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Callum gave me his word—that he’d respect my wishes for a few weeks, but did he?
But more importantly, I’m not upset if he hasn’t. The last seven days while stressful, have been pleasant in a way I’m not used to. My father has left me alone since that text, and no more harassing crap from Giannis as I know the truth and our friendship grows. Instead, I’m coming and going with more ease, and I don’t want to go back to the way it was before.
“Amen, chica.” Aurora cranes her neck back and closes her eyes. “I was seconds away from turning to a life of heavy drinking and a full-time hermit career.”
At that I snort, ignoring the vibrations inside of my pants pocket. It’s a little after three in the afternoon and I know it’s Callum, but I don’t want to draw attention to myself. If she hasn’t told me about Casper, then I’m keeping Callum a secret.
Besides, it’s kind of fun. The secret messages and the naughty phone calls. The picture of him shirtless and joggers pushed below mid-thigh while he gripped his cock; a picture now forever inside a private folder locked under a passcode.
“Aye.” It slips out, and my cheeks burn. What the hell? “I hear ya.”
“You a pirate now?” A spa worker comes over with another mimosa on a tray and we each take one, smiling at the girl. When she leaves, my best friend looks over with a raised brow. “Have you been watching Pirates of the Caribbean again? Your obsession with the male actors in those movies is highly—”
“Shut it, and guilty.”
“You look guilty.”
“So do you, bestie.” I waggle my brows. “I’m still waiting for the play by play of lover boy’s trip here. When are you going to spill?”
“I already did.” She rolls her eyes, and I want to flick her forehead. “You know he came, and we spent a few days together. We went out on dates, ate, and there was plenty of the good stuff I’m not sharing about.”
“How can I live vicariously through you if you deny me the juicy details?”
“How about you tell me about Giannis instead? Is he still following you around like a lost puppy?”
Immediately, I want to defend him—correct her—but that wouldn’t help the low profile we’ve decided to maintain. Giannis came to me after Callum left and we talked; he explained himself and the situation fully, and I’m so grateful to have him in my corner.
I’ve also seen pictures of him with the boyfriend. The goofy smiles they both wear when together, and if I can help make things easier on him, then why not? We are two people stuck in a tough position and deserve a break. To be happy.
“You know it. I’m almost tempted to say yes just to get it over with.” The lie feels wrong, but I can’t tell her what’s going on. The less people involved, the better, and besides, if her father plans to help mine in finding me a “suitable” husband, things will be out in the open soon enough.
Do I want to be responsible for another fight between them? No.
Do I want to kill the glow that surrounds her amid a Casper Jameson romance? No.
So, while the nail technicians come over and we hand them the chosen colors, I giggle. While they scrub, file, and then massage our feet, I do what I do best and pretend nothing is wrong.
She’s oblivious, but I’m not mad because hiding my truth is what I’ve been taught to do. Someday she’ll know, and she’ll be mad at me for not asking for help, but until then, I want to enjoy the peace and quiet.
“I’d pay good money to see the look on his face if you do. He’d probably pee his pants.” She laughs, pulling out her phone after it pings in her small bag. Her eyes brighten while reading a text. Smile wide and cheeks with just a hint of pink, she quickly begins to write back, oblivious to my movements.
Because I check my cellphone too, a small smile fighting to curl at the edge of my lips. I don’t, though, biting it back even though my heart is racing, and my skin breaks out in goose bumps.
I miss you, my Venus. ~Callum J.
Five words. So simple and yet, I feel each one down to my bones. They make me happy. Make me want to giggle and be all high-pitched squeals, but I can’t.
Aurora has enough on her plate, the mess with her father and his demands for her to take over weighing heavy on her shoulders. I also don’t know how she’d feel about me seeing Casper’s cousin. Would it bother her?
I’m keeping so much from her already.
I hope that on the day all my truths come out, she forgives me.
“Clean sheets and shaved legs for the win.” I sigh, snuggling deeper into the bed after another long day. Yeah, we took a break in the afternoon, but that was cut short mid-lunch when the receptionist at the Conte House called with an urgent new case. This one came with a police escort and two signed court orders that say her ex-boyfriend isn’t allowed within a hundred feet of her and their son. No excuses.
That led to more paperwork, room placement, and then a long meeting with them while Aurora explained the ins and outs—rules—while I worked in a curricular activity for both. Schooling for the twelve-year-old, job training for her, and then medical and mental health visits for both.
I’m not sure the extent of what they’ve gone through, but one look into her empty eyes spoke louder than the screams of a thousand angry souls. And while I usually handle the public relations side of the house and the few classes I teach a week, I sat down and helped a tired Aurora with what I could before walking out the front doors a little after seven p.m.
