Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
LIVIANNA/LILY
Then
Frayed Ribbons & The Weight of Unfinished Prayers
Not every thread ties you together…some just tighten until you forget which way is out.
My mom and dad trade a concerned glance as the rehab center director, Thomas, explains that they need to switch my therapist.
I’ve been here for a week and a half and this is the fifth time my parents have been called in for something. If they won’t let Callum visit me here, I’m going to make treatment hell for everyone.
Callum’s the only cure I need and I wish they all realized that. It would be easier on everyone if they did.
My dad rests his ankle on the top of his other knee. “What’s the reason this time?”
Thomas keeps his gaze on my parents. “She won’t talk with any women clinicians because she says she doesn’t trust them and she continues to make our male counselors uncomfortable.”
“How so?” My mom places her hand on my dad’s leg.
I want to roll my eyes because she’s acting like she needs to brace herself for something scandalous. It’s going to be, but I’d never pull the trigger. I just want out of here.
Thomas peeks at the notes on his desk. “Livianna provokes the male therapists with sexualized behavior that pushes the staff’s boundaries.”
“Oh, come on.” I roll my eyes.
“Livianna Grace, is that true?” My dad glares my way.
“Daddy, do you really think I’d do something like that? I admit I’ve joked about my breasts, but I’d never do anything like he’s suggesting.” I adjust my low-cut shirt that reveals my bra higher.
“That’s what I’m talking about.” Thomas gestures to my chest. “A pattern of boundary testing. We’ve redirected consistently, and it hasn’t held.”
“Just because you don’t like my clothes doesn’t mean I’m doing anything wrong.” I point to the window. “Hell, I’m more covered than half the women out there. If your therapists can’t handle it, that’s their problem.”
My dad approaches me in a more gentle way. “Livianna, what’s it going to take for you to stop acting out and work on the things you’re here to heal?”
My defenses come down a little. “I want to see Callum. I didn’t try to commit suicide. It was an accident. It’s not his fault, but he’s the one being punished.”
“His mother is the one who helped you get the painkillers.” My mom purses her lips.
“You knew I had them. What you’re forgetting is I also had anxiety medication in my system that you helped me get.” I cross my arms and raise my brows.
“That’s a completely different issue, Livianna.” My dad takes my mom’s hand in his. “You need those because of your—”
“This treatment isn’t needed. I’m not out to hurt myself and I don’t usually do drugs.” I interject because I’m not talking about Lehlani Rose or why I cut on myself right now. “It was my birthday. I went to a rave, got out of control, and learned my lesson.”
“And it almost cost you your life.” My dad reaches over and rubs my arm. “We just want to make sure you have the support you need.”
“Then take me home. Let me see my boyfriend.” Tears roll down my cheeks. “I promise to go to therapy and stay out of trouble. Just let me see Callum again and I’ll do whatever you want me to do. Plus, I’m hurting the studio and crew by missing so much work.”
My dad gazes at my mom. They seem to share some telepathic message. Her shoulders fall.
She addresses Thomas. “What’s your thought? Can she be successful at home?”
He nods. “She’s mentioned her boyfriend doesn’t do drugs and seems to be a good influence on her. If he’s her motivation, it could work. She would need to follow a safety plan, but I think it may be the best option. She doesn’t want to be here and it’s obvious she’s sabotaging her stay.”
“Remember, I told you Callum asked me to stop taking the painkillers. He doesn’t want me using any more than you do.” I send my mom and dad a pleading look. “You know he’s not using because of his probation. He’s cleared every drug test they’ve made him take. He’s not the problem.”
They ask Thomas a few more questions and we develop a treatment plan for my discharge. They get recommendations for outpatient therapists, and finally agree to let me go home.
We gather my belongings and my parents return my phone to me on the way back to the house.
They weren’t able to read any of my messages while I was away since no one knows my passcode, but they asked me about them when I was admitted. I just shrugged it off and told them Callum only received garbled texts from that night.
My parents lecture me the entire way home, so I’m not able to let Callum know I’ve been released. I’m so excited to see him, though, and don’t want to screw up what my parents want from me, so I listen intently to everything they’re saying.
By the time we pull into the garage, I’ve agreed to every one of their stipulations. The truth is, I’m not bothered by them.
The night I overdosed scared me and I’m ready to take a break away from drugs. If Callum has to, so can I.
He’s practicing with Bren, Hawke, and Cooper in our basement. As I creep downstairs, he comes into view with his back to me.
He’s listening to Bren and Cooper try to create a cool rhythm between the bass and the guitar.
I hold my finger up over my lips to tell the other guys not to say anything. They pretend not to notice me. I tiptoe up behind him and slide my hands over his eyes.
“Lily!” He spins around and sweeps me up into his arms. “You’re home.”
“Yep. My parents agreed to release me from that awful place.” I plant little kisses all over his face. “How did you know it was me?”
“I smelled your perfume before you covered my eyes.” He squeezes me tight. “I thought I was imagining it for a second.”
Callum wraps my legs around his waist and guides us away from the group. The guys smile and keep playing.
He peeks over his shoulder at them. “Keep practicing and cover for us. I need to get reacquainted with my girlfriend.”
“No problem, Cash.” Hawke tips his chin our way. “Maybe you’ll be less of an asshole once you take care of business.”
Callum ignores him and faces me. “I hope you’re okay with a little alone time in the guest bedroom.”
“I’ve been thinking about it since my parents told me you were here.”
“Fucking hell, is it good to see you.”
“Right back at ya, love.”
He laughs and carries me into the bedroom. He lies me down on my back, crawls over me, and kisses me.
Our tongues dance together as we tear each other’s clothes off. He pulls away, breathless.
His hooded eyes take me in, scrolling over every inch of my body. “You get sexier every time I see you.”
“So do you.” I take his shaft and run my palm up and down. “I’m glad I still have the same effect on you.”
“That won’t ever change.” He pushes up, sits back on his heels, and pulls out the top drawer of the nightstand. “Wanna hear something crazy?”
“What?”
“Your pops put these in here and told me where I could find them.” Callum pulls out a condom.
My eyes round. “No way!”
“Yeah.” He tosses it on the mattress and hovers over me. “I’m gonna taste you first.”
“I’d really like that.” My insides heat and tingles sweep through my core.
“Spread your legs, vixen.”
I do, and his eyes darken as he descends between them. He laps over me and I gasp at how sensitive I am.
“Holy shit, Callum. Your mouth… It’s so good.”
“Ride my face and show me how much you like it.” He licks my clit, pulls it into his mouth, and sucks.
I press my head into the pillow and release a throaty purr. I thrust into him and let all my reserve fade away.
Callum has been my missing piece since March and now he’s home for a while. I settle into the warm sensation of that thought and get lost in his technique.
He uses his tongue, fingers, and suction until I can’t see straight. I rotate my hips, play with my nipples, and get into perfect sync with him.
He groans when he peeks up at me. “How do you wanna come? On my face or on my dick?”
“Either.” I’m wet as can be and about to come. “Whatever way will feel best for you.”
He stops and trails kisses up my skin as he moves to lie on top of me. “I need to be inside of you.”
“Yes, Callum. I want that, too.”
The crown of his dick runs through my folds and over my clit as our mouths collide. He’s careful not to slide into me, but the friction from our grinding has me tilting up. I want him inside of me now.
Reading me, he breaks apart and finds the condom. “I wish we didn’t need to be using this.”
“You and me both.”
“We better get used to it.” He tears the package open and rolls it on.
He gets onto his back, shifting me so I’m on top. His burning gaze makes my heart explode.
“Callum Mayze, I love you.”
“I love you too, Lily.” He guides himself into me, stretching me and giving me every last inch of himself. “Fucking hell, you feel so good.”
“So do you.” I lean over and seal our love with a kiss.
I savor the stroke of his tongue over mine, the slight taste of weed on his breath, and our skin gliding over one another. There’s nothing I want more.
He picks up his pace, pumping in and out of me as he plays with my breasts. I spin my hips and find the perfect spot.
He moans. “Your pussy’s getting tighter.”
“I’m about to come,” I breathe.
“Fuck yeah, vixen. Make me come with you.” He grips my hips and forces me farther down.
It almost hurts, but then the euphoria of my endorphins hits and I unravel. My body quakes as currents take over me. His muscles tighten beneath me and a deep, carnal groan rips from his chest.
“I’m coming, Lily.”
I ride him harder and drain him of all he’s got. Once we’re both dropping from the high, I lie down on him.
He wraps his arms around me and holds me. “How did you get your parents to let you outta that place?”
“I sabotaged everything while I was there.” I laugh and prop myself up so I can see into his eyes. “The director of the facility couldn’t discharge me fast enough. I agreed to go to therapy and not use drugs anymore, so my parents agreed.”
“How did you sabotage it?”