Chapter 39 Callan
CALLAN
“Who’s the crazy bird?” Dara asks, lowering his voice so no one else hears.
“Astrid’s best friend,” I murmur. “Not surprised you picked up on that. She’s a lot.
” We’re all over at the Nevans’ for Christmas dinner, and it’s basically a repeat of Thanksgiving.
Gwen has barely paused to draw a breath, and she’s driving me nuts, hogging my girlfriend’s attention the entire time.
If I hear mention of how she’s head cheerleader one more time, I might have to crack open a beer to try to drown out her loud voice.
“Astrid’s fucking beautiful, Cal.” Dara nudges my shoulder and waggles his brows. “And she’s really sweet. You seem happy.” My older brother scrutinizes my face.
“I am. Things have worked out way better here than I expected.”
“I’m glad, bro. You had us all worried there for a while.” I feel my brother’s body tense up. “Incoming.”
“Merry Christmas, Cal.” Gwen thrusts a small, gift-wrapped box at me.
“Why are you getting me gifts?” I sure as fuck didn’t buy her one.
“You’re the reason my bestie is floating on a cloud. I wanted to show my appreciation. Open it.”
Dara smothers his amusement, folding his arms and watching me tear into the paper. I pop the lid on the box, discovering silver football cufflinks.
“Wow,” Astrid says, looping her arm through mine as she examines the box. “Those are cool. Wish I’d thought of that.”
“You spoiled me enough, and you give me everything just by breathing.”
Dara bursts out laughing. “Mate, you are done for.” He slaps me on the back. “It was nice knowing you!”
“Sorry, I don’t have a gift for you,” Gwen says to Dara, batting her eyelashes, and is she flirting with him?
“You’re grand, Gwen. You don’t know me, and I didn’t expect anything.”
“You went way overboard, Gwen, and you really didn’t have to do that,” Astrid says.
She bought both sets of parents and our little sisters gifts, and I don’t get it because Astrid says Gwen is broke, so how the fuck is she affording all of this? There are a lot of things about Gwen Wright that don’t add up, and I really wish Astrid wasn’t so close to her.
Christmas and my birthday come and go in a flash. Dinner and the club in the city were fun, mostly because Astrid and Dara were with me. On New Year’s Eve, Astrid cooked me a top-notch dinner, and we made out like demons on the couch while pretending to watch a cheesy movie.
My girlfriend gave me an engraved watch and a hand-drawn framed painting of Steven Gerrard, my favorite Liverpool player of all time.
Although he played a different position than me, he was known for his tough tackling and grit and determination on the pitch.
If I hope to emulate anyone’s career, it’s his.
Captain Fantastic is revered for his incredible match-winning moments and impressive titles won across major competitions.
His leadership skills were top-notch, and he always handled himself like a pro.
He also seems like a decent guy, and there’s no better role model.
When we return to school, the word is out about Ana’s psychiatric stay and that Joe is out of his coma but confined to a wheelchair with no use of his legs. Neither are returning for the rest of senior year, and it’s a relief.
Indoor training continues, and we play a few friendly games against other teams. Astrid has finished her course now, and we have more time to hang out.
Gwen and Scott seem to be bickering a lot, and she’s a third wheel way more than I’d like, so I’m excited for this weekend when I have Astrid all to myself.
It’s her birthday this Saturday, and I got permission from her parents to take Astrid to New York for the weekend.
I owe Elsa big time because she had to work on Astrid’s dad to get him to agree.
Luckily, there’s an in-service day on Friday, meaning we don’t have school, and we can hit the road early, because I want to make the most of the trip.
I sold my truck to one of the guys on the team and bought a cheaper SUV, using the spare cash to pay for a gift and the trip because it’s crazy expensive, but it’s worth it to create a special memory with my girl.
We’re staying at a Manhattan hotel on Friday and Saturday night and planning to visit some of the main tourist attractions.
As a surprise, we’re going on The Dream Wheel in New Jersey on Saturday afternoon, and I’ve booked this trendy Italian restaurant that’s getting rave reviews for dinner later.
I’m lucky I got a booking because it’s Valentine’s weekend and the city will be buzzing.
The school week seems to snail by, but finally it’s Friday and we’re on our way. The first day is mad as we attempt to cram lots in. I’m loving seeing The Big Apple for the first time. Astrid has been here before, which is a great help because it’s a crazy city to navigate.
“Happy birthday, beautiful,” I say the following morning, waking Astrid up with a succession of kisses on her face.
A glorious smile spreads across her mouth before her eyes even open. “Thanks, babe.” She reaches up and feathers her lips against mine. “I love going to sleep and waking up next to you.”
“Same. Wish we could do it all the time.”
She flings back the covers. “I need to pee. Be right back.”
My gaze rakes over her flimsy gold silk nightie as she pads around the bed, heading toward the en suite bathroom.
It took colossal effort to keep my hands off her last night, sticking to chaste kisses and hugs because I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold back if we took it further.
Both of us are excited for tonight, and I still can’t believe she’s giving me this honor.
I’m pulling out all the stops to make it a night she’ll always remember.
While Astrid is in the bathroom, I pull on my trackie bottoms before setting the breakfast that was just delivered out on the small table in front of the window. Stealing a rose from the bouquet I have hidden in the wardrobe, I place it beside her plate as I wait for her to come back.
Outside, the city is a hive of activity, the pavements already teeming with awestruck tourists and harried pedestrians in a rush to get somewhere.
Traffic is at a standstill, and horns blare as bike couriers weave in and out of cars like slithering snakes.
Fluffy clouds glide high in the blue sky, but the morning dawns bright and dry, and I’m praying it stays like that.
The weather forecast didn’t predict rain, and I’m crossing everything they got it right.
“This is amazing,” Astrid grins as she walks toward me. “And you’re the best boyfriend ever.” She flings her arms around me and plants a passionate kiss on my lips.
My hands gravitate to her arse on autopilot, and my dick stirs to life as the front of her nightdress hangs low, exposing the soft swells of her tits.
Fucking hell. She’s going to kill me. Reluctantly, I break the kiss and hold her perfect, perfect face in my hands.
This is how I prefer Astrid. Natural and with no makeup.
She’s stunning, and she needs no adornments.
“You’re so beautiful.” Another three words are on the tip of my tongue, but I’m waiting until later to say them.
“I could say the same to you.” She peppers kisses along my stubbly jawline, making it difficult to be good. “You blow me away, Callan. You are gorgeous inside and out.”
This girl does wonders for my ego. “Keep this up, and we won’t be leaving this room today.”
A rosy blush blooms on her cheeks, and the words almost spill from my lips again. “I wouldn’t complain.”
I swat her arse. “Don’t tempt me. I’ve got lots of plans for today, and you won’t want to miss them. I promise.”
“You’re so good to me. This is already the trip of a lifetime,” she says, getting up and moving to the seat across from me.
“I exist only to make you happy.”
She laughs, and it’s the most perfect sound in the world. I could watch her and listen to her all day long and never get bored. She has me completely enchanted, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Eat before it gets cold,” I say, lifting the lid off her plate as she sniffs the rose.
She watches me curiously as I stalk into the bathroom, returning with her silk dressing gown. “Put that on. I only have so much self-control when your nipples are practically waving and saying hello.”
Her blush deepens as she giggles while putting the dressing gown on, and we tuck into the delicious food.
I take a shower while she phones her family, only removing the flowers and chocolates from their hiding place when it’s her turn to shower.
“Come here, baby,” I say when she emerges from the bathroom dressed in jeans, boots, and a jumper. Her hair is pulled up in a high ponytail, and her flawless face is glowing, the same glorious smile playing on her lips.
“What’s going on?” she asks, noticing how my hands are behind my back.
“For you.” I hand over the flowers and chocolates. The hotel receptionist stored them for me overnight, and the waitress concealed them underneath the trolley when bringing our breakfast to the room.
“I love them.” Astrid buries her nose in the petals. “No one has ever given me flowers before.”
I love that I’m claiming this first too. “They’re already in a vase under the wrapping,” I explain. “The florist said to just top up with a little water, and they should be fine until we get home and you can transfer them to something else.”
“You think of everything. Thank you so much. I—” Her eyes glisten with unshed emotion as she cuts off mid-sentence. “I can’t believe you’ve done all this for me.”
“I have a little something else for you before we leave.” I grab the gift bag from the bed and give it to her.
“Callan. This is too much.”
“It’s really not. You went all out for my birthday, and I wanted to spoil you the same way you spoiled me.”
“What is it?” Excitement lights up her face.
I chuckle. “Open it and see.”
I sit on the bed beside her, nuzzling my face in her neck as she opens her present. I’m addicted to her smell, and I could eat her all up.
“No way!” Astrid screams when she opens the hardcover book and notices it’s a signed copy. “How did you even know about this?” She’s practically bouncing on the bed as she hugs the book to her chest and beams.
“I asked Renee what book you might like, and she told me to get that one.”
“These are sold out everywhere, and I was so disappointed because I have the first two books and I really wanted this special edition so it matches the other ones on my shelf, and oh my god, I can’t wait to read it because the last book ended on a massive cliffhanger, and I’ve about died waiting for this one to come out. ”
She says all that without drawing a breath, and it’s beyond cute.
Personally, I don’t understand all the fuss.
There are hundreds of books with dragons in them, but Renee said Xaden is the ultimate shadow-wielding, brooding hero, and everyone’s in love with him.
I almost didn’t buy it for that reason alone, but it’s not like book boyfriends are any competition.
I’ve got this boyfriend gig nailed down tight.
Some fictional dragon-riding clown isn’t stealing my girl’s heart.
“No way!” she says, removing the other gift.
It’s an interior designer box with a bunch of tools every designer needs—apparently.
It’s got scissors, a tape measure, wall hooks and screws, pencils, a notepad and project planner, a color wheel, paint samples, material swatches, and a mini steamer.
There is a zip-up bag it goes into so she can take it everywhere with her.
“This is amazing.” Astrid sets the box and book down and then throws herself at me.
I fall on my back, laughing as she grabs my face and kisses me.
“Callan Hunt, you are so getting laid later.”