Beyond Repair (Broken Girl Book 1) (12 page)

I’m two steps away from the doors of my salvation when I hear my name and halt my steps.
Busted.
I’d normally ignore it, but the voice calling me belongs to a very attractive man. One that has a perfect mouth which I stuck my tongue down earlier today. Speaking of that, maybe I should ignore him. It’s probably wiser. I mean, I really can’t risk my insanity ruling my actions again and making me repeat that. Even if he did taste like mint and Christmas. Wait, what?
Christmas.
Oh boy, I really do need a drink. I move to take another step towards the bar but he calls me again and, damn it, I don’t want to walk away from him. I turn and force a smile. I can’t have him knowing an odd little part of me is secretly thrilled that he’s here.

“Hey, Callum. Everything okay?”

Please leave.
God, things were so much easier when my very presence made him mad.

“I don’t know, Little Bit, you tell me.”

The sincerity and concern in his eyes has me wanting to take a short walk off a building. I really want to lie to him,
really
want to tell him that everything is just peach perfect, but for some ungodly reason I can’t. Haven’t been able to since he came stumbling to my rescue on my less than glamourous walk of shame. I cross my arms across my chest and try to will away the silent tremors that are still running through me.
Get a grip, girl.

“I’m okay.”

Saying it doesn’t make it suddenly true like I naïvely hoped and Callum isn’t fooled either. His dark eyebrow arches at me, mocking my attempt at pretending. God, even his eyebrows are perfect. Why is he so attractive? And why am I thinking about his fucking eyebrows? That’s weird even for me. I need to let this shit go.

“Lyds, I know you’re not okay. Don’t worry. I know enough not to ask why, but let me take you home.”

I blow out a long breath. I should probably let him, I mean I could do with a nap. Plus I really want to sidle up nice and close to him in his truck again. Not that he needs to know that. I should probably put up some sort of fight, as it would make it seem less suspicious. I mean, it’s not my usual attitude to do as I’m told. 

“I don’t need taking home, Callum. I need a drink,” I say, only half lying.

I really do need a drink. Alcohol always makes medication transition better.
Ish.
As long as I’m careful, and I’m a pro and juggling the two. Maybe I could convince Callum to get drunk with me. Then we can have drunken naked fun, and blame it all on the alcohol. Wait, why am I fantasizing about touching intimates with Callum Reeves? That is so wrong. I really have to get laid again soon, I’m getting out of control.

“You don’t need a drink,” he steps beside me and wraps an arm over my shoulder. “Come on, I’ll even let you pick which radio station we listen to on the way.”

Inside I’m beaming, but I huff out a grunt, “Fine.”

I follow him to his truck and offer him a sarcastic smile as he opens the door for me. He chuckles in response and it hits me like music to my ears. I’m not even going to analyze how ridiculous that thought is. Nope. Not happening. My fucking brain has apparently taken to all new heights of insanity today and no amount of white pills and calm thinking are going to save my ass. He climbs in beside me and smiles before starting up the engine. I mess with the car stereo until some preppy pop song begins to pollute the small space, feeling serious satisfaction at the multiple groans that erupt from him. I just love messing with the poor fucker, and yes I know all about what that means, I just wish I could find the sense to care about that right now. With Kitty and Joe about to start their family, I need all the friends I can get. Even if that
friend
is the prettiest damn man I’ve ever laid eyes on.

"Do you want to come up? I won’t be long.”

Lydia smirks but I can see the unease there. She looked about ready to fall asleep at the table in the diner. Kate told me a few days ago that her doctor has changed her medication and it makes her tired. I haven’t commented on it, not wanting Lydia to feel uncomfortable. We’re civil, but we’re not exactly best buds, and after she kissed me this morning I’m feeling all kinds of awkward around her. I wait for her to offer me some smart ass reply, but she doesn’t. She just nods and jumps out the truck. I shake my head and follow her out. She hasn’t been right since Mayor Baker showed up at the diner. I don’t know what the deal is there, but I’m learning to keep my mouth clamped shut on all things Baker Family related, which is difficult when the man asks me twenty times a day what his daughter’s plans are.
Is she planning to stay in Park Bay? Is she taking her medication?

At first I figured it was just a worried father asking too many questions, but now I’m not so sure. I mean, I know she’s difficult but shouldn’t he be asking
her
these questions? I don’t like being middle guy between the two as whenever I mention our Mayor to Lydia she snaps. I don’t really want to risk our truce on it, and honestly I don’t want to risk the friendship we’re building either.

I lead her up to my loft and show her inside. I expect her to be shy, but I should know better. She waltzes her way inside and immediately strolls into my kitchen and over to the coffee maker. I watch in mild amusement is she fills it and then searches for cups. I can see her frustrations growing as she starts rearranging them in the cupboard. I walk over to join her, but she turns as I approach and knocks us both into the counter. I steady her by gripping her hips but still manage to bump into her. She’s bent forward, and I’m directly behind her, meaning we’re in the most ridiculously inappropriate position we could be. I wait for her to push me away, but she doesn’t. Instead she wiggles her ass against my crotch and giggles.

“Geez, dude. At least take me to dinner first.”

I stifle my groan and force myself to think of the football stats in an attempt to stop the blood that’s rushing straight to my dick. I cannot let her feel the effect she has on me because it will certainly make things even weirder than they are. Plus, I know this girl, and she’ll never let me live it down. At all. I will be the ass of all her jokes until the end of time, and Lord knows she doesn’t need any more ammunition in that department. Unfortunately, my body has a mind of its own and instead of apologizing and walking away like I should do, I run my hands up the sides of her body and then grip the edge of the counter, caging her in. She straightens so I step closer, pressing my body against her. She smells like apples and vanilla, a scent I’ve gotten far too used to. I press my mouth against her ear, whispering low.

“If you want me to feed you, I’ve got an idea of something I could put in your mouth.”

Where the hell did that come from? She gasps, but it’s full of lust and not surprise. I could take her. I could take her right here, over this counter, and with no mercy. I could wrap my hand in that black hair and pull it until her so her back arches perfectly and slam my cock right inside her. I could, and I really want to, but I shouldn’t. It would ruin everything, and Kate would have my balls.

With a silent groan of frustration, I pull back from her. She turns and all I can do is offer her an apologetic smile. It’s pathetic, and as aware of this as I am, I don’t give her anything else. She chuckles quietly and shakes her head.

“Don’t worry, Cal. We both know you couldn’t handle my crazy ass anyway,” I don’t get to reply as she strolls out. She turns back and flashes me a devilish smile that makes her look like she knows all my secret thoughts. “I’ll wait for you in the car.”

I stand for a solid five minutes, just staring in the wake of Lydia and willing the raging hard on tenting my shorts to disappear.
That girl
. I physically shake it off and walk over to my closet. I dig out a pair of jeans and change into them. I’m heading over to Dale’s after I’ve dropped Lydia off. Originally, we were going to head up to the city and hit some bars, but I wasn’t really feeling up to it. However now, I could really do with the drink. On that thought I change my shirt into something more suited for a night out and with a deep breath, head down to my truck.

Lydia is silent on the drive to her place, then all but dives out as I park up. She offers a silent wave then runs into her apartment. I push down the disappointment at not being invited inside because it’s a stupid thought to have, and head over to Dale’s. Jake is already there and so after making quick motel reservations for tonight, we jump the bus to Greenvale City. We grab a quick dinner at a popular pizza place, then settle in at a sports bar. The waitresses walk around in skimpy outfits, leaving nothing to the imagination. I smile inside. Perverted as it is, this is exactly what I need to get a certain little crazy chick out of my mind. I have a big week next week and I need my mind clear for it. Mayor Baker is being featured in a national broadcast for being one of the longest standing Mayors of a small town. I have so much I need to prepare for it, including the speeches and press release for the televised interview. I push all thoughts of work out of my mind and focus on the tiny blonde in the corner of the bar. She’s with a group of other girls, but it’s obvious she’d rather be anywhere but here. After a few seconds, she catches me looking and I flash her my best smile. When she returns it, I know I’m in, and so I offer my friends a silent salute before heading over to her. Signaling the bartender discreetly as I approach, I place my hand on her lower back.

“Can I buy you a drink, sweetheart?”

“Yeah, okay.”

"I said I’ll give you a ride.”

Lydia sighs down the phone. I’ve been trying to convince her that I can take her into the city tomorrow for the past ten minutes but she’s not sold on the idea. She still hasn’t been given the okay to drive, and she needs to pick up a laptop or something for work. Fuck knows. We both know that public transport isn’t as option for her though, and with Kate at Joe’s parents for the weekend, i’m her only reasonable option.

“But don’t you have a lot going on?”

I know she’s referring to all the media stuff with the Mayor. The town has been crazy all week with it, but it’s finally over for now. We don’t have to worry until it airs in a few months. I cast a glance at the clock on the wall of my office. I finish work in a couple of minutes and I can’t wait to get out of here. Tensions have been running high and I’m dying to just go home. At least I get to finish earlier because it’s Friday.

“No, I’m totally free. I’ll be over later with that book you asked for from Kate. She dropped it at the loft before heading out. Do you need anything picking up from town?”

“Okay, pick me up at nine tomorrow? And no I don’t think so. Thank you.”

“Yeah nine is fine. Later.”

I hang up the call and begin to pack up my things. Two seconds later, Mayor Baker opens my office door and strolls in. I smile and force down the doubt that always creeps up my throat whenever he’s around. I never felt like this before I saw Lydia’s reaction to him. It’s stupid, and insane, and it would be a lot easier if it stopped.

“What are you still doing here, Mr Reeves?”

There’s humor in his voice so I laugh a little, “Just finishing up some stuff, Mayor.”

“Oh Callum, I’ve known you since you were in diapers. Call me Mark, son.”

He’s said this to me about three times a day since I started working here, but I never do it. Doesn’t feel right. He’s my boss and I have respect for him. He earned his title, so he should be addressed by it, regardless of how long I’ve known him.

“I’m just about to head off now,” I tell him. “Do you need anything else before I go?”

“No, no. you get off. You did great work this week, Callum. Thanks to you, I seem like much more than a small town Mayor,” he winks in my direction.

Again, I laugh. Not because he’s hilarious, but because I feel like I should, “You don’t need my help for that, sir.”

He smiles, “You have a good weekend. Oh and if you see my daughter can you please send my regards.”

“Of course.”

I park up outside my building, twenty minutes later, and let my head fall back against the seat. I close my eyes for a short second. It really has been a long week. Maybe I can get an hour’s sleep in before I go over to Lydia’s. Christ knows how long I’ll end up there for later. It all depends on her mood. Sometimes she’s up for hanging out and I can be there for hours. Other times she’s antsy in my presence and I can tell she just wants to be alone. It’s exhausting, but the more I get to know her, the more I accept her quirks. The things that used to annoy the ever loving shit out of me are starting to have new meaning. I’m beginning to understand her, a little. I mean, she’s still crazy but I can almost always interpret what her rambling means.

I climb from the car and up to my loft with my mind still on her. When I walk in, my eyes immediately find the DVD stand she bought. She turned up with it two days ago, apparently unable to deal with the knowledge that my DVDs were sporadically lay about the place. She watched with fierce intensity as I put it together and then set herself on a mini-mission to find all the loose movies. I stared after her in a mixture of awe and amusement as she stacked them all in alphabetical order. She wasn’t dressed in her usual bright colors. She looked almost normal in jeans, chucks and one of the shirts she likes to wear with the odd slogans on the front. That one had ‘Eat Me’ in big red writing across her chest, and yes, I was looking at her chest. How could I not? She’s fucking stunning, tits that anyone would more than appreciate.

I think of them now as I head to my bathroom and start the shower. The thought alone has me sporting a semi. I strip off my suit and step under the water. As it rains on me I take a grip of my dick, stroking it a couple of times. I close my eyes and let the image of her fill my mind. Her face, her tiny body, that perfect curve of her ass. I imagine it without clothes as I jerk harder. I let myself fantasize the way I can only get away with in private. I think about how good it would feel to have her in here with me, have her on her knees before me with my cock between those pouty rose lips.

The buzzer going off disrupts my dream and causes me to groan out loud. I debate ignoring it, but when it sounds for a second time I hop out and grab a towel from the rack.

“Hello?” I shout down the speaker as I wrap the over-fluffy cotton around my waist.

“Callum? Callum, is that you? It’s Cerys.”

What the fuck?
Cerys?
What the hell is she doing here?

“Cal? Are you there? Can you let me in?”

“Uh,” I stutter. “Um, sure.”

I buzz her in and then rush to my closet to find more suitable clothes. It must be important if she’s travelled all the way here. Shit, I hope nothing serious has happened. I’m just about dressed when she knocks at the door. I hurry over and throw it open. She stands there, the same flawless beauty as before with a small smile on her face. I usher her inside and motion for her to sit down. I don’t offer her a drink. Until I know what the hell she wants, I’m not offering her anything. It’s bad enough that she just interrupted my ‘me time’ in the shower.

“What’s going on, Cerys?” I ask, taking the chair opposite her.

“I saw you on TV today,” she says. “And it got me thinking.”

“About what?”

“About us.”

She has got to be fucking joking, “What about us? There is no us, Cerys. You left me remember.”

She has the decency to look almost regretful as she brings her eyes to mine. The ambers in them give nothing away, but then they never have done. She flicks her hair over her shoulder and smiles.

“I know. I’m sorry for that. I think I may have acted too hastily. I didn’t give you a chance and I was really cold to just leave like that.”

“You think?”

I can’t help the sarcasm that laces my voice. She flinches from it but recovers quickly. Before she can say anything else my cell chimes from the coffee table with a text. I glance at the screen and hide my smile when Lydia’s name flashes. Cerys notices it too but I don’t offer an explanation. Why should I? I pick up the cell and open the message.

Lydia:
I lied. I do need something. Any chance you could bring me food when you come? I can’t order takeout again. I’m on first name terms with most of the delivery guys.

I laugh quietly and tap out a reply.

Me:
Sure thing. What do you want? Chinese food? Also, stop getting friendly with delivery guys. They could be serial killers.

I’m completely ignoring Cerys as I continue to text back and forth with Lydia, but I don’t care.

Lydia:
You could be a serial killer, but I still continue to let you inside my house. What can I say, Reeves? I like to live on the wild side of life.

Me:
Oh yeah, you’re out of control. I’ll be over soon.

Lydia:
How soon? I’m dying of hunger here. Save me, Callum. My appetite needs you. Be a hero.

Me:
Alright, calm down. Leaving now.

I chuckle as I slide my cell into my pocket then focus my attention back on Cerys. She’s watching me with her usual mixture of annoyance and suspicion. I brush it off. I don’t need to put up with this shit anymore.

“Look, I’ve got somewhere I need to be. I’ll call you.”

I stand up from the sofa and head to the front door. I open it wide, and thankfully she gets the hint and strolls through. I shut it behind her and release the breath of frustration I was holding.
What the fuck was that all about?
I shove it down, deciding I can only deal with one crazy chick tonight, and that one is currently waiting for me to deliver food and one of the smutty books her and Kate get off reading. I grab the book of the kitchen counter and head out the door.

My sexual frustration from earlier rears its angry head again the second Lydia opens her front door. It takes all the self-restraint I have to not drop to my knees and beg her to touch my penis. It’s not even like she’s dressed in Victoria’s Secret lingerie or anything and that’s the point. She’s standing at the door with hair the color of blue candy barely contained in some weird folded arrangement on her head, square rimmed glasses covering her eyes, and wearing nothing but a large Star Wars shirt.
Shit.
She looks fucking sensational and I’m standing here like a moron holding a book in one hand and takeout in another. She smiles wide and snatches the food from my hand.

“Oh thank fuck,” she says, then bounds inside. I follow her, forcing my mind to think of anything other than her right now.

Football stats, chicken pot pie, lamp, table.

None of it works. My libido goes into overdrive when I walk into the lounge and see she has some porn movie paused on the TV screen.
What the fuck?
Why is she watching porn? I mean, really? Fuck. Lydia strolls out of the kitchen with the food and cutlery. She jumps onto the sofa and balances the tub on her knee, her laptop taking space on the other. She turns and looks at me, that knowing smirk on her face again.

“Wanna watch with me?”

It’s not a question. It’s a dare. I can’t refuse, no matter how painful it will be. I force a shrug and sit down on the sofa beside her. She passes me a fork and a tub of food.

“Do you always watch porn whilst you work?” I ask, inclining my head at her laptop.

She smiles and clicks play on the remote, “Sometimes. I like to pick apart the plot. Gets my brain working,” she shovels a forkful of noodles into her mouth. “Plus, who doesn’t like porn?”

I laugh sarcastically. Today is turning out to be quite the day.

It takes all my mental strength to make it through the two hours I spend with Lydia, but somehow I manage it without removing my clothes and asking her to put me out of my misery. Of course, Lydia seemed to enjoy the whole experience. I know that’s because we’re firmly in each other’s friendzones. It’s really fantastic. Honest -
not
. After I leave her apartment, I can’t face going home so I head to Roy’s. The first face I see is Cerys’. She’s sitting at the bar, staring into a glass of wine. I can tell she doesn’t trust it from here, and if I had to guess, I’d say she’s been nursing it since she left my loft. Speaking of which, what the hell is she doing in here?

I walk over to hear and drop onto the barstool beside her. She turns to me, her face hopeful. Am I an asshole for considering using her to deal with the blue-ball situation I’ve got going on down south? Probably. Am I going to do it anyway? Definitely. One way or another, I’ve got to put my dick inside a female tonight. Seeing as though I can’t have the one my dick so desperately wants, he’s going to have to deal with the one I can get. I flash Cerys the same smile I used when I first approached her in college and put my hand on her arm.

“Let’s get you a bottle of something you will actually drink and go back to my place to talk, huh?”

She smiles and it’s almost genuine. Almost.

“Yeah, good idea.”