Authors: Cassandra Cole
She paused and looked at him again, “You can leave your bag in the hallway there...why have you got a bag anyway?” She wondered. Tessa explained as they went through to the kitchen and sat.
“Well of course you're welcome to stay,” Her mother said when she knew the full story, “I'll go and make up the guest room right now.”
“Cal and I can take care of that, mom,” Tessa told her mother.
“Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Williams.” Cal added.
“Call me Irene.” Her mother called after them, a knowing little smile on her face.
CHAPTER THREE
“Yeah, that sounds like fun,” Tessa said into her cellphone, “Meet you there about eight? Okay, bye.” She shut the phone, really looking forward to catching up with her best friend from high-school.
Connie had been a rock when Tessa's father passed away and they had kept in touch ever since then. She heard the water stop running in the bathroom and decided to ask Cal if he wanted to join them tonight. She opened her door at the same time as he came out of the bathroom with just a little towel wrapped round his waist. Tessa's mouth went dry.
Her eyes followed the drops of water as they made their way down his body, curving over his sculpted chest and across his washboard abs before being absorbed by one of her mother's soft towels.
Lucky drops of water, to be able to flow over that body.
Tessa licked her lips and of course that was when Cal looked over at her. His cheeky grin at her obvious leering made her blush and she could feel the heat spread up her neck as he approached her. He tilted his head to one side,
“Are you spying on me?” He wondered in a deep voice. Tessa smiled in spite of herself,
“No, but could you blame me? she teased. “I'm meeting my best friend from nursing school tonight wonder if you wanted to come along?”
“I'll have to check my diary, see if I'm busy and get back to you.” Cal replied. It took a few seconds for her to register it but he was leaning closer and closer to her, bringing his face down level with hers. Tessa held one finger against his chest,
“My mom's just downstairs.” She told him.
“Another time then?” He asked with an arrogant look on his face.
“Hey!” She tried to be casual but his impudence and arrogance just made her smile.
Careful Tessa.
Her thought dissipated like dust in the wind as she watched perfectly formed rugged body walk off down the hall. Something deep inside her twisted pleasantly.
* * *
Hurley's was thrumming with a pleasant Friday night crowd. Beer flowed as easily as the conversation and the selection of music, while not to everyone's taste, was at least subdued. Cal opened the door for Tessa who thanked him and entered, scanning the crowd for her friend, Gemma. Spotting the mass of black curls which had to be her friend, Tessa trotted excitedly through the growing crowd, weaving round men in plaid shirts and women in low cut tops. Cal followed but the crowd seemed to part round him, like river water around a rock, parting to let him pass and closing up behind.
Tessa and Gemma squealed like children, hugging and laughing, looking at each other and generally reacquainting themselves after being apart for so long. Gemma turned to see Cal and her eyes widened in surprise,
“And where did you find this fine specimen, Reebs?” She asked with a flirtatious tilt of her head. Cal smiled and held his hand out while Tessa explained the situation,
“Evening, ma'am,” He greeted politely, “I'm Cal Hughes.” He took Gemma's hand and kissed her knuckles gently making her blush. She grinned at Tessa,
“Well good evening to you Cal. I'm Gemma Richards but feel free to call me Gem.” Her face changed, “In fact, feel free to call me whatever you want, whenever you want.” Tessa smiled at her friend's obvious flirtations but deep inside she felt a sharp stab of jealousy. She and Gemma had never competed for boys at school but Gemma had always been more popular with the opposite sex, with her long black hair, curvy body and sometimes excessively outgoing personality.
If she thinks she can get her hands on Cal, she can think again!
Now where did that come from? Ok, I know exactly where it came from and where she’s not going. Mine! She laughed inwardly at her awakened desire.
Cal was asking her something.
“I said what can I get you to drink?” He had bent down to speak into her ear and she shivered when his warm breath kissed her neck. Asking for a beer, she sat opposite Gemma in a booth which gave them a little privacy while Cal went to the bar. Tessa watched as several women gave him appraising looks as he passed them, some nudging their friends and following him with their eyes. Cal didn’t give any sign he even noticed.
“If you're not going to make use of him, can I?” Gemma wondered, following her friend's gaze. Tessa shook her head and laughed,
“Same old Gem, still as flirty and popular as always.”
“Ooh! So you do like him,” Gemma teased, “Okay, okay, I'll back off.” She held her hands out.
“It's not that...I mean yes I...” Tessa stumbled over the words, looked at her best friend and laughed at her expression, “I love you and all, but hands off!”
“So what ya’ gonna' do about it?” Tessa shrugged. “Well you've gotta’ have a plan,” Gemma said. Cal returned with three bottles,
“Liquid gold for the ladies,” He said, putting ice cold Budweiser’s in front of both of them. He sat next to Tessa, opposite Gemma and took a deep drink from his own bottle. The two women watched, Tessa with a sinking feeling in her stomach.
Shit! Why did I bring him to a bar? After his dad pretty much drank himself to death.
“Cal, I'm sorry. I never even thought...” Tessa trailed off as Cal put his bottle of Virgil's root beer down and wiped his lips with the back of his hand.
“What, my choice of beverage?” Cal grinned, “I'm one of them...ah, stupid drunks.” Cal swilled some more of the Sassafras brew, “Makes me feel like I've been run over by an Abrams M1 in the morning too. So, yeah I steer clear of that particular poison.” He paused and Tessa watched as his big brown eyes looked from her to Gemma and back, “Y'all can go ahead though. I'll just sit here with my kiddie's drink while you two grown-ups chat.” His final comment broke the ice and the evening carried on.
Tessa and Gemma spent a little time catching up but spent more time regaling Cal with stories from their high-school days with Gemma trying to embarrass her friend in front of Cal. Eventually, Gemma slid out of the booth and told them she had to go to the bathroom. Tessa had a fairly good beer buzz and was happy,
“Having fun catching up with your friend?” Cal asked. Tessa looked into his huge brown eyes and smiled,
“Yeah. Having fun with you, too. I'm glad you came.”
“I'm glad too,” Cal replied. Tessa saw his expression change, “I wasn't completely truthful with you earlier,” He admitted, “When I said I don't drink on account of how I get dumb-like and all?” Tessa felt her heart beat faster knowing he was trying to tell her something personal, private and painful. She put her hand on top of his, feeling the warmth and strength there,
“Your dad?” She asked gently. Cal nodded and she could see his throat working as he swallowed. “He can't hurt you anymore,” She whispered, moving closer to Cal and squeezing his leg gently. Cal turned, his face close and Tessa thought about him in the small towel at her mother's house. She leaned closer and Cal brought his face down until she could feel his breath, smell the sweetness of the root beer and their lips met.
His lips were warm and soft but had a firmness to them she reveled in. She could taste the sweetness of his drink and opened her mouth to taste more. His tongue slid across her bottom lip and she sighed. Tessa put her hand on his chest, feeling the solid muscles flex beneath her fingers. She teased her own tongue into his mouth, finding his tongue and licking it. A thrill shot between Tessa’s thighs when he sucked her tongue further into his mouth, lapping at it with his own.
Tessa was lost in their kiss until she felt a gentle kick under the table. She broke it off and turned to see Gemma looking at them with a skeptical expression,
“I thought you two weren't a couple,” She said, “When I came out here just now I thought you were trying to eat each other.” She slid another root beer across to the grinning couple, “Put that boy down and drink your beer Tessa. You and I are supposed to be catching up.” Gemma smirked at them. Her gaze went across the bar and her expression changed to one of almost fear, “Oh, no.” Tessa turned round but saw nothing out of place,
“What's wrong, Gem?”
“Dale. My ex and his buddies have just come in.” Gemma told them, “We broke up 'cos he can be a complete prick, especially when he's drunk.” Gemma tried to sit lower in her seat but, apparently, Dale saw her, “Great, here he comes.”
Tessa watched as leather clad, bodybuilder type swaggered drunkenly over and leaned on the end of their table, putting his hand down near Cal's root beer.
“Well, if it isn't miss high and mighty herself,” Dale said loudly, “Hello Gemma,” He added an extra 'ah' sound to the end of her name for some reason Tessa couldn't figure out. “What are you doing in here on a Friday night, miss school teacher?” Dale was obviously drunk and didn't care what kind of attention he drew, “Got no classes to teach tomorrow so you thought you'd come and have a couple of beers with,” He turned to look at Tessa and Cal for the first time, “Whoowee! Now who have we got here?”
“Just leave it, Dale.” Gemma said, “Go and have some fun with your friends.”
“DONT!” Dale slammed his hand down on the table making Gemma and Tessa jump, “Tell me what to do.” He turned to the two men behind him, both of who were dressed in almost identical leather jackets, “Me and the boys here want an introduction to this pretty little thing here, don't we boys?” Dale shot Tessa a lust filled stare.
Tessa looked at Cal, who seemed to be ignoring the whole exchange. Staring into middle distance as if Dale and his cronies weren't even there.
What's the matter with him? Is he scared? Or scared of what he might do? And where's the owner to come and throw them out?
As if the thought summoned him, an older man approached,
“Now come on Dale, we don’t want any trouble here. Why don't you boys take a few free beers and go on home?”
“Free beer!” Dale cried to his cheering friends, “Bring it on over to this table here, Hurley, it looks like this boy needs a man's drink.” Tessa felt fear crawl through her chest as Dale picked Cal's drink up and looked at it, “Root beer!” He laughed, “What kind of a man drinks root beer?” Dale lowered himself down to look Cal in the eye, frowning when he got no response, “Is he backward or something?” Dale asked looking at Tessa and Gemma, neither one bothered to answer.
“Come on now, Dale,” The one called Hurley said, “you've had your fun and if you don't leave I'm gonna' have to call the police.”
“Hoo! The po-lice,” Dale said, splitting the word into its syllables, “Hurley's gonna' call the po-lice boys.” Dale turned back to Cal, “Tell me something, boy, are you planning on fucking both these girls tonight or can I have that one?” He pointed to Tessa who watched as Cal focused on Dale for the first time,
“Oh Dale,” He said in an effeminate voice, “If only you knew I prefer guys like you.” Gemma's jaw dropped and Tessa unsuccessfully tried to hide a snicker. Even some of the other customers who had stopped to watch chuckled a bit. Dale did not.
“Are you calling me a faggot?” He demanded, pointing his finger in Cal's face.
“Don't get so angry, sugar,” Cal told him in the same voice, “I got somewhere nice and warm for that finger too, baby.” He added, this was greeted with roars of laughter.
Tessa couldn't believe it. He hadn't even got up from his seat and Cal was making Dale back off and look like the drunken idiot he was. Looking back on things after all that was about to happen, Tessa thought this moment, right here, was when she started to fall in love with Calvin Hughes. Which was also the moment things went south.
Dale looked around at all the grinning, laughing faces, including his two friends, and grinned himself. Dale's grin, however, was more like an angry grimace, a feral barring of his teeth.
“I suppose you think you're pretty smart, huh?” He growled at Cal, “Getting everyone to laugh at me. We'll see who gets the last laugh out of this.”
“Ooh, you're beautiful when you're angry,” Cal bit hit bottom lip, “Gives me the shivers, honey.”
Dale flicked his hand out and tipped Cal and Tessa's drinks on the table, splashing root beer and Budweiser over the table and Cal.
Still Cal never made a move, “Don't go baby,” He called to the departing Dale, “We were just getting to know each other too.”
Dale and his friend stamped from the bar to laughter and a round of applause for Cal.
Hurley thanked him for not fighting, gave them complimentary drinks and even offered to have Cal's t-shirt cleaned. Cal declined but Hurley gave him a clean one anyway, dark blue with the Hurley's logo slashed across his chest. Tessa thought the dark color would suit him well.
Telling them he was going to clean up and change, Cal wandered off to the mens room, leaving Tessa and Gemma to drink their beer and laugh about the situation.