opia [h.s au]

Chapter 17

"Is he like... your boyfriend?" Callum asks as soon as Harry is distant enough not to hear us.

"Who, Harry? No, no, no, no no" I mumble, looking at Harry's back till he turns in a corner and disappears from my sight. "No, no. He's just a... Friend I guess".

"Oh, I sense some awkward" Callum comments, smiling "But I have to say I'm glad he is not your boyfriend".

"Why is that?" I raise my eyebrows .

"It would be such a shame if I went away while you dated that tidy guy just to come back a year later to find you dating another guy already" Callum winks at me, his green eyes sparkling under the sun.

Wait a minute... Is he flirting with me?

Is Callum Ainsworth actually flirting with me? Oh my f**k I think I'm having a stroke.

"Lucky us it didn't happen, then" I wink back at him, unable to keep a cheeky smile off my lips.

Callum gives me a sly smile and we stand up looking at each other's eyes for what seems like an eternity till he breaks the silence. "Seems like we have a lot to catch up... Are you free tonight?"

Totally, a hundred percent, never been so f*****g free in my life.

"Guess I am" I answer him nonchalantly and Callum's grin gets even bigger.

He reaches for something on his back pocket, shoving his phone to my hands and I notice his fingers are tittered with new tattoos.

"Give me your phone number and I'll text you later, how do you feel about dinner?"

"Sounds lovely"

"I'll see you later, Ginger" Callum towers over me, leaning down to give me a lingering kiss on the cheek, his citric cologne filling my nostrils.

He winks again, turning on his heels and walking away and I'm left completely dumbfounded.

I mean, it's been over a year since last time I saw Callum and he always was absurdly handsome so it's not a surprise that I have a crush on him, everybody has a crush on him. Not only because he is freaking handsome but he is also a very sweet guy behind the tattooed, bad boy appearance. Just like Dom, Callum is a giant teddy bear.

However, unlike Dom I don't want to just hug Callum. Those full lips are to die for, I swear to God.

Last time I saw Callum was at Dom's birthday party when I was still dating Sam. We went to the party after I bribed Sam in order to convince him to go. Sam never liked Dom's social circle - however he didn't complain as much after we arrived and he saw the amount of female models attending, the chauvinistic pig.

Anyways, at that point I had only seem Callum once or twice but was already completely dumbfounded of how handsome he is. He has the kind of beauty that's obvious - tall, muscular, tattooed guy with a pretty smile and green eyes, the kind of beauty that punches you right in the face and leaves you baffled immediately.

I'm not complaining, though. I would take obvious beauty over you-have-to-look-really-hard-to-find-out kind of beauty. He is handsome, period. There's nothing to discuss about it.

If I remember well, besides handsome he is a very kind guy, with funny remarks and a gentle nature, however he is a little... slow. Oh, damn it, lets just be honest here. He is not the brightest mind in the place but with that appearance he doesn't need to be, at least not if all you want is to look at him or maybe touch him a little with yours lips.

Jeeh, I sound like a total jerk, I know. Sorry, I'm just a little horny, that was my v****a talking.

However, it's strange to think that even though Callum's appearance does something to me and I'm very excited about seeing him tonight, there's a little voice in the back of my head repeating over and over again that it doesn't matter how hot Callum is or for how long I'd have a secret crush on him, there's still one tiny detail about him that makes all the difference.

He is not Harry.

Ugh, I hate myself for that. So much people in the world and I had to stuck with the most secretive, confusing, mind wrecking of them.

Sometimes I wish Harry never came to visit Gemma and I'd never meet him. It's not that I regret meeting him, talking to him or even f*****g him. It's just that if any of that had happen before, I wouldn't be having this damn mind gymnastics every time I think about him.

He is complicated as f**k and even though I shouldn't, I want to figure him out. The attraction I have towards Harry is more than just physical, it's emotional, psychological. I'm not in love with him but he intrigues me and I feel compelled to him.

Except for the day I met him at Sinner months ago and that day in the studio, every time I saw Harry we spent literally hours talking, sharing experiences, opinions and getting to know each other better and although that happened just a few times, I already feel compelled by him.

I wish things were different, less complicated. If life was easier Harry would feel the same way about me and we could explore this strange bond between us together. But reality it's not like that and today was the very proof I needed to understand that whatever I think might exist between Harry and I was a product of my imagination.

Harry was clearly uncomfortable in my presence and everything about him today was awkward, out of place. Yet I still could reckon the natural charm that seems to exhale from his skin, today it was paler, more subtle, almost a shadow of what I came to know in our past encounters.

He was still breathtakingly beautiful, of course, but something in his presence was fading. Nevertheless, even being in this strange version of himself, after he left his presence still lingered in my mind.

~*~

Callum Ainsworth

Received 5:17pm

Hey Ginger, I'll pick you at 8 :) Text me your address please!

I read Callum's message for the millionth time, just to be sure I didn't imagine things.

It's 8:18 pm and I'm on the edge of my seat, all dressed up, with makeup on and my hair down while I wait for Callum to show up. What if he changed his mind and didn't care enough to tell me he isn't going to take me out tonight?

Or maybe something came up and he completely forgot about me? I'm sure he have more important things to do than taking me out to dinner, but if that's true so why did he invite me in the first place?

Stop with the bullshit, Billie. My subconscious scolds me. You're not an insecure little girl. You're a grown up woman, act like it.

I roll my eyes at myself, although I know I'm right. That's the same s**t I repeat to myself every day - I'm not insecure, I'm not sensitive, I'm not emotional. I'm strong, independent and confident.

It may sound like bullshit but repeating this mantra over and over again has helped me more than I can describe during the past year.

When I was with Sam, I used to let him decide everything about us, sometimes I even let him choose what I was wearing. Not because I was submissive to him, but mainly because I just didn't care enough to be bothered.

If I stop to analyze everything about my past relationship with Sam, it's clear how much I've changed over the past year. Thinking about myself a year ago it's like thinking of someone else. I was so lazy towards myself that I let other person take complete control over my life and my decisions and it didn't even bothered me.

Sam always was kind of dominant, he liked to be in control so that suited him just fine. And even though that didn't annoyed me at the time, just to think about it today makes me wanna puke. I would never be able to have another person ruling my life like that.

And that's just another reason why I don't think I'll ever be able to be in a relationship again.

My phone buzzes in my hand and I literally jolt from the couch, my heart racing hard with the scare. Looking to the screen I feel my mouth suddenly going dry. Callum is here.

With one last look in the mirror, I grab my coat and my bag, leaving the apartment in a rush. Callum is almost thirty minutes late and my traitor mind immediately goes to Harry and the fact always arrive five minutes before the agreed meeting time.

Stop thinking about Harry.

Stepping out of the building, it's easy for me to spot Callum in the other side of the street. Leaning over the hood of a silver car, with full tatted arms crossed in front of his stomach and looking hot as hell, the bad boy vibes dripping from every pore, with frowned eyebrows and locked shut jaw just adding to the already intoxicating look.

"Hey" I say while approaching him and in the moment Callum turns his head and his eyes fell on me, the puffed up posture vanishing instantly as he cracks a big, warm smile.

"Ginger, you're even prettier than early today" He winks, leaning forwards and snaking one of his arms around my waist to pull me on a tight hug.

"You are too" I giggle, hugging him back and feeling his strong muscles twitching under my touch. He is very muscular, Callum always loved to work out and that's visible in every inch of his body.

Breaking from the hug, I give him a not at all discreet once over but he doesn't seem to bother, his cheek smile just getting bigger. He is wearing black tight pants and a black t-shirt, the combination making him look even taller and his presence is overbearing.

"Where are we going?" I ask as Callum walks around the car to open the passenger's door for me.

"I was thinking Italian" He smiles while I enter the car. He closes the door and quickly goes around the car to take his seat behind the wheel, seeming to fill up all the free space in the interior of the car, his shoulders almost brushing against mine. "Sorry about this lack of space, I sell my old car before moving to England and now I'm renting this one until I buy a new one" He shrugs.

"There's no problem, at least you know how to drive" I chuckle, thinking about my complete lack of decent judge of size, the main reason why the state didn't allow me to drive legally.

"Guess I do" Callum smiles and for a split second I feel a little disappointed. Harry would have made some smart ass joke over my comment, probably making my cheeks get flushed and my mind rush to come up with an ever sassier comeback.

Stop thinking about Harry.

"So, Italian you said?" My voice sounds a little high pitched as I try to change my course of thoughts.

"Yes" Callum gives me a coy smile "There's a little Italian deli nearby that it's awesome, and I've been craving for some carbs for like three weeks."

"Three weeks?" I almost yell.

Damn, I can't get through three hours without carbs.

"Yeah, I've been trying a new kind of diet that is very strict. Very good for the muscles, though" He says proudly and I give him a mouth shouted smile.

Although I respect people with such willpower and focus, I also think it's kinda lame you private yourself from such mundane things as some carbs, alcohol and sugar just in order to have a body that is commonly considered as "hot" or "fit". Life is too short to be so worried about the looks and not enjoy a good meal every once in a while.

I know I'm being a hypocrite right now. I mean, if Callum wasn't that focused he wouldn't have this f*****g amazing body I can't wait to put my hands on.

Twenty minutes later we are entering an Italian deli, the amazing smell of garlic and bread filling the tiny space and making my mouth water shamefully. It's impossible to ignore all the looks Callum is drawing to himself, probably a mixture of admiration for his beauty complexion and maybe a little of prejudice for how many tattoos he has.

I mean, his f*****g head is tatted.

Sexy as f**k, I won't even try to deny it.

"How many tattoos do you have now?" I ask as soon as we sit in front of each other, my gaze wandering through his arms which are almost completely covered.

"Lost count a long time ago, to be honest" Callum shrugs "Guess I currently have like... 90% of my body tattooed. Like them a lot."

"I can tell" I giggle, my eyes lingering on his completely ink covered neck "It makes you look very badass."

"Helps me get a lot of jobs too."

The waitress interrupts us while bringing the menus and I thank her lowly, opening the little book in my hands to look over the options, but once again my mind trails off.

I do like the way Callum had his body tattooed, it shows a lot of personality and boldness, but to be honest I think that a few tattoos scattered here and there can be even sexier. It shows a different kind of personality, adds a little mystery to the person and shows off real skin color, the tattoos acting like accessories and not the main look.

Just like Harry's tattoos.

Fucking stop thinking about Harry, damn it Billie.

"Guess I'll have the pesto spaghetti" I announce, putting down the menu and catching the exact moment Callum's eyes are glued to me, busting his stare towards me. I give him a cheeky smile and he sinks his white teeth on his bottom lip, his eyes wandering from my own to my lips.

"You look so bloody beautiful" He praises, his eyes sparkling towards me.

"Shut up, I must look like a potato with eyes next to you" I roll my eyes, giggling "I mean... You're look handsome as well."

He chuckles, shaking his head over my remark "Always loved your weird sense humor".

Excuse me? Weird?

"Are you ready to order?" The waitress who gave us the menus are back, a warm smile on her face as she looks for us.

"Yeah, she'll have the pesto spaghetti" Callum says, his voice sounding soft and gentle, such a contrast to his looks. "And I'll have the Gnocchi al Formaggio."

Fuck.

Don't think about Harry, don't think about Harry, don't f*****g think about Harry.

"And please bring us a bottle of your best red wine" Callum winks at me while making the request to the waitress and she sighs, looking at me with envy in her eyes.

I know sis. He is freaking handsome, it's almost unbelievable.

Luckily the wine is served before the meal and as soon as the crimson liquid goes down my throat I start to relax a bit. It's strange that although I'm nervous, it's not because of Callum, I feel very comfortable around him. He is sweet and gentle, and honestly it's not like I have to put too much effort in the conversation.

I'm two glasses down and my inhibitions are lowering very quickly and I can't stop almost eye f*****g Callum while he tells me everything about how the last year treated him back in England. His mother was very sick at the time he got there and he was so occupied taking care of her that he had to put his career on hold, being an only child like me meaning he was the only one who could help his mother.

Then he tells me how hard it was to find a job there with all the tattoos going on so he just ended up working at a barber shop, but enjoyed the job so much he is considering to open a similar saloon in New York.

"This way I could keep modeling but also have a business of my own, you know?" Callum cheerfully says, taking the smallest of sips from his glass. He is still on his first while I'm almost done with my second.

"I think that's great, Cal, really!" I smile at him, finding endearing how much he seems to me excited about it "It would be great and think about all the free merchandising you could get with your model friends cutting their hair with you!"

"I didn't think about that" Callum says, raising his eyebrows "That's f*****g gold, thank you for the input. You're awesome."

"We'll be even when you open the barber shop and starts cutting my hair for free" I giggle.

"I would love to but a barber shop is only for guys" Callum smiles.

"Well you've just discovered my secret" I chuckle, maybe laughing a little more than I would if I was sober right now.

"What?" He raises his eyes in confusion.

"Because I'm a guy. It was a joke" I brush off his question "A terrible one actually."

"Oh, sorry" He chuckles "Didn't get that... But, you know" Callum glares at me, leaning a little over the table to catch my eyes with his gaze "It would be really a shame if you were a lad..."

"Yeah? Why?" I can't help the sly smile that cracks on my lips.

"Because I kind of always had a crush on you and it would be very awkward if you were a guy" He winks and a giggle, batting my eyelashes seductively.

I mean, at least I think it's seductively. For all I know it may just look like I developed a sudden eye twitch, but Callum doesn't seem to notice it.

I open my mouth to say something but before I can manage to even make a sound, my phone buzzes in my back pocket, insistently. It's not a message, it's a phone call, which I don't receive very often.

"Oh, sorry, it's my phone" I reach for the device and I'm about to turn it off when I see Gemma's name flashing on the screen. What the hell? Isn't she in Toronto?

"Will you answer it?" Callum raises his eyebrows but doesn't seem to be bothered, just curious.

"Oh, f**k, sorry Cal, but I have to..." I apologize and he nods. "Gemma?" I finally answer, pressing the phone against my ear, my eyes glued to Callum's.

"Billie." A raspy voice calls my name and my body answers to it before my mind, goosebumps raising the thin hair on my skin "It's Harry."

"H-Hey. Is everything ok?" I cut to the chase. It makes no sense for Harry to be calling me from Gemma's phone at almost 10 pm.

"No. It's Gemma, something happened." Harry sounds a little rushed and his voice is loaded with concern. "We are at her apartment."

Fuck. f**k, f**k f**k.

"I'll be there in 10" I hang up the phone, looking at Callum whose eyes are a little disappointed.

"What happened?" He asks as soon as I lean the phone down from my ear.

"I don't know exactly... It's Gemma, one of my best friends. I think she needs me."

"Right now?" Callum raises his eyebrows.

"Yes. I'm so sorry, Callum but I'll have to take a rain check..."

"No problem!" He smiles softly at me, already signaling to the waitress and standing up "I'll take you there, lemme just see what we can do about our meals."

I'm taken aback with how easily he is taking it, not at all doubting what I just said and not being petty as I know some men would. I mean, it that happened with Sam I'm pretty sure he would be all offended and heartbroken over me "choosing" a friend over him.

Callum is back soon, carrying a brown bag that smells delicious and helping me get up from my chair "What is her address?" He asks as we step out of the dinner place.

"It's nearby, I can walk there..."

"Nonsense. I'll take you there."

"Thank you so much, Callum, you're an angel, really" I thank him from the bottle of my heart. He is being so f*****g kind about it.

"No need to apologize, sweetheart. Just promise you'll make it up to me another night" He winks, opening the passenger door for me.

"I promise. Really, you can ask me anything."

"I would be more careful about it if I was you" Callum winks at me, his first double-meaning remark of the night making my stomach flutter softly.

"I don't like being careful" My voice is wrapped in lust and I can't resist the urge of putting my hand over his at his leg "But seriously, thank you. You're a life saver."

"You're worth it, baby." Callum squeezes my hand "Now where do that friend of yours live?"