Chapter 7

I knew just how she felt. Loosing someone, it knocks it out of you no matter how strong you are, and Calleigh was sure as hell strong, but with her mum as well surely it was too much. I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, I imagine Calleigh was doing just the same, there was no way she would be able sleep. It was 10 in the morning and there was no use in my trying to sleep so I got up and showered. It was then I had an idea.

After a quick trip to my Mom's house, and a quick trip to the supermarket, I found myself making my way up the stairs in Calleigh's apartment building. It was a nice place, it was near the beach, there were big windows on all the apartments, it probably cost a lot more than my shabby, old place. I was about to know on the door when I heard a smash.

Inside her apartment I could hear shouting, it didn't sound like Calleigh, it was male, and southern. From outside I couldn't hear what was being said, but when I heard another smash I decided I'd done enough waiting and hammered on the door. I could hear what was being said now and the male shouted "Go on open it then." But it was harsh, bitter. I already wanted to punch this guy in the face.


Calleigh opened the door slightly, far enough so I could see her, but not inside the room. Her face made me mad, really fuming. Any trace of a smile was gone, there was a scrape on one cheek and her eyes were red.

"You should go." She said.

I was too shocked to respond "Are you ok?" I finally managed

"Eric, you shouldn't be here, you should be asleep."

"No, no invite him in. I want to see your latest pull." The man shouted from behind. Calleigh opened the door to let me in but kept her eyes on the floor.

"Oh my Calleigh, you've sunk low this time. A Cuban. You have to be kidding me, not only are you a whore but you're a cheap whore at that. Can't even get the white men anymore." He spat. That was the last straw, nobody insulted Calleigh under my watch.

"Look Sir, I have no idea who you are, and I don't care either, but I suggest you leave before I remove you."

"Oh I see you Cuban piece of shit. Just because you my Calleigh's latest fuck buddy don't mean you can tell me what to do."

He walked over to Calleigh, put his arm around her and pulled her face up
"Aint that right Calleigh?" She didn't respond "Aint that right?" he shouted, this time slapping her around the face.

And then I lost it.


With strength I didn't know I had I pulled him up by the collar, so his face was inches away.

"I swear to you, I don't care who you are, you could be the president for all I care, but if you so much as lay a finger on her again, I will personally hunt you down, and it will be the last thing you ever do!"

I shoved him down again with a bit too much force, because his knees bent suddenly when he hit the floor.

"Now leave!" I pushed him towards the door. He was about to leave but then shouted back at me

"Hey, you may be screwing my sister, but I tell you now, she's cold, a cold hearted bitch. Didn't even go to see her mum before she died. She'll do it to you, I tell you. When you're dying she'll just be out screwing someone else!"

I could not believe this man, so I gave him an extra push and slammed the door on him.


I turned around and Calleigh was still in the same spot, head down like she was ashamed. I walked over to her and cupped her face in my hand.

"Are you okay?" I asked, my thumb caressing her cheek.

She didn't respond just looked up at me and then tears started spilling. I'd never seen her cry before, ever, and it broke my heart. I pulled her close, I could feel her shaking in my arms. I led her to the sofa, and sat her on my lap. She buried her head into the crook of my neck, and cried. I didn't say anything, just held her, let her cry, because I know she needed to let go. I rubbed her back, and leant my chin on the top of her head, just let her be. And we stayed like that for maybe an hour. The crying eventually became sobs, but neither of us moved. It was only after she'd stopped shaking, and the sobs evened out that she looked up.


"How can you be here?" she looked like she genuinely couldn't understand

"What do you mean?" I didn't really understand her

"My brother just insulted you, said racist things, pointed out that I was a cold bitch, and said I was a whore and yet your still sat here treating me like I'm something special."

"You are special Calleigh, I would never leave you here like this. Why should it matter to me what you brother said, I've heard racist things before it's not the first time."

"But I'm just a dirty, used whore." She said crying again. How could she say that. I pulled her up so she could look me in the eye

"Calleigh, don't ever say that again, ever. Your brother is one of the biggest assholes I've ever met. Anyone who ever calls you a whore deserves to rot in hell."

"But I'm used, I'm beaten, I'm an emotionless brick. He's right you know."

"NO! No he's not. He's a million miles from the truth. You are not used, even if you were I wouldn't care, you are the most amazing woman I have ever met. And you sat here now, proves you're not an emotionless brick, your strong, not cold Calleigh. You could never be cold."

"Eric you don't understand he is, Jake passed me round, he got drunk, auctioned me almost, all his friends have been there, people I don't even know. I feel dirty. And I am cold. I didn't go and see my dying mother. Who does that?" she was nearly hysterical now.

"Calleigh, does it matter how many people have been there, it wasn't your choice, you didn't asked to be passed around, it wasn't your fault. Maybe you didn't go and see your mum, but I know you, and I know you had good reason."


I was so angry now, how could Jake do that? How could anyone do that? I wanted to beat him senseless, let him know what he did, how he damaged her. How could he take her for granted? She was beautiful in every way, and he passed her round, like a whore. I hated him with everything I had. The only thing stopping me from hunting him down right this minute was Calleigh. She was hysterical now. Holding on to me, clinging on for dear life.

I let her cry into me again, because I wasn't going anywhere, because, somehow, somewhere amidst the drama, a level of understanding had been obtained. She knew she was more than just a friend to me, and I knew I was more than just a friend to her. But that was just so...us...