by Linzvon C
“I’m sorry I had to go. But I’m back now. We’ll talk more tomorrow, ok?”
I nodded as sleep took hold of me, my body racked with fatigue and emotion. In the arms of Cal, I slept deeply, unaware that for a majority of the evening he laid awake.
Chapter 23- Truth
Cals POV
I waited until I was sure he was alone, and I made my way to the house, walking boldly through the front door.
I was family after all.
I stood still as I listened, hearing thuds from the bedroom above me. I walked up the stairs, not bothering to disguise my footsteps. Let the fucker know I was coming. I pushed open his door as our eyes met; his filled with confusion, mine wild with anger. He sat up from his push up position on the floor and sat on his bed, scowling at me.
“What the fuck do you want?” he snapped as I began to imagine snapping his neck.
“I’m going to ask you this once. What happened with Gretchen?”
He smirked at me and I counted backwards from ten very slowly, aware I was useless to her in prison.
“You mean when she went out for breakfast with me, or last night?”
I had learned a few tricks working for the mob. One was to always keep quiet if someone gave you information you didn’t know already, like now for example. I had no fucking idea what he was talking about, but pieces were suddenly sliding into place.
“She didn’t tell you about last night did she,” he smirked at me again and this time I moved towards him, comforted by the fear I saw flash in his eyes.
“No. But now you’re going to. Or I’m going to remove your fucking teeth one by one Luke, and I’m not fucking playing.”
I reached into my pocket and felt the smooth metal of the pliers against my skin and I smiled wickedly.
“I’m not fucking scared of you, you prick.”
There it was, the invitation. Now I was annoyed. He lunged for me, thinking years of lifting weights would make him a match for me. It was more to do with balance and knowing your enemies. I moved quickly, my fist connecting with his jaw with a loud crack as he fell backwards into his bed, blood pouring from his mouth. Silly bastard must’ve bit his tongue.
“What did you do Luke?”
I didn’t want to hurt him again, but I would if he didn’t start giving me some answers soon. He spat blood out onto the floor and looked up at me, finally realising I meant business. I toyed with the idea of pulling a couple of teeth out to prove a point, but that was just vicious.
I’m not a thug.
“She came around shooting her mouth off. Things got carried away. I kissed her.”
I felt the colour drain from my face as I grabbed him by the throat, pulling him to his feet.
“You fucking what?”
My voice didn’t sound like mine, as I remembered how she jumped last night. I thought it was the after effects of the kidnap, but it seemed my suspicions were right. She was on edge, she was upset because of this cunt.
“Relax, she didn’t kiss me back. Actually, she kicked me in the balls and left,” he sighed, his posture sagging as I knew he was taking the truth. I also knew she wouldn’t just kick him in the balls for just trying to kiss her, so I squeezed his throat a little tighter, enjoying watching him gasp for air. When he started to lose consciousness, I released him, as he fell to the floor in a heap.
“I don’t want you to ever speak to either of us ever again. If you do, you better come and kill me before I fucking find you. Do you understand? This isn’t a game, you little cunt.”
I stared at him as he whimpered on the floor, my blood boiling to the point of no control for leaving him alive.
I couldn’t go round killing people, not all the time anyway. I did really fucking hate him though, and I hesitated at the doorway as I heard him apologise repeatedly.
“Sorry is just another word. Don’t fucking insult me with a word you piece of shit. Keep the fuck away from us.”
I walked away then, before I did something I would regret.
I lit a cigarette as I stood outside, defiantly trying to calm myself down before I saw Gretchen again. She was already a bag of nerves; she didn’t need to see me all fired up.
Breathe, inhale.
Repeat.
Chapter 24: Surprise
Gretchen
“Three more weeks and we will be back in New York.”
I shielded my eyes from the sun as I turned to look at him, his hand on the steering wheel as he drove. I felt the familiar lurch in my stomach as he turned and smiled at me, before lacing his fingers with mine.
“I thought you hated New York.”
“It’s not too bad with you in it. I’m happy wherever you are, baby.”
I sighed happily as I rested my head on my hand, feeling tiredness wash over me. I yawned as he glanced at me, a frown on his face.
“You can’t possibly still be tired. All we’ve done is sleep.”
I stuck my tongue out at him as he laughed in response.
“Alright, it’s not all we have done,” he smirked as the visions of the past week clearly filled his mind. Cal had surprised me with a trip to the coast, insisting we needed some time alone by the sea. It had been amazing, but now we were driving back to my parents. I was sad that we had to go soon, but after the fiasco with Luke I was secretly relieved.
Luke.
If Cal ever found out what he had done to me that night- what he had tried to do- I shuddered at the thought. But I hadn’t heard from him since, and Cal promised he wasn’t leaving my side whilst we were here. I stared at the scenery as it changed from barren to green, a road sign informing us we were now in familiar territory. I closed my eyes, the hum of the car beneath me rocking me into a sleepy security as Cal drove steadily.
“Raven.”
His voice made me stir as I looked at him through sleepy eyes. I sat up, becoming aware that the car had stopped, blinking slowly when I realised we were parked at my parents.
I had slept all the way home?
“Maybe you need some vitamins or something. It’s not normal to sleep that much,” Cal studied me through concerned eyes as I sat up, tiredness still holding me prisoner.
“I’m due on. That’s all.”
He nodded as he swung open his door, pulling our bags out of the back seat.
“Go and run a bath babe, do you need anything?” he called as I walked up the steps, turning to shake my head.
I walked in to the empty house, the familiar scent of home greeting me. A bath sounded like a good idea, so I made my way upstairs and began running one. I heard Cals voice echoing through the hallway as he spoke on the phone, hearing his delicious laugh as he thanked whoever it was, promising he would see them soon. I felt a stab of jealousy as I listened, annoyed he was speaking quietly now.
“Yeah do that. Send it to me. Thanks, so much Beth, you’re amazing.”
I stood bolt upright, my fingers gripping the stair rail as he walked back out to the car.
Who the fuck was Beth?
I realised I was shaking with jealousy, a rage racing through my body like fire. What was she sending? Why was she amazing?
I stepped back, aware that my bath was running. I needed to check his phone, I realised. If I asked him, he would never admit it, but something told me he was hiding something from me. Something important. I usually turned a blind eye to his work, at his request. He insisted the less I knew, the better and safer it was for me. But now I just felt stupid. I heard his feet on the stairs, and I dashed into the bathroom, not wanting him to find me lurking on the stairs.
“Babe. I’m going to grab us some food because there’s nothing in. I thought we could cook for your parents tonight? I can do it if you don’t feel up to it?” he stood in the doorway then, his hands holding on to the top of the frame, exposing his taut stomach. He frowned as he gazed at me, his deep stare boring into my soul.
“Gretchen, what’s wrong?”
Despite my intentions, the words slipped out
of my mouth in an angry snarl.
“Who the fuck is Beth?”
I noticed the colour drain from his face as my heart raced, causing me to hold onto the sink.
“What?” he whispered in disbelief as I nodded at him.
“Answer me. Who the fuck is Beth?”
I stood close to him now, unable to imagine that this man could hurt me this way. But in his eyes, I saw the secret, and I sucked in a breath. He closed his eyes as he exhaled, a look of frustration on his face.
“If I say nothing and no-one, will you leave it?” his tone was pleading as I laughed harshly.
“Absolutely fucking not. Are you fucking her? Is that why you went back to New York?” I was shaking as I asked him, visions of him with some scantily clad whore burning through my retinas. I would kill her. Then him.
He raised his eyebrows as he gaped at me in a stunned silence, before I fixed him with a deadly gaze.
“You need to fucking answer me right now Cal Fallon before I rip your balls off and ram them down your throat.”
To my horror he began to laugh, and I shoved him in the chest angrily.
“I’m not fucking anyone, princess, come on! I swear, it’s nothing like that.”
I folded my arms as I waited. He sighed as he put his hands on my shoulders, which I shrugged off angrily.
“I’m waiting.”
“You”re going to ruin the surprise,” he said quietly.
“No, I’m surprised alright. Spit it out Cal.”
“I’m taking you away for your birthday. Beth is the travel agent, and she’s sending the tickets over to my email as we speak. Enjoy your bath.”
He turned and walked away, disappointment on his face as I stared after him with a mixture of disbelief and regret.
Oh, fuck.
Chapter 24: Sleep
Gretchen
“You really don’t trust me, huh?”
I shifted from one foot to the other, squirming under his gaze. How could I possibly explain my overreaction? My cheeks burned as he slid his phone over the table to me, opening his hands out.
“Read the email, if it puts your mind at rest. Her name is there, her contact number too, if you want to call her.”
He sounded wounded, his voice full of disappointment. I shook my head, not wanting to further spoil the surprise.
“Gretchen, have I ever given you reason to doubt me?”
I chewed on my lip as I considered his question.
“Well-”
“Seriously?” he interrupted, his hands on the back of the chair as he frowned at me. I swallowed and shook my head, no. No he hadn’t.
“I’m sorry. I just heard you speaking to another woman and-”
I looked up to see a smile playing at his lips as I struggled to finish the sentence.
“I just didn’t like it. Argh, now I’ve ruined my surprise,” I folded my arms as he walked around the table, pulling my arms apart and wrapping them around his waist.
“This isn’t like you. You know no other woman compares to you,” he kissed me softly and I sank into his arms gratefully.
“I’m so sorry,” I mumbled into his chest as he rubbed my back tenderly.
“It’s fine, just act surprised when it happens,” he growled into my ear as I giggled. “How was your bath?”
“Angry and short,” I grumbled as I yawned again. “I’m going to lie down for a while, are you coming with me?”
“You sleep babe. I’m going to go get some food to cook for us all, do you want anything?”
I shook my head as I walked up the stairs, my head suddenly feeling too heavy for my shoulders.
What the hell was wrong with me?
Snapping at Cal, falling to sleep constantly, now headaches. I frowned when I realised I had barely eaten today. I sighed as it dawned on me that I was probably dehydrated and over hungry. I mentally checked in with my stomach, my brain showcasing food for it like a damn buffet whilst it churned in protest. Maybe I was getting ill. I pulled back the duvet as I slid between the sheets, my limbs embracing the coolness of the bed as my eyelids dropped.
Chapter 25: Oh…
Gretchen
The flight back to New York was relatively painless. Even Cal managed to doze most of the way back, which gave me the opportunity to reflect on the summer. I realised that I had grown so much in the time away from my childhood home, unable to believe that I had once thought I was going to marry Luke and spend my life in that little town without ever really wanting anything more.
Luke.
Even thinking his name made my skin crawl. I couldn’t help but pity him, I had hoped he would have changed a little in the time I’d been gone. But he was still a creep, playing football and hanging out at The Lounge. He lacked ambition but had buckets full of sleaze- what a combination. I stole a glance at Cal and my heart physically ached with the love I felt for him. The difference between Cal and Luke was astounding- but then again, the difference with Cal and any man was. I didn’t need to travel the world to know there would be no-one like him, no-one who could look at me the way he did, make me feel like I was the only woman in the world like he did.
I couldn’t imagine my life without him, and that terrified me.
His eyelids fluttered as the pilot announced our descent into New York and I was greeted by those captivating green eyes.
“Did I really fall to sleep on a plane?”
He mumbled in disbelief as I littered his face with soft kisses.
“You did. You slept like a baby.”
He yawned as he stretched, the cabin stewardess pausing by our seats to remind us to wear our seatbelts. I was used to the effect he had on women, the way their eyes widened at his breath-taking good looks, the way they would struggle to compose themselves when he shot them that pant dropping smile. But this one was greedy, her professionalism slipping as she gazed at him openly, her eyes locked onto his body until he finished stretching.
“Sir, your seatbelt.”
He nodded as he waved her away with disinterest.
“Yeah lady I know. But if this plane comes crashing down do you really think this slither of fabric will keep me alive?”
I bit back a smile as a flash of annoyance crept into her doll like face.
“I’m just doing my job Sir.”
He nodded without speaking, turning to me.
“How are you feeling?” he murmured against my hair as he kissed my head softly.
“Tired?” I offered with exasperation as he grimaced.
“Go and see a doctor. It’s not normal to feel this tired for weeks. Tell him you’re losing interest in your boyfriend too,” he teased as I turned to look at him, kissing his mouth before he could say anything more.
“Shut up Mr Fallon.”
He grinned as the plane began to pick up speed, his hands now gripping the side of the seat so hard his knuckles turned white. I laced my fingers over his as the pilot executed a near perfect landing, and I turned to see the relief in Cals eyes.
“Thank fuck that’s over.”
“I’ve missed our bed so much,” I groaned as he sent me a wicked look.
“The three of us will reunite shortly.”
“Do you ever think about anything else?” I laughed as we left the aircraft, the wind whipping my hair around my face.
“I think about you in every capacity. All of the time,” he said seriously as we entered the terminal building. I felt a shiver of delight at his words as we made it through customs unscathed. I was a U.S. citizen, on an internal flight, yet still felt like a criminal under the suspicious gaze of the border officers.
As we waited for our luggage, I felt a wave of nausea overtake me as I searched for the toilets with desperation.
“I need the toilet,” I managed to get out before racing to the nearest toilet, which happened to be an accessible one. I didn’t have time to consider that as I reached the toilet bowl, emptying my stomach contents into it. I gasped as I retched, aware that something
was definitely wrong with me. I wiped my mouth as I stood, listing my symptoms in my head. I washed my face in the sink noticing how pale I looked.
Tiredness...