WRONG NUMBER / CH

chptr 59

After a few more goodbyes and hugs and smiles, Calum and Leia departed from the café and headed back home for dinner. It was an odd feeling for both of them, sitting in the quiet darkness of Leia's car, processing the events of that day. It was like something you'd see on a television show, something you'd never think would happen in real life.

The drive back to Leia's house was quiet and also kind of awkward. Calum didn't know if he should approach the subject of the said awkwardness so he was grateful when she spoke first. "What were you and Anna talking about when I was gone?"

He didn't want to upset her, but he didn't want to lie to her, either. "Um, you, actually."

"Me?"

"Well, you're the only thing we have in common," he said lightly, laughing to himself a little. Leia didn't join him.

"What about me?" she asked quietly. Calum wanted her to look at him as she spoke, but her eyes were set on the road, understandably. He was being selfish.

"How much she loves you. How much I love you. How lovable you are, basically."

This time she did crack a grin. "Ha ha."

He smiled, too, but he was being serious. "We talked about your dad, too."

Leia stopped smiling. "What about him?"

He fidgeted a little with the question she posed. He wasn't sure if he needed to keep Anna's secret about confronting their dad, but he did anyway. Better safe than sorry. "That he's a shitty person and your family deserves so much more than him."

"Oh." It was silent again.

Calum tapped his foot nervously. He hated the tense atmosphere. He couldn't take the dead space between them. "Did Anna ever tell you why she didn't come back?"

"Well, because Dad—"

"No, not that version," he said hurriedly. "She didn't want to come back because she was afraid you'd hate her."

Leia barked out a laugh harsher than she intended it to be. "So she thought I wouldn't be mad at her if she stayed away?"

"She knew you guys would be devastated. But in her mind you were still the happy, smiling Leia she left. And she didn't want to ruin that."

Leia's eyebrows quirked up. "That's sweet, but also pretty fucking selfish if you ask me."

Wow. I am making this worse. I am terrible at this, he thought grimly. "Are you mad?"

She sighed. "No, I'm not mad. Just confused as to why she would bring this shit up in front of you."

He opened his mouth to answer but found that he had none. They were already pulling up in her driveway and Leia shot him a smile before unlocking her seatbelt and opening her car door. Calum followed like a lost, slightly dazed puppy until they were both inside.

"We're home," Leia announced, immediately heading towards the dining room, where Mrs. Wilson was nearly finished setting dinner. "Hey, mum. Where's Warren?"

"Oh, he's over at his friend Pete's birthday party." She carefully placed spoon and forks on either side of each plate. "It's a slumber party," she added. She stepped back and admired her work.

"Looks great, Mrs. Wilson." Calum took an exaggerated sniff and sighed contentedly. "You're an incredibly talented chef."

Leia's mother was openly blushing at Calum. "Oh, stop it, Calum. Flattery will get you nowhere."

"It's not flattery if it's true," he quipped.

"Calum, stop flirting with my mum in front of me."