Misfits - Chapter 18 (Patreon)

Scared. I’m scared to open my eyes. I can feel Cal’s fingers lightly tickling my cheek, pulling me from my deep slumber. I’m afraid that if I do, this will all be a dream, and I will be pulled back into reality. I take a deep breath, and open my eyes, ready to face the day. I jump in shock. Cal is already awake. And he’s staring at me.

“Goodmorning,” he mumbles. His voice is deep and scratchy. He slides his hand down from my cheek and begins caressing my exposed shoulder, and I can feel myself burning as I remember those same hands on my body last night.

“Hi,” I whisper. I look away from him, unable to make eye contact. I had sex. With Cal. Last night. I gave him my virginity. I didn’t even think twice about it. I didn’t think of the consequences it would incur, and I didn’t think of the reasons as to why it wasn’t a good idea. I feel Cal’s fingertips lightly tracing my cheek.

“Don’t think about it too much, princess,” he says.

“You hungry? I’ll go make us some breakfast.” He gives me a quick peck on the lips and jumps up from the bed, and I avert my gaze immediately from his naked body. He was so open and didn’t care about anything. And I was still nervous as hell. As soon as Cal exits the room I roll over in confusion.

I had sex with him last night! Why would I do that? I didn’t even say anything about protection, we didn’t even use a fucking condom and he could be carrying some disease or anything! Now he had all kinds of leverage over me. He was my first. I had given him the thing he was chasing after.

“I want you, princess. And everything you have to offer.”

My mind flashes to his words when we first met. And I gave it to him last night when I should have demanded answers. I sit up in bed and wince in pain. He wasn’t lying when he said I’d be sore. I slowly get out of bed and head to his bedroom.

Once I’ve gone through my morning routine and found something to wear I head into the kitchen. Cal was behind the counter, making pancakes. His usually pushed-back hair was wild and looked sexy as hell. And he was only in a pair of gray sweatpants. He looks up at my entrance and a smile graces his face. He drops what he’s doing to make his way over to me, and pulls me in for a warm hug. Then, he pulls me in closer for a searing kiss.

“You’re beautiful,” he says as he studies my face. When he spoke to me like that and looked at me like that, I actually believed him. I believed that I was beautiful.

“Last night was amazing.” He pushes my curls out of my face.

“I’m glad you chose me to be your first princess. I promise you won’t regret it.” His face is serious as he says this to me. I can only hope that he really means it. He guides me over to the table, pulling the seat out for me.

The room is silent as he sets the table and places my food in front of me. Even then, I still don’t speak. I stare at my food, poking at the fluffy pancake in front of me.

“You’re not eating. And you’re avoiding eye contact.” Cal finally speaks his observations. I knew he would sooner or later.

“I...” I don’t even know what to say. When I look up Cal is staring at me. But not in adoration. He’s studying me. Figuring out what is wrong with me before I can even form the words to describe it. He lets out a deep breath sitting back in his chair.

“You regret last night.” His voice is deadpan.

“No...” I can’t even form the words to tell him he’s wrong. Did I regret it?

“We didn’t do anything wrong, princess.”

“I know,” I mumble.

“I just... I don’t want to have made a huge mistake,” I say. He grabs my hand in his.

“I promise you won’t regret being with me, baby.”

The rest of the day is uneventful. Cal and I sit in the loft, and Cal stays on his computer while I get caught up on all of my work. Thanksgiving break is next week and I had papers due before the break. It was somewhat exciting, imagining what this year would hold. Usually, I would be beaten or hidden somewhere in my house, but now I was with Callum. And I’m sure he had something planned.

“So what did you think about Vitale?” I look up from my reading. Cal’s gaze is still trained on the computer screen.

“Um, he was.. intimidating,” I answer honestly. Vitale was actually terrifying. And his words to me were even more so. He had told me Cal was dangerous. I know he has a temper when it comes to people insulting him, but how could he be so dangerous that his own boss warned me about him?

Cal scoffs at my words, pulling me from my thoughts.

“He tell you anything?”

“No. He only told me.. that you were dangerous.” This catches Cal’s attention. He tilts his head from behind the computer gazing at me.

“He said what?”

“That you were dangerous. He also said you don’t know control,” I say. Each word I speak getting softer and softer because his gaze gets harder and harder. He sits back in the chair, crossing his arms. The room is silent while Cal’s in deep thought and I can’t help but wonder if I just made a huge mistake.

“What do you think?” he says out of nowhere.

“About what?” I ask.

“Do you think I’m dangerous?” His gaze is piercing through my soul. I shake my head in reaction. Cal laughs.

“You say no, but your body language is telling me something else entirely.”

“How can you tell based on my body language,” I ask genuinely curious. He was always able to read my emotions just by gazing at me.

“Well...” He stands walking over to me.

“Your muscles are tense. Including your jaw, I can tell you’re biting down on it rhythmically.” He gestures to my hands.

“Your hands are clasped in your lap. I can see the veins meaning they’re tightly clasped. Another sign of you being tense. Eye contact. Instead of answering me, you shook your head avoiding my gaze before and after you did it. You fidget. You only started doing that when I asked you about Vitale. And I bet if I check your heart rate right now, it’ll be higher than normal.” He nears me the whole time he is speaking so when he’s done he places his palm flat against my chest, meeting my gaze.

“I was right,” he says smiling at me. He places his hands between my thighs, pulling my legs apart and kneeling in between them. I’m completely shocked at how well he can read my body language and tell what I’m feeling.

“I told you, princess. You don’t ever have to be afraid of me. I’m here to protect you. There is no way I could ever hurt you ok?” he asks. I nod my head slowly, and his smile deepens.

“That’s my girl.” I expect him to go back to his computer but he stays between my legs. He begins tracing a circular pattern on my exposed thigh.

“You like me, right?” he asks. He doesn’t look up this time. He just keeps his eyes trained on my thigh.

“Yes of course. Why are you asking me that?” I ask. He only shrugs.

“Do you think you could love me one day...,” he says. His voice sounds so vulnerable. I feel my heart stop. Of course, I did. Hell, I even felt like I was in love with him now, but I had zero experience in relationships. And I didn’t know if this was love that I was feeling, or lust, or just the fact that he had rescued me from everything and I was forever grateful. So I settle on a simple,

“Yes.” That’s when he looks up. His face is stone cold.

“Don’t say it unless you mean it, Rue. Do you really think you could love me?”

“I...I think I do... But I’m not sure. I don’t know what it’s like to love. I don’t know if what I feel towards you is lov-” I’m cut off when Cal smashes his lips against mine. He kisses me so fervently with such a burning passion, I can feel the heat boiling deep within me. He finally pulls away. His eyes searching mine.

“Promise me. You won’t ever look at me like I’m the villain.” He reaches out clasping my hand in his and squeezing it tightly.

“Promise me, Rue.” For the first time, I see something in his eyes that I have never seen before. Desperation.

“I promise,” I say. I don’t think I could ever see him as a villain. He was Cal. My Cal. He protected me no matter what. Even when he barely knew me he was still reaching out to me, helping me in anyway he could. How could I ever see someone like that as a bad guy? He places a gentle kiss on my hand.

“Don’t say it unless you mean it, Rue.” His voice is almost a whisper. I nod my head trying to reassure him.

“I mean it, Cal. I could never see you as the bad guy. You’ve done so much for me, how could someone that does everything you have, be bad?” I ask. He doesn’t answer. He only laughs. A small laugh as if he knew something that I didn’t.

“You’re so innocent, princess.” He mumbles. If I weren’t watching his face, I may have missed it. I reach up and run my fingers through his soft locks. His hand reaches out snatching my hand mid-air, and he slowly gets up, pressing his lips against mine.

Suddenly, my body is being lifted out of the chair, and I’m being laid gently on the floor. Cal’s kiss becomes more urgent, and he begins running his hands along my body. I can feel my heart rate skyrocketing in anticipation of what was to come.

Cal begins kissing a burning trail down my throat, and I can feel his hands pushing my shirt up. Before he can get any further though, a ring sounds throughout the house. Cal tenses over me, and I realize it’s the doorbell.

He groans in irritation and pulls away looking at me with an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry, princess.“ He gets up and heads down the stairs. After I fix my shirt I follow him down the stairs and into the entry area, freezing when I see who it is.

Vitale. He’s hanging his coat up and Cal is smiling at him like they are the best of friends. Once Vitale sees me his grin goes from friendly to mischievous.

“Ah. Nice to see you in one piece, flower,” he says. I look to Cal and I can see the irritation on his face at Vitale. Vitale takes my silence and laughs.

“What did you do to her Callum? Got her afraid that you’ll do something to her if she speaks?” he jokes, but I can see the genuine curiosity in his eyes. I look at Cal in confusion, trying to figure out why he would think that about Cal.

“We’re not here to discuss my personal life, Vitale,” he says. Vitale raises a brow at Cal but doesn’t push the issue.

“You’re right. Lead the way.”

“You go ahead, I’ll catch up with you in a little bit I need to make sure Rue doesn’t get into anything.” Cal jokes and Vitale only chuckles, leaving the room.

“What was that all about?” I ask.

“What.”

“Got her afraid to speak? What did he mean by that?” I ask.

“Nothing. He was just trying to figure out why you weren’t saying anything it was just a joke.” I cross my arms in irritation. Surely he didn’t think I was that dumb.

“Cal. He asked if you made me afraid to speak. Why would he ask that of all things?”

“I don’t know princess. And as much as I’d love to sit here and decipher his hidden meanings, I have work to do.” I flinch from his tone. He immediately notices and places his hands on my shoulders, letting out a deep sigh.

“I’m sorry. I have to go now. Stay inside. Please.” He walks away from me heading down the hallway. I wait until I hear the door open that I sprint to look out the window, trying to figure out where he is going. He goes into the shed.

* * * * *

“Would all rise. the honorable judge Robinson is presiding.” The judge walks in, taking his seat behind the giant desk, looking at some files.

“You may be seated.” The judge pulls on his glasses and begins reading the files. My eyes scan the room, and fear immediately takes hold of my chest, and my blood runs cold as ice in my veins. My father is staring at me. His expression is filled with so much hate and rage. A cold sweat breaks out across my flesh, and I try my hardest to stop myself from shivering. But I’m beginning to fail miserably.

Then I feel a warm hand taking hold of mine. I glance to my left, and Cal is giving me a reassuring smile. I nod my head in understanding, and he leans in giving me a quick kiss on the temple.

“Mr. Johnson, you are being charged with assault, assault with a deadly weapon, and attempted murder of your daughter, Ms. Rue Johnson. How do you plead?”

My father's lawyer stands.

“My client would like to plead not guilty by reason of insanity, your honor.” Cal's grip on my hand tightens slightly.

“Ok. Let us proceed. If you would like to issue your opening statement.” The judge speaks. My father's lawyer stands.

“My client has had a hard life. He lost his wife to an incurable sickness years ago and has been a single father raising his daughter and paying bills on his own. your honor, my client has had a hard life. The toll it could take on a person to lose the love of their life could push anyone to the brink of sanity, mentally crippling the one still living. I ask, your honor, that you not subject this man, that was beaten in his own home, to life in prison. But help him. Let him get the psychiatric care that he needs.”

I want to roll my eyes. My father was perfectly sane all those years. And now he was trying to use an insanity charge to get a cushy room and evaluation rehab that would eventually allow him to be released back into the world.

I feel my throat tightening, as my breathing catches. I can’t breathe. I cough, trying to get the lump out of my throat, as my heart rate skyrockets. My chest feels like it’s going to collapse. My vision becomes clouded and I grow dizzy. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe.

“Breathe, baby.” Cal’s words penetrate through my haze. I’m trying, I’m trying too hard. But nothing is happening. I open my mouth but nothing comes out or goes in but a squeak. There are more hands around me, a gas mask is placed over my mouth and nose, and cool air finally fills my lungs.

“That’s it, sweetheart, breathe in and out slowly. That’s it. Good.” I look up to see a pretty nurse smiling at me as I try and catch my breath. Everyone in the courtroom is looking at me in shock. I can feel Cal’s hands on my back, rubbing small circles. I try and focus on him, making my breathing come in.

“Panic attack.”

The words break through my haze, and I look up at the nurse. Her head is turned towards the judge. After what seems like forever I finally catch my breathing.

“We’ll have a 30-minute recess for Ms. Johnson to recover.” He bangs his gavel and the room disperses. Cal keeps a hand on me as I walk out of the room. He sits me on the nearest bench, his concerned amber irises appearing in my line of vision.

“You ok, princess?” I try my best to calm my breathing.

“Yeah... I don’t know what just happened..”

“You had a panic attack..”

“Oh gosh..” I whisper. Cal looks up and stands quickly.

“I’ll be right back. Stay put.” His voice is sharp and leaves no room for argument as he rounds the corner.

I stand after him and head in search of a water fountain, really needing something to drink. I round the corner and immediately jump back. Cal had my fucking father by his throat.

“You want to plead insanity? You better drop that bullshit, or you won’t like what happens. Understand? I thought officer Bryan already explained things to you.”

My father mumbles something but Cal only pulls him off the wall and shoves him rougher into it.

“Last fucking chance. Take back that insanity plea, or I will make you wish death would come quickly by the time you leave that courtroom.”

I hear my father chuckle.

“I don’t know who you think you-” Cal wraps his hand around his throat cutting him off. I feel a tinge of fear as I watch Cal’s face. He looks terrifying.

“I’m Callum fucking King. Remember that name. Because it is the name that sentenced you to fucking hell.” I quickly scurry away before Cal notices me, not even hearing the end of that conversation.

I can only have more confusion and mystery shrouding the man I had given everything to.