Chapter 13

Georgie

 

The journey back to the penthouse was long and extremely quiet. Other than the random bits of song Macy would blurt out before she finally dozed off, there wasn’t another word spoken.

Georgie could sense that Callum was upset, but she had no idea why. She considered asking him if he was okay, but she wasn’t sure if that would be crossing a line, so she said nothing. Still, the atmosphere was strained, making Georgie feel uncomfortable.

She wondered if maybe she had done something that might have upset him. He seemed off with her, but she really didn’t know what she could have done.

She was lost in thought, when her phone rang suddenly, making her jump with fright. She reached into her bag, pulling her phone out. She sighed when she looked at the screen and saw Shane’s number flashing on it. She quickly hit decline, before shoving it back into her bag, returning her focus to the road ahead.

“Don’t you want to get that?” Callum asked, surprising her.

“Not really,” Georgie replied, glancing at him briefly.

He released a sigh but didn’t say another word for the rest of the journey.

When they reached the apartment building, Callum carried a sleeping Macy into the elevator, as Georgie stood next to them. She felt tired, but not a tired that any sleep would help.

As the elevator came to a stop, her phone begun to ring again. This time she didn’t even take it from her bag. She didn’t look at Callum, but she could feel he was watching her. Without saying a word, they both stepped out the elevator, as Callum pulled his house key from his pocket.

“If you’re hungry, you’ll have to help yourself,” Callum announced, as they walked down along the hallway. “Annie has taken the rest of the weekend off. Her daughter is pregnant, and she isn’t very well, so she has gone to spend some time with her.”

“I’m good, thanks,” she said, walking towards Callum, holding out her arms. “I’ll just get Macy to bed. I think Liam wore her out; she will probably sleep all night.”

“I think I can put my daughter to bed myself,” Callum snapped, giving her an angry look, before he turned, walking towards the stairs. Georgie just stood there, watching as Callum disappeared up the stairs with Macy, having no clue what she had done to upset him, but there was no question, he was angry with her.

After what felt like the longest time, Georgie released a deep breath, before she turned, making her way towards the kitchen. Switching on the kettle to make some tea, she swallowed the lump in her throat that was almost choking her. Still, she refused to cry.

She stood there, staring at the kettle, waiting for it to boil, and for some reason, she thought of her mother. She hadn’t called her yet, to tell her about Shane. She was still too embarrassed. She knew that even though she had a new job and a new home, her mother would want her to go home.

Going home was the last thing she wanted. She suddenly thought of Callum, and how he had just spoken to her. Now she wondered if maybe going home was the only option she had left. Suddenly she missed her mom and dad; she wished she could see them right now.

Reaching out, she switched off the kettle; she didn’t want tea anymore. She didn’t want anything.

Georgie walked out of the kitchen, into the living room, heading for the stairs. She had almost reached them when Callum appeared at the top. When she looked up and saw him, she hesitated before she continued on her way, stopping when she reached the bottom of the stairs, waiting for Callum to come down before she climbed them herself.

“I’m going out,” he said, almost abruptly as he reached the bottom of the stairs. Georgie was surprised that he didn’t even try to make eye contact with her. “I don’t know if I’ll be home tonight, but I will try to be here in the morning for breakfast with Macy.”

“Okay,” Georgie nodded, as once more a lump formed in her throat. She had no clue what she had done that was wrong, but the sweet, caring man she had met the first day in the coffee shop was almost unrecognizable.

“Good night, Georgie,” he said but didn’t even wait for her to reply. Instead, he made his way down the hallway. Moments later, the front door slammed shut, making Georgie jump once more.

“Good night,” she whispered as suddenly the tears she’d been fighting, broke free, spilling down her face.

Grabbing her bag from the table next to the stairs, she climbed the stairs slowly, her heart breaking, though she didn’t know why. Making her way along the corridor, she stopped at Macy’s room, quickly opening the door. Looking around the door, she smiled when she saw the little bundle fast asleep in the middle of the bed, but then her heart broke more. She knew if things didn’t work out here, not only would she have to go home, it would mean leaving Macy behind.

Georgie was surprised by how much she loved this little girl already. She had only been here a week and a half, and already this tiny little person held her heart. Georgie knew that it was because Macy had seemed so lost when she met her.

But she had changed, becoming happier, more alive even. Georgie hated that if she left, it would break the little girl's heart. She just wasn’t sure that her being here was working out.

Closing the door, Georgie walked back along the hallway to her room. Walking inside, she flopped down on her bed and stared at the ceiling.

How had her life become such a complete disaster?

Shane! She thought miserably. How had she been so wrong about him? How had she been so wrong about everything?

She sat up on the bed, reaching for her handbag at the bottom, she pulled it to her and pulled out her phone. She was surprised to see that there were actually eight missed calls from Shane.

She stared at it for a moment, before she pressed down on the button to check her voice mail.

The first message was left the day before. Georgie hit play and listened as Shane’s voice came through her phone.

“Hey, Georgie, it’s me. Georgie, I’m so sorry. Please just talk to me. Tell me that I haven’t lost you. You’re my best friend and I miss you so much. I made a mistake. A stupid fucking mistake. Please give me a chance to make this right. I love you.”

The voice mail beeped, ending the message. Georgie knew there was more, but she just couldn’t listen to them. She had heard enough. Powering off her phone, she threw it down on her bed, before she flopped back down on the bed herself.

She closed her eyes, unable to fight the tears anymore. A sob came from deep inside her, shaking her entire body.

She cried until she drifted off into a restless sleep.

Georgie woke with a start, a crash from somewhere in the apartment had woken her, almost killing her with fright. She sat there in bed for a moment, hoping that she had just been dreaming, but a bang a few moments later told her that she hadn’t been.

She climbed from the bed, her heart thumping in her chest as she made her way toward the door. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door as quietly as she could, wishing more than anything that Callum was here.

“Fuck!” a muffled voice came from somewhere downstairs. Stepping out into the hallway, she glanced down towards Macy’s room, but everything seemed okay. Turning back into her room, she looked for something that she could use as a weapon. The only thing she could see was a deodorant tin. She popped off the lid, then placed her finger over the spray button.

This is beyond madness! She screamed to herself in her mind. You’re taking on an intruder with a spray can of Secret. You’re going to die!

“SHIT!” the voice came from inside the kitchen, as something smashed. “Idiot!”

Georgie stopped at the bottom of the stairs. She wasn’t sure, but the voice sounded like Callum, only different. It was more slurred and harder to understand.

That’s when it hit her. It wasn’t an intruder; it was in fact Callum. He had come home; what’s more, he sounded drunk.

Georgie turned to go back up the stairs but stopped when she heard another crash, followed by a yelp.

She knew the right thing to do was go to bed. Callum was a big boy; she was sure he could take care of himself. Still, something stopped her. She glanced up the stairs, knowing that Macy was asleep upstairs, and if she didn’t try to get Callum to bed, he would wake her up.

Turning slowly, she made her way across the living room, setting her spray can down on an end table, before she headed into the kitchen.

When she got to the door, she found Callum standing there, drinking a bottle of beer, his hand covered in blood.

“Callum,” Georgie said, wishing now she had just gone to bed. He looked the worse for wear.

“There she is!” Callum exclaimed, smiling at her as he stumbled sideways. He grabbed for the counter, to try and balance himself before he looked at her once more. “The girl of the hour.”

“Are you okay, Callum?” Georgie asked, taking a step further into the room. “Your hand is bleeding.”

“I cut it,” he replied, trying to focus on the blood that was now trickling down his arm, destroying his shirt. “I won’t die.”

“You need to clean it,” she said as she moved across the kitchen, grabbing some paper towels, quickly wrapping them around his hand. “And you need to clean up the broken glass before Macy wakes up.”

She led him to the sink, turning on the water, then pushing his hand beneath it.

Neither of them said a word for a moment, but Georgie could tell Callum was watching her closely. His face was so close to hers; she could feel his breath against her skin.

She had no idea why, but her heart was hammering in her chest.

“We just need to be sure it’s clean,” she explained, try to keep her focus on his hand, and not how close he was to her.

“Do you know how beautiful you are, Georgie?” Callum replied, completely throwing her with his question. “You’re probably the most beautiful woman I have ever met.”

“I don’t think the cut is too deep,” Georgie said, trying to bring the conversation back to Callum and his hand, but her heart was now thumping so hard, she was sure he would hear it. “But I can give you some paper stitches to be sure it’s okay.”

“Okay,” he whispered, still she could feel his eyes on her, but he didn’t say anymore. Moving him to the table, she returned to the kitchen to get the first aid kit from the cupboard.

Returning back to the table, Georgie pulled out the chair next to Callum, refusing to let her eyes meet his. Still, she knew he was watching her. She could feel his eyes almost burning her skin.

“This might hurt a little,” she told him, her voice small and uncertain. She opened the disinfectant, then picked up some cotton swabs. Pouring a little disinfectant on to the swab, she took Callum’s hand in hers. She was surprised how much she was actually trembling.

Taking a deep breath, she began to clean the cut carefully, keeping her focus on his hand.

“Was it Liam that called you today?” Callum said, surprising Georgie once again. This time she looked up, letting her eyes meet his. “When you wouldn’t answer the phone. Was it my brother?”

“No,” Georgie replied, surprised that he would even think that. “Why would you think that?”

“I… I don’t know,” Callum replied, his eyes holding hers. “I just thought that maybe…”

“It wasn’t Liam that called me,” Georgie, replied, returning her attention back to his hand.

“But you like him,” Callum sighed, and Georgie was surprised to hear the disappointment in his voice.

“I like all your family,” she said as she began to tape up his hand.

“That’s not what I meant,” Callum sighed once more, as Georgie looked up at him again. She wanted to ask him why he would even care if she liked Liam, but she wasn’t sure she would like the answer.

“Liam is your brother,” Georgie sighed finally, knowing she needed to set his mind at ease. “He is very sweet and very kind, but he is Macy’s uncle. The last thing I want to do is risk hurting her.”

“But that’s not an answer,” Callum replied, his eyes searching her face, for what she had no idea.

She stared at him for a moment, before finally turning back to the first-aid kit. She packed everything back inside, then she picked up the dirty swab from the table. She turned to look at Callum once more.

“I think you should go get some sleep,” she finally said, standing up from the chair. She turned to walk away, but Callum grabbed hold of her hand, stopping her from leaving.

Slowly he stood up, so now his body was almost flush with Georgie’s.

“I’m so confused, Georgie,” Callum whispered, still holding her hand, but making no effort to move away from her. “I have these feelings, and I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with them.”

Georgie slowly lifted her head and looked up into his eyes. She had no idea what she was supposed to say to him.

Suddenly, he leaned forward, softly pressing his lips to hers.

For a moment, Georgie didn’t do anything. She could barely think, much less breathe.

Callum let go of her hand, but quickly slipped his arm around her, pulling her closer to him, as his kiss deepened.

She closed her eyes for a moment, letting him kiss her, but something stopped her from kissing him back. A fear deep down in the pit of her stomach, but she had no idea what it was she was afraid of.

“I can’t,” she cried as she pulled back abruptly.

“Georgie,” he said, giving her a pleading look.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered as she took a step back. “I can’t. Besides, you’re drunk, Callum. You should go to bed.”

“Georgie,” he repeated, grabbing hold of her hand, stopping her once more. He tried to pull her back, but she yanked her hand free.

“NO!” She exclaimed. “Please. Just stop!”

Without saying another word, she turned, hurrying out of the kitchen, then across the living room, and up the stairs.

It wasn’t until she reached her room that she released the breath she was holding, but it came out as a sob, as tears quickly pooled in her eyes. She covered her mouth with her hand, trying to muffle the sound of her sobs.

What the hell had just happened? How would she ever be able to face him again?

She pressed her back against the bedroom door, and slid down to the floor, burying her face in her hands. She cried until her tears stopped, and tiredness claimed her once more.

“Georgie,” Macy’s voice crashed into her dreams. She blinked open her eyes and was surprised to see Macy sitting on the floor beside her.

“Hey sweetie,” Georgie said as she pushed up from the floor, surprised that she had slept all night down there. “Are you okay?”

“I’m hungry,” Macy said, giving her a funny look. “You fell asleep on the floor. You’re silly.”

“I know I am, Sweetie,” Georgie replied, as the events of last night crashed into her mind.

“Are you sad?” Macy asked, giving Georgie a worried look.

“No, Sweetie,” Georgie assured her with a smile. “I’m not sad, just tired.”

She climbed up from the floor, smiling at Macy before picking her up from the floor too, sitting her down on the bed.

“I’m just going to use the bathroom real quick,” Georgie said looking down into the little girl’s big blue eyes, smiling once more. “Then we’ll go make some pancakes. How does that sound?”

“Yum!” Macy exclaimed, this time rewarding Georgie with a smile.

Georgie walked to her wardrobe, grabbed a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, then hurried into the bathroom.

Less than ten minutes later, she emerged to find Macy sitting at her dressing table, playing with her make-up. Her face was covered in blusher, and she was now trying the put on some lipstick.

Georgie smiled to herself before she closed the distance between her and Macy.

“I’m sorry, Madame,” Georgie said with a grin. “But have you seen a little girl anywhere. She’s got dark curly hair and beautiful blue eyes. Her name is Macy.”

“IT’S ME!” Macy exclaimed with a giggle.

“So it is,” Georgie said, picking her up, hugging her tightly. Inside her heart was breaking, knowing that this could be her last morning she would spend with this amazing little girl. “I almost didn’t recognise you with all your beautiful make-up.”

Suddenly the front doorbell sounded. Georgie knew that Annie wasn’t there, and there was no way Callum would be in any fit state to answer the door, so it fell to her to open the door.

Picking Macy up, she headed out of the bedroom and down the stairs. Setting Macy down, she told her to go colour a picture while she went to see who was at the door.

She then hurried down the hallway, to open the front door. She had barely turned the latch when the door was pushed opened from the outside, and Camilla hurried in past Georgie, making her way down the hallway.

“Excuse me!” Georgie called after her, reaching her before she reached the stairs. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?”

“I want to see Callum,” Camilla said, pinning Georgie with a stare that warned her not to mess with her. She slipped off her floor-length, cream coloured coat and threw it with her bag, on the armchair, before she turned back to Georgie.

“Is Callum expecting you?” Georgie asked, glancing over at Macy, who looked beyond terrified of this loud, arrogant woman standing in front of her.

“I don’t see how that’s any of your damn business,” Camilla hissed, “Now, get the fuck out of my way.”

Georgie was about to argue the point with her, but she glanced over at Macy once more, and when she saw the look on her face, she knew the right thing to do was step aside, and let her pass, instead of causing a scene.

As Camilla hurried up the stairs, Georgie walked over to Macy, smiling at her.

“Are you okay, Little Woman?” Georgie asked, crouching down in front of her.

“The mean lady said bad words,” Macy replied, her bottom lip quivering.

“I know she did, Sweetheart,” Georgie said, smiling at her. “But she’s gone now, so you’re grand.”

Macy glanced up toward the stairs once more, before she turned to Georgie, returning her smile.

“How about I go make them pancakes?” Georgie continued and was greeted with a wide smile. She leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead before she turned, heading into the kitchen.

Georgie set about making the mix for the pancakes, then slicing up some fruit for Macy to eat on the side.

She was just about to make the first pancake when she heard Camilla yell, and it sounded like she was back in the living room. Georgie picked up a tea towel and wiped her hands, as she headed for the living room.

Suddenly she heard Macy cry. Georgie picked up speed and reached the living room, just as Camilla was about to spank Macy.

“JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?” Georgie yelled, as she rushed to Macy, scooping her up in her arms. Macy instantly buried her face in Georgie's neck and sobbed. “Don’t you ever put your hands on her again.”

“The little brat went through my bag,” Camilla explained, angrily. “She had my make-up. Look at my coat; it’s destroyed.”

“So you were going to spank her?” Georgie hissed back at her, holding Macy close to her. “She is four years old.”

“She’s a fucking brat,” Camilla spat back,

“And you’re a mean lady!” Georgie retorted, using the words Macy had said before, wishing more than anything that she could just slap this bitch across her face. “And a crazy fucking bitch. Now get the hell out.”

“I beg your pardon!” Camilla replied, looking completely stunned.

“You heard her,” Callum said suddenly from the staircase. “Get the fuck out of my home, and never come back here again.”

Camilla turned and stared at Callum in disbelief. She opened her mouth to speak, but closed it just as quickly.

“I said get out of my house,” Callum repeated, coming down the rest of the way.

Camilla, turned and picked up her coat and bag, then turned, heading straight for the door, slamming it behind her.