Chapter 16 Callan
CALLAN
It hurts that Astrid thinks so little of me because what she thinks matters. What have I done to give her the impression I’m some sex-crazed hound who needs to hump everything in sight? I didn’t think she was the kind of girl to rush to make assumptions, but maybe I’ve misread her.
No, I don’t think I have. It took balls to come over here and say what she said, especially when I was a right moody prick.
She seemed genuine, and I wanted to forgive her, but my stubborn arse wouldn’t let me.
Pulling myself up against the headboard, I throw the ball to the side and lean my head back, sighing.
I wonder if Gwen said something to Astrid, and that’s where this is coming from.
That one is a handful, and I hope Scott knows what he’s got himself into.
Then again, I’m mentally chastising Astrid for jumping to judgy assumptions, and haven’t I just done the same?
If Gwen is Astrid’s best friend, she’s solid because Astrid wouldn’t hang around with someone who wasn’t.
Fuck it.
Swinging my legs off the bed, I shove my phone in the pocket of my tracksuit bottoms before grabbing my runners and keys and quietly opening my bedroom door. It’s late, but this can’t wait. I’ve upset her, and I need to make this right now.
Everyone is in bed, so I tiptoe carefully along the landing and down the stairs, making sure to edge around the creaky steps so I don’t make a sound. At the front door, I slip my socked feet into my runners and creep out of the house, hightailing it towards Astrid’s house.
All the lights are out, but as I sneak around the side of the Nevan house, I spot a dim glow radiating from Astrid’s bedroom, and I silently fist pump the air. I hoped she might still be up, stewing over everything that’s happened between us in the last twenty-four hours like I’ve been.
Grasping the thick trunk of the tree under Astrid’s window, I begin climbing, grateful there are no neighbors on this side of the property to report a prowler.
I almost slide several times, and I’ve picked up a few splinters in my fingers, but I’m patting myself on the back when I reach the sprawling branch that nestles against her window relatively unscathed.
I don’t look down as I shimmy across the sturdy branch, praying it doesn’t buckle under my weight.
Astrid is in bed, holding a book in front of her face, so she hasn’t noticed me yet.
A lamp on her bedside locker is the only light in the semi-darkness.
I don’t want to freak her out and risk her screaming.
Can’t imagine her da would be best pleased to find me dangling off the tree outside his daughter’s bedroom.
I send her a message, letting her know I’m outside, relieved when she immediately checks her phone.
She bolts upright in the bed, dropping her book on the duvet and staring out the window with wide eyes.
Her mouth hangs open as I rap lightly on the window, praying she’ll let me in.
It takes her a few seconds to jump into action, throwing back the covers and padding to the window in her short pajamas.
“What are you doing?” she whispers after opening the window a smidgeon.
“We need to talk,” I whisper. “Can I come in?” I’m grateful the window is one of those newer sliding windows, and it’s large enough for me to fit through.
Astrid worries her lower lip between her teeth for a few seconds before nodding.
She removes the window cushion, placing it against the wall, before sliding the window back as far as it’ll go.
Then she steps aside to allow me to swing myself into the room.
Tension bleeds into the air as I toe my runners off and we stare at one another with all manner of emotions standing between us like a wall.
Her hair is tied up in a messy bun, showcasing her flawless skin and perfect features.
A flimsy camisole pajama top clings to her tits and hard nipples, making my mouth water.
It takes massive willpower not to linger on her chest or trail my gaze lower over her long, slim, bare legs, but I didn’t come here to verify her assumptions about me, and Astrid deserves my respect, so I focus on her face as I try to form the words I need to say.
Astrid folds her arms across her chest, wearing a determined expression. “Why are you here, Callan? My parents will go crazy if they discover you in my bedroom,” she says in a hushed voice.
“They won’t,” I promise, hoping I haven’t lied to her. “It’s my turn to apologize,” I admit, running a hand through my hair. My heart is pounding like crazy, crashing against my chest cavity like powerful waves beating against the shore.
“Hang on.” Striding across her room, she flips the lock on the door before walking to the other window seat and curling into one corner.
She motions me forward with her eyes, and I sit opposite her, pulling my knees into my chest. “I was a dickhead earlier, and I’m sorry.
It took guts to say what you said, and I should’ve been nicer.
Thank you for explaining, and I accept your apology. ”
“You were a total asshole,” she agrees, “but I forgive you, and I meant what I said. I’m appalled at myself.”
“Can I level with you?”
“Always.”
“You seem to have the wrong impression of me. Yes, I’ve had sex and been with different girls, but not nearly as much as people think.”
“You don’t have to explain it.” She messes with the hem on her pajama shorts, not meeting my eyes.
I lean forward. “But I do. Please look at me.”
She lifts her head, and the instant her eyes connect with mine, it’s like being zapped by lightning.
I clear my throat and focus because I’m not leaving here unless things are good between us.
“I don’t want you thinking I’m some gobshite who fucks around with girls all the time.
That’s not who I am. I’m focused on football, and I’ve never had a girlfriend by choice because I don’t want or need the distraction.
I figured we had that in common, which is why I suggested we fake date. ”
Her eyes pop wide. “You’ve never had a girlfriend? Like, ever?”
“Never. I’ve seen my mates get with girls and lose their focus. That’s not happening to me.”
“You don’t ever want to get married?” She tips her head to one side, curiosity flaring in her eyes.
“I want marriage and kids, but when I’m older, when my career is established, and I have the money to look after a wife and a family.”
“It’s making a lot more sense now.”
“If you think I had ulterior motives for suggesting my plan, I don’t.
I saw an opportunity to help each other out and just ran with it.
I don’t expect you to fuck me, and I wouldn’t go off with other girls, either with or without your knowledge.
I could never do that to you. It hurt you thought I would. ”
“I wasn’t thinking straight when I said that shit. What Joe said really got to me. I thought he was fine to wait, but it’s obvious now that wasn’t really the case.”
I should’ve known his hurtful words were driving her behavior. “Your ex is a prick. You shouldn’t ever feel forced into sex or made to feel ashamed for not going there.”
“I just thought if most guys are like him, then how would it work for you if we were fake dating? Joe told me one time that teenage guys were perpetually horny and constantly thinking about sex.” She hugs her raised knees tighter.
“But I should’ve asked you instead of jumping to conclusions. I’m sorry I did that.”
“It’s fine. We’re past it now. Forget it.”
“In the interests of being honest and upfront, if we do this, what will you do?”
My lips pull into the biggest grin of their own volition. It takes effort to keep my laughter low and soft as I wave my hands in the space between us. “I have my hands, a porn subscription, and a very vivid imagination.”
She almost chokes before fanning herself with her hands. “Okay, wow, thanks for your honesty.” I can’t see her properly in the low light, but I just know her cheeks are bright red.
“Don’t worry about it, anyway. It was a stupid idea.” I plant my feet on the floor. “We can tell everyone at school we had some fun at the weekend, but it was only casual, and we’re not dating. Just friends.”
“I want to do it,” she blurts, unfurling to her full height and standing in front of me.
“You do?” I was convinced she wasn’t going to go for it.
Slowly, she nods. “I made it complicated when it doesn’t need to be. Like you said, it’ll help get the cheerleaders off your back and Joe off mine, and it’ll keep us focused on our goals. It’s the perfect solution.”
I’m not sure if it is, because the truth is, I’m starting to really like this girl, and it could backfire spectacularly.
But we will be seeing a lot of one another, whether we do this or not, so we might as well milk the benefits.
“If you’re sure, then I’m down with it, putting boundaries in place like we discussed the other night. ”
“Gwen knows, and I’ll have to tell Renee if you plan on telling Thor, but I won’t be telling anyone else.”
“Thor already knows, so it’s only fair his girlfriend knows, but no one else will hear it from me.”
“And we agree to end it if either one of us wants to, and we’re exclusive, which means we won’t date or kiss or hook up with anyone else.”
“I have no issue with any of that.”
She licks her lips, running a hand along the back of her neck. “So, we’re doing this?”
“Yeah.” I place a hand on my stomach. “Fuck it, why not?”
“How should we handle it?”
“I have training on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with weekly matches on either Friday or Saturday, so I can drive you to and from school on Mondays and Thursdays, and when my schedule allows it, I can drive you to and from work on the weekends and hit the gym while I’m there.”
“So, I’ll ride with you in the morning?”
I bob my head. “And I’ll sit with you at lunch. It’ll send a clear message we’re together and exclusive. If we tell our friends, they’ll spread the word, and we can mention it to our parents tomorrow night.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Cool.”
“Cool.”
We stare at one another, the intensity of the moment not lost on either of us, before I snap myself out of it and retrieve my runners, bending down to tie the laces.
Don’t want to fumble over an untied lace and fall from the tree.
That would be one surefire way to ruin my football career before it’s even started.
“Be careful,” she whispers as I grip the window frame, preparing to swing myself out onto the tree.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be grand. I’ll see you in the morning,” I call out quietly as I exit Astrid’s bedroom, hoping we don’t end up regretting the decision we’ve just made.