Chapter 36 Callan #2
I pocket it in my jeans. “Thanks.” I appreciate the gesture, but I doubt Astrid wants to go near any of Thor’s guest bedrooms after what happened the last time she was here.
And she’s not ready to take our relationship there, and I’m A-okay with that.
I’m in no rush because I’m going nowhere, and Astrid is running the show.
We’ll go at her pace, and I’m happy to wait to take things to the next level.
Not that we’ve had time to even have this conversation since getting back together.
We leave Gwen with Scott and go with Renee and Thor into the kitchen to grab drinks.
Astrid takes a soda, and I grab a water.
Neither of us is interested in getting drunk tonight.
The kitchen is quieter, so we stay here for a while, chatting with Nikki and Riley, who appear to be with one another tonight.
“Have either of you talked to Lyn since she moved?” Astrid asks her friends.
“I’ve tried,” Renee says, sighing. “But she never picks up, and I get short replies to my messages.”
“Same.” Nikki leans against Riley as he plays with her hair. “It’s like she’s determined to leave everything and everyone behind and start over.”
“I don’t think Lyn would consciously do that,” Astrid says. “She’s going through a lot, and her mental health is not good right now. We should give her space, but still let her know we’re here for her. It can’t be easy having to uproot her whole life on such short notice. I feel so bad for her.”
That’s my bleeding heart. I lean down and kiss her quickly.
“What’s that for?” She tips her head back to look at me.
“You’re the kindest, most patient, understanding person I’ve ever known.”
Predictably, her cheeks flush.
“And you still can’t take a compliment,” I tease, cupping her warm face.
“Astrid was always the kind of kid who’d rush to help others,” Nikki says, smiling at her friend. “It didn’t matter if she knew them or not. She would always offer her help.”
“She has the purest heart and the truest soul,” Renee agrees, smiling.
“Don’t forget the reddest cheeks,” Thor quips, and I mock punch him in the chest.
“Don’t make fun of my girl.”
“You just did the same thing!” he protests.
“I’m her boyfriend. I get a free pass.”
Astrid pinches my side. “Keep trying that, and see what happens.”
“Oh look, if it isn’t the blushing virgin,” Ana says, swaying on her extremely high heels as she enters the kitchen and sneers at Astrid.
“Who the fuck let you in here?” Thor glares at Ana. “I told you you’re banned for life,” he adds, extracting himself from his girlfriend’s arms. “Excuse me, folks, while I take the trash out.”
Ana screeches, slurring her words and almost taking a tumble.
“I’ll take her home,” Travis says, materializing in the kitchen.
“Mate, don’t go there.”
“Trust me, bro, I have zero desire to get back with her. We’ve had one tragic accident already, and I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened because I let her leave in this state. I’ll take her home, and her parents can handle it.”
Ana mumbles something before her ankle turns and she goes down like a sack of potatoes. Her dress rides up, flashing her panties. I quickly look away before I see something that makes me sick.
“Fuck.” Travis sighs. “She’s trashed.” Thor helps Travis lift his ex, and we watch as they drag her sorry ass off.
“Her head’s going to hurt tomorrow,” Astrid says, running her hands along the back of my neck. “Glad it’s not me this time.”
“That feels so good,” I whisper as her fingers toy with the ends of my hair.
“Wanna feel even better?” she whispers, waggling her brows and licking her lips, and whatever she has planned, I’m all in.
“Is that a trick question?”
She giggles before pressing her mouth to my ear. “I believe I owe you a reward.”
All the air stalls in my lungs. “You do?”
“Uh-huh.” She tilts her head to the side, sending waves of golden-blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. “You’ve been the best, most patient boyfriend, and I think that deserves a reward.”
“You won’t hear me complaining,” I say in a low tone, ensuring no one else can hear. “But I don’t expect anything.”
Her features transform, and I’m quite partial to the adoring look on her face. “I know that too,” she says. “This is all me.” She presses the length of her body against mine and peers deep into my eyes. “I want to do for you what you did for me.”
My dick stirs in my jeans, already excited by the idea. My arms wind around her back, landing loosely on her hips. “You sure you want to go upstairs?”
She gulps while nodding. “I know I’m safe with you.”
“You set the pace, beautiful.” I cup her gorgeous face and brush my lips against hers. “I’m in no rush to do anything. Being with you, kissing you, is enough for me.”
“Well, it’s not for me,” she admits, surprising me as she takes my hand and tugs me forward. She giggles when she spots the look of shock on my face. “I want more with you, Callan.” She stops and stretches up to kiss me. “I have a feeling I will always want more when it comes to you.”