Watching From the Shadows
Callum
I arrive at her house five minutes early.
I turn the car off and wait for her to come outside.
While I should go in and say hi to her dad, she told me to wait out front.
I’m tempted to remind her that I don’t take orders well, but I’m not exactly the type of guy who dad’s love.
I pull my phone out of my pocket and text to let her know I’m here.
Her front door swings open and I can hear her laugh.
God Dammit, that laugh.
I smile every time I hear it. A tight black dress falls just above her ankles, with a slit that runs up, exposing her perfect legs. I couldn’t imagine her in anything else. She wears cherry red heels with lips that match. I’ll find it hard to keep my hands off of her with that colour.
I feel myself getting hard just looking at her. I adjust myself before she opens the door.
“Hey, I’m waiting for my girlfriend, so you better get away from my car or she’ll kick your ass.” I tease as she slides into the car.
“Shut up.” She grabs my face, and her red lips meet mine. My hand finds her face. I slide my tongue between her parted lips, just licking the outline.
She pulls away. I’m met with her smile as I open my eyes. I smile back, naturally.
“Stunning doesn’t even come close to how amazing you look, Angel.”
“You clean up nice yourself, Mr. Mercer.” She reaches over and rubs my neck.
My car lulls beneath us, steady and low.
As we drive off, my hands sit on the steering wheel, even though they’d rather be touching her.
I hate that I’m bringing her tonight. I wasn’t going to let the Highers or my dad make me bring anyone else, like they usually suggest, but here we are. Fuck. I run my hands through my hair.
Scarlett quietly sits beside me in the passenger seat. She gazes out the front window, her eyes locked on the road, but every few seconds, her eyes flicker to me, like she is studying me out of the corner of her thoughts. We continue to sit in silence, comfortable in each other’s presence.
“Are you excited to see some of your friends?” She breaks the stillness, her voice is soft and careful.
I shake my head. “No.”
My suit is my armour—crisp and dark. It’s too expensive for someone who claims that he doesn't care about appearances. Scarlett has already seen me at my worst, with bruised knuckles and blood on my shirt. I hate that she’s seen that side of me, the side I wish I could control.
“You don’t want to go to this thing.” She states. It’s not a question, but a truth.
“No,” I admit. “But I have to.”
“Because of the group?”
Silence.
I can’t correct her. I can’t lie.
Shadows paint Scarlett’s face as she turns toward me.
“So, what am I tonight? Your date? Your distraction?” I glance at her—quick, sharp, pained.
“You’re the only thing that makes this bearable.” The words hang between us like smoke. Unfiltered. Unrehearsed. Her lips part as she swallows. I can sense her heart, hammering against her ribs like it wants to escape.
“Callum…” She starts. I gently place my hand on her thigh, moving my thumb in slow circles. It’s gentle and grounding. I’m not sure if I’m trying to calm her or myself.
“You scare me,” I say.
Scarlett blinks. “Why?”
“Because I don’t know how to be what you need. But I won’t stop trying.”
I know she can feel it, right there, just under the surface.
On the tip of my tongue lie the three words neither of us are damn brave enough to say.
My feelings have grown into a need—the words are just an extension of that.
But I can’t say them. Not here. Not now.
Not with the whole world watching from the shadows.
“I don’t need you to be perfect,” she whispers. “I just need you to be honest.”
My jaw flexes. For a moment, I think about letting go and telling her everything. Instead, I slow the car down as its headlights catching the pillars of the estate ahead.
I don’t want to be here. Not with her. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea? I try to conceal the dread on my face. She doesn’t know what these people are capable of, and I never want her to find out.
Although this may be our first official date, I’ve watched Scarlett for years, studying her from afar and we’ve been inseparable for a while now. Tonight, everything changes.
I stop the car and turn to lock eyes with her. One hand still rests on her thigh, the other brushes her cheek.
“I need you to stay close tonight,” I quietly plead. “Promise me.” I won’t forgive myself if something happens to her.