Chapter 19 Callan
CALLAN
Ipoke my head into the kitchen. “Da. The construction guys are here.”
He glances at the clock on the wall. “They’re early.”
“Good.” Ma kisses him. “They might get finished earlier.” She grabs her folder off the kitchen counter, hugging it to her chest. Astrid printed out all her drawings and plans, and made it into a folder for Mum, complete with material and paint samples, and other stuff I can’t remember.
Ma is obsessed with the house remodeling, and it’s pretty much all she talks about these days. I tend to zone out after a while.
“Callan, remember to drop Erin off at the Nevans’ house after swimming,” Ma says, gripping my face to ensure I’m listening. “I don’t want her around all the dust and debris.”
Today, they are knocking down the wall between the kitchen and dining room to create one large space, and this week, they’re installing a new kitchen.
When downstairs is finished, Ma plans to tackle the bathrooms and then the bedrooms. I can’t wait.
I still feel like puking every time I take a shower.
“I haven’t forgotten.”
“Could you swing by the hardware store on your way back and pick up my order?” Da says on his way past.
“Sure.” I grab my water bottle from the fridge as he leaves to talk to the construction crew. “Any other requests?”
“Say hi to your pretty, talented girlfriend.” Ma kisses both of my cheeks. “And check Astrid is still okay to paint tomorrow.”
“She took tomorrow off work so she can paint. Relax, Ma. She’ll be here.”
“She’s such a dote.” Ma squishes my cheeks. “You did well, son. Don’t mess it up.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I drawl, extracting myself from her hands. “See you later,” I say, walking off. “Pixie!” I holler up the stairs. “Get your skates on.”
“I’m coming,” my little sis says, bounding down the stairs in her ballet gear, her brown curls bouncing around her shoulders as she descends.
I grab her bag and my gym bag, and we walk over to the Nevans’. The girls like going to ballet and swimming together, so Astrid is driving us in her hatchback because it’s too much of a squish in my truck. I’m considering trading it in for an SUV, which is more practical.
Astrid and Freja exit the house as we’re walking up the driveway.
Freja squeals and rushes across the grass to her best friend.
The girls hug, and I smile, loving seeing my little sister so happy.
She loves school and her new friends. The only blip is missing Dara, but he FaceTimes every week, and he’s coming to visit at Christmas when he has time off from uni.
Ma can’t wait. I know she misses my older brother like crazy.
“Hey, weirdo.” Astrid smiles up at me.
I boop her on the nose. “Right back at ya.” Ever since that night in my room, almost three weeks ago, she loves teasing me, and I love hearing it.
We have slotted into our fake relationship with ease, and being around her so much makes everything better.
I didn’t think I’d ever settle here, but I’m happier now, and I know a lot of it is to do with the beautiful blonde by my side.
Pretending with her is as natural as breathing.
“You look like you’re expecting a snowstorm,” I joke. She’s wrapped up in a pink puffer jacket and scarf, even though it’s warm and sunny today.
“Tease me all you like, Irish, but you should expect the unexpected when it comes to Vermont weather, and layering should become your new skill.”
“I’ll take my chances, beautiful,” I say before tipping my head up to catch some rays on my face. Astrid isn’t wrong though. It pissed rain for three days straight this week, and the temp dropped, but now it’s like a summer’s day in Ireland.
“Come on, lovebirds,” Erin calls out, and I clasp Astrid’s hand, steering her toward the car.
I load the bags into the boot while the girls climb into the back seat, and Astrid gets behind the wheel.
“Astrid, did Freja tell you about the Christmas show?” Erin asks, leaning forward as Astrid backs out of the drive.
“She did. I’m so excited you both got big parts, and I can’t wait to see it.”
“Will you be going with Callan as his date?” Freja pipes up, and the two girls giggle.
“Of course,” I reply, glancing back at our sisters as Astrid maneuvers out onto the road. “That’s what boyfriends and girlfriends do.”
“I can’t wait to have a boyfriend,” Freja says, sporting a dreamy expression.
“Me too,” Erin adds, and a scowl automatically lands on my face.
“You can forget about that until you’re at least eighteen.”
“Astrid went on her first date when she was thirteen,” Freja says.
“I was nearly fourteen,” Astrid replies, keeping her eyes on the road.
“How many boyfriends did you have before Callan?” Erin asks, and I’m curious to hear this answer myself.
“Not that many.” Astrid glances at me briefly. Is she worried what I think?
“She had four!” Freja announces.
“Most only lasted a couple of months.”
“Except for Joe. You dated him way longer, and he was my favorite. He used to bring me candy all the time.”
“Those are the ones you need to watch out for,” I say, but the point is lost on Astrid’s innocent ten-year-old sister.
Hemsworth seems to have finally gotten the message now Astrid has blocked his number and refuses to talk to him at all.
Wish I could say the same for Ana. That bitch does not know the meaning of the word no, and she’s seriously getting on my nerves.
It doesn’t help that she broke it off with Garner, and he is—apparently—gunning for my arse because he thinks it’s to do with me.
After we drop the girls at ballet, we head to Cake and Coffee, where Astrid helps me with my maths homework while I ply her with cake and cappuccino. The girl wasn’t joking. I don’t know anyone who consumes as much cake as Astrid Nevan and gets away with it.
If the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, the way to Astrid’s is via cake.
Why the fuck am I thinking such things?
“Callan.” Astrid clicks her fingers in my face. “You zoned out.”
“Sorry. What were you saying?”
“How did the test go yesterday?”
“I got a B+. I meant to tell you, but I forgot after the match.” We are three for three wins now, and our team is feeling unstoppable.
“Fan vad bra!” Her eyes gleam with pride.
I open my mouth to ask, but she beats me to it.
“It means that’s fucking amazing.”
“I like that one,” I say, adding it to the notes on my phone.
“You’ll be getting As in no time.”
Esther drops off a fresh cappuccino for Astrid and a chamomile tea for me, and we thank her.
“I’m happy with Bs,” I say after the friendly waitress has left. “I just need to do enough to pass so I graduate.” I blow on the top of my mug.
Astrid stirs her drink. “True, and that would be enough to get a scholarship…if you decide to change your mind.”
“I won’t even though Da brings it up regularly.”
“I thought you two had patched things up,” she says, stashing her books in her bag.
“There is a tentative truce in place, but it doesn’t mean my goals have changed. I’m still planning on leaving in June.”
“I understand, but it never hurts to keep your options open, and I’m happy to do homework together whenever you want.”
Fifteen minutes later, we set out on foot toward the dance studio.
Astrid ditched her jacket in the car because today is turning out to be unseasonably warm.
Her hand is encased in mine as we approach Joey’s, and I stifle a groan when Ana and a few of her bitchy friends exit the popular diner just as we’re passing.
“If it isn’t the virgin and the soccer player holding hands like they’re twelve.
” Her friends titter as I attempt to maneuver past them, but they’re blocking the path, and I can’t step onto the road when there’s a steady stream of traffic.
“When you get sick of all the PG-13 forehead and cheek kisses, look me up, sexy. I know how to show a guy a good time.”
“Callan has zero desire to catch herpes,” Astrid says before I can retort. “That is why Travis kicked your ass to the curb, right? At least that’s what he’s saying.”
Steam practically billows from Ana’s ears as she fists her hands and glares at my girlfriend. “That is a filthy lie, and if you spread that shit around, I will—”
“You will do nothing.” I narrow my eyes and level her with a sharp look.
“If you so much as look sideways at Astrid, I will make your life hell. And stay the fuck away from me too. You couldn’t pay me to spend one second voluntarily in your company, and you sure as fuck couldn’t pay me to touch you.
I’m not interested in you. Not now. Not ever.
Now get the fuck out of my way, or I’ll make you. ”
“There is no need to be so rude, but I guess the truth hurts, Callan.” She pulls back, and her minions fall into line with her. “I’ll be here when you wise up. I can be patient.”
Gripping Astrid’s hand, I tow her away from the mean girls, trying to calm down before we get to the dance studio. “She is a nasty piece of work.”
“I have never been her biggest fan, but the way she’s acting now is disgusting.”
I release the death grip on her fingers. “Has she always been like that with you?”
She shakes her head. “We have never been friends, and while she’s made the odd catty remark, she has never been that cruel.
I used to think she didn’t go there with me because Gwen is one of her cheerleaders, but now it’s clear she doesn’t give a fuck.
” She looks up at me. “She wants you, and she’s not used to being told no. I fear it’s only going to get worse.”
Halting a few feet away from the dance studio, I pull Astrid over to the side. “That’s the only word she’ll hear from these lips.” I tuck a few wispy strands of her hair behind one ear. “You need to tell me if she tries anything. I won’t let her bully you or try to humiliate you.”
“I’m stronger than I look, and I can handle her, but I’ll tell you if anything happens. I promise.”