Cal rests her forehead against my chest for a beat, then sighs when she looks up again. “You know what makes this worse? You asked me to go with you and I said no. I’ve got no one but myself to blame.” She cries harder, hiding her tears behind her hands. “I can’t talk to anyone about it, apart from Scott or Angie and I think they’re sick to death of hearing your name,” she laughs through a sob; unable to wipe away her tears quick enough.
“Don’t you have anyone here you can talk to?”
She shakes her head. “Not about you, no. I want to keep this on the low until I’m done with education. I wouldn’t want anyone to take advantage of me knowing you.”
“Cal, you’re bigging me up here. The success we’ve had so far could be a flash in the pan.”
“Doubtful,” she smiles through her sniffs.
“Okay, listen to me.” I slide her hands away from her face. “Never beat yourself up about choosing university. It’s the right thing for you, Cal. You have a life to live too and if that means we’re apart for a while until we achieve everything we both want, then so be it. The time will come whenwe will be together again, for always, okay? Please try to see this is only the beginning for us. I didn’t fight hard enough to be with you the first time around. I messed up, but I won’t do it again.” At this point, I kiss the shit out of her.
When we part, she seems embarrassed about her tears. She looks away briefly before leaving my hold and reaching for a tissue. “Just for your reference, you didn’t mess up, it just wasn’t our time back then.” She continues to wipe her tears before taking a deep breath and smiling. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever told you how proud I am of you.”
“I’m proud of you too, Cal. I don’t say it often enough. You’re so strong, so determined. You make me stronger just by being around you. I love you so much. More than you will ever know.”
“Don’t steal my thunder. I was about to say how your hard work is finally paying off. You’re amazing, Ash. Totally amazing.”
“As long as you’re happy, that’s all that really matters to me. Now, get back here,” I say as I take her in my arms and kiss the shit out of her all over again.
“Fuck!”
I wake up with a start; Cal’s naked body wrapped around mine. “Fuck, Cal? Cal? Wake up.” Her eyelashes flutter as she comes too.
“What’s the time?” she asks, her high-pitched voice cracking. She reaches over for her phone, tipping it sideways but I beat her to it.
“Just after 7am and I’m in deep shit.”
Cal sits up, drawing her legs to her chest, resting her chin on her knees. “What’s going on?”
My phone buzzes continuously with incoming messages. It’s been that way for the past couple of hours by the looks of things, but I had set it to silent and vibration mode off. I didn’t want to be disturbed last night. Cal and I had too much time to make up.
I search the bed, looking for my clothes then fight to get my jeans on. I catch the look in her eyes while I struggle to pull on one leg. She turns, laying her head sideways against her knee, staring straight at me with her sad, hollow eyes. “I don’t want you to go,”
“And I don’t want to leave, but I have to get back to London,” I say as softly as I can.
“Have you got time for a cuppa before you go?” she asks with a croaky voice while getting out of bed. Her hand drifts over my bicep as she passes on her way to the kitchenette. She fills the kettle then reaches for my phone. “Oh, look. Dani’s calling you. Shall I speak to her?” she giggles, and before I have time to speak, she has the phone to her ear.
“Hey, Dani.” There’s silence for a beat. “Yes, of course, it’s Cal.” She pulls a face.
“Give me the phone, baby,” I ask, holding out my hand, but she ignores me.
“Really? You’re kidding.” She looks towards me, a big smile on her face, excitement in her tone. “Hold on.” Cal reaches for the remote and flicks on the TV.
“What are you doing?” I mouth.
Her head bobs towards the TV. “Dani said you’re on—oh my God, your face is on TV,” Cal squeals, dancing around on the spot.
The next few moments happen in a blur.
The newscaster keeps talking while an image of the band, smiling and laughing, appears on the screen. I have no idea why we’re making the news until?—
“…and quite the lothario. Koolum Law’s, Ash Chambers, was caught in a sticky situation at the weekend.”
A grainy, dark photo appears on the screen. I know exactly where and when it was taken. It shows Dani with her lips firmly on mine, but I don’t look like I’m fighting her off. I look as if I’m kissing her back.
“Fuck.” I run my fingers through my hair. This is not happening. I freeze, glancing towards Calla, but she’s glued to the screen.
“Give me the phone, Cal.”
