Migraine

Sam: I mean, I could've paid you in monopoly money, but your baby sis was feelin a bit generous today, so you're welcome.

Sam: LOL! Sorry for the loss of your youth, old man, but I'm still young and thrivin

Sam: Don't be too jelly

Kaleb: I burned all the monopoly money, remember?

Kaleb: Hahahaha, your day will come.

Her chosen form of payment proved to be as successful as she’d hoped. She moved closer to the counter, watching as Kaleb unloaded the paper bag’s mysterious contents. Hearing what he had planned made her eyes grow wide with excitement. Sloane was a total sucker for Italian food — or anything to do with pasta really. Seeing his expression change as he spoke of the happy memory with his mother, Sloane couldn’t help but wonder how different things with her own mother would be if they had had a functional relationship over the years. Maybe she would’ve learned something more practical than what scantily clad outfits could always guarantee entry into a club or even which beers were best for shotgunning. These thoughts, however, didn’t last long as his remaining words caught her attention, causing a momentary flutter of her heart. And how is that? was what she wanted to say, but fear of ruining the nice moment between them was too great for her to ignore. So, instead she opted for, “Sounds like you chose a good route. Pasta is my love language.”

“Is it?” Kaleb’s eyes danced with glee at her proclamation. “I’m definitely going to file that away for later usage.” he teased as he finished emptying the paper bag. He’d stopped at an Italian market nearby and collected all ingredients needed based on the list his mom had given him. Since he was a pro at making this particular dish...and eggs, he knew she’d enjoy it. “I also brought us a bottle of red wine. I hope you’ll have a glass with me,” he stated sneaking a glance at her. One of the aspects he enjoyed immensely about their relationship was how comfortable they were around each other. It couldn’t express enough how amazing that felt. He’d strayed away from relationships because of the awkward tension that arose after sex or even after a simple meal. With Sloane, it was different somehow. “So tell me, do you have any family recipes of your own? Chicken noodle soup? Roast beef? Pasta?” he wiggled his thick eyebrows at her while folding the paper bag. “Hope it’s okay if I leave this here.” he added leaving the folded paper bag on an empty counter and making his way around her kitchen. He would definitely need her help navigating. “Now keep in mind, I might beg you to cook for me if you share.” A huge lopsided grin covered his features. 

Sam: Okay.

Sam: -venmo's 1 cent-

Sam: Now go pass along my message, please! 😁

Sam: LOL - look all I know is that I'm too young for the kid life

Sam: Also thanks, but I don't want the responsibility of looking after another living thing.

Kaleb: -checks phone notification-

Kaleb: Dis-res-pect-ful.

Kaleb: But a penny is better than nothing.

Sam: But isn't being the middle child like the same thing?

Sam: WHAT IF I WAS A LESBIAN?!

Sam: I'm not, BUT STILL!!

Sam: Man, that lady really needs to calm down about wanting grandkids

Sam: Kaleb. Go have kids already so mom can leave me alone!!

Sam: I also think I'd make a really cool aunt

Sam: Spoiling them with sugary sweets then leaving you to deal with it lmao

Kaleb: NO. It's not. Pay me and I'll do whatever you say but until then I'm not passing messages anymore.

Kaleb: I mean I'll love you if you were. So no hard feelings there.

Kaleb: Hell no! Don't wish such bad things on me. Wish it on Kaleb. He's the one whose never been married and has no kids and frankly why isn't mom crawling up his ass about all this shit?

Matt: So, you're a bitch?

Matt: Fire away.

Kaleb: I'm telling mom.

Sam: Why did she just call me herself?

Sam: Wait, does she STILL not know how to send a text??

Sam: I've seriously shown her like a million times 😑

Sam: Husband??

Sam: When did I get married, and why wasn't I there?

Kaleb: She said she did. Again talk to mom about it. I'm not being paid to be the middle guy.

Kaleb: Yeah, she's old school. Can't teach a dog new tricks.

Matt: Mom told me I needed to be nicer to you, bitch.

Kaleb: Only a bitch calls a bitch a bitch.

Kaleb: You better.

Matt: I don't remember apologizing but okay.

Matt: Yo shit head.

Matt: Me and Sam are going for ice cream.

Matt: You in?

Sam: UGH

Sam: What did I do NOW?

Kaleb: I dunno. She told me to tell you to give her a call.

Kaleb: Mom said call her.

She should’ve known he wouldn’t give up his secrets so easily. However, she didn’t mind it too much. He was the sweetest, most romantic guy she’d ever dated; waiting for the reveal of his surprises were always well worth it. Of course ‘dated’ was past tense, but this wasn’t something she tried thinking too much about. A part of her felt if she did, it would taint the little moments they were allowed to have in the present. Her brows furrowed together, accompanied by a mock frown hearing his teasing words. The brunette’s petite frame easily followed the guide of his arms, bringing her body closer to his. Their gazes locked as she considered his request. There were plenty of options and quips she could offer back to him, but her curiosity happened to win this round. “Okay.” 

She rose to her tiptoes, helping her reach his six foot stature, and brought her soft pink lips to his. However, before he could attempt to prolong their kiss, she dropped down to her normal height stating, “Transaction complete. Now spill.”

The sweet taste of her lips pulsated throughout the entirety of his frame. Yep, she had him by the balls. That was the only way he could put it. Though they weren’t official, he hoped that they’d get back to a place where they could be. The memory of when he first saw her floated into his mind with such intensity he had to press another kiss to her lips. It wasn’t every day that women had Kaleb at the knees. In actuality, there had never been another woman who grabbed his attention as much as Sloane had. At least not in his adult years. “Fair is fair,” he began, reluctantly releasing her from his embrace and digging in the paper bag filled with groceries. “My mother used to make vodka alla penne from scratch when I was a boy,” Kaleb licked his lips in remembrance. “And when I was in college I asked her to teach me the recipe.” His memory took him back to that moment in their family kitchen. An easy grin graced his lips at the thought. “So I figured I’d make it for you tonight.” his voice grew low. “To show you how much you mean to me.” 

With her roommate gone for the week on tour with her dance company, Sloane had the apartment all to herself, and it showed. She wasn’t necessarily a messy person, but she did tend to be more lax on herself on the days she was on her own. She rushed to tidy up before Kaleb came over. She had picked up her last piece of careless thrown jeans on the couch when she heard his familiar voice coming from the entryway. “Shit shit shit.” She let out the string of expletives under her breath as she rushed to her room to toss the clothes in her closet. Once she slammed closed the closet door, she walk-jogged to the living room. “Hey!” she replied back, brushing back the out of place strands that had fallen to her face. “No, it’s fine,” she waved off. Her dimpled smile appeared as she added, “You’re here now.” Curious hazel eyes followed his short path from the living area to the kitchen, taking note of the well packed bag he’d placed down. She walk the few feet over to the mystery bag, peaking in as she questioned, “Whatcha got here?”

The sound of her melodic voice soothed something inside Kaleb that he hadn’t realized needed soothing. The last few days had been nice, easy and a dream he’d thought he’d never attain. He was known to be the woman’s man, a player, a bachelor who had no intention of settling down but here he was...kind of playing house with a woman he felt was too good for him. Somehow playing seemed to be the wrong choice of words in his mind. He wasn’t playing at anything, he was just being. Being a man who had designs on a woman. What was wrong with that? Pivoting at her voice, he gazed at her for a lingering second, his smile widening. The stormy green-blue of eyes clashed with his disposition. There was so much going through his mind and all of it involved her. She literally took his breath away. “There you are.” he stated reaching a hand out and taking hers. “Ohhhhh...wouldn’t you like to know?” he joked pulling her into his warm embrace. He could definitely get used to this. They weren’t in a relationship, no, this wasn’t that but it damn well felt like it. “I need payment before I spill my guts, pretty girl.” 

The tendrils of her hair bounced as she jumped and clapped her hands in excitement. His gentle movement of her hair immediately caused the butterflies in her stomach to flap even harder. In an attempt to ignore her body’s inner reactions to the man, she let out a small laugh before gesturing to the door. “Come on.” She followed him out to the car and greeted the driver once  inside.

“Mmm, that’s a tough one.” Truth was her favorite character was Nani. While other girls would discuss which Disney princess they most idefined with, Sloane never felt a connection to any of them. It wasn’t until her little sister was old enough to go to school and heard about the film that Sloane had seen it. She’d found a copy of the movie in a discount bin one day at Best Buy while on her lunch break and decided to buy it for the little girl. Although both girls technically still had technically had at least one parent around, their mother was hardly ever there, leaving Sloane to be her younger sibling’s sole caretaker. Nani was Sloane. Neither of them chose to live a life without their parents, and both wanted the best for their little sister no matter what. But these were things she couldn’t say to Kaleb. He had no idea about her childhood (or lack thereof). In fact, the only person who did know about that part of her life was her best friend, Aiden, and even then she had only really decided to reveal that part of herself to him during one very terrible night when she was no longer able to keep her composure. “I guess I’d have to say Stitch.” Her sister’s favorite. “Now my turn. Jumba or Pleakley?”

A smile came easily to her face as he gifted her with his surprise. She knew how common a flower such roses tended to be, especially within the tourist heavy city they resided in, but she didn’t care; she loved their scent, and he clearly hadn’t forgotten they were her flower of choice. “Kaleb.” She said his name in the same way she always had any time he’d done something unexpectedly sweet for her. “You shouldn’t have.” She inhaled the flower’s fragrance and sighed with glee. Looking up at him, she realizes, “You know, you’ve got me all these things, and I’ve got nothing for you.”

Kaleb winced playfully, a ring of air exerting out of his chest. “Woah,” he breathed clapping a hand over his heart. “A woman after my own heart.” It wasn’t uncommon that someone faced with the question of favorites between the titular Disney characters would choose Stitch. Stitch after all was comparable to a puppy when one got down to it and who didn’t like puppies? Relaxing into the warm comfort of the seat, he tilted his head to gaze over at her. On a normal night before he’d met Sloane, Kaleb would’ve been out with the guys especially on a pre-season night but now-a-days that didn’t resonate with him as much. He wanted the quiet sweet nights with someone, wanted to feel that sense of security and comfort especially seeing as how he’d never had such luxuries before. Sighing, he made a wacky face before answering her very difficult question. Who did he favor? “Jumba because he’s severely misunderstood.” Which was honestly the truth. Jumbo was a nice guy who wanted nothing more than to be successful. Kaleb definitely related. 

“I must’ve watched Lilo and Stitch a million times. My baby sis had the DVD, all the stuff animals, the whole nine yards. I think she even dressed up as Stitch one Halloween,” An endearing smile appeared on his face causing his dimples to grace his cheeks. “How could I forget that?” he asked incredulously. With a nod of his head his memories disappeared back into their mental fault and he returned back in the moment with her. He’d have to remember to bring the halloween custom up to Sam when they spoke next. With anyone else he wouldn’t have brought up his family, he was private especially with the women he dated but for someone reason around Sloane his tongue had a mind of its own. 

The way she called his name sprung goosebumps up and down his spine and made his eyes darken in heat. He’d definitely missed her. It didn’t take a rocket science to note the chemistry between them and in that second Kaleb felt it pulsating throughout the air. “I wanted too.” he responded moving just a bit closer. The car was already making a smooth transition into traffic and though it was late, the city was wide awake. “Oh that’s okay,” his lips stretched upward into a wicked grin. “You can just pay me back.” With your company, your laugh and your beautiful smile, he added silently. He didn’t understand why he left it unsaid. Maybe it because no matter how close he got to someone there was always an unreasonable fear of them leaving.