Chapter 3 #2
“They were perfect. No teenager’s mom wants their kid hanging out with party chicks who do drugs and go out with mates who fuck them on a tour bus.” Callum’s smile grows and he starts to work his arm out of his signature black T-shirt.
“What are you doing, Callum?”
He strips his shirt off. “I’m showing you how we met them.”
He turns his back to me. On one of his shoulder blades is a fresh tattoo.
It’s a field of black and white lilies. They form a black heart outlined by white flowers. In the background is a barn. Off to the side near the opening of the structure, a guitar leans against the building.
Above the barn door is a big light blue bow. At the top of the neck of the guitar is another tied ribbon of the same color.
He winces when I trace my fingertips over his still red and irritated skin where the artwork is embedded. “Callum, it’s beautiful.”
“One of the women was my tattoo artist.” He peeks over his shoulder. “It took a while to get it done and we got to talking. I suggested she find a friend and come back to hang out with Guns and my uncle.”
Callum’s uncle is in his late thirties and looks similar to Callum, so I can see why they agreed. My brother is okay-looking, but other girls seem to think he’s fine as fuck. Or so they say.
“I’m assuming my brother and John were with you and helped convince them.”
“Always using your brains, Lily.” Callum gets his clothes back on, turns to me, and cups my cheek in his palm. “Do you wanna know what it symbolizes?”
“I think I already know, but I’d love to hear how you came up with it.”
“The flowers are you. You say you feel dark inside. That’s why the heart is black, but you still have so much light that surrounds you. That’s what the white lilies stand for.” He gives me a quick peck, trailing his thumb over my chin.
I place my hand on his heart. “What does the barn signify?”
“It’s not a barn. It’s a house. Our future home, but I thought a barn was cooler for a tat. It’s kinda like a garage with more charm, more warmth, like what I want with you.”
My insides turn to mush. “You want a home with me?”
“Yes.” He drops his hand and brings his eyebrows together. “How do you not know I wanna marry you? I’ve told you we’ll be together since I met you.”
“I know, but—”
“Lily, face the facts. We’re getting married someday.”
I laugh in pure joy. “I’m not even sixteen. How are you so sure?”
“How are you not?”
“What are our chances? We’re young and nobody thinks we’ll last.”
“Then fuck ’em. They don’t know us. Fucking hell, Livianna. Everyone treats us like we’re adults, so to hell with ’em all. They don’t know what we’ve been through. They don’t know what we’ve lost and what we’ll have again someday.”
The last few months slam into me. Why is he still hung up on our loss? It’s nothing but hurt wrapped up into one devastating day. I blink away the sudden sting in my eyes.
His serious gaze softens. “The blue ribbon above the door is a symbol of our son. He watches over us. He’s gonna make sure we’re together and he’s gonna lead us home.”
I swallow my tears and try to deflect the pain creeping into my heart. “You’re still so sure it was a boy?”
“I know it was.” He lowers his head and takes a deep breath. “The other bow on my guitar is a representation of my pops. He got me into music and is showing me my path. Together, those two are gonna make sure we make it to the end on top.”
Callum’s words strike me hard and love reverberates around me.
I lift his chin, climb over him, and straddle him. “Always the old soul, but I wouldn’t want you any other way.”
“Oh, all the ways I want you, Livianna.” He grips my ass in his hands as his passionate gaze burns into mine.
I push him back and kiss him as meaningfully as I can. He’s my world and he needs to know it.
I break away. “How did you know where to find me?”
“Your pops and Guns told me.” Callum smiles wide. “I think they’re rooting for us.”
“My family likes you. I’ve already told you that.”
“Yeah, and I’m starting to believe it.” He gazes out at the ocean. “We could use all the support we can get.”
“Callum, we don’t need anyone else. As long as I quit believing the tabloids and we know we’re meant to be together, nothing else matters.”
“You’re right, Lily.” He wraps his palm around the back of my neck. “Nothing will split us apart unless we let it.”
“And after this talk, I never see that happening.”
“It won’t. You have my word.” He brings his mouth to mine.
His tongue swipes over mine and I whimper. I need to be with him, but I know that can’t happen here. We bask under the sun as we enjoy each other for the first time in months.
We’re soulmates. He told me that once and even though I wanted to believe him, I wasn’t sure he meant it.
I climb off him, rest back on my elbows, and peer out before me. “What would you have done if you couldn’t find me?”
“Oh, I would’ve found you.”
“How are you so sure?”
“Like you, Lily, when I want something bad enough, I’m gonna find a way to get it.”
“So we’re two stubborn and determined people in a relationship. We could be in a lot of trouble.”
“Speaking of trouble, why were you with Marco?”
I shrug and face Callum. “I needed a little escape.”
“Don’t get me wrong.” He turns my way. “You can do whatever you want when it comes to that but be careful.”
“Why does it feel like you want to say something more?”
“I worry about you. You’ve been through hell.” His gaze doesn’t flinch. “But before we leave, I need to ask you something. And I need you to swear you won’t lie to me.”