Misfits - Chapter 15 (Patreon)

Time flies. It really does. If someone had told me a few months ago that I would meet a handsome stranger, be saved from my father by that stranger, and move in with said stranger, I would laugh before I believed them. But here I was.

Classes had been going great, even more so now that I wasn't huddled in fear half my time. Things were finally looking up for me. I see Cal less and less lately. I have class so he'd drop me off and pick me up. But sometimes he would have to go out of town for work, and I wouldn't see him for days.

When he'd come back he'd be different.. But then the next day he was his normal cool and collected self. I've decided to just stop asking him about himself. We would fight every time I asked the wrong questions. He didn't like talking about himself. But he loved listening to me tell about myself. Cal knew me more than I knew him. And I knew him no better than I did the first time we met. But I like him. I really do. I don't know if it's a knight in shining armor affect, but I really was developing feelings for him.

I never brought up that night he left in a hurry. He never said anything about it either. Not like I expected him to. He rarely offered up any information to me. Even the other night when he told me about his past, I don't think he was aware that I was awake. I don't even think he realized that I heard him leave, because the next day I woke up to breakfast and a new pair of expensive heels that I would never wear.

"How can you stand doing this all day." I look up from my writing as Callum walks in the room. He's been trying to get my attention for the past hour, but I've been completely engrossed in my homework. I had a lot of catching up to do.

"Because I know what my end goal is," I murmur going back to my work. Suddenly my notebook is torn out of my hands and replaced with Cal's head as he lays on my lap.

"I'm bored as hell. And I want you to show me attention," he grumbles. 

I can't help but chuckle at the sight. This was one of those rare moments when Cal was being playful. He hardly ever was. He was always this calm and collected person with a hard exterior. But slowly he was beginning to open up to me.

"I can't Cal, I have a test this week," I say. He doesn't seem to be listening, as he rolls over quickly and jerks me off the couch. He catches me before I land on the floor, laying me down gently, letting the soft carpet beneath me tickle my skin.

He stands over me on his hands and knees his bright amber eyes mimicking liquid gold as his gaze burns into me. He studies my face with a great intensity, and pulls his lip ring between his teeth. He finally opens his mouth to speak. His voice coming out a low growl.

"Fuck that test." He doesn't wait for a response as he swoops down capturing my lips. I don't have the time or the energy to even think, my mind becomes clouded with lust. We'd been playing this game for a long time now, teetering at the edge of crossing that line. So every time he kissed me with such a burning passion I immediately grew aroused.

He pushes his tongue in my mouth and I can feel the ring in the middle of his tongue as he plays with me. His hands begin to roam my body shamelessly, as if memorizing every curve and scar. I feel his hands pushing underneath my thin shirt, grabbing onto my bra. My heartrate accelerates. My hands out of reflex fly to his chest, gently pushing him. He immediately registers the action pulling away.

We're both breathing hard. And Cal looks flustered. I look away, not liking the direction this day was going. After a long moment of silence I finally speak.

"I'm sorry," I whisper. He doesn't look at me for a moment but takes a deep breath.

"No. Don't apologize. I'm sorry," he says. He stands from the floor.

"You should finish your homework," he says gently. But I don't miss the look of frustration in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Cal. I really am. I just- I don't know if I'm r-" I immediately stop midsentence from Cal's intense gaze.

"Don't ever apologize for not being ready princess. It's fine."

He doesn't wait for me to respond. I hear his retreating footsteps and eventually the door to the backyard opens, leaving me in silence.

In that moment I hate myself. I know that Cal says it's not a big deal, but I know to him that it is. I know that my being here was making him want me more and more each day, and the fact that he was waiting on me was mind boggling. I don't even know if he was even waiting on me. Sometimes he would come home with scratches on his body, and sometimes he would have bruises.

If he ever noticed me looking he would claim it was from getting into a fight. But I didn't know if I should believe that or not. He must have an awful temper if he got into fights that often. Eventually I go back to my homework.

The day passes and I eventually finish my homework and decide to go in search of Cal. He never came back in the house so I go outside. The cold air hits me hard, causing me to shiver. I hastily wrap my arms around myself trying to warm my body while I search for him. The door to the shed is cracked so I assume he's in there. I make my way around the pool towards the shed. As I get closer my footsteps falter a bit when I hear some kind of power tool.

I walk to the door, slowly cracking it open. Cal is squatting with his back to me with what looks like a sander in his hand, smoothing a wooden shelf. I can't help but crack a smile at the sight. I hadn't realized Cal was a crafts person, but I should have known since he seemed to be good at everything he did.

I step on one of the floorboards and a loud creak sounds. Cal's body tenses and he jumps immediately turning toward me, jerking a knife from some concealed position on his body. His eyes are filled with such an intense rage, I can't help the scream that leaves my lips as I jump back.

He immediately spots me and his eyes soften. He walks toward me with that knife in his hand but I step back in reaction to the fear that was still coursing through my veins. It was the same look he had on his face before he almost murdered my father and his friends. His footsteps falter, his eyes visibly darkening but he raises the knife and drops it to the ground.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know it was you." His voice is calm. A complete contrast to what I was feeling. He begins walking again, and this time when he reaches me he pulls me in his warm embrace, pressing his palm against my cheek. He seemed to pick up on that being a calming affect to me. I let him embrace me, enjoying the heat as it seeps into my body.

"What are you doing out here?" he asks. I can feel the vibration of his voice running through my system.

"I finished my homework, and you hadn't come back yet."

"I started working on something."

"The shelf?" I ask looking at the wooden shelf that now sat in the center of the shed.

"Yes." I look around the shed, and see all kinds of tools from chainsaws to nails. Every power tool and regular tool you could think of. There were also ropes and chains and bleach.

"What's the shelf for?" I ask.

"My collection," he responds absentmindedly.

"Are you mad at me?" I ask. I was afraid to hear the answer. The question had been nagging at my brain all day long. He pulls away from me looking at me with a curious gaze.

"Why in the world would I be mad at you, princess?" he asks. I look away unable to maintain eye contact with him.

"Because we haven't... I mean I haven't..." He understands what I'm going to say and stops me from speaking.

"Don't. Don't do that." I feel his fingers under my chin and he lifts my gaze to meet his.

"Don't do that please. I'm sorry if I made you feel any kind of way about that. I want you, Rue. That is a known fact. And I will have you. Just not today. It will be when you're ready. I shouldn't have pushed today. I was just antsy is all and I'm sorry. But I could never be mad about that. So don't worry your pretty little head about it." He smiles at me but I can't return it.

"So... do you get it from other girls?" I ask. I don't even know where the question came from I hadn't planned on asking it, but it just came out and now I sat in anticipation waiting for his answer.

"I don't think we should talk about this, princess. Not right now," he says warily.

"Why not?" I snap. I don't even mean to, but I do. He raises a pierced brow at me.

"It's no secret that I have sex, Ok? You and I both know that I do. So don't you dare try and peg me as the bad guy. I'm waiting on you ok? It's not the other way around." I flinch at his choice of words. Hurt blooming in my chest. I turn away ready to go in the house and leave the shed when I hear scratching. A faint scratching. I pause looking around.

"Did you hear that?" I say. I look at Cal and he seems to be on the defensive.

"Hear what?"

"That scratching noise," I say. He only shrugs walking past me.

"Probably the rats. I need to lay down some traps since they decided to come in here for the winter." He grabs my arm on the way out, a little hard pulling me out of the shed and back into the house.

"You hungry?" Cal calls over his shoulder. I tear my gaze away from the shed and follow him into the kitchen.

"On second thought, I want to take you out." He turns towards me. There's a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"I want to show the world my princess." 

* * *  * *

I'm standing over the bed looking at the clothes he picked out for me to wear. A beautiful, black dress with ace trimming and the beautiful heels he had waiting for me the other morning. These shoes had to be at least $1500. They were beautiful.

After I shower and place my hair in a nice updo, I put on the dress and shoes, and walk into the living room, where Cal is waiting. He's wearing a dark Tux. And his hair is pushed back. He looked so damn good in that Tux.

His eyes light up when they fall on me. Lust clouding his gaze, as it travels up and down my body. He slowly walks towards me, and even in these heels, I have to crane my neck to look up at him. He pulls me close into his body, his hands resting possessively over my butt.

"You look so damn beautiful," he speaks the words into existence, and I feel myself growing warm. I can't help the smile that graces my face at his words. When he looked at me like that, and spoke to me like that, I actually believed him.

We walk in silence to the garage. I stand by the door as Cal grabs a set of keys. To which car I had no idea. Then the silver Aston Martin lights up.

The ride to the restaurant is nice and calm, and as soon as we get here the waiter seats us. This place looked like it was somewhere you had to have a reservation just to get in, but Cal got a seat right away. I had no idea how he did it, but I'm sure if I asked he would just avoid the question.

I'm looking around in awe when my gaze travels over Cal and I notice that he's watching me. Actually, watching is a mild way to put it. He's studying me. Very closely. I look away, and can feel the burn of my cheeks.

"I make you nervous." Cal's words come out like he's telling me. Hell he probably is. He could tell me how I was feeling before I even knew. I'm about to ask him how he knew when he speaks.

"You look everywhere but at me. And if you do look at me, you look away immediately. "

"I can't help it," I murmur. Cal chuckles lightly, reaching across the table and taking my hand in his.

"You don't have to be nervous around me princess." He smiles one of his rare smiles and I feel my heart skipping a beat at the sight. I try my best to stay focused and memorize it, because full blown smile from Cal wee so rare.

"You look stunning in that dress. I knew those heels would look good on you."

"These shoes must have cost you a fortune," I murmur. He only shrugs.

"It was money well spent." I decide to just leave it at that. If I asked him anything about how he got them, we would fight and the night would be ruined.

"Why'd you get them? For me, I mean. I didn't do anything to deserve them." Cal rolls his eyes at my words.

"I like to have nice things. I don't see why you shouldn't have them either." He leans back in his chair, his gaze never faltering.

"I told you're mine princess. Even if you don't know it yet." I ty and hide my shiver from the look on his face and the tone in his voice.

Eventually our waiter comes and Cal once again orders for me, but nothing for himself. The waiter scurries away with my order. And I'm once again left with Cal as he studies me. He snaps his fingers.

"Personal trainer," he says completely catching me off guard. I can't help it. I laugh. With everything that's been going on I completely forgot that Cal has been trying to guess what I was going to school for.

"No," I say. I remember the first time he guessed. He looked just as disappointed now as he did then.

"Damn. Don't tell me. I'll figure it out."

"So officer Bryan came by while you were in class." He has my hand in his, tracing his thumb lightly over my knuckles. The action is sending waves of electricity up my arm.

"What did he say?" I ask.

"Your father is out on bail. There is to be a court hearing in a few weeks."  

I can feel the dread as it curls up in the pit of my stomach. I hadn't seen or heard from my father. And now everyone was expecting me to press charges against him and get him locked up. And even after everything he had done to me, I don't know if I can do that. He was my father after all and he was suffering.

"It's going to be a private hearing, princess," he says as if sensing my unease. I nod my head.

"Will you come with me?" I ask. I look up and see a small smile on his lips.

"Of course baby."

I smile back at him. He was always there for me when I needed him.

"Cal... How do you know officer Bryan?" I ask. I recall the night I overheard them talking in the living room, and Cal was talking to him as if he weren't a police officer. And he almost sounded threatening.

"What makes you think I know him?" He's watching me without emotion on his face, as if waiting for a sign from me.

"I just figured you did," I say.

"We run in the same circles," he says. His tone is short and clipped. I nod my head. He seems to be thinking about his next sentence.

"I'm going to be out of town for a few days," he says. I can feel the disappointment blooming in my chest.

"Again?" I ask. He just got back from being out of town.

"Yeah." He still is focused on my hand as he draws his pattern.

"When?"

"In 2 days."

"How long?" 

He shrugs in response.

"I really can't say this time princess. It just depends on how things go." I let out a huff of disappointment. I couldn't even ask him what would be considered good enough for him to come back early because he hated talking about work. He places his hand against my face and I look up to see a soft smile.

"I'll be back before you know it."

Our food comes and a few minutes later so does the restaurant owner.

"King!" He shouts with his hands outstretched. I'm guessing that was Callums last name. Cal's whole demeanor shifts. He goes from being that warm person I Was used to, to some cold stranger.

"It's good to see you!" He shakes hands with Cal. And Cal gives him what seems to be a smirk instead of a friendly smile.

"So glad you chose to come here tonight for dinner!" The mans eyes travel to me. They widen slightly but he quickly recovers.

"And who is this beautiful flower?" He turns to me, taking my hand and kissing the top of it.

"It is a pleasure to meet you miss..."

"Rue," I fill in for him. I glance over his shoulder and Cal seems to be vibrating in anger. He looks terrifying as he glares at my hand where the owner kissed it. The owner looks back to Cal and begins talking.

"Maybe you can put in a good word with Vitale?" He winks at Cal laughing but Cal doesn't seem to be having it. He stands immediately.

"Can I talk to you for a second?" He doesn't wait for the owner to respond and walks out of earshot. 

I look over to him and see he's speaking a mile a minute. The owner seems to be paling more and more by the second. He shakes his head vigorously and an... evil smirk plays its way onto Cal's face. I can't help but wonder what that exchange is all about. But I know I can't ask him because he would probably get upset. And looking at him now, well I didn't want to be on the receiving end of his anger tonight.

He nods his head to the owner and walks over to me.

"Come on princess. We're leaving," he says. I stand and follow him outside to the parking lot.

"Are you ok?" I ask. He looks at me.

"Yeah why?"

"Because you kind of abruptly left after you chewed out the owner of the restaurant," I say. It was an obvious answer.

"Yeah. I just feel like going home. I'm real tired. You don't mind do you?" he asks. I shake my head.

"No I don't mind," I say. He clasps my hand in his.

"Good."

Fifteen minutes later we're at a gas station. The lot is virtually empty. Cal steps out to pump gas and I head inside the store to get a snack. I was still hungry seeing as we kind of left before I could eat anything.

I'm walking out of the store and I see Cal leaning against his car, with a cigarette between his lips. He pulls it out and blows a massive puff of smoke. He made it look so mesmerizing. I'm so caught up in watching Cal that I don't even notice the drunk stumbling into me.

"Damn.. baby.. you look fine as hell," he slurs out. He's leaning on me and I can smell the liquor coming off of him. Fear immediately shoots through me as images of my father flash across my mind.

I don't even get a chance to tell the man to get off. In a flash of black, Cal has the man pinned against the wall, his feet dangling as Cal holds him up. Rage is evident behind his amber gaze. He slams the man into the wall again.

"How dare you fucking touch her," he growls. The man tries to apologize but Cal begins punching him before he can.

"Cal!" I scream when he shows no sign of stopping. Blood is gushing from the mans nose and mouth but Cal seems too high-strung and angry, he doesn't care to stop.

"Cal!" I scream. I run towards him in a panic. Cal grabs the man around the throat. I've never seen him like this. It was utterly terrifying. I notice that he's reaching around him.

"Cal stop!" I grab onto his arm and he looks at me with that gaze. He glares at me for a long time before finally letting the man go. He slides down the wall slowly, coughing up blood and spitting out a tooth.

"Cal...," I whisper in disbelief. He seems to finally register what he's done.

"Come on Rue. Let's go." I want to stay here. I want to argue with him. I want an explanation of what the hell just happened. But I know that now is definitely not the time to test him.

Cal rarely ever called me Rue. He only called me that if he were mad or trying to get his point across. So the fact that he used it after he beat the life out of a drunk, told me there was no room for argument at this point. Shaking in my heels, I follow Cal to the car, trying to keep my thoughts quiet until I was at least in bed.