Callum

by Holly C. Webb

  Callum couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to this girl to make her so unsure of herself. For a girl who gave the outward appearance of confidence, with her pink hair, and earrings, she clearly doubted herself all the time.

  “Everyone else is here,” Nell explained, as she led them all along the hallway, out towards the patio at the back of the house. “Your father thought it might be fun to fire up the barbeque seeing as he won’t be next week.”

  “Please tell me that Dad isn’t still sulking because we are going to Landen’s next week,” Callum laughed, but Nell stopped and turned back to look at her son.

  “No,” Nell replied, but then added with a knowing smile. “But best not mention it.”

  Since Callum could remember, they always spent the Fourth of July here in his parent’s house. His father would man the barbeque, refusing to allow anyone else to even touch it. It had been the source of great amusement for Callum, and his brother’s over the years.

  When Landen suggested that, given that it was Henry’s first Fourth of July, maybe everyone could go to his house instead. Sean had been less than happy, but Nell told him that maybe it was time for some new traditions.

  Nell turned, opening the door to the patio.

  “Look who I found at the front door!” She exclaimed, setting Macy down on the ground.

  The moment Macy spotted Liam, she ran to him, as he quickly scooped her up in her arms, and swung her around.

  “Hey, Macy Cakes!” Liam exclaimed, blowing a raspberry on her face as he always did. “I thought you were standing me up for our date.”

  “You’re silly,” Macy giggled before she tried to blow a raspberry on his face.

  “Really, Liam,” Nell said she walked over to her son. “I sometimes wonder if you’re ever going to grow up,”

  “Not if I can help it,” Liam laughed, sticking out his tongue at his mother, making Macy laugh once more before he turned his attention to Georgie, giving her the biggest smile ever. “Hey, Georgie. Nice to see you again.”

  Callum glanced over at Georgie, as the tiniest stab of jealousy shot through him. He could see she liked Liam the moment she looked at him. She gave him a bright, genuine smile, and Callum hated that she seemed more comfortable with Liam, than with him.

  “You too,” she replied her face flushing with embarrassment, ever so slightly.

  “Why don’t you sit here,” Liam said, as he retook his seat at the large patio table and pulled out the seat next to him. “Next to Macy and me.”

  “She can sit where ever she wants to,” Callum replied, giving Liam an impatient look before he looked at Georgie. He wondered if bringing her here hadn’t been the best idea in the world. “Georgie, let me introduce you to everyone else.”

  Callum introduced her to his father, Landen and finally Dylan before they all took their seat. He tried not to react when Georgie took a seat next to Liam, but he felt like he had been kicked in the guts.

  Soon the barbeque was ready, and they were all tucking into their burgers, and drinking beer.

  “Are you doing okay?” Landen asked Callum after they had all eaten. “You seem, I don’t know, a little distracted.”

  “I’m okay,” Callum replied taking a sip of his soda. “Just been a long week. A long month actually.”

  “So, it has nothing to do with Liam and Georgie?” Landen asked, surprising Callum. He released a long breath, then sighed as Landen added. “I thought as much.”

  “I just don’t want him to mess things up for Macy,” Callum whispered, but he knew that wasn’t the only reason why he was so bothered. He just wasn’t about to admit that to anyone. Not even Landen. “This is Liam we’re talking about. You know how he is with girls. He hurts her; it’s Macy that will get hurt too if she quits.”

  “Have you talked to him?” Landen asked, giving him a questioning look.

  “And say what?” Callum asked, looking at his brother. “Hey Liam please don’t fuck the help, oh and thanks for teaching my four year old how to swear.”

  Landen coughed, almost choking on his drink as he looked at Callum.

  “That’s right,” Callum sighed, looking over at Liam, watching him work his magic on Georgie. “Macy informed me the other night that Uncle Liam said, Camilla, is a crazy bitch.”

  Landen laughed out loud, as Callum sipped his soda still watching Liam and Georgie. Callum hated that he felt so jealous of his brother, but he did.

  “Talk to him, Cal,” Landen said, as he placed his hand on Callum's shoulder. “Liam is a lot of things, but selfish is not one of them. You know if you tell him you’re worried how it will affect Macy, he will do the right thing.”

  “Maybe,” Callum shrugged as he pushed up from his seat, and blew out a long breath. “Anyway, I’m gonna hit the head.”

  Callum set his soda down, then turned, heading for the house.

  When he reached the bathroom, he locked the door, walking to the sink. He stared at himself in the vanity mirror above it and let out a long sigh. He felt like he was coming apart at the seams, but he had no idea why.

  Reaching out, he turned on the water, then splashed some onto his face, before he looked at his reflection once more.

  “You need to get a grip,” he sighed, turning off the taps. The sooner today was over, the better.

  Chapter 13

  Georgie

  The journey back to the penthouse was long and extremely quiet. Other than the random bits of song Macy would blurt out before she finally dozed off, there wasn’t another word spoken.

  Georgie could sense that Callum was upset, but she had no idea why. She considered asking him if he was okay, but she wasn’t sure if that would be crossing a line, so she said nothing. Still, the atmosphere was strained, making Georgie feel uncomfortable.

  She wondered if maybe she had done something that might have upset him. He seemed off with her, but she really didn’t know what she could have done.

  She was lost in thought, when her phone rang suddenly, making her jump with fright. She reached into her bag, pulling her phone out. She sighed when she looked at the screen and saw Shane’s number flashing on it. She quickly hit decline, before shoving it back into her bag, returning her focus to the road ahead.

  “Don’t you want to get that?” Callum asked, surprising her.

  “Not really,” Georgie replied, glancing at him briefly.

  He released a sigh but didn’t say another word for the rest of the journey.

  When they reached the apartment building, Callum carried a sleeping Macy into the elevator, as Georgie stood next to them. She felt tired, but not a tired that any sleep would help.

  As the elevator came to a stop, her phone begun to ring again. This time she didn’t even take it from her bag. She didn’t look at Callum, but she could feel he was watching her. Without saying a word, they both stepped out the elevator, as Callum pulled his house key from his pocket.

  “If you’re hungry, you’ll have to help yourself,” Callum announced, as they walked down along the hallway. “Annie has taken the rest of the weekend off. Her daughter is pregnant, and she isn’t very well, so she has gone to spend some time with her.”

  “I’m good, thanks,” she said, walking towards Callum, holding out her arms. “I’ll just get Macy to bed. I think Liam wore her out; she will probably sleep all night.”

  “I think I can put my daughter to bed myself,” Callum snapped, giving her an angry look, before he turned, walking towards the stairs. Georgie just stood there, watching as Callum disappeared up the stairs with Macy, having no clue what she had done to upset him, but there was no question, he was angry with her.

  After what felt like the longest time, Georgie released a deep breath, before she turned, making her way towards the kitchen. Switching on the kettle to make some tea, she swallowed the lump in her throat that was almost choking her. Still, she refused to cry.

  She stood there, staring at the kettle, waiting for it to boil, and for some reason, she thought
of her mother. She hadn’t called her yet, to tell her about Shane. She was still too embarrassed. She knew that even though she had a new job and a new home, her mother would want her to go home.

  Going home was the last thing she wanted. She suddenly thought of Callum, and how he had just spoken to her. Now she wondered if maybe going home was the only option she had left. Suddenly she missed her mom and dad; she wished she could see them right now.

  Reaching out, she switched off the kettle; she didn’t want tea anymore. She didn’t want anything.

  Georgie walked out of the kitchen, into the living room, heading for the stairs. She had almost reached them when Callum appeared at the top. When she looked up and saw him, she hesitated before she continued on her way, stopping when she reached the bottom of the stairs, waiting for Callum to come down before she climbed them herself.

  “I’m going out,” he said, almost abruptly as he reached the bottom of the stairs. Georgie was surprised that he didn’t even try to make eye contact with her. “I don’t know if I’ll be home tonight, but I will try to be here in the morning for breakfast with Macy.”

  “Okay,” Georgie nodded, as once more a lump formed in her throat. She had no clue what she had done that was wrong, but the sweet, caring man she had met the first day in the coffee shop was almost unrecognizable.

  “Good night, Georgie,” he said but didn’t even wait for her to reply. Instead, he made his way down the hallway. Moments later, the front door slammed shut, making Georgie jump once more.

  “Good night,” she whispered as suddenly the tears she’d been fighting, broke free, spilling down her face.

  Grabbing her bag from the table next to the stairs, she climbed the stairs slowly, her heart breaking, though she didn’t know why. Making her way along the corridor, she stopped at Macy’s room, quickly opening the door. Looking around the door, she smiled when she saw the little bundle fast asleep in the middle of the bed, but then her heart broke more. She knew if things didn’t work out here, not only would she have to go home, it would mean leaving Macy behind.

  Georgie was surprised by how much she loved this little girl already. She had only been here a week and a half, and already this tiny little person held her heart. Georgie knew that it was because Macy had seemed so lost when she met her.

  But she had changed, becoming happier, more alive even. Georgie hated that if she left, it would break the little girl's heart. She just wasn’t sure that her being here was working out.

  Closing the door, Georgie walked back along the hallway to her room. Walking inside, she flopped down on her bed and stared at the ceiling.

  How had her life become such a complete disaster?

  Shane! She thought miserably. How had she been so wrong about him? How had she been so wrong about everything?

  She sat up on the bed, reaching for her handbag at the bottom, she pulled it to her and pulled out her phone. She was surprised to see that there were actually eight missed calls from Shane.

  She stared at it for a moment, before she pressed down on the button to check her voice mail.

  The first message was left the day before. Georgie hit play and listened as Shane’s voice came through her phone.

  “Hey, Georgie, it’s me. Georgie, I’m so sorry. Please just talk to me. Tell me that I haven’t lost you. You’re my best friend and I miss you so much. I made a mistake. A stupid fucking mistake. Please give me a chance to make this right. I love you.”

  The voice mail beeped, ending the message. Georgie knew there was more, but she just couldn’t listen to them. She had heard enough. Powering off her phone, she threw it down on her bed, before she flopped back down on the bed herself.

  She closed her eyes, unable to fight the tears anymore. A sob came from deep inside her, shaking her entire body.

  She cried until she drifted off into a restless sleep.

  Georgie woke with a start, a crash from somewhere in the apartment had woken her, almost killing her with fright. She sat there in bed for a moment, hoping that she had just been dreaming, but a bang a few moments later told her that she hadn’t been.

  She climbed from the bed, her heart thumping in her chest as she made her way toward the door. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door as quietly as she could, wishing more than anything that Callum was here.

  “Fuck!” a muffled voice came from somewhere downstairs. Stepping out into the hallway, she glanced down towards Macy’s room, but everything seemed okay. Turning back into her room, she looked for something that she could use as a weapon. The only thing she could see was a deodorant tin. She popped off the lid, then placed her finger over the spray button.

  This is beyond madness! She screamed to herself in her mind. You’re taking on an intruder with a spray can of Secret. You’re going to die!

  “SHIT!” the voice came from inside the kitchen, as something smashed. “Idiot!”

  Georgie stopped at the bottom of the stairs. She wasn’t sure, but the voice sounded like Callum, only different. It was more slurred and harder to understand.

  That’s when it hit her. It wasn’t an intruder; it was in fact Callum. He had come home; what’s more, he sounded drunk.

  Georgie turned to go back up the stairs but stopped when she heard another crash, followed by a yelp.

  She knew the right thing to do was go to bed. Callum was a big boy; she was sure he could take care of himself. Still, something stopped her. She glanced up the stairs, knowing that Macy was asleep upstairs, and if she didn’t try to get Callum to bed, he would wake her up.

  Turning slowly, she made her way across the living room, setting her spray can down on an end table, before she headed into the kitchen.

  When she got to the door, she found Callum standing there, drinking a bottle of beer, his hand covered in blood.

  “Callum,” Georgie said, wishing now she had just gone to bed. He looked the worse for wear.

  “There she is!” Callum exclaimed, smiling at her as he stumbled sideways. He grabbed for the counter, to try and balance himself before he looked at her once more. “The girl of the hour.”

  “Are you okay, Callum?” Georgie asked, taking a step further into the room. “Your hand is bleeding.”

  “I cut it,” he replied, trying to focus on the blood that was now trickling down his arm, destroying his shirt. “I won’t die.”

  “You need to clean it,” she said as she moved across the kitchen, grabbing some paper towels, quickly wrapping them around his hand. “And you need to clean up the broken glass before Macy wakes up.”

  She led him to the sink, turning on the water, then pushing his hand beneath it.

  Neither of them said a word for a moment, but Georgie could tell Callum was watching her closely. His face was so close to hers; she could feel his breath against her skin.

  She had no idea why, but her heart was hammering in her chest.

  “We just need to be sure it’s clean,” she explained, try to keep her focus on his hand, and not how close he was to her.

  “Do you know how beautiful you are, Georgie?” Callum replied, completely throwing her with his question. “You’re probably the most beautiful woman I have ever met.”

  “I don’t think the cut is too deep,” Georgie said, trying to bring the conversation back to Callum and his hand, but her heart was now thumping so hard, she was sure he would hear it. “But I can give you some paper stitches to be sure it’s okay.”

  “Okay,” he whispered, still she could feel his eyes on her, but he didn’t say anymore. Moving him to the table, she returned to the kitchen to get the first aid kit from the cupboard.

  Returning back to the table, Georgie pulled out the chair next to Callum, refusing to let her eyes meet his. Still, she knew he was watching her. She could feel his eyes almost burning her skin.

  “This might hurt a little,” she told him, her voice small and uncertain. She opened the disinfectant, then picked up some cotton swabs. Pouring a little disinfectant on to the swab, she t
ook Callum’s hand in hers. She was surprised how much she was actually trembling.

  Taking a deep breath, she began to clean the cut carefully, keeping her focus on his hand.

  “Was it Liam that called you today?” Callum said, surprising Georgie once again. This time she looked up, letting her eyes meet his. “When you wouldn’t answer the phone. Was it my brother?”

  “No,” Georgie replied, surprised that he would even think that. “Why would you think that?”

  “I… I don’t know,” Callum replied, his eyes holding hers. “I just thought that maybe…”

  “It wasn’t Liam that called me,” Georgie, replied, returning her attention back to his hand.

  “But you like him,” Callum sighed, and Georgie was surprised to hear the disappointment in his voice.

  “I like all your family,” she said as she began to tape up his hand.

  “That’s not what I meant,” Callum sighed once more, as Georgie looked up at him again. She wanted to ask him why he would even care if she liked Liam, but she wasn’t sure she would like the answer.

  “Liam is your brother,” Georgie sighed finally, knowing she needed to set his mind at ease. “He is very sweet and very kind, but he is Macy’s uncle. The last thing I want to do is risk hurting her.”

  “But that’s not an answer,” Callum replied, his eyes searching her face, for what she had no idea.

  She stared at him for a moment, before finally turning back to the first-aid kit. She packed everything back inside, then she picked up the dirty swab from the table. She turned to look at Callum once more.

  “I think you should go get some sleep,” she finally said, standing up from the chair. She turned to walk away, but Callum grabbed hold of her hand, stopping her from leaving.

  Slowly he stood up, so now his body was almost flush with Georgie’s.

  “I’m so confused, Georgie,” Callum whispered, still holding her hand, but making no effort to move away from her. “I have these feelings, and I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with them.”