Callum
I woke up the next morning with a heavy heart and a head full of hair on my chest.
Thinking about what Gianna had gone through made my heart ache and blood boil. No sick bastard like that should ever get to walk the streets after what he's done. I looked down at the head of hair, noticing how peaceful she looked. Damn, I'm screwed.
I brushed her hair away from her face to see her slowly opening her eyes at my touch. She sighed, moving her body so she was beside me and sitting up next to me. I smiled at her slow movements.
"Good morning," I said softly.
She rubbed her eyes and looked at me with a smile of her own.
"Morning," she said. She looked over to the nightstand to see the time. It was only around 9:30 am.
"Shit, I'm supposed to meet Amy for brunch at 10:30." She sighed and brought her hands to run through her hair.
"I'll drop you off, okay?" I said, figuring it's one less thing for her to worry about. I stood up, dropping the comforter to the bed, and moved around the opposite side of my bed. I also had promised my mother I'd come to dinner tonight, and knowing the drive is a couple of hours, I should leave early.
"I'm visiting my mother tonight for dinner, so I can drop you off on my way," I said, looking back to the bed. She looked up at me through her lashes and just gave a small smile and a nod.
I walked into the bathroom to brush my teeth and use the bathroom. When I walked back out, Gianna was on the phone with who I assumed was Tatum.
"I let her know I'll be meeting her soon," she said once she hung up the phone. I nodded my head towards her while moving to my dresser.
I heard her move to the bathroom, and while she was in there, I threw on some jeans and a shirt, figuring I'd keep it casual for when I saw my parents. I haven't seen them in forever, and the last place I want to be is their house, but I could ask my mom about her case, about the guy Matt.
"Okay, all done," came her voice as she stepped out of the bathroom.
I smirked at her, noticing she put on yesterday's clothes. She was so effortlessly sexy.
I made my way over to her, standing behind her as she fixed up the bed. When I was close enough, I circled my arms around her middle, earning a gasp on her end.
"I'll be sure to leave you a tip for your services, Ruth. Making my bed? How'd I get so lucky?" I whispered in her ear, all while smirking. Her body shook in a laugh, and her elbow came back to throw a harmless jab to my stomach.
"Fuck off," she said. I turned her body around, looking down at her face. Slowly, I brought my hands up to cup her cheeks, and as I did, her eyes dropped to my lips. Dipping my head down, I caught her own in a rough kiss. She moaned into my lips, gripping the back of my hair like she always did. I pushed her body down with my own so that she sat on the edge of my bed. Leaning over her, I continued my assault on her lips.
Before it could go any further, the sound of my phone went off.
"Fuck," I said, detaching my lips from hers. Her hands fell, and she smiled at me as I turned to pick it up.
Reading the screen, my mom's name flashed as it rang.
"Hello?" I said, answering the phone and bringing it up to my ear.
"Callum! You're still coming tonight, right?" My mom asked. Sighing, I watched Gianna get up and gather her things.
"Yes, I'll be leaving soon for the drive," I said quickly.
"Okay, great, see you soon, honey," she said.
"Ok," I said softly and then hung up.
Tonight is going to be... interesting.
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I had dropped Gianna off at the cafe she was meeting Amy at. Smiling at the memory of her body on mine as we got a little carried away in the car beforehand. She eventually got up to go meet Tatum, and then I was on my way to my parents' house.
Pulling into their long driveway, I prepared myself for the meeting.
I haven't sat down to have a meal with them as a family in over a year. And I haven't stepped foot near Callie's room in several years. This was crazy, but I had to do it. Not only to see my mother but to talk about the trial. For my girl.
"I'm so glad you could make it," my mom cheered as I entered the house after parking. She beamed up at me and wrapped her frail arms around my body. Hesitantly, I wrapped my own arms around hers.
"Me too," I said, while awkwardly patting her back.
She unwrapped her arms from me and stepped back, looking up at me again.
"Well, why don't you settle in for a while before dinner?" She said, and I just nodded my head. I was guessing my father was still at work because of his lack of presence.
I started for the stairs, taking them one at a time slowly. When I reached the top, my body tensed, and I clenched the small overnight bag I had in my hand. Taking slow, calculated steps, I stopped in front of Callie's door, stilling at the sight of it. Even after all these years, it hurt to see and to know there was no one behind that door.
Before I could let myself dwell on it, I turned on my heel and headed for my own room. I walked in, throwing my bag to the end of my bed and settled on the edge of it. I couldn't stop thinking about what Gianna had revealed to me last night. I tried to push it away this morning, trying to keep my thoughts elsewhere. But now that I was here with my mom downstairs, I couldn't help but want to pry.
So I got up, used the bathroom, and headed downstairs to talk to my mother.
When I arrived in the kitchen, she was taking something out of the oven. Once she heard me enter, she immediately turned and smiled.
"Hi, hun," she said.
"Hi," I said quickly and took a seat at the kitchen island.
I watched her remove her oven mitts and decided I'd ask her about it now.
"The case about the foster care predator, you have a new development?" I asked and kept my face and tone neutral. She furrowed her brows.
"Yes, we do. I didn't know you kept up with my work?" She said surprised.
"Jameson sent it to me. He sends everything to do with my home life to me to get under my skin." I said watching her face fall.
"Right. The Smith's were always unpleasant. But yes, the predator was caught. I go down to Boston Wednesday for the court date." She said.
"Wednesday?" I said surprised. I didn't think this would all be happening so quickly.
"Yes Wednesday. We are pushing to get this done quickly." She said. She looked at me for a moment. "What's with the sudden interest?"
I knew that was coming but I didn't know how to respond. The last thing I wanted was to talk about my fucking relationship with my mother.
"Nothing, just curious." She looked at me skeptical but dropped it anyway.
"Ok..well your father should be home soon." She said with a smile. I tensed at her words. She noted my reaction and shook her head.
"You know we love you and want nothing more than to just be in your life," she whispered. I watched as her face contorted in pain and I felt guilt hit me in the gut.
"I understand ever since... Callie's death." Ouch. Fucking ouch. "That we haven't had the best relationship." She stopped.
"Mom. Stop. Let's not do this right now." I said standing from my stool and turning away from her. I felt my heart speed up and I looked down at the tattoo on my hand.
"Please just know we love you." She whispered from behind me.
I nodded my head and walked out to the living room. Dragging my hands over my face I sunk into the couch.
Fuck. When did I become so emotional? I was so good at keeping all emotions at bay. So good at keeping my walls up. But lately it's been a lot fucking harder.
"Honey, will you grab the door? Your father is home and has a few groceries." My mother shouted from the other room.
Standing I clenched my hands in fists and headed to the door to open it.
Opening the door I met the eyes of my father. Almost as tall as me we stood there for a moment.
"Callum, glad you could make it." He said. He looked shocked that I 'd even come and as he walked past me into the house, he kept his face stoic and avoided eye contact.
Before following them into the kitchen I went to the bathroom pulling out my phone. I wanted to check on Gianna.
It rang twice before she answered.
"Miss me already?" Her voice came through the phone. Shaking my head a stupid smile littered my face.
"No just calling to tell you I'm suing you for selling my clothes on e-bay." I said. I heard her laugh and it was music to my ears. Fucking whipped.
"I'm at Amy's and Cel is here." She whispered and I heard her moving, probably to get privacy.
Furrowing my brows I asked "The one who's fucking Jameson?"
"Oh my god, you're so crude. Yes... BUT she just told me they split up." She said and I could practically see her shaking her head at my words.
"Good." I said.
"How's your mom's?" She said hesitantly. We haven't talked much about my family and my relationship with my parents other than that one night in my apartment a few weeks ago. And I was a dick about it.
"It's alright," I said bringing my hand to my hair and tugging at it. "Although I'd rather be making more memorable moments with you. In my bed."
"Callum!" She screamed in a whisper. I laughed at her response.
"Go spend time with your family Callum. You're lucky you have them." She said in a whisper and I instantly sobered up. Fuck now I felt like shit.
"I will. I'll talk to you soon okay?" I said softly. Feeling like an asshole for mentioning anything about family.
"Okay," she said. We hung up shortly after and I stuffed my phone in my back pocket.
Walking out into the kitchen I watched my parents work together to make dinner. They lived in this huge house and had more than enough money to hire a chef, but chose to always make their own meals. As I watched them from afar I couldn't help but think about what Gianna said.
I was lucky I still had parents. Parents who loved me even though I treated them like shit and barely visited. Maybe it was time to grow up.
So with that in mind I made my way into the kitchen. And for the first time in over 10 years. I helped my family prepare dinner.