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I shielded my eyes from the sun as I turned to look at Cal, his hand on the steering wheel as he drove. I felt the familiar lurch in my stomach as he turned and smiled at me, before lacing his fingers with mine.

“I thought you hated New York.”

“It’s not too bad with you in it. I’m happy wherever you are, baby.”

I sighed happily as I rested my head on my hand, feeling tiredness wash over me. I yawned as he glanced at me, a frown on his face.

“You can’t possibly still be tired. All we’ve done is sleep.”

I stuck my tongue out at him as he laughed in response.

“Alright, it’s notallwe have done,” he smirked as the visions of the past week clearly filled his mind.

Cal had surprised me with a trip to the coast, insisting we needed some time alone by the sea. It had been amazing, but now we were driving back to my parents. I was sad that we had to go soon, but after the fiasco with Luke I was secretly relieved.

Luke.

If Cal ever found out what he had done to me that night—what he hadtriedto do—I shuddered at the thought. But I hadn’t heard from him since, and Cal promised he wasn’t leaving my side whilst we were here.

I stared at the scenery as it changed from barren to green, a road sign informing us we were now in familiar territory. I closed my eyes, the hum of the car beneath me rocking me into a sleepy security as Cal drove steadily.

“Raven.”

His voice made me stir as I looked at him through sleepy eyes. I sat up, becoming aware that the car had stopped, blinking slowly when I realized we were parked at my parents.

I’d slept all the way home.

“Maybe you need some vitamins or something. It’s not normal to sleep that much,” Cal studied me through concerned eyes as I sat up, tiredness still holding me prisoner.

“My period is overdue. That’s all.”

He nodded as he swung open his door, pulling our bags out of the back seat.

“Go and have a bath, babe, do you need anything?” he called as I walked up the steps, turning to shake my head.

I walked into the empty house, the familiar scent of home greeting me.

A bath sounded like a good idea, so I made my way upstairs and began running one.

I heard Cal's voice echoing through the hallway as he spoke on the phone, hearing his delicious laugh as he thanked whoever it was, promising he would see them soon. I felt a stab of jealousy as I listened, annoyed he was speaking quietly now.

“Yeah, do that. Send it to me. Thanks, so much Beth, you’re amazing.”

I stood bolt upright, my fingers gripping the stair rail as he walked back out to the car.

Who the fuck is Beth?

I realized I was shaking with jealousy, a rage racing through my body like fire. What was she sending? Why was sheamazing?

I stepped back, aware that my bath was running.

I needed to check his phone, I realized.

If I asked him, he would never admit it, but I knew he was hiding something from me.

Something important.

I usually turned a blind eye to his work, at his request. He insisted the less I knew, the better and safer it was for me.