Second Sets Omnibus

Thirteen - River

Lying in the darkness of my room, I stare at the glowing stars I stuck to the ceiling when I was five. Ma hated them, but Booker helped me stick them up there. I smile at the memory of him setting me on his shoulder so I could stick the little stars myself. After that night, I was never afraid of the dark again as long as I had the stars to guide me.

I roll to my side, watching the trees blow through the sliding glass door of my room. Many moons ago, I’d sneak out through that door to avoid the noises coming from my mom’s bedroom. She’d try to cover it up with music, but it never worked. Or I’d sneak out when she left for work, leaving me alone in the tiny apartment.

“Dear Man on the Moon,” I mumble, finding the brightly lit moon beaming down on the earth, preparing to leave for another night. Soon the sun will shine, and my day will start all over again. “Will you watch over us again? Just this once, I need my life in order and for everything to go right. Just this once. I need a damn miracle.” I sigh and nearly jump out of my skin when a small knock from the sliding glass door shakes me from my pity party.

I furrow my brows, throwing the sheet from my body. Who the hell could that be? It’s four in the damn morning. I need to sleep, not company. With caution, I peek out the hanging blinds, and my eyes widen at the darkened figure standing just outside the door. His gray eyes take me in, and he offers me a small, inviting wave. A soft smile pulls at his lips, and every worry flees from my body. Without a thought, I open the sliding glass door and lean against the frame, letting the warm night into my room.

“Callum?” I whisper with confusion at him, standing outside my bedroom at almost four in the morning.

“Could I… Could I…” He blows out a breath, shaking his head when he stumbles over his words. “Can I come in? I thought after tonight; you might want some company?” he murmurs with concern taking over his face. He cocks his head to the side like an observant puppy, watching my every move. Here I thought Asher was the observant one, but Callum seems to take it all in, too. Maybe more.

The prospect of having someone hold me until the sun comes up appeases me to the point I never thought. I’m not the cuddling type or the hugging type. I’m the fuck me and then leave me alone type. But my body preens at the thought of him wrapping his long arms around me and holding me until we fall asleep. Something soft and sweet about Callum pulls me into his orbit. He’s like the stars shining above us, dazzling me with his presence, giving me no other option because I can’t seem to say no to him right now. Not when he graces me with that slight grin and hope in his eyes.

“Yeah,” I whisper, swallowing the lump in my throat. “It’s not much, but this is my room.” I gesture for him to come in, and he nods, waltzing into my room with his hands in his pockets.

A heavenly smile graces his soft face. “I think it’s perfect.”

I huff a quiet laugh, shut the sliding glass door, and fix the blinds so it won’t disturb us when the sun rises. There’s nothing perfect about my tiny room, only housing my bed and a small standing dresser with my few pieces of jewelry sitting on top. There’s no TV, only my stars—it’s just my space I sleep in and nothing more.

“Any plans today?” I ask, raising a brow when he meanders to the opposite side of my queen-sized bed and shakes his head.

“Only this,” he whispers, planting his ass on the edge of my bed and removing his socks and shoes. “Do you mind if I take off my shirt and pants? I-I can keep-keep them on if-if you want me to.”

I smile as his nerves get the best of him, and his eyes fall to the worn-out carpet, not meeting my stare. Even with the darkness of my room, a red tint takes over his cheeks. Callum’s presence, I realize, is disarming in a way. He’s taking down the walls I’ve carefully erected over the years as a defense—brick by brick.

“As long as you don’t mind that I’m not wearing panties under this long shirt,” I murmur, climbing into my side of the bed.

His gaze jerks to my bare legs, working up them with a shuddering breath until he meets my gaze. Through the dark, I see the dilation of eyes and more red-tinted cheeks.

“Maybe I should keep my clothes on,” he quips with trembling fingers, working his shirt up several times before he finally pulls it over his head and throws it aside.

My breath halts at the multitude of tattoos lining his chest and sides, covering what looks like deep scars running across Callum’s body. You’d never guess what lies beneath his shirt, especially not this. Without thinking, I run the tips of my fingers across the deep scars that, to the naked eye, would be hidden under the array of colorful tattoos. But I see the wounds like I try to see everything else on him.

Callum doesn’t flinch when I trace them toward his chest, only stopping me when I get near his nipple.

“You can ask,” he whispers, leaning back on the bed with his jeans intact. A distinct dick imprint pushes at the material, letting me know he’s keeping himself in check by keeping the pants on.

“Only if you want to tell it,” I say, leaning my head on my hand.

Callum’s expression doesn’t change, but I see the ghosts haunting him through his glazed-over eyes. “As long-long as you keep touch-touching me.” He swallows hard, clamping his eyes shut. His hand squeezes over mine, holding it hostage on his chest.

“Odd request, Cal. But sure, I’ll keep touching you,” I quip, trying to lighten the mood for him.

I succeed when a soft smile tugs at his lips, but the haunted look remains.

“It was almost two years ago,” he whispers, shivering like the memories are coming back in full picture. “I was in a plane crash. My parents and my little sister Jenny… they-they died-died beside me.” I swallow hard, lean into him, and hug him with all my might. “The only thing I have left of them is my house, everything inside it, and the trust they left in my name for bills.”

“I’m sure you hear this all the time, but I’m so sorry you went through that. I can’t imagine the pain…” my words trail off when he nods.

“There was nothing I could do. I severely broke my leg from the impact. My little sister crawled on top of me, told me she loved me, and then passed away in my arms. Ever since… Without music, I can’t keep the nightmares from taking over.” Realization hits me like a truck, and I note all the times he had his earbuds in, seeming to ignore the world around him. But it wasn’t because he was rude. It was to drown out the ghosts trying to haunt him. He looks at me, curling a piece of my long hair behind my ear. “Since the accident, only one thing has kept me sane. Until today, though, I’ve discovered there are now two things that chase away the monsters haunting my mind and grant me peace.”

“Yeah?” I whisper as he leans in close, bumping his nose against mine.

“Yeah,” he confirms, brushing his lips against mine and holding my body close. “You,” he whispers with a shaky breath, breaking me with his confession. “And music.”

My heart drops into my stomach when he swoops in and steals the breath from my lungs with lazy kisses. His tongue prods at the seam of my lips, and I grant him access, moaning into his mouth when he rocks against me. Pulling back, a sparkle reignites in his eyes, and life seems to reinflate inside him.

“Now, can I ask you a question?” he whispers, keeping me close when I pull the sheet up, covering us together. His confession weighs on my mind, but I nod, snuggling into him. Despite what I’ve felt before, this is the most comfortable I’ve been with another human being in almost four years. Since…

“Why were you so afraid of the guy at the bar? Bradley?” I quirk a brow at his bold question, searching his eyes when my heart picks up speed.

“How did you…?” I shake my head when he nods in confirmation.

“I tend to notice things others don’t. You froze when he called you those awful names and slammed into you. The vein in your neck pumped double time, and your nostrils flared. But the paleness that took over your face really solidified what was wrong.” For the first time since interacting with the quietest member of Whispered Words, he keeps eye contact and stays confident with his speech. It’s like he’s evaluated the entire situation and knows exactly what happened four years ago.

Heat brews beneath my skin, and I shake my head. “It’s nothing….”

“It’s something,” he whispers. “But I won’t pry into your personal matters. I respect you, River. And… I kinda like-like you-you.” With a deep breath, he closes his eyes. “I don’t want you to talk about anything you don’t want to.”

I close my eyes, leaning my head on his chest. The deep, thunderous pound of his heart echoes in my ear, soothing all the fear inside me. Maybe Callum and I have a weird connection, after all. If I soothe his nightmares and he seems to pacify the anxiety always begging to ruin my life, we’re meant for each other in some fucked up way.

“Four years ago, I went to a party when I was fifteen. That night, after seeing someone who I thought would recognize me?—”

“It was Kieran?” he asks in his oh-so-observant way, and I nod. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Remorse clings to his voice, and he holds me tighter, giving me the comfort no one has offered me my entire life. Van sure as hell never held me after we had sex or listened to me when I spoke. Again, all the red flags were present; I just didn’t see them.

“Kieran used to live here; one day, he was gone. Asher’s dad, I’m assuming, started coming around. I… I knew Kieran would be at that party and wanted to see him. He was my best friend, and… Well, let’s just say he had no idea. To make a long, boring story short, I drank too much and found myself at the hands of Bradley and his friend.”

Callum gulps a breath, kissing my head when I shudder in his arms. Why is it so easy to spill this secret to him? I haven’t told anyone since the police waved me off and practically blamed me for the entire situation. I tried to go forward with my life and ignore the injustice I had been served, but seeing Bradley tonight stirred up all those old, foggy memories.

“They took advantage of me, if you can imagine. Then…” I close my eyes as the memory of Rad’s soft, dark eyes looking down on me resurfaces. The comforting words he uttered when he picked me up off the ground and put me in his car.

“I’ll find those fuckers for you,” he said in a soft but demanding voice. “I’ll beat their asses. Who was it?” he whispers, starting up his car. But I just shook my head, tears streaming down my face, and I refused to look at the man who saved me. “Please talk to the cops. Let them know everything. I know something bad happened. Someone at that party… took what wasn’t theirs, right?” he asks when he pulls up to the hospital, staring at me when I nod in confirmation.

“Rad has always had a soft spot for you, you know? When he found you like that, it fucking broke him. He went to the cops and told them he found you to corroborate your story, but they…”

“Laughed him off like they did me?” I ask with a shaky breath, shaking my head. “I’ll always remember how he took care of me.”

“Will you ever let him know it’s you?” he asks, stroking a hand through my hair, causing my eyes to close.

It feels like the world lifts from my shoulders at his validation. No one has ever told me it wasn’t my fault, or that I didn’t deserve it. Even my mother looked down at me and rolled her eyes when I called her from the hospital.

I shrug, unable to speak through the lump in my throat. “I think I need to get some sleep. It’s been a long ass day,” I mutter, burying my face into his chest.

“Avoidance at its best, but that’s okay, my Little Star,” he murmurs, snuggling into me. My heart fucking soars at the name, and my eyes find the green neon stars shining on the ceiling. “Let’s get some rest.”

Taking one last, long breath, Callum and I drift off to sleep in each other’s arms, sinking into the best dreams I’ve had in years.

The first thing I notice when I wake up in the morning is the blaring sunshine beating through the sliding glass door, which I swore I had secured the blinds better than that.

The second thing I notice is the second warm body squishing against me, heating my back. Sweat coats every inch of my skin from the ovens surrounding me and…

“What the hell?” I shriek, pushing the second body away from me with my fist to their hard chest as panic takes over.

He grunts, rolling onto the floor with a loud hiss. If we had downstairs neighbors, they’d be pounding on the ceiling out of frustration.

“Wh-what is it?” Callum asks in a raspy, just woken-up voice, rubbing his eyes with urgency.

Peeking over the bed, my heart hammers in my chest when I meet the gaze of the intruder rolling around on the ground. He groans, holding his chest and wincing through the pain. Huh. Apparently, I punched him harder than I thought.

“Pretty Girl, it’s not nice to punch people out of bed. You interrupted an amazing dream. You and me and the rest of the guys naked on the beach with sand in places we shouldn’t speak of. But you were about to give me a sandy pussy sandwich, and then you pushed me out of bed,” he groans through his entire speech, finally rising to a sitting position. His big brown eyes peer at me with mischief.

“First off, I don’t even want to know what a sandy pussy sandwich is,” I say, shaking my head. “Second off…”

“How’d I get in your room?” he asks with an enormous grin, climbing to his feet. “You all ask the same questions. How’d you get into my room? Why’re my panties in your pockets? They’re not, by the way. No panties in here,” he says, lying through his teeth when he pats his bulging pocket. “But the answer is always the same. You summoned me with your mind.” He grins, tapping the side of his head.

“Are you high?” I ask, furrowing my brows. “Wait, don’t answer that. It’s way too early in the morning.”

“It’s noon,” Rad says, climbing back into bed beside me. He grins, pulls his phone from his pocket, and shows me the screen. “But you two were the best snuggle buddies. We should get rings made. Snuggle Buddies activate!” he howls, thrusting his fist into the air.

I blink a few times, processing what the fuck is going on. I’m too tired and way too grumpy to deal with his optimism—which he should kindly choke on until I get more sleep. But noon? Seriously? I haven’t slept this late since… Well, forever. I’ve been up at the butt crack of dawn since I was fourteen, busting my ass at work.

“Is he serious?” I stage whisper to Callum, who pulls my body into his and huffs into my neck.

“Unfortunately,” he grumbles, sounding half asleep.

Rad frowns, bumping his own fist, and sighs. “You all left me hanging. It’s rude. So, what are we doing today? Obviously, my girlfriend is not killing herself at work. So… what should we do?”

I sigh, putting an arm over my eyes. “I’m not your girlfriend, Rad.”

“You can say that and believe it, but no matter what you say, you’re mine. If another man besides my best friends even approaches you, I’m gouging their eyes out and wearing them as trophies,” Rad says with a smug expression, leaning in closer to me to boop my nose.

“I am a biter,” I remind him, closing my eyes and trying to go back to sleep. “And very sleepy,” I mumble.

Rad grumbles under his breath, slinking up to me and pressing his front against mine. “But, Pretty Girl, we could have so much fun today on your day off! I brought my dirt bike! We can go for a ride down at the track. I can show you a thing or two,” he says through fits of fucking giggles.

“You are too damn chipper in the morning…”

“It’s noon! The sun is shining and...” I put my hand over his mouth and peek an eye open, glaring at him.

“If you’re not careful, she’s going to kick you out,” Callum mutters the warning into my neck.

“He’s got a point,” I say, raising a brow.

“Pfft. Don’t worry, Pretty girl. Me and your mom, Stella, had some breakfast from the donut shop. I fed her coffee, and we watched the news. She’s taking a nap, and then she’s got a home health nurse for the day.” Rad grins like this is common knowledge, and my lips pop open.

“Who are you?” I ask, slumping into the bed with a groan.

Rad snorts. “You were worried last night, babe,” he says in a softer tone, running a finger down my jaw. “I wanted to make it better. I didn’t realize this guy was here, though.” His warm, dark eyes light up when his best friend huffs.

“I was-was worried, too,” Callum says through a frustrated sigh. When I peek back, a red tint takes over his cheeks again.

“But I should have guessed where you were headed the moment you walked out the front door. You didn’t even tell me goodbye or invite me to the slumber party, which is rude, by the way,” Rad whines, fake pouting. “Next time, it’ll be at our house!” he says, wiggling his brows again.

I strum his lip and scoff. “Too early,” I mumble again, going over his words. “Wait, you said home health nurse?” My eyes pop wide at his words, making my heart skip a beat.

Rad grins from ear to ear, and he nods. “Your mom is super chill. I like her. She requested donuts every morning, so I guess you’ll see me around here a lot. I kind of dig this place. Anyway, I called my mom...”

“You called your mom?” Callum asks in disbelief. “But you…” Rad waves him off, shaking his head before Callum can continue.

“Yeah, through the church, she has a lot of connections. So, I asked her for a favor,” Rad says, grimacing. “She still calls me occasionally, to see how I’m doing. We don’t talk much, not since my dad kicked me out, but it was worth it this time. There’s a company that does this sort of thing and can come to take care of your mom five days a week. She’ll never be alone, Pretty Girl.”

Rad took every worry from my mind and fixed it overnight. Leaning in, I don’t think and press my lips to his in appreciation. I groan when he takes advantage, thrusting his tongue in my mouth and overtaking me. I’m breathless by the time we come up for air.

“You don’t know how much that means to me. But the cost, Rad?” I whisper, searching his dark eyes that light up with me so close. “You know I can’t afford to pay...”

“Don’t worry. It’s covered,” he says, kissing the edge of my lips. “Now, since I granted you a favor…” He waggles his brows as he jumps out of bed, dragging my reluctant body with him.

“Callum, help,” I pout, crossing my arms.

I sigh when Callum stands tall, stretching his long arms above his head. Every inch of his body stretches, pulling his muscles taut and extenuating them. I nearly drool at the sight of all his tattoos until he throws his shirt on and covers them. A small smile pulls at his lips when his gray eyes meet mine.

“He’s pretty hot, right?” Rad says, throwing his arm over my shoulders. “You’d never guess all those tats were hiding on that virgin body.” I stiffen, but Rad continues his rant. “He’s had a needle before he’s had pussy; it’s a tragedy. Will you fix that for him, Pretty Girl? Will you be the first penis fly trap to grab hold of his trouser snake…” I slap my hand over his mouth, shaking my head.

“Do you ever shut up?” I gripe when he grins beneath my hand. “And seriously, a penis fly trap? What in the… Never mind, I realize that with you, I don’t even want to know.” He waggles his dark, bushy brows, staying silent beneath my palm.

“Damn-damn it, Rad,” Callum curses, throwing his socks and shoes on. He groans, rubbing a hand down his face, hiding the redness taking over his cheeks. “And-and no, he never shuts his trap.” Callum sighs, avoiding my eyes when he stands. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he takes a deep breath, probably centering himself from all the embarrassing shit Rad just threw out.

“There’s nothing wrong with being a virgin. It just means you were saving your experiences for something better,” I say, trying to lighten the conversation. “Besides, virginity is an outdated way of saying you just haven’t had sex. It’s our stupid society that created it.” I roll my eyes at the world we live in, hoping it offers Callum a small light at the end of the tunnel. “Nothing to be ashamed of,” I add again, and he nods, finally letting my words sink in.

Callum slowly lifts his eyes from the floor, searching me for honesty. Licking his lips, he nods. “Thanks, Little Star,” he whispers.

“Little Star?” Rad asks, removing my hand from his lips and locking our fingers together. “I kinda like that. You are a little star, aren’t you?”

I sigh. “I need to get dressed and check on my mom. Maybe wait until the nurse…”

“Oh, she’s already here. I let her in at nine. She’s pretty cool. Your mom took a shower while I did the dishes and… Why’re you looking at me like that?” Rad asks, looking between Callum and me with raised brows, taking in our varying expressions.

“You-you did the dishes? And-and organized the nurse?” Callum asks through bewilderment.

Rad scoffs. “You act like I don’t do anything domestic! How do you think our dishes get done? The laundry? Who picks up your rock sock and makes sure it’s clean for your next round of taming the snake? I mean, come on, dude! I’m not incapable.”

“I’m ignoring the rock sock comment,” Callum says, giving Rad a scathing look. “And the tame the snake comment.”

“Hold up,” I say, lifting a finger. “You two live together?” My head jerks back when Rad stares at me like I’m an idiot.

“My house,” Callum murmurs, shuffling his feet on the floor.

Rad shrugs, pulling me toward my closet. “Of course, we do. We always live in roommate bliss. All right, Pretty Girl. Time to get on those sexy booty shorts and a tight shirt. We’re going to the dirt bike track so I can show you off. And if anyone asks, you are my girlfriend. Slimy fuckers will try to steal you away. I even have a sign that say s, ‘I suck Rad’s dick when he wins’ for motivation,” he rambles more, rifling through my closet. “Because that would definitely make me smoke those suckers. The last thing they’ll see is my ass when I beat them.”

“For the last time, I’m not your girlfriend,” I mutter, tossing my hands.

“You say that now. But what’s mine is mine, and you’re fucking mine. You know Kieran suggested putting a tattoo on your ass, and I’m kinda agreeing. It’ll say Property of Rad. The other three can fight it out for you.” He shakes his head like what I said was ridiculous, and I give up.

“I could think of other places to put that tattoo,” Callum whispers, lifting the hairs on the back of my neck.

I shiver, looking back at him when he shyly grins. “So… the track? What the hell is he talking about?” I ask, folding my arms over my chest. “And I’m not holding a sign that says that.” I shake my head when he turns, giving me a disarming grin.

“There are three things you should know about me, Pretty Girl. I like you, drumming, and racing my dirt bike. In that order, too,” he says with a wink, pulling out a black, lacy shirt from the back of my closet and thrusting it at me. “Now, put that on! We have lunch to eat and races to win.”

I blink a few times when he throws himself on my bed, giving me an expectant look.

“Should I be worried?” I ask Callum out of the corner of my mouth.

He snorts. “With him? Always.”

“Wonderful."