Amnesia • Calum Hood

•Chapter Twenty-Three•

"You really shouldn't be living out of your car," I scolded lightly, folding my arms with a frown as I watched Calum shrug on his jacket.  We had sat together on the couch for another hour, watching the football game and just being with each other.  I held his hand and tangled my fingers through his, relishing the feel of his warmth next to mine. 

But then he had gotten up to leave, and there was nothing I could do about it.

There was an amused smile on his face, and when Calum glanced up and saw my disapproval that smile widened.

"Relax, Jo, I'm going to a hotel or something until I can sort out the apartment."  He leaned against the front door, long and lean frame stretched as he watched my internal struggle.

I didn't want to be that over protective, controlling person that demanded he stay in my sight at all times.  He wasn't even my boyfriend, for god's sake.  But I definitely did not want him spending a night inside the bloody station wagon, or at some beaten down motel where people get murdered in their sleep.

Shaking my head quickly, I tried to calm down.  I was so pathetic, and far too worried for the situation.  He was fine, I was fine, we were fine.  Everything was fine.

"Fine," I forced out, biting my lip and staring at the door rather than him.  I got lost too easily in his chocolate orbs, and I needed to keep my head on straight.  "I guess you should go, then."  My face was burning up as I tapped my foot nervously, wanting him to say one thing but knowing he'd say another.

He always did.

Calum shifted his arm off the door and brought it across against his chest, eyes narrowing as he watched me for a little while.  I felt the edges of his mind dip into my own, invading the thoughts and seizing my every unannounced idea.

Finally, he chuckled.  "You don't want me to go, do you?"

I scowled.  He was teasing me, I knew that.  Calum thought that my mixed emotions were funny and worth a taunt.  Little did he know that I was actually tearing myself up inside, over him.  Did he like me, did I like him, was I completely misinterpreting this?  It hurt a little when he made fun of me, but I had to shove this away for the sake of saving my reputation.  If I even had one anymore.

"No Calum, honestly I don't care at this point.  Just go wherever the hell you want."  With that, I turned around and started to walk off.  No way was I letting him berate me more, no matter how amusing it was for him.

A hand closed around my arm to pull me back.  I was twirled backwards into Calum's chest, hitting it gently and staring up at him with wide eyes.  He gently pushed a few strands of hair out of my face, running his fingers down my hair and to the base of my neck.  Our eyes were locked, and my breath came in short pants as he held me against him, feeling every inch of his toned front.

I knew it was coming, and was ready to accept his kiss when he tilted down to meet me.  His lips were just as warm and soft as they were an hour ago, but this time we kissed gently, with the same amount of passion but with a softer edge.  I looped my arms around his neck to bring us closer, and he tenderly swiped his tongue out across my bottom lip, causing me to shiver.

Unfortunately, just as soon as the kiss started it was cut off.  He pulled back and stepped away, winking once before closing the front door and cutting me off from his beautiful face.

A huge sigh released from my chest, and I stood in place for a few more minutes until it finally registered that he'd left me, and I was alone.

I don't know when it happened, but I'd gone from feeling on top of the world to feeling like less than dirt in the span of thirty seconds.  One minute I was content in Calum's arms, and the next he was leaving me behind and I was a swirling mass of self-doubt.