Chapter 19
Callyn
This weekend was more than I could have hoped for. I got a new phone, went to the mall, watched some movies, and got to spend some time with my guys. I have never been happier. I love getting my goodnight text from the guys at night. I missed those. I hate when I have to leave them. I hate having to come home. All my joy gets sucked out when I enter this house. It’s like the house is Azkaban and my father is a dementor. Since, that night a week ago, I have effectively been avoiding my father. It’s not like he ever apologizes for what he’s done, not like that would excuse it either.
I know the longer I go without having to see him the better off I am. My back has been healing. I try not to let the guys see how it still bothers me sometimes though. The first couple of days after, every time I made a face or a noise, they got the look of murder in their eyes. They have been helping me get through the toughest days. It’s honestly such a relief that they know. Once I told them a weight lifted off my shoulders. I don’t have to hide it from them anymore, but they would go postal if I told them every time something happens.
They were ready to hunt my father down after what recently happened. Could you imagine what would have happened if they saw the bruises on my back? The few that they have seen, were already healing and they didn’t look too bad. They have been trying to keep my mind off things at home and for the most part, it works, that is until reality sets in. Lord knows what would happen if I get caught.
And it seems like my luck has run out on avoiding my father. I am grabbing my hoodie and bookbag getting ready to go outside to wait for the guys to pick me up for school when my father strolls in the kitchen.
“Why the hell are you still here?”
I quickly snatch my hoodie off the back of the kitchen table chair. I am getting ready to pick up my bookbag, when I get shoved.
“Hurry the hell up and get the fuck out of the way.”
I straighten, and my father hip-checks me on his way past. Pain radiates up my hip where the corner of the kitchen table catches me. I frantically grab my stuff and head outside. Luckily the guys aren’t here yet. I quickly send a group message.
Me: My father is still home. I’ll meet you a street over from mine. I don’t know if he’ll look outside and I don’t want to get caught.
Lucian: Hurry, we’ll be there waiting.
I quickly put my phone away and book over. Lucian and the boys were waiting in his car when I get there. They had to be on their way over when I texted. I’m glad I caught them. Graydon jumps from the front and I hop in. He hops in the backseat behind me.
“What happened? Did he say anything?” Graydon questions.
I should just tell them I’ll have another bruise, but it’s something minor. I opt to leave that part out.
“He asked why I was still there and told me to get out of way. He didn’t say it politely. I grabbed my stuff and immediately left. I texted you guys as I walked away from the house. I was being cautious, because I never know with him.”
“I would rather you be safe than sorry. We don’t want a repeat of what happened. Hell, I wish you didn’t have to go back there,” states Zeke.
“You and me both.”
Lucian reaches over and clasps my hand.
“Are you really okay?” he asks.
“Yeah, just slightly shaken. I wasn’t expecting him to be there. I thought he had left for work.”
“That amazes me, the fact he still has a job,” grumbles Graydon.
“He doesn’t have an option. If he wants to keep drinking, then he must have money. No money, no beer. I don’t know how many times I’ve said that to him over the years. Alcohol is his only motivation.”
I hear a few grunts. I didn’t have time to question anything because we just pulled into the school parking lot. Lucian hops out the second he puts the car in park. I’ve learned to just wait for one of them. They got offended the one and only time I opened my own car door. Instead of keeping hold of my hand, he lets it go and I frown.
I understand why he did it, I just don’t have to like it. It would just fuel the rumors more. The guys don’t care what other people say about them. They are worried about how I would take it. It doesn’t bother me. I know people wouldn’t say anything, if it was just one of the guys. But nope, I hold all their hands and I kiss all their cheeks. I realized that slowly over the weeks, the closer I get to the guys, the more I like them. I’m crushing on all of them. Yup, that’s right all of them and I don’t have the faintest idea what to do.
It’s not like I have any girlfriends that I could talk to and get advice from. At any rate, they probably wouldn’t understand that I feel like I have a connection to all of them. A deep-seeded connection, that even I can’t explain. The urge to always be around them, to touch, protect, and make them happy, is always present in my mind with them around.
I’m just going to keep on doing what I’m doing until one of the boys tells me different. Though I kind of get the feeling they all like me. If that’s the case, I wouldn’t do anything. No way am I getting in between their friendship. I won’t be the reason their friendship breaks apart, I won’t be that girl.