Unconditional

by Tyler, Q. B.

  “Not necessarily, sometimes…”

  “CAL MICHAEL!” I growl into the phone and he chuckles.

  “It’s big.”

  “Open it!”

  I hear him ripping the paper open and then silence where I assume he’s reading. “You’re in.”

  “Holy shit!” I got into Harvard… My eyes widen and tears spring to my eyes.

  “You did it, baby.”

  “I couldn’t have done it without you.” I smile. “Thank you for pushing me and…everything.”

  “Mads…” He trails off, probably feeling uncomfortable under my gushing and I continue before he can ruin the moment.

  “Don’t make a joke. Don’t ruin this. Cal, I think…I think I might want to go away…for school.”

  “I think that’s smart. You’re brilliant, Maddie, and going somewhere like Harvard will open you up to so many more opportunities.” It’s hard to gauge his reaction over the phone, but I hope he doesn’t think that I want to go anywhere without him.

  “I don’t even necessarily mean Harvard though…I just…I think I need out of Oregon. But…” I stop. “I want you to come with me.”

  “To Harvard?”

  “Anywhere. I don’t want to leave here without you.” He’s silent so I take the chance to continue. “Think about it, how are we going to be together here?”

  “I mean we can’t exactly, but I don’t know if me coming with you—”

  “Why? No one outside of here will know our past unless we disclose it. But we can go out on dates and touch in public. We can…take those steps that we won’t be able to do here.” Mainly your ring on my finger and your baby inside me. I press my legs together as that fantasy fills my mind.

  “We can talk about it.” My eyes widen and a smile finds my face, thrilled that he doesn’t push back. “What are you doing Friday? Do you want to come over after school? I can meet you.”

  I lean forward, his implications clear and my sex responding to it. “Oh?”

  “Yeah.” His voice is low and husky and I can picture him sitting in his chair, legs spread, his hand rubbing his dick as he thinks about all of the things he wants to do to me.

  “And just what should I tell your mother, who seems to think I can’t be within fifty feet of your house without risking pregnancy.”

  “Do what I did when I lived there.”

  “And what’s that?

  “Make something up.”

  A SOUND OF A LOCKER slamming breaks me out of my aggressive sexting with Cal. My heart is racing so fast, pounding in my chest and between my legs as I read the borderline obscene things Cal is saying…and what I’m replying. I almost drop my phone before turning to my best friend who’s staring at me like she knows exactly what I’m doing. Cal and I downloaded one of those messaging apps, so that we could be more colorful in our messaging, and so far, we’ve been taking full advantage.

  “What are you doing?” She raises an eyebrow at me before taking a sip of her coffee that I know she skipped second period to get.

  “Nothing.” I slip my phone into my bag and tighten the ponytail at the back of my head nervously.

  She crosses her arms in front of her chest and leans against the row of lockers. “Really? Because you look guilty as hell.”

  “You just scared me that’s all.”

  “Mmmhmm. So, you’re coming to Melanie’s party tomorrow, right?” I press a hand to my forehead and groan. Fuck, I forgot about that and I want to see Cal. “Madeline Elizabeth, it’s her birthday! You’re telling me you forgot?”

  “No.” I shake my head. “I didn’t forget I just…it slipped my mind that’s all.” There’s only so much I can stay focused on between school and ballet and a very sexy boyfriend who claims most of my free time and all of my thoughts.

  I’ve been at Margie’s three days and I’ve only seen him once since I moved in. He came over under the illusion of “staying for dinner” before the two of us made out like teenagers on the couch after Margie went to bed. Of course, not before strict instructions to behave, and that Grant would be awake watching television in the basement. The fact that he could pop up any moment had us keeping things slightly PG. And by PG, I mean, his hand was up my shirt at one point as I straddled him. It reminded me of how things started between us and the memory made me weak in the knees.

  I was hoping this weekend, I could convince Margie to let me stay at a friend’s house one of the nights. I hadn’t planned on lying to Margie, but I also wanted to spend time alone with Cal and she had made it pretty clear that “high schoolers don’t get to spend the night at their boyfriend’s house.” Apparently, Cal isn’t really my guardian anymore, but someone I need to be guarded from. Him, his hormones, and mine too. “Mads, Cal used to panic about what would happen if you got pregnant in high school when the boys started coming around and taking notice.” Confusion finds her face. “Not quite sure how this works now.”

  I understood. Cal isn’t the same Cal anymore. He didn’t even call me Mads anymore. And ironically, I called him Daddy now.

  I shut my locker and pull my bag up on my shoulder as Sasha and I begin walking towards our next class. She links her arm through mine. “So, you going to tell me who you’re texting that’s got you glowing?”

  “No one.”

  “Oh my God, Mads, seriously? What’s with all the secrets?” Ever since I moved to Margie’s, Sasha has been on my case trying to figure out why. According to her, the hypothesis of Cal and I being together immediately went out the window. Little does she know. She’s convinced that we had some a huge fight and I wanted out. “Oh my God, is it a secret boyfriend? And Cal found out? And that’s why you moved because he freaked?”

  “No, Sash. I already told you, there was no fight. I just needed a change of scenery. Cal has to be out of the house a lot more right now with this new case, and he didn’t like me being all by myself.”

  “And I already told you I think that’s bullshit.”

  “What’s bullshit?” Sasha’s boyfriend, Mike, interrupts as he slides a hand over her shoulder. His hand tugs on her curly hair and pulls her in for a kiss. “What’s going on, Troublemaker?” He kisses her nose and she giggles.

  “Nothing.” She rolls her eyes and turns back to me. “I’ll pick you up around eight tomorrow.”

  I haven’t talked to Cal since our delicious sexting earlier, so I’m eager to get back to it as I make my way out of my dance studio that night. My ballet instructor even scolded me for not focusing halfway through barre method. But I couldn’t focus. All I could think about was Cal’s mouth.

  Everywhere.

  That sinful, sexy mouth that he has an obsession with keeping between my legs.

  Even now, I’m breaking one of Cal’s cardinal rules, which is to always be aware of my surroundings, particularly at night by myself. Instead, my head is buried in my phone, rereading our messages for what felt like the tenth time. Besides, I’ve never felt unsafe in my dance studio parking lot.

  Until now.

  The hairs on the back of my neck stand up as a chill runs through me and a shiver skates down my spine. I look up from my phone and around the somewhat deserted parking lot searching for anything that feels out of place. My eyes dart across all the places someone might be able to hide but my search comes up empty. I immediately reach for the pepper spray Cal makes me carry and grip my necklace as the walk feels like an eternity to my car. I take each step quicker than the last and before I realize it, I’m full-on running towards my Volkswagen. By the time I get inside and lock my doors I let out the breath I didn’t realize I had been holding the entire way to my car. I immediately look in the backseat, recalling every scary movie I’ve ever watched and put a hand over my chest.

  “Get a grip, Maddie.” I let my head lean back, and shoot Cal a text letting him know I’m leaving before I start my twenty-minute drive to Margie’s house which includes about fifteen minutes of a dark somewhat windy road.

  I’m about five minutes
into my drive when I notice headlights in my rearview mirror. It’s nearing ten-thirty, so I’m not totally shocked to see another car on the road, but I’ve also been on this road hundreds of times without seeing one at this hour.

  I turn my gaze back to the road when I realize the car is getting closer and the lights brighter, making me realize they have their high beams on. I wince at the harshness of the light and try to avoid looking in the rearview mirror. I understand driving with your high beams on while on this road, but I always switch them off when I come into contact with another car.

  What the fuck?

  For the next minute or so, I avoid looking up, when I realize they’re right on my tail. Oh my God. I press on the gas, trying to accelerate to put some space between us, but they keep up with me, not letting more than a few feet between us.

  “Oh my God, just go the fuck around me, dick!” I put two hands on the steering wheel, trying to move faster, forcing me to about sixty miles an hour on this road that I really shouldn’t be going faster than forty when I decide I need backup. Or at least someone to know what’s going on in case this lunatic runs me off the road.

  He’s going to panic.

  I press the button and the sound of the ringing floods my car.

  “Hey, I just saw your text. You got to Margie’s fast”

  “CAL.” I don’t even try to hide the panic. “Some…someone’s tailing me. Really bad.”

  I can hear him shuffling instantly. “Where?” he asks, even though I know he’s pulling up my tracker.

  “On route fifty-eight.” I look up, and sure enough, the car is still riding my bumper. “Cal, he won’t stop. He’s so close and he has his high beams on.”

  “Baby, I need you to stay calm. We’ve talked about this, you can handle this.”

  “We haven’t talked about this on this windy road!” I shriek. “I’m scared, Cal.” Tears spring to my eyes and I find myself shifting in my seat and I’m starting to regret chugging that whole bottle of water after my last class.

  “I’m coming to you. Drive towards my house, not Margie’s.”

  “Margie’s is closer.”

  “Yes, and I don’t want any asshole knowing where you’re headed or where you live. Come to me.”

  I swallow and nod. “Okay…”

  “I’m bringing the cruiser and my lights will be on. Stay calm, okay? I’m going to stay on the phone with you until I get there. Focus on the road, I see you’re coming up on the first turn. Don’t take your foot off the gas.”

  “I have to slow down, Cal, I could crash into the side of the mountain or run into the creek!”

  “Sweetheart, you can do this. You’re a great driver, just breathe.” His voice is even, and I know it’s because he’s good in a crisis and I’m grateful for this because it’s keeping me calm.

  I look up and my eyes widen when I realize I don’t see his lights anymore. I sit up taller in my seat and tears start to rush down my cheeks. Fuck.

  I don’t see his lights because he’s right on top of me. His lights are almost pressed into my tail and only then do I realize they’re driving some sort of SUV. But I still can’t make out the face of who’s driving. “Cal…I think this guy is trying to run me off the road. I…I’m scared!”

  “I’m close, baby. Two miles, okay?”

  My teeth begin to chatter nervously and just as we are coming up on the turn, I see the flicker of the red and blue lights coming at me. High beams come back into my rearview as he backs up and before I realize what’s happening, I see him turning around and zooming back down the road. I slow down to a complete stop, pressing my hand to my chest, trying to calm my racing heartbeat as I know Cal is close and I’m safe, when I see his cruiser zoom by me. “NO! Please, don’t leave me!” I scream. Tears are flowing down my cheeks and I know I’m moments from full-on sobs. I know Cal can see the taillights of the offender and could probably catch that asshole, but I can’t be alone right now. I hop out of my car just as he turns around and parks behind me and I’m in his arms before he’s barely out of the car.

  “Are you okay?” He puts a hand on either side of my face before tucking me into his chest. “I’m here, it’s okay.” He rubs my back as my sobs start to slow. “What happened?” He kisses my forehead and I reach up and let his lips brush against mine.

  “Don’t leave me.” I murmur against lips.

  He lets out a breath and sits on the hood of his car, pulling me between his legs. “I’m not leaving.”

  “I don’t know who it was. I really tried to see. Cal, I’m sorry!” I squeeze my eyes shut and shake my head.

  “Don’t be sorry. I’m glad you were focusing on driving and staying safe. That’s the most important thing, okay? That you’re safe.” He lets out a breath and I feel it on my face as I move closer to him. “Fuck, I should have sent someone out to patrol this road, maybe they’d come across them. Do you think they were drunk or anything?”

  “No, they weren’t weaving, but then again, I don’t know. They were just so close.” I move to look at my bumper, holding my hand a mere inch from my car. “This close. Any closer and they would have tapped me.”

  “They didn’t touch you?”

  “No…” I shake my head.

  He lets out a breath. “I’m going to follow you to Mom’s.”

  “Wait, Margie’s? I can’t come home with you?”

  “I’m going to go into the station for a while, see if there have been any other reports on this. I want you home and safe. I’m putting a cruiser outside her house too.”

  “Cal…” I whine. I didn’t want all of that, nor did I need all of that to feel safe. I needed him to feel safe. I could have all the protection in the world, but if it didn’t include him it didn’t matter. I’d still have a nightmare tonight. I’d still have flashes of my father behind the wheel of the car behind me, trying to push me into a ditch.

  “No, Maddie, I’ll come see you tomorrow, alright? But I’m not taking you home and then leaving you alone after what just happened.”

  “Will you come back to Margie’s tonight?”

  He lets out a breath and runs a hand through his hair. “I’ll be there through the night, I’m sure.”

  “But Cal…”

  He boxes me in against my car and presses his forehead to mine. “No buts. If anything ever happened to you…” He trails off as his hand moves up and traces my face. “You’re all that matters to me.”

  I bite my lip at his words and pull him closer, his lips hovering just over mine. “Please,” I whimper and then our lips crash in a dizzying kiss. His tongue rubs against mine and his hands spread my legs so he can stand between them before he lifts me up and I wrap my legs around his waist. “Cal,” I whimper.

  “Fuck…” He opens my coat and steps between them, finding the seam of my leggings between my legs making me grateful that I changed out of my leotard before I left. He digs one finger into the seam, pressing against my sex and I moan, only to let out a yelp when he rips them at the center, making a hole in my crotch.

  “Cal!”

  “Hold on, baby.” He growls as he lowers his sweatpants. He opens the hole wider and moves my panties to the side and before I can protest, he’s inside of me.

  Outside.

  On the dark road of route fifty-eight.

  My heart pounds in my chest as I can’t see anything past Cal’s eyes that are boring into mine. “I need your cum on my dick, Maddie. I need you to come, so that later tonight when I’m frustrated and angered by the fact that someone decided to fuck with you, I can remember you’re safe and sated at home waiting for me.”

  A sob leaves my mouth, but it’s more out of pleasure than sadness as his coarse pubic hair rubs against my clit. My mouth drops open as he pins me to the car and begins to fuck me like a wild animal.

  It makes me wonder how many wild animals have given into their primal urges just off this road in the woods behind us.

  “I’ll literally rip the fucking limbs off o
f anyone who thinks they can touch a hair on your head, you know that right?” He grits in my ear and I nod. “Say you understand.”

  “I…I understand.”

  He pushes in and slides out slowly, letting me feel every ridge of his cock rubbing my walls. I touch his dick that’s half inside of me and pull him back in. His cock is wet with my arousal and I hold my hand up, licking us off my hands.

  “Give me a taste.” He growls.

  I rub a finger over my clit, to collect some wetness before pushing it through his lips. His tongue rubs against my finger and I feel the gentle graze of his teeth. He groans and begins to fuck me harder, faster, and more feral than before. His pumps are erratic and uncontrolled, his fingers digging into my thighs as he slams in and out of me. “You came,” I whisper. “I called and you came.” My eyes well up with tears as the gravity of what just happened washes over me. “In minutes.”

  He holds himself inside of me, even though I know he’s on the precipice of his release and cups my face in his hands. “I told you. You call, I come.”

  MADDIE IS STILL SHAKING ONCE we are inside my mother’s house, so I pull her trembling body into my arms and rub her back. “You’re safe,” I whisper in her ear. I guide her into the kitchen and pour a glass of water for her and watch as she takes a tentative sip. “Whole thing, baby.” She does as she’s told, finishing the entire drink before putting the cup in the sink.

  “Please stay with me,” she whispers, and for the first time, I can see the fear in her eyes. The fear I’d seen when I pulled her from that closet and a handful of other times in her life. “Don’t leave.”

  “Maddie…” I rub a hand over the back of my neck and she takes a step closer and into my arms.

  “Stay in Henry’s old room. I just…I need you close.”

  I let out a breath, knowing that she could break me down easily. She knows it too. “If this maniac is out there…” She bites down on her bottom lip and backs up slowly. “You’re safe here, okay? Mom has a top of the line alarm system.” I know because I made her get it. “And Peters just buzzed that he’ll be here in five. You’re safe.”