“It’s okay, Cal,” I say as Michael’s eyes turn thunderous.
“He’s going nowhere near you,” Cal says, his gaze firmly fixed on Michael.
“I don’t think that’s your choice,” Michael says, his teeth gritted.
I hate that I am in this situation. I shouldn’t have to hide from a man that was supposed to love and cherish me. I shouldn’t have to fear my friend getting involved.
“Lucy,” Michael starts. “Please, baby, can we talk?” Nice Michael is back. He can change in a split second, and I wonder how he manages it. I certainly couldn’t.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I reply, my voice quiet. I desperately want to cower down so that Cal hides me, but I don’t. I need to do what I can to get Michael out of here.
“I’m sorry that things got so heated last night, I just want to work this out. I love you, Luce. I don’t want to lose you.” Words that I have heard before. Words that once filled me with hope, but now I know that they mean nothing. They hold no truth. “Just come home with me.”
At one time, I wouldn’t have hesitated to follow his silent order. I would have put on a front and let him take hold of my hand and take me home, but not this time.
“I’m not coming back.”
“What?” He looks truly panicked and I have to avert my eyes so that I don’t get sucked into his mind games again.
“She said that she’s not coming back,” Cal says, reiterating the message.
Coming from behind Michael, two guys walk in, but stop in their tracks when they see that we have a stand-off going on.
“Everything okay?” One of the guys asks.
“Yeah,” Cal replies. “Michael here was just leaving.”
I can see that Michael is extremely pissed that this is not going his way. His jaw ticks, his hands twitch and his breathing deepens.
“I’m coming back for you, Lucy. We can work this out,” Michael says before throwing Cal a dirty look. He then turns around and marches out of the front door, past the other two guys, slamming the door behind him.
“What was all that about?” The second guy asks, his Irish accent thick.
“Nothing to worry about, lads,” Cal says, and I am grateful for his secrecy in the matter. I let out a shaky breath and place my hand on Cal’s shoulder to steady myself.
“You okay?” Cal asks me as he places his hand on mine.
“I think so.” No. No, I’m not okay, but I’ve already burdened Cal with too much.
“You look a little pale.”
“Just shocked more than anything. How the hell did he find out where you live?” I say, more to myself than to anyone else.
“You never told him?” Cal asks.
“No.”
“I have no idea, but he isn’t going to let you go easily.”
“That’s what I was afraid of.” I look up to see that the two guys have disappeared, probably into the lounge. Another knock at the door has me jumping out of my skin. Cal goes and opens the door, clearly ready to face round two but he starts to smile a few seconds later.
“Pizza’s here,” he says turning to me, his smile easing my tension slightly. Cal pays the delivery guy and takes the pizzas.
“Come on,” Cal says as he closes the front door and walks up to me. “Let’s get back into bed, finish watching our film and not talk about Michael.”
People may not understand mine and Cal’s relationship, but it works for us, and I wouldn’t be without him.
“That sounds great.”
