Chapter 7.

That night, Callie found herself in Brandon's bed once again, curled up against him. Every so often, their lips clashed in a soft kiss, or he nipped at the tender skin on her neck. She wasn't sure if she would be able to slip away unnoticed; Mariana had stayed up late, texting Zac in the dark. But when her sister finally fell asleep, still gripping her phone in her hand, she arranged her pillows under her comforter and hurried down the hall. Once she was in Brandon's arms, she felt that the risk was worth taking.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered in a breathy voice, as he kissed along her jawline. Then, with a swift movement, he drew her lips to his, darting his tongue into the wet heat of her mouth. Callie let out a small, ragged sigh as he slipped his good hand under her pajama top, caressing the side of her breast, then her hip. The light, intimate touch woke up her nerves and made her heart race. Smiling, she leaned into him, gently suckling his earlobe.

When they finally broke apart, they looked into each other's eyes for an intense moment, admiring each other.

"Brandon?" Callie asked quietly, breaking the silence.

"Yeah?" She was so close, he could feel her hot, sweet breath on his face. Her mouth smelled and tasted like cinnamon toothpaste.

"Do you think I'm a slut?" she whispered.

Brandon gave her a puzzled look, unsure of whether or not she was serious. "Why would you ask me that, Cal?"

"It's just Talya," she admitted. "She called me that at school today, and I guess it kind of got to me." She managed a small, indifferent laugh. "Forget I said anything." She could usually let the cruel things people said to her roll off her back, especially after years of enduring verbal abuse from various foster parents. But the truth was, Liam called her a slut after her raped her, and his words had the ability to stay with her long after they were spoken. Hearing it again from Talya was like opening an old wound that she just wanted to heal.

"Okay," Brandon chuckled. "Am I the only one who sees the irony in Talya calling someone else that?" He swept Callie's hair back and kissed her tenderly. "You are not a slut, Cal. Talya thinks she knows all about you, but she doesn't. You're amazing, and loving, and sexy. She's just jealous of you."

"That's what your mom said," she told him, remembering her earlier conversation with Stef.

"Well, she's right," he replied. "I wish you could see yourself the way I see you."

He placed his hand on her cheek, and drew her in for another lingering kiss. Callie complied, and tasted his soft, plump lips, wrapping her arms around him.

"Callie?" Brandon asked.

"Hmm?" she breathed, wishing he would stop talking and kiss her again. Brandon's kisses were addictive.

"There's something I need to tell you." Catching Callie in such a vulnerable moment made him think about what happened with Dani. For a while, he almost had himself believing he dreamed the whole incident while he was in a coma. But he couldn't lie to himself or Callie. It had happened, and she deserved to know the truth if they had any kind of future together.

"What?" She looked up to face him, alarmed by his tone of voice.

"Um," he began, "that last day I stayed at my dad's; the day you came over, I was really depressed after you left. I had a few beers, and I was feeling sorry for myself. My dad's girlfriend, Dani, came home and she tried to comfort me. And, well... we... we ended up having sex."

Callie sucked in a sharp breath. She felt like she did the day her last foster father was beating Jude. When she tried to pull him away, her kicked her square in the stomach. It was that same nauseous, breathless feeling. "After the kind of day I had, you tell me this?" she whispered. "Brandon, how could you do that?"

"I'm sorry," he sighed with regret. "I was just trying to honest with you. I don't want there to be secrets between us."

"We'd just broke up," she reminded him, feeling betrayed. "I thought you cared about me more than that."

"Well, you got back with Wyatt."

"But I didn't have sex with him."

"Callie, I was drunk. She caught me off guard."

Callie was silent as tears stung her eyes, and she turned away as they grew heavier and rolled down her cheeks. Brandon had always been the one person she felt safe to cry in front of. But this time, she wouldn't let him see her tears. Not over this.

"Callie?" Brandon whispered. "I'm sorry. It will never happen again. I love you. And only you." He grabbed her shoulder, trying to get her attention. "I didn't mean to hurt you. It was a mistake."

"I better get back to my own bed," she sighed, getting up.

"Callie... wait," he protested. But she was already on her way out the door.

When Callie reached her room, she hurried to her bed and crawled under the covers, and buried her face in her pillow. She just wanted to hide from the world.

"Callie?" Mariana whispered from across the room.

Callie groaned internally, annoyed, and when she didn't answer, Mariana called to her again.

"Hey- where were you?"

"None of your business," she snapped. "Go back to sleep."

"You're crying," Mariana realized, slipping out of bed, and crossing the room to her sister's side.

"Are you okay?" she asked, sitting beside her. Carefully, she placed her hand on Callie's back, rubbing it slowly. "Are you sick? Do you want me to get moms?"

"No!" said Callie. "Don't you dare. Just leave me alone. I'm fine." She brushed her tears away, and looked up at her sister, who's dark, fluid brown eyes were shadowed with concern. "Please, Mariana?"

"Well, okay," she reluctantly nodded. "But if you need to talk about something, I'm just on the other side of the room."

Callie nodded, rolling over to face the wall. "Thanks."


The next morning, when the alarm clock went off, Callie rolled out of bed, dreading the school day. Her eyes felt tired and heavy. She'd hardly slept at all. After she dressed, she went into the hall, headed downstairs for breakfast. On the way, she passed Brandon's bedroom door and paused. She remembered the day before, when she'd slipped in for a few kisses and sweet words before she had to leave. She missed that, but she didn't think she could face Brandon just yet.

"Callie?" he called from inside the room. The door was slightly ajar. He must have seen her standing in the hall.

She was hesitant to answer him. He'd hurt her. He told her that what they had came only once in a lifetime, then he slept with someone else as soon as they broke up. They hadn't even slept together yet, although they'd come close that day at Daphne's apartment. She loved him so much, it literally hurt to think of him holding and kissing another girl.

"Callie?" Brandon said again. And to her surprise, he got out of bed and walked toward her, doubled over in pain. He had hardly gotten out of bed since he came home from the hospital, except to use the bathroom. Stef encouraged him to get up and walk a little each day to avoid blood clots, but he said standing hurt his fractured ribs too much. Judging by the look of agony on his face, he wasn't kidding.

Callie's heart softened at the sight of him."What?" she asked, entering his room.

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry about last night," he whispered. "I ashamed of myself. I never want to do anything to make you doubt how much I love you." He sighed, reaching out to touch her cheek. "And I do love you. You know what you mean to me."

"I thought I did," she nodded.

"You do," he replied. "Callie, I don't want to lose you. Please?"

She sighed, looking into his sad, droopy green eyes. "Can we talk about it after school?"

He chewed his lip before answering. "Yes... but promise we'll definitely talk then?"

She nodded again. "I promise."

To Be Continued