Callan purses his lips before slowly nodding. His gaze swings to mine, and he pins me with a pointed look. I know he wants me to tell him to go, so we can have more sexy time in bed, but he’s leaving the decision up to me. Another few rounds with Callan is so fucking tempting, but I can’t turn my back on Scott. Not when he looks so wretched.
“I’ll meet you downstairs in five,” I tell Scott. “We can grab coffee and talk at the coffee shop.”
“Thanks, Astrid. Sorry again, Callan.”
“It’s okay, mate.”
Scott walks off, and I close the door, leaning back against it. “I’m sorry. He looks awful, and I can’t not talk to him.”
Callan palms my face. “Your bleeding heart is part of the reason why I love you. It’s not in your nature to turn anyone down when they need your help.” He cradles me in his arms, and I press my cheek to his bare chest. “It’s fine. Just don’t take too long.”
“You’re the best.” I stretch up on my tiptoes and kiss him gently. “I’ll bring back breakfast, and we can spend the rest of the day in bed.” NCAA rules dictate that college athletes must have one day off a week during the season, and I’m grateful for it, as it means Sundays are the one day of the week we get to spendtogether. “I hate eating into our private time, but I won’t be long. I promise.”
“Don’t be.” He grabs my ass. “Or I’ll come to the coffee shop and carry you out over my shoulder like a caveman.”
“Don’t tempt a girl with a good time,” I tease, reluctantly easing out of his embrace.
“I’ll try talking to her,” I tell Scott an hour later as we exit the coffee shop. He poured his heart out to me. Callan was right. Gwen has cheated on him, and I’m so disappointed in her. How could she do that to him? It’s mostly the reason why they keep breaking up. Scott is as worried about her mental health as I am. He loves her, and he keeps forgiving her because he knows she’s in a bad place. She’s abusing alcohol and drugs, and it’s so much worse than I realized.
I’m not sure I could be so understanding in his shoes or that anyone else would be, but I adore him for caring about her so much.
“Thanks, Astrid. If anyone can get through to her, it’s you.”
“Don’t get your hopes up too much. I told you how she’s been with me. She might not appreciate the intervention.”
“We’ve got to try though, right?”
“Yes, for sure. I wouldn’t forgive myself if anything happened to her and I hadn’t tried to help.”
“You’re a great friend to her.” Scott pulls me into a hug.
I break our embrace, holding up the takeout bag. “I’d better go before this gets cold.”
“I’m glad you guys are doing good.”
I squeeze his hand. “You and Gwen can find your way back to one another.”
“If she’ll agree to get help, then hopefully. It’s all I want.”
“I didn’t realize the situation was that bad,” Callan says after I’ve updated him in between eating. Sunday is Callan’s cheat day, and I’ve converted him to the wonders of Bennie’s breakfast burritos from a local diner that has become a regular go-to.
“I didn’t either.” I chew my last bite and crumple the paper, tossing it into the trash can under my desk. “I’m not sure how to approach this with her, but I can’t do nothing.”
“I wouldn’t bother contacting her today. She’s likely with Robbie and nursing the mother of all hangovers. Maybe reach out tomorrow and see if she wants to meet up after class? It’s best to try and catch her when she’s sober. Then I think you should just lay it all out and see how she reacts.”
“I was thinking of asking Renee to come with, but I don’t think Gwen would appreciate that. She might see it as us ganging up on her.” Renee, Thor, and Travis are all here, while Scott, Nikki, Riley, and Simone are going to school at the University of Vermont. Lyn is at Texas A&M, but we rarely hear from her anymore, and all suggestions of visiting her over the summer were instantly dismissed.
“I’m worried she’s going down the same path as her mom.” I drain the last of my coffee, and the cup joins the paper in the trash. “What if I can’t get through to her?”
Callan hauls me onto his lap. “She’s not your responsibility, Astrid.” His features soften to match his tone. “All you can do is try. The hard work is up to Gwen.”
I shriek when he throws me over his shoulder and slaps my ass hard. “What are you doing?”
“Giving you a good time.” He stalks toward the bed and tosses me on it. Looming over me, he grabs his junk through his sweatpants as a wicked grin spreads over his mouth. “Now be a good girl and take your clothes off.”
44
CALLAN
