. She even brought out photo albums, and we spent hours going through each one. The kids loved seeing their dad as a child.
One thing was for sure, though, Caleb was his mother’s everything. It was blatantly obvious how much she cared for him. It was amazing to witness the love they all had for each other. I didn’t have this growing up, and I was beyond grateful to see it for the first time in my life. Don’t get me wrong, Jax’s family was loving too, but this was different.
Familiar yet new.
After Caleb left to put the kids to bed, I walked outside, needing a minute to take in the day we’d just shared with his family. I didn’t realize how much being around him and his loved ones would affect me.
Until I heard a voice ask from behind me, “You love him, don’t you?”
I immediately turned, finding his mother standing there.
“I’ve always loved him.”
“I can tell.” She smiled. “My son is an amazing man.”