Chapter Sixty-One

Author's note: Never mind, BrookenLucas12 is helping me. Like I knew she would.

Mom and Daddy convinced us to go home. Jenny was still being operated on, by all accounts hovering between life and death.

I dozed in the front seat while we drove home in Sawyer's white Range Rover.

"Hey, wake up Squirt," he said, shaking me gently. He'd come over to my side of the car to wake me up.

"It was right here it happened," I said dully.

"I'm so sorry," he said.

"Because you run her over, or because you're worried about my feelings?" I asked, snatching my arm away.

"It was an accident. And it wasn't my fault," he said.

"Then who's fault was it? Nikki, for giving her such clutzy genes? Sketchers, for making her such crap shoes that can't keep on curbs?"

"There was a reason she was on the road, and that had nothing to do with me. Now I can only assume…"

"Go to hell," I yelled. He surprised me. Instead of going to hell, he pulled me close to him. He pinned down my flailing arms, and kissed my mouth hard until I gave up to him and let his tongue into my mouth.

"God, you have to stop doing that! Every time I'm furious with you, every time you make me want to leave you, and it makes me change my mind! In fact, it almost inevitably makes me sleep with you! You're such a bastard, you know that? You…"

"Callie Scott, do you ever wonder why? Why I kiss you like that, why I care when you leave? Why I go crazy when I hear about you going home on some guy's skateboard? It's because I'm in love with you. God, I love you so much. I always have. I always will. I want to take care of you, keep you safe, shield you from anything that could hurt you, do anything to keep from you're eyes looking sad. I never want you to leave! I want to be with you as much as we used to, as easily as we used to! Just remember that I love you, okay?" he said. I worked to keep my face stiff. It was a miracle, that he still loved me. For a moment, I allowed myself to give into him, and moved closer to his blue eyed gaze. But the inevitable image flashed: Jenny, the headlights, the blood…

"You killed her," I said tearfully.

"Does none of this mean anything to you?" he asked. I took a deep breath, grabbed his collar and pulled him down, kissing him deeply.

"It doesn't mean quite enough," I said, running into the house.

The house was empty and the sky was blue when I finally awoke. I was sprawled ungracefully on the living room couch, a blanket tucked around me. A blanket I hadn't tucked around myself.

After a moment, I realized that I'd awoken to the knocking on the door. I wrapped the blanket around myself (the camisole and panties I was wearing was not quite appropriate) and hastened to the door.

"Mark," I said, greeting him.

"How are you doing? Everyone's talking about what happened, Sawyer and Tess and Lauren won't say anything," he said.

"Sawyer hit her with his car," I said, beckoning him inside.

"Is she going to be okay?" he asked, as we entered the house and headed for the kitchen. On impulse, I grabbed a box of cherry tomatoes and began to pop them into my mouth.

"We don't know. I gave blood, but Mom and Daddy wanted us to come home," I said.

"That sucks," he said. For the first time, I began to cry loud, breathy, baby sobs. He awkwardly reached forward and took my in his arms, pulling me close.

I pulled away as soon as I stopped crying. As I did so, my eyes slid into contact with his blue ones, so different from Sawyer's. slowly he leaned down, keeping eye contact with me, his lips aimed at mine.

I turned my face as he came closer.

"I can't do this," I said.

"You're married, I know. I'm sorry," he said.

"I think you're a great guy, but… don't be sorry," I said, smiling.

"Okay, I won't be. I know it doesn't matter anymore, but we have a lab report due on Tuesday, and we've barely started. We're going to have to work on the weekend," he said. Sawyer was going away on the weekend, with his parents to visit his Aunt Taylor. I knew I could get out of it.

"Perfect," I said, smiling and offering him a tomato.

Author's note: Someone just asked in a review if I would continue to write OTH, despite my recent OC addiction. Of course I'll write OTH. There's even a chance I'll co-write a story soon with one of my favourite authors and bestest online friends. Naley next time, most likely. So don't worry, I haven't completely converted.