Yours Completely (Reign 2)

The next couple hours were filled with good food, and I was utterly stuffed.

“Dinner was amazing,” I said to Bea.

She wrapped her arm in mine and patted my hand as we walked toward the living room.

“Thank you, honey,” she said.

I peeked behind us at the kitchen. “I don’t mind cleaning up,” I offered for the third time.

“Oh, no, Cal cleans up. It’s good for him.”

“I heard that,” Cal called from the kitchen, amid the sound of water running and scrubbing.

“Good. Now make sure you put all the leftovers in Tupperware to take home with you later too.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he called back. They had a dynamic that couldn’t be matched. An honest caring for each other.

“Has this always been a tradition?” I asked, sitting next to Bea on the couch with the football game going for background noise.

“I cook, he cleans. Because, honey, I tried letting him cook, and it was a disaster. Only way I’ll let him near the kitchen is with a sponge and soap.”

I laughed.

“How is your class going? Project work out alright?” she asked.

I glanced away, then forced a smile. “Yes, my advisor loved the incorporation of your ideas. Thank you so much again.” Not a total lie. My advisor did like it, she just wasn’t my advisor anymore.

“Of course. I’m happy to help.” She scooted a little closer then glanced over her shoulder to in the direction of the kitchen. “Now, tell me,” she said in a hushed voice, “How are things going with you and Cal?”

My brows shot into my hairline. I didn’t know how to answer that. Seeing as how Cal and I weren’t exactly dating, per se.

“Um, we’re good. He’s a great guy. Good friend.”

“Friend?” she said with disgust. “If you two are just friends, then I need to teach you the art of reading men. Because Cal could wear a T-shirt that says “She’s Mine” across his chest and be less obvious.”

“Well, I mean we’re…I don’t know what we are.”

“Is it Jack?”

That made me almost gag. “What do you mean?”

“I’m Cal’s aunt, but Jackie spent most of his school days here, and I think of them both as my sons. I know him leaving must have been tough.”

My mouth hung open, and I had no idea what to say. Bea was blunt, that was no secret, and, if she knew I was with Jack, and now sort of dating or whatever Cal, what did she think of me?

“Honey, you looked spooked.” Her kind eyes studied me. “I wasn’t trying to sound like I was judging you. I just want you know that you’re a part of my boys’ world, which means you’re a part of mine. I’m here if you need anything.”

That was the nicest, most unexpected thing anyone had ever said to me. And I had no idea what to do with it.

“Thank you,” I whispered. My brain churned fast. Maybe Bea was the person to ask about certain things, since she knew Cal on a level that no one else did. She also knew about Jack. Could I really take her up on her offer?

One way to find out.

“Actually, can I ask you something?”

“Of course,” she said with hopeful eyes.

“Am I…doing something wrong?” It was the one question that had plagued my mind since day one, and it had gotten even louder over the past month. Jack and Cal. Cal and Jack. I didn’t seem to fit anywhere, and felt like I was either missing a piece of the puzzle or just flat out…wrong.