Chapter 29 Callan
CALLAN
“Dude, I thought you weren’t coming?” Thor says when I land at his door. He rubs the back of his neck, shifting awkwardly on his feet.
“Changed my mind. Is Astrid here?” I look over his shoulder, trying to spot her in the crowds of people from school who are jam-packed into my mate’s house.
“She is, but I think you should go home. I don’t want trouble.”
I swallow over the lump in my throat. “I’m not here to cause trouble. I’m here to make it right.”
“What does that mean?” He’s still not budging from the doorway, and I get it.
He’s loyal to Astrid, and he warned me not to hurt her.
He’s been mad at me all week, though he’s trying not to pick sides, and I respect him for it.
The last thing I want is for things to be awkward with him or the team or to cause issues with his girlfriend.
I have made a mess of things this week, but I’ve finally copped myself on, and I want to fix everything before it’s too late.
“I fucked up, mate. I fucked up big time.” I drag my hands through my hair.
“Riley told me what happened at the diner with Ana, and I’m guessing that’s what’s driving Astrid’s behavior tonight.”
Goose bumps sprout on my arms at his words. “What the fuck does that mean? What behavior? What’s going on?” I ask, looking over his shoulder again, but I still don’t see her.
“Tell me where your head is at, Hunt, and no bullshit.”
“Astrid was right. I have feelings for her, but I panicked, and I’ve been licking my wounds all week, trying to fool myself into believing it was all fake when it’s been real the whole time.”
“Thank fucking God.” Thor steps aside to let me in. “You took your time getting your head on straight, and I hope Astrid is willing to forgive you, but now might not be the best time to have that conversation.” He winces, and I’m starting to panic.
“Where the fuck is she?” I storm past him, pushing my way through partygoers dressed in costumes.
I’m yanked back by a fist in my shirt. “Dude, wait.” Thor shoves me against the wall. “Promise me you won’t hit him.”
“Hit who?” I growl, my hands balling into fists at my sides upon hearing the words.
“Promise me, Hunt. The place is crammed, and Dad will pack me off to boarding school if fighting breaks out and the house is damaged.”
“I’ll take it outside.” It’s the best I can offer when I’m blind right now.
Thor curses under his breath. “Don’t make me regret this, bro,” he says, releasing me.
I take off like a bullet from a gun, shoving people away as I make my way into the living room.
The girls must’ve been over here earlier decorating the house because it looks fucking amazing.
Pumpkin lanterns hang from the ceiling in between swathes of black fabric.
Fake cobwebs and plastic bats cover the walls and furniture.
Skulls and snakes plastered in fake blood litter the surfaces of tables along with black and orange balloons.
A table has been set up against the far wall in the living room, covered in an orange cloth with impressions of ghosts and witches patterned over it.
An array of booze, sweets, and cake are spread out on top, and several students help themselves using paper plates stacked off to one side.
I can’t see Astrid anywhere, and my fear is escalating. “Where the hell is she?” I ask my mate.
“She was right there a few minutes ago.” Thor points at a chair beside the fire. “Skit.” Any other time, I’d laugh at his Swedish cursing.
“Who is she with?” I snap, my gaze frantically jumping around the space.
Air whistles from his mouth as he stares at me. “You need to keep it together. We’ll find her.”
“Who is it, Goodrich?” I ask in a clipped tone. “Spit it out.”
“Hemsworth.”
“She’s back with her ex?” Shock whittles through me, quickly replaced with anger.
“Doubt it, but she was angry when she arrived and half-lit already. Joe saw an opportunity and went for it.”
“I’m going to kill him,” I seethe, taking off when I spot Gwen and Scott pawing at one another in a corner. I charge toward them, pushing myself all up in their space. “Where is Astrid?”
Gwen spins around to face me, wearing a flowy pink dress with a silver crown on her head, like she’s a Disney princess or something.
For some reason, it looks all wrong on her.
She rakes her gaze momentarily over my shredded black jeans and hoodie combo.
“Not surprised you didn’t make any effort.
Too busy screwing your new fuck buddy to bother with a costume, huh? ”
I’m not even dignifying that with a reply. Besides, the only person who deserves the truth is Astrid, and I need to find her ASAP. “Quit the bullshit, Gwen. Where is Astrid?” I ask again, watching Scott wrap a protective arm around his girlfriend.
Gwen levels me with a smug look that concerns me. “You broke things off, and it’s none of your business where she is.”
“Just fucking tell me where she went with him!” I yell.
“Don’t shout at her.” Scott pulls Gwen back against his chest, shooting me a warning look.
“Screw this.” This is a waste of my time. I spin around, deciding to search the house from top to bottom until I find her.
“She’s upstairs with Joe,” Gwen calls after me, and I stop walking and breathing.
No! “You’re too late, Cal.” Pity bleeds into her tone and her expression as she comes around in front of me.
“She offered you everything, and you threw it back in her face, so she’s giving Joe what could’ve been yours. ”
Pain, unlike anything I’ve ever felt before, barrels into me, threatening to take my legs out from under me.
No, she wouldn’t do that. That is not who Astrid is.
Unless I’ve driven her to act out of character.
Considering what she saw earlier tonight, it’s quite possible that’s exactly what I’ve done, but I’ve got to stop her before she makes a mistake I know she’ll regret.
Pushing past Gwen, I race out of the living room and back down the hallway, conscious of pounding feet following me.
I practically throw people aside in my haste to clear the hallway, taking the stairs two at a time.
Adrenaline is coursing through my veins, and blood is thumping in my ears as I fling open guest bedroom doors, one at a time, not giving a shite that I interrupt couples fucking inside.
When I reach the last door, I don’t hesitate, storming inside and growling at the scene I find.
Astrid is spread-eagled on the bed, with her eyes closed, wearing the tiniest angel costume I’ve ever seen.
The thin-strapped scraps of silver barely cover her breasts, and apart from the feathered wings on her back, the only other item she’s wearing is a white layered tutu skirt Hemsworth currently has his hands under.
He’s bare-chested, and his jeans are undone as he turns and smirks at me.
My blood boils, and I lose it, lunging at him and ripping him away from my girl.
Joe falls on his back on the floor. Astrid whimpers, and her eyes flutter open and closed.
The room reeks of booze, and I’m going to kill that prick.
Before I can slam my fist in his face, multiple arms wind around me, pulling me back.
“He’s not worth it,” Thor says in my ear before adding, “And Astrid needs you.”
“Don’t worry,” Riley says, watching a few of my teammates grab Hemsworth under the arms. “We’ll make him pay for this.
” Joe is shouting and thrashing, trying to buck them off, but he’s outnumbered.
At least until the rest of the football team downstairs figures out what’s going on and arrives to back him up.
Thor must have the same thought because he steps beside me and says, “Take him outside. Use the back stairs so no one sees.” A muscle pops in his jaw as his gaze bounces from a clearly drunk Astrid to Joe.
“What did you do to her?” I demand, glaring at Joe.
“Nothing she didn’t want.”
“She’s in no fit state to know what she wants!” I roar, trying to evade the arms securing me in place, wanting to inflict damage on this asshole.
“I’m calling the cops,” Thor says, removing his phone.
“Wait, man.” Hemsworth’s face pales. “I didn’t do anything to her. I swear.”
“Bullshit!” I roar. “Look at her, she can barely keep her eyes open.”
“She showed up hammered, and she drank at least two more wine coolers downstairs,” he rushes out. “I didn’t give her anything or do anything to her, and she readily agreed to come up here with me, so fuck you. I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“You were taking advantage of her,” I say through gritted teeth, instinctively moving for him again, but getting nowhere thanks to my mates keeping a tight hold of me.
“She fucking wanted it!” he yells. “She agreed to come up here. It was consensual.”
“It’s not consensual if she’s incapable of keeping her eyes open or forming the word no!” I shout.
“Call the cops, Goodrich,” he hisses. “Nothing will come of it because you know who my dad is, and I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“His dad’s the mayor,” Thor says in my ear. “And he’s right. Unless Astrid tells us differently when she sobers up, it doesn’t look like he did anything.”
I work hard to calm down and lower my voice. “This needs to be Astrid’s call, and she’s too out of it to make that decision now. We’re all witnesses. If she wants to make this official, we can all give statements tomorrow.”
Thor nods before grabbing my head. “I know you want to deal with this piece of shit yourself, but Astrid needs you more. Trust the guys to deliver justice on your behalf.”
“Make him hurt.” I grind my teeth and flex my jaw. Astrid is my priority, and I trust Thor and the guys to deal with this prick even if I wish it was me. “We both know what would’ve happened if we hadn’t busted in here. Teach him a lesson so he doesn’t try this shit on her, or any girl, again.”
“Trust me, he’ll get what’s coming to him.”
“’Kay.” I squeeze his shoulder. “Thanks, mate.”
Riley stuffs a sock in Joe’s mouth to shut him up before they drag him from the room. He glares at me as he passes, and I fix him with a poisonous look. He’s lucky the guys are delivering justice. If it was left to me, I’m liable to murder the bastard for what he tried to do.
The guys only release me after Hemsworth has left the room, and I nod at them, grateful they had my back. They leave until it’s only Thor and me in the room with Astrid. “Can you give me a shirt?” I ask, walking slowly towards her. “And I need water and lots of strong coffee.”
“I’ll get Renee,” Thor says. “She’ll want to help.”
“Who did she come here with?” I ask, already suspecting the answer.
“She arrived with Gwen.”
“Keep her away. She encouraged this, and I’m fucking pissed at her.”
“Gwen would walk over hot coals for Astrid, Hunt,” he says, walking to his dresser.
“Don’t blame her for being a good friend.
” He fixes me with a pointed look as he removes a black shirt, tossing it to me.
“Ana did this. And you. I know what happened earlier wasn’t your fault, but you should’ve made it right immediately. ”
“I fucking tried,” I hiss, wringing my hands. “I went straight to her house, but she wasn’t there. Then I went to the lake, but by the time I figured she must’ve gone to Gwen’s, they were long gone from there. I came straight here then.”
“Make it right, Hunt.” His features soften as he looks at the bed when Astrid stirs again, mumbling something under her breath. “This isn’t her. She doesn’t do this. You really hurt her.”
“I’m going to fix it. I swear.”
“Don’t let her down again. She is the last girl who deserves to be treated badly.”
“I know, mate. I know. I am going to take care of her, and when she’s sober, I’m going to tell her what I should’ve told her all along. Hopefully, I haven’t completely fucked it up, and she’ll give me a second chance.”