Chapter 10 #2
“You were just being ridiculous,” Lauren said as she waved it off. Waved off my near sexual assault. That is what this girl had just done.
“Get out. Seriously. Just get out.”
“Don’t be such a bitch,” Lauren growled. “Seriously, I don’t know what’s wrong with you.”
“I don’t know what’s wrong with you. I just, wow.
I don’t understand how you two are like this right now.
But I’m not a teenager. I’m not even some college co-ed.
I’m an adult with a real-time job. And you guys need to go.
Because if you’re going to be blaming the victim for shit like this, you can just fucking go. ”
“We were just trying to do you a favor. Bradley’s in town, at his family’s estate up north, and we wanted to make sure you were doing fine. You know, making a good impression.” Laurel smirked.
“It’s time for you two to go,” Callum snapped, and I froze, wanting to sink into the floor.
Of course, he was here. Why couldn’t the man just be anywhere else? But no, he had to hear. Witnessing my humiliation.
“Oh, I remember you,” Laurel whispered as she moved forward as if she didn’t have a ring on her finger.
“Out,” Callum snapped, that dark energy that always seemed to be right beneath the surface, bubbling.
“Wow. Okay then. I see we’re not wanted. But Felicity, if you want to meet up, we’ll text you where we’re going. Old times’ sake.” Lauren flipped her hair back and stomped out. Laurel trailing behind her.
I looked up then and realized that Callum wasn’t alone.
No, Bodhi stood there, as did Teagan, Thatcher, and Kellan. I had no idea why they were all here, other than, of course, they had to witness my embarrassment.
And that’s enough of a soap opera today. Thank you, but I’m done.
“Who were they, and am I allowed to go slash their tires?” Teagan asked.
“No, it’s nothing. Seriously. Is there something I can help you with?”
“We have a meeting with Gregory,” Thatcher said with a frown. “At least a few of us do.”
Kellan, the town doctor and general practitioner, lifted his chin. “You okay?” That deep voice sounded so similar to Callum’s, and yet, nothing alike.
Because Callum’s did something to me, and Kellan was just a friend.
“Everything’s great. And if we could not tell Rune or Atlas about this, that would be amazing. Because I already have enough big brothers in this room.”
“We do like looking out for you,” Bodhi whispered.
Callum didn’t say anything. Instead, he just studied my face, and I wanted to crawl into a hole.
“And on that note, I’m going to go back to work and finish a few things.”
“Okay…if you’re sure, Felicity,” Teagan whispered, worry etched on her face.
“Seriously, it’s just silly college drama, and I do not understand why they were even here.”
“I can still slash their tires,” Teagan teased.
“Maybe I’ll take you up on that.”
Gregory finally opened his office door and led them in, leaving Callum behind.
“Aren’t you going to join them?” I asked as the others filed out, worry still evident on each of their features.
He shook his head. “I was here for you.”
At any other time, I would’ve wanted to hear that. Needed to hear that. Instead, my shoulders just dropped. “What is it, Callum?”
“I was going to bug you to watch that new superhero movie that just came out on streaming. The one I didn’t get a chance to see in theaters? You promised you’d watch it with me.”
I froze, remembering that vague promise months ago. I’d said it offhand, not taking it seriously, because Callum never watched movies just with me. But here he was, taking pity on me.
“You don’t need to do that. The girls didn’t really hurt me.”
“I didn’t hear all of it, but enough that they annoyed the fuck out of me. But I was already coming here to ask you.”
“Callum, what is it you want?” I asked, grateful that the other door was closed.
“Felicity.”
“No, what is it you want? Because I’m already having a bad day. And I don’t think I can handle any more.”
“I’m just here to watch a movie with my friend.”
A friend. Well, that was better than a friend’s little sister. But I couldn’t handle it today.
“I have work to do. Maybe another time.”
He studied my face, and I wanted to reach out and say yes. That I’d watched that movie, that I could take every part of him that I could get.
But the whole point of my figuring out how to overcome what I once wanted was to move on from Callum.
And that meant I needed to actually start moving on.
“If that’s what you want.”
“That’s exactly what I want.”
He didn’t say another word. Instead, he turned on his heel and left, leaving me alone with my paperwork. Paperwork I really didn’t want to do.
With a sigh, I grabbed my bag and made my way out of my office.
The others were still dealing with a committee meeting with Gregory, one that probably had something to do with an upcoming festival that each of them was donating things to.
Between time, energy, and materials, the town usually had something to do.
The fact that Bodhi was even there meant Teagan had probably dragged him.
And yet, I couldn’t really focus on that. No, I could only focus on the fact that today had been a really strange day, and I was exhausted.
I thought about going straight to my car and heading home, but instead, I walked across the small bridge over the creek and to the coffee place. The Flicked Bean was adorable, and I needed that last shot of caffeine, even though it would probably keep me up all night.
I walked past a group of people, trying to keep my eyes ahead, not really paying attention, when the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.
I turned then and nearly tripped over my own feet.
Because he was there.
Yet another person from my not-so-distant past I hadn’t wanted to see.
Landon just smiled, his hair bundled on the top of his head. “Hey, it’s you.” He had his arms around a tall woman with tattoos down her arms and a broad smile.
I tried my best professional smile since this man literally did nothing but annoy me for my own misguided choices. I didn’t need to let him know how bad of a day I was clearly having.
“Oh. Landon. Good to see you.”
“Is it? Well. Nice to see you back at the scene of the crime.”
“The crime where you tried to ask me out because you were married and wanted extra fun?”
“Yes. I guess so.” He nodded toward the woman at his side. “She understands.”
I just stared at both of them, wondering how the hell my life had become a circus.
Because, of course, it was.
The next thing I knew, the kid who had pushed me on the sidewalk when I had been in kindergarten, making my dress ride up so everyone saw my peach-colored panties and socks, was going to turn around the corner and remind everyone of the incident.
These are the days of our lives, Felicity, and you are exhausted.
I just rolled my eyes and moved past Landon towards the coffee shop.
Yet when I walked in, I knew my day was only going to get worse.
“And this one time, she totally fell out of the car and went splat right in front of the hottie at the whiteout game. Remember that, L?” Laurel nodded as Lauren beamed as a group of strangers, as well as townspeople, sat in rapture as Lauren and Laurel spoke about things that made zero sense.
And, of course, because my nightmare of an afternoon wasn’t over, Fiona stood nearby, coffee in hand, wide-eyed. Well, if this little play didn’t make it into the town gazette, I’m sure Fiona would be sure to spread it around town.
And for some reason, two of the Ls were talking shit about me. And I was exhausted.
“Seriously? Why are you bringing that up? I thought you both had places to be.”
Laurel beamed at me. “There you are. I thought you were busy? We’re just reminiscing about old times. I know that football guy you tutored didn’t really work out, but you really only liked him for his beard, right? Like how you used to go on and on about this one bearded hottie from your hometown.”
I froze, wanting to crawl into a hole and never come out.
I’d had too much tequila one night and had mentioned my crush to one of the Ls. I couldn’t even remember which one because they all blurred together even while sober, and yet I had no idea she’d even remembered that conversation.
Laurel smiled that sweet smile I’d fallen for hook, line, and sinker, thinking she was a real friend.
“You know, that bearded hottie who seems to think of you as a little sister. Well, it’s okay, I understand.
Sometimes, you have to make up things so you can fit in. But we’re all adults here, right?”
“Young lady, you need to watch your mouth,” one of the older ladies from my mom’s knitting circle snapped. “I don’t know who you are, but in Ashford Creek, we don’t take kindly to loose-lipped liars.”
Laurel blushed. “I’m not the liar. She’s the one who kept talking about her crush on this growly, bearded dude, and yet he never came around. And from what we can see, he’s not around now.”
“You’ve been here for like five seconds. What the hell is wrong with you?” I asked. I held up my hand and looked over at Ms. Holly. “I’m sorry for cursing.”
“No need to be sorry. I know a bitch when I see one,” Ms. Holly said primly, and I nearly gasped as the Ls turned red.
I sighed. “Seriously, it has been a weird day, and I really don’t know why you guys are here.
And I don’t understand what your motivations are.
We’re not in college. I’m not some gossiping kid.
I’m living my life at home. I’m sorry it’s not what you think it needs to be, but you clearly didn’t know me.
Why don’t you just leave town and do what you want to do?
But this is my town. Talking shit about me and making things up isn’t going to help.
It isn’t going to do anything to help you. ”
Laurel lifted her chin. “You’re the one who made up your mountain man.”
“And you two need to get a life.”
I closed my eyes, counting to ten, wondering if I was ever going to wake up from this odd nightmare. “Callum. Please.”
“Oh, you’ve got this. But these two need to leave. Ashford Creek has enough assholes in it. We don’t need to add two more.”
“Well, I cannot believe you just said that,” Lauren snapped.
“You know, I’m pretty much the queen bitch of Ashford Creek, and I’m not even as idiotic as you two.
Seriously? Of course, Callum’s the hot bearded hottie.
The other bearded hotties here are either the other Ashfords or related to her.
We’ve all had crushes on them. It’s what we do.
But seriously, go home. And grow up.” Fiona wiped her hands, winked, and walked past me out of the door.
Mouth agape, I stared after her, hoping I was having an out-of-body experience.
Fiona had just stood up for me. And probably outed my crush to the rest of the world, but seriously. What the hell?
The Ls sneered and walked away without another word, leaving their destruction in their wake, and nothing felt real.
I stared at a few of the town members who had sat in on this odd diatribe and realized that none of them looked happy to be there.
Each gave me a pitying look or a confused one.
Oh yes, this would make the Gazette. There would be no doubt.
A Carter messing up? That was new to them. Because the Carters didn’t mess up.
But I’d sure as hell found a way.
I just shook my head, kissed my coffee goodbye, and moved past Callum. I would wake up soon, and this would be over. And I’d wonder what kind of sedative I had accidentally taken before bed.
As I moved down the street, Callum ran up beside me and grabbed my hand. I froze, closing my eyes, wanting this day to be over.
“Not now, Callum. I’m having one of those nightmares where I’m about to stand naked in front of the class to do my book report, and I didn’t practice.”
“And while that idea is intriguing, come watch a movie with me.”
I sighed and turned. “That’s what you’re going with? A movie.”
Though the idea of me naked in front of a class, where he’s in it, seemed intriguing to him. Or maybe the lack of a book report was the intriguing part.
“I have no idea what just happened, but you look like you’ve had a bad day, so let’s go watch a movie and eat ice cream.”
“Ice cream doesn’t solve everything.”
“That’s not what you said before.”
“Is it going to solve the fact that two women that I thought I trusted, who I went to college with, lived with, and hung out with for four years, just treated me like a weird hillbilly who doesn’t have any motivation and then lied about it?
They were gossiping about me as if they knew me, and we clearly didn’t know each other.
I have no idea what their motivations are other than the fact that they seemed bored.
Oh, and is it going to fix the fact that they’re on their way to go see Bradley? ”
Callum’s jaw tensed. “Excuse me?”
I held up my hand, knowing I’d probably said the wrong thing.
“Never mind. How about do you think the ice cream’s going to fix the fact that the guy that I went on a half date with who tried to add me to his threesome was standing outside of the coffee shop with another date, trying to also treat me like shit?
I’m really tired of random people who shouldn’t matter to me, kicking me for no good reason. ”
“Little flower, we’re going to go watch that movie, and we’re going to go get ice cream. And I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“Callum, you don’t get to tell me what to do.”
And though we were out on the street, in full view of anyone who happened to be looking out, he took a step towards me, so close I could feel the heat of him, and he glared down at me.
He was just so big. And yet, I felt safe with him.
I was a masochist.
“Felicity. Breathe. They don’t matter.”
“I know they don’t. But I don’t need your pity.”
“I don’t feel pity when I look at you, Felicity.”
“And what do you feel?”
But he didn’t answer.