Revelations (Tattoos & Tears Book 2)

by Amiee Louise

  “Sam tells me you’re a tattoo artist, Peyton.” Milo regards me intently and takes a sip of his beer.

  “Yes, for my sins!” I joke, and we both laugh.

  “You’re way past the mid-life crisis mark, Milo,” Marlowe quips. We spend an hour or so chatting between ourselves easily. The conversation and the booze are flowing freely.

  “Dinner is served,” Lori calls from the dining room, and we all make our way into the large open-plan dining room with a large table and a large, impressive, white calla lily centrepiece. Sam hangs back and places his hand at the small of my back.

  “Are you having a good time so far, angel?”

  I nod; he kisses the top of my head and smiles warmly. We make our way into the dining room and already sat at the table are Savannah and Callum. Fuck.

  My face drops as I catch sight of Savannah’s smug face and Callum’s mouth forms a perfect O shape as his eyes lock with mine. Sam grips my waist so tight it verges on pain.

  “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know they were going to be here, baby, I swear,” he whispers in my ear, and I shake my head.

  “It’s fine,” I say tightly, and we take our seats around the table. I am sat between Sam and Willow, and I’m grateful for the seating arrangement.

  “I take it you, Savannah, and Callum are already acquainted?” Lori looks at me questioningly, and I nod. I look in their direction and smile as politely as I can manage.

  We eat a three-course meal of seared scallops with salad for starters, grilled rib-eye steak with sweet potato mash and green beans for our main course, and vanilla cheesecake for our dessert. The whole meal is delicious, and I didn’t realise how hungry I was until I tucked in.

  The conversation around the table is happy and flowing with the exception of the death stares I am getting from Savannah. After we finish dessert, we are moved into the large living area with open fire, large sofas, and exquisite artwork adorning the walls. I excuse myself to use the bathroom. I use the facilities, wash my hands, and as I leave the bathroom, Callum is leaning casually against the wall with his hands in his pockets waiting for me.

  “Peyton, I’m so sorry, I didn’t know you were going to be here, or I would never have agreed to come.”

  “How shocked do you think I was when I saw the two of you just sitting there? Acting like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Everyone knows we dated, Callum, you’ve got no idea how awkward and uncomfortable it is for me to be here.”

  “Please don’t be like that, baby cakes, I had no idea.”

  I recoil at his pet name for me. He takes my hand, but I snatch it away from him.

  “Don’t fucking touch me, don’t act like this is normal, Cal, you had to have known we would be here, she is Sam’s sister.”

  He puts his hand to his head and says, “I swear I didn’t have a clue. I can’t apologise enough, babe. I thought we agreed to put the past behind us; we were supposed to be friends.”

  “That was before you decided you were going to change the goal posts, Callum. I don’t know why I didn’t see it coming. You do it every fucking time,” I say through clenched teeth. He looks at me and changes his tactics. Typical Callum.

  “So, it’s definitely serious between you and Sam then? A little bird tells me you’re going on tour with him and his band? That should be interesting. You on a tour bus with a bunch of rock stars. I just can’t imagine it, baby cakes.”

  He has the cheek to look amused.

  “I know about you and Eden, Callum,” I spit angrily in a moment of madness and his face drops. He is silent, and in the silence, I am instantly transported back to the day I caught Callum cheating on me.

  5

  Peyton

  Twelve Months Ago

  I had been wandering around in a daze for two solid weeks. Ever since I lost our baby, I have felt like I have lost my purpose in life. I have felt useless and responsible. Callum had just completely closed himself off from me; he wouldn’t even come near me. I walked into a room, he walked out. It was as if he couldn’t bear to be within a hundred yards of me. He was always working late at the gym and was spending less and less time with me. I had fallen into a deep depression, choosing to sit in the flat day and night with the curtains closed because I couldn’t face anyone. I had lost weight, and when I looked in the mirror, there was a stranger staring back at me. Pale, hollow, drawn, and dark circles under my eyes. I hadn’t slept in two solid weeks because every time I closed my eyes, I relive the moment over and over again. I’d wake up screaming, drenched in sweat, sobbing and alone. Some nights I noticed that Callum didn’t bother coming home at all, and I didn’t know what I was going to do. Maybe Ruby was right, maybe we should have just called it a day and ended it.

  It was Saturday, and I was lying on the sofa in my robe staring into space when Ruby stood in front of me with her hands on her hips, frowning.

  “Right, Harper. Up now.”

  I looked up at her with wide watery eyes and shook my head.

  “I can’t, Ruby, please.”

  She grabbed me and pulled me to my feet.

  “Get in the shower and get dressed; we’re going out. If you’re adamant you’re staying with that prick, then we’re going shopping. Retail therapy always works. You’re buying some sexy underwear, and then I’m dropping you off at Callum’s place. You’re going to order his favourite takeaway, surprise him, and get your relationship back on track.”

  I hated to admit it, but she was right. She was always bloody right. Reluctantly, I got off the sofa, and I was surprised there wasn’t a Peyton Harper shape embedded into the sofa. I got dressed, and my clothes were literally falling off me because I had lost so much weight from lack of eating. I tied my hair up in a loose bun, put on some lip-gloss and mascara, and pulled on my jacket. I got out into the living room of our flat and Ruby looked me up and down.

  “You’ll do, you skinny bitch! Come on.”

  Ruby laughed and dragged me out of the flat. We spent a couple of hours in town, getting our nails, hair, and makeup done. I felt better than I had in a couple of weeks and I was feeling a little more positive about things. I actually had a smile back on my face. Ruby grinned at me.

  “You look fabulous, almost back to your usual self, babe.”

  We both smiled and climbed back into Ruby’s pink Mini Cooper. She drove me to Callum’s flat, and I was surprised to see Callum’s silver Audi TT parked outside. Ruby pulled up and cut the engine. She turned to face me.

  “You look absolutely gorgeous; you’ll definitely knock him dead.” She kissed me on the cheek. “Go get him, tiger!”

  She laughed, and I got out of the car, feeling nervous at facing Callum. After being in my own bubble for the past two weeks, it felt good to be me again. I used my key to let myself into Callum’s flat, and I was greeted with clothes strewn all over the living room floor. I heard low grunts coming from the kitchen.

  “Cal, babe, it’s me.”

  My voice echoed through the flat. As I walked into the kitchen, I was not prepared for the sight in front of me. I saw Callum naked, shamelessly fucking another woman on the kitchen worktop. I stood there, open-mouthed, rooted to the spot at what I was seeing. Callum was grunting with pleasure, and his hands were all over her; she was screaming like a porn star and clawing at his back. I felt like I was going to throw up. Fuck, fuck, fuck, this was not happening.

  “What the fuck, Callum!” I screamed, and he didn’t stop.

  He carried on, regardless of my interruption, and I felt like I was watching a live porn film in Callum’s kitchen. My nausea passed, and an overwhelming fit of rage boiled up inside me. I grabbed the nearest thing to me, which happened to be a plate, and threw it at him. It missed and smashed all over the floor. He growled as his orgasm took him and practically shoved the girl off the worktop as he spun around to face me. He had no remorse on his face at all, and the Callum I once loved had gone. I was looking into the deep hazel eyes of a stranger, and I launched myself at him.
I hit him, and I punched him with everything I had in me.

  “How could you do this, Callum? Why?” I screamed. He stood there stock-still and let me hit him. “You’re a fucking prick, Callum.”

  He grabbed my wrists in silence and looked me in the eyes.

  “We’re over, Peyton, I can’t fucking do this anymore.”

  The girl, who was a tall, slim, brunette with wide jade green eyes. She was wearing Callum’s t-shirt, and she brushed his arm.

  “Baby, I can go. It’s obvious you two have a lot to chat about, I’ll call you,” she said in husky American lilt.

  She called him ‘baby’, what the fuck?

  “No, don’t go on my account,” I snapped. “How long, Callum?”

  He hung his head as he pulled on his jeans.

  “Don’t fucking do this babe, please? Look, Sav, I’ll call you, OK?”

  He cupped her face in his hands, and I couldn’t remember when he looked at me that way. My heart felt like it had been completely ripped out of my chest and it was taking all I had not to break down in tears. She kissed him and then she left, leaving Callum shirtless and running his hands through his messy blonde hair. Something inside me told me I should go after her, drag her around the room by her hair, call her a ‘fucking home wrecker’ but I didn’t have the strength.

  “How fucking long?” I asked coldly.

  “Jesus Peyton, is it really that fucking important?” he shouted.

  “How long?” My voice was shaky. Come on, Harper, don’t let him see you cry, don’t give him the satisfaction. Get it together.

  “Not long, a few weeks. You told me you were pregnant, I freaked out, and I shagged her.”

  He shrugged nonchalantly as if it was nothing. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, and it was like my heart was being ripped out all over again.

  6

  Peyton

  I am jolted back to the present by Callum’s voice.

  “Peyton, please, it’s not like that, she is nothing to me, and it was just one night a long time ago. We were both drunk; it was a stupid mistake, I swear. You have to believe me. It’s always been you, baby cakes, I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you.”

  He strokes my hair and puts his hands on either side of my head, trapping me. He is so close I can feel his breath on my cheek and the smell of his aftershave. He leans in and kisses me on the lips. I push against him, but he is so strong. I slap him around the face and go to duck under his arm, but he grabs my wrist and pulls me back.

  “The spark’s still there, baby cakes.”

  I hear heavy footsteps coming up the stairs.

  “Take your hand off her and get the fuck away from her, Kennedy. Now.” Sam’s voice is harsh and commanding. He grabs Callum and punches him in the face hard, Callum’s nose is bleeding. The third time in as many days that he has got into some dispute because of me.

  “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll make your excuses and fuck off.” His stance is loose and predatory. Callum is about to speak, and Sam stops him. “I don’t want to hear your fucking bullshit excuses. I just want you to leave my girl alone. She was done with you a long time ago,” he spits out.

  Callum smirks and holds his hands up in surrender. Sam lunges at him and pins him to the wall by his throat.

  “Don’t get fucking smart with me, you smug little bastard. I saw you try to kiss her; if I ever catch you near her again, if you even look at her, I swear to God, I will fucking end you.” Sam’s voice is so low and threatening, it makes my blood run cold. He tightens his grip, and I can see Callum struggling to breathe. He punches him hard in the ribs, and I touch Sam’s arm gently.

  “Sam, baby, stop now, you’ve made your point,” I say softly. He complies and lets go of Callum’s throat. Callum is coughing and spluttering. He looks back at me.

  “Baby cakes, this is far from over.”

  Sam goes for him again, but I grab his corded wrist tight. Callum makes his exit down the staircase.

  “What the fuck was that?” I raise my voice. “You can’t keep behaving like some fucking Neanderthal, throwing your fists around left, right, and centre. I was handling it!”

  Sam looks at me and backs me against the wall. He strokes my face with the back of his hand.

  “I was watching. He kissed you, and he had his fucking filthy hands on you. Him even breathing the same air as you makes me … murderous. I have never felt this protective over a woman before, and it’s scaring the shit out of me. I don’t know how to deal with these kind of emotions, I didn’t feel anything before you, and I couldn’t care about anyone or anything, because I just didn’t give a fuck. You’ve awakened something in me, Peyton. I saw red as soon as I saw him within an inch of you. You make me feel exposed. I fucking hate feeling that way.”

  I find myself softening towards him. Him truly opening up to me is a rarity, and I love seeing his vulnerable side. It makes me love him that bit more with every titbit and every snippet of himself he decides to share with me.

  “Every part of me, every inch is yours, Sam, when are you going to get that into that beautiful fucked up head of yours?” I touch his temple with my finger gently. He scoops up my hand and brings my fingers to his lips.

  “I’m trying, angel, I’m trying so hard not to push you away. I fuck it up every time, and for that, I’m truly sorry. I’ll spend my life trying to be enough for you, to be the man you deserve.”

  “You’re everything to me, Sam. I love you so much, hold onto that.”

  I press my lips to his and kiss him gently. He smiles that heart-stopping smile.

  “Let’s go back and join the party.”

  I clasp Sam’s hand in mine, and we go back downstairs to re-join the party. The conversation is in full swing, and there is soft jazz music playing in the background.

  “There you both are. We were wondering where you got to. Callum and Savannah had to leave.”

  “I was just giving Peyton the tour of the upstairs.”

  Milo, Seth, and Marlowe all laugh aloud at the same time.

  “Is that what you kids are calling it these days?” Seth raises his eyebrows suggestively, and I feel my face flush. Sam kisses my forehead.

  “Don’t sweat it, angel, they’re just winding you up because they’re not getting any hot loving at home!” Sam chuckles and they all laugh.

  “Can I get you both another drink, sweetie?” Lori cuts in, and I am glad of her intervention. I smile gratefully, and Sam jumps in.

  “Actually, mum, we were going to head home.”

  “OK sweetie, it was so good to see you, and it was fabulous to finally meet you, Peyton. You should definitely come over again soon.”

  I nod. “Yeah, of course, I’ve had a really nice night; it was so great to meet you all at last.”

  Lori hugs Sam tight. “Call me soon, darling.” She hugs me and kisses me on both cheeks. “Don’t be a stranger, Peyton, and remember what I said?”

  She winks and pulls away. We say our goodbyes to everyone, and we step outside into the cool night air. Cole is in the driveway waiting by the car.

  “Sam, Peyton.”

  He nods to us both and opens the door of the Porsche. We both get in, and I lean on Sam’s shoulder. We make the journey back to Sam’s place in just over an hour. The night-time traffic is light, and I am glad to sit watching the world go by in a blur wrapped in Sam’s safe arms.

  We get back to Sam’s apartment, and as soon as he closes the door, he pins me against the wall.

  “I promised you I’d take care of you, angel, I’m making sure I keep my promise,” he says huskily as he pushes the straps of my dress down my shoulders. He kisses a trail from my neck to my shoulder. I am burning for him; no man has ever made love to me the way Sam does. He takes his time, he is gentle yet commanding, and every time he touches me, every nerve in my body stands to complete attention. He takes off my dress, and it pools at my feet.

  “Fuck me, you’re beautiful.”

  I k
ick off my shoes, and he lifts me off the floor.

  “Wrap those delicious legs around me, angel.”

  I wrap my legs around his waist, and he claims my mouth hungrily. I am vaguely aware of my surroundings, as he carries me through his apartment, his lips never leaving mine. He kicks the door open, and we are in his recording studio. He doesn’t let me go; he just sits down on the large leather office chair with me in my bra straddling his lap. He leans back and looks me in the eyes.

  “God, how did I get so lucky?” he whispers, and I smile.

  “This is highly unfair; I’m the only one who’s naked,” I pout, and he chuckles softly. He holds his hands out to the side.