“No problem. I couldn't ignore a lady in distress.”
“Now, what were you going to say?” she grins, maybe hoping to avoid any further awkward silence.
“Oh, yeah. I was just thinking about school. Didn't you go around with Angie Laine?”
“Still do,” she smiles. “We've never lost touch, even though we now go to different universities. We will always be friends, no matter what happens. Actually, she's home for the summer too. I can't wait to see her.”
I'm distracted for a second. Calla's long legs—one resting on the other and facing my direction—catch my eye. From the sight of her high cut shorts, she's not afraid of showing them off. Calla is as smoking hot as I remember, and despite this being a mission of mercy, our journey might be my only chance to finally ask for her number. I just don't know how the hell to ask and we're about to turn into the hospital car park.
“A&E is just around this corner,” I say, stating the obvious as we arrive at the front entrance. I park the car as close as I can get before getting out and running around to open the door on her side. At the same time, I take a quick glance around to see if anyone can help, but there's no one. To be honest, holding her in my arms again isn't exactly a chore.
“I'll carry you in.”
“No, there's no need. I should be all right on my feet. I'm feeling a little better now.”
I smirk, “It's better if I take you—you know, just to be safe.” It's a lame excuse, I know, but last time was so good, I want more.
She loops her arm around my shoulders, while I slide one hand around the slight curve of her waist and the other under her legs. My arm enjoys the brush of her soft skin, a bonus of her short shorts.
It's not exactly easy getting Calla out of my VW Golf, but it's a struggle I'm willing to go through. She has both arms around my neck as I carry her into the hospital entrance. Her cute smile gazing up at me, is infectious.
A hospital porter appears, pushing a wheelchair. “Let me help you there.”
“We're good thanks,” I call over my shoulder as I stride past him.
The nurse behind the reception desk screws up her face as we approach. “That's a nasty bang to the head. Let's get you checked-in, then we can get your head seen too as soon as possible.”
“Thanks,” we say in unison. Something we both snigger at.
While the nurse taps away at the keyboard, Calla says, “You’ve been a star today, Ash. I don't know what I would have done without you.”
“Hey, it's no problem.”
“It's been good to see you again, you know?” She glances down then back to me as if expecting me to leave once this part is done.
I prolong the moment by responding with “You too.” I want to stay with her more than I want to leave, but I'm acutely aware I have somewhere pretty fucking important to be. Dani will kill me if I'm late, but leaving Calla is pulling at my insides. “Shall I help fill out these forms?”
“Only if you have time. I don't want to keep you from anything.” Calla's downcast blue eyes pull at my heart.
“You're not,” I lie; the instinct to shield her overtakes meonce again. I won't leave her here all alone. Not with a head injury which could be serious, plus she seems so vulnerable. Fuck it. My mind is made up, I'm here until they kick me out or she asks me to leave. I can rearrange my meeting for another time. Dani Hill will have to wait a little longer for her answer.
CHAPTER TWO
ASH
After all this time,that weird excitement still pumped through my veins when I caught sight of Calla yesterday. I hope the time I spent with her will pay off.
Thank God she didn't have a concussion and they let her go after a diagnosis of nothing more than a nasty bruise to the head.
At school, she always came across as fearless. I’m not wrong in saying Scott was a dick towards her, but fuck me, if she didn’t give him what for. Yesterday was different. She seemed frightened, especially when they took her through to the cubicle. The nurse checking her over must have noticed because she looked back at me while she helped Cal, then asked if she’d like her boyfriend to hold her hand. We looked at each other, trying so hard not to laugh as Cal said, “Do you mind? I am a little nervous.”
I didn’t mind at all. I sat on the gurney by Cal’s side and held her warm, soft hand in mine the whole time we were there. I also took on the responsibility of her aftercare because there were certain conditions to Calla leaving the hospital so soon. The most important thing was havingsomeone to keep an eye on her for 24 hours in case she threw up, got a headache, suffered any dizziness, that sort of thing. I told the nurse who discharged her, I’d be there. Isn’t that what a responsible boyfriend would do? Calla didn’t object, which I took as a green light, even getting us fish and chips for dinner on the way home. The fact she wolfed them down showed, she was feeling better.
The first thing I noticed about her grandparents’ house was how cold it was, not in temperature, but home comforts. The furniture was draped in white blankets and it took us a little time to unveil what we needed. It was best Calla didn’t do too much, so I went to the local shop and got her milk, bread, tea and a few essentials. When I got back, there was more of a warm glow to the place. Cal had been busy, despite being told to rest, and the front room now seemed cosy. The old turntable in the sideboard cabinet played Rod Stewart. Whoever it belonged to, I'm guessing it was her grandad, had a massive vinyl record collection. We spent the evening listening to music, drinking tea, and talking about old times until eventually, she fell asleep on the sofa in the early hours. I managed to get a few hours in the chair beside her but woke with one hell of a crick in my neck the next morning. It was so worth it.
It’s gone lunchtime when I finally reach the small, terraced house I rent with one other lad, but I’m kicking myself. Calla was meeting her friend Angie for the first time in months, and because she slept longer than planned, she rushed to leave. I was so worried I'd come on strong if I asked, so I didn’t get her number. At least now, I know where she lives, which is positive, I guess.
The house is quiet when I get inside; my car keys hitting the tray in the hallway is the only sound. Tommy could still be in bed, but chances are, he didn't come home last night.
