“Are you hungry?” he finally asks.
“I should probably get home. I work another morning shift.” I really can’t afford to eat out, much as I want to.
“My treat,” he offers, and now I feel like a charity case, even though I know that’s not his intent.
Glancing at my watch, I see the time and already know traffic will be terrible, so I relent. “Alright.”
“Great. But next time, try to look enthusiastic,” he teases.
“Sorry. I’m just tired, but I know traffic will be horrendous right now.”
“Stop apologizing to me, Calla. There isn’t’ a damn thing you have to be sorry about.” Nodding my head, I don’t know what to say as we walk back to his bike. Storing our purchases in the saddlebags, I climb on behind him. This time I don’t hesitate to cuddle into his back.
Riding with Jace on the way here was exhilarating. I should have been scared, but after closing my eyes and giving into the desire to hold on to him as tight as I could, I relaxed for the first time in months. I loved the way my body fit around his. The way his body maneuvered such a beast of a machine. I loved everything about the ride here. If I’m honest, I don’t want it to end.
Chapter 3
Jace
Dinner was quiet with small talk over a shared plate of nachos and hot wings. I did learn a few things about Calla, though. She doesn’t like tomatoes but loves salsa. She’ll eat sour cream, but only if there are peppers on the food, and the more cheese, the better. I could also tell from the look in her eyes that going for a long ride along the beach is something she enjoys. However, getting her address on the way back took a lot of cajoling because she did not want to give it up, and now that I’m parked in front of her apartment building, I understand why. It’s a fucking shithole. But I keep that to myself because I know she’s already embarrassed, and if I say anything, it’ll only amplify her humiliation.
As I help her off my bike, Calla is the most relaxed I’ve ever seen her. I hand over her shopping bag, but I don’t want to let her go yet. “I’ll walk you up,” I insist. She stares for a minute between me and the building before nodding and leading the way.
We bound up a few flights of stairs before entering her floor and walking to the end of the hallway. Seeing her jiggle the flimsy lock with her key, my desire to leave evaporates even more.
Once the door is open, Calla spins to face me. “Thank you for today. I had fun,” she says. Her blush is adorable.
Brushing a strand of dark hair behind her ear, I lean down. “I did too. I’d like to come in.” Her entire body freezes. “To talk, Calla. Just talk.”
She relaxes nominally. “It’s kind of sparse.” There she goes, chewing on that lip again.
“I don’t care.”
Reluctance to allow me inside is written all over her, but she gives in. Pushing the door open further, I place a hand on her back to guide her in before following and shutting and locking the thin piece of wood behind me.
A quick glance around only confirms Calla's comment. It is sparse. Nothing on the walls, no table. No knickknacks to show anyone has made a home here. It’s a resting place for two girls trying to get by. A sofa sits in front of the one window with a TV on a stand in the corner.
“Uhm, so, would you like something to drink?” Calla is standing in what would be the kitchen. It’s basically a counter in between the fridge and stove.
“Sure.”
“Have a seat.” She waves to the small cream-colored sofa that probably costs more than the actual apartment. “What would you like?”
“Whatever you’ve got.” Pulling out two bottles of orange juice, I’m starting to think she lives on this stuff.
“You wanted to talk.” She exudes a bit more confidence in her own space, and I’m liking it.
As she hands me the juice, I pull her down beside me and turn my body to face her. I don’t just want to talk. I want to learn more about Calla, and I need her to want to take an interest in me too.
“You’ve said more here than when we were at dinner,” I point out.
Her fingers play with the label on the bottle in her hands. Shrugging, she stares up at me. “It’s hard for me.” I nod, already knowing that. “Where are your parents?” she counters instead of elaborating.
“Santa Barbara. My dad is a police chief, and my mom is a housewife. She also runs a charity for battered women.” Pride for my parents is evident in my voice.
“Did you grow up there?”
Grabbing the bottle from her hands, I twist the cap off for her. “No. I grew up here in Long Beach. My parents moved there about six years ago when my dad was offered the position after serving with LAPD for twenty years.”
“You probably didn’t get away with much as a kid then, huh?” I tilt my head, curious about her line of questioning.
“No. Cade and Beckett’s dad is a former prosecutor for the LAPD as well, so we kept our noses pretty clean.” We did get in a fair amount of shit over the years, though.
“How old are you, Jace?”
Really confused now, I respond, “Thirty-four.”
“You know I’m eighteen, right?”
“I’m aware. What are you looking for here, Calla?” I’m missing something, and I don’t like it much.
“She’s trying to figure out the best way to make you back off.” The door slams shut as Cali walks in.
“That so?” My question is directed at Calla.
“Damn right. She’s so twisted up inside because of that bitch of a mother that Calla has no damn clue how to be loved. It terrifies her. And it should. I don’t even know what happened, and I’m sad for her. But dammit, Calla, Jace is a good guy. Stop trying to pick him apart and show him you aren’t worthy. Trust him.” After her tirade, Cali stomps through the apartment and into the bathroom. The shower can be heard a minute later.
“That true?” Calla’s head is down, and I can see the red tinge on her cheeks. Not wanting to push, I grab the remote and turn on the TV before pulling her into my lap and leaning back against the arm of the sofa.
She’ll open up to me when she’s ready.
I hope.
Calla
* * *
I could die from what Cali spat out before going into the shower. I could kill her for spilling it out in the open.
What burns most is that she isn’t wrong. I wish, like hell, she was, but Cali was spot on in her assumptions. I’m terrified of affection of any kind. It’s why I’ve done my best to stay away from my dad and sister.
My own family.
I’m so damn scared that if they don’t love me, how will anyone else?
Except I haven’t even given them the chance to learn anything about me because even though I’m here, working less than a minute away from them, living in the same city, I barely know them either. I don’t give them the chance to.
And now, even after today, even though Cali has been teasing me about our connection, I never believed her. Although, Jace did confirm his interest in me with that kiss. Unless…