Page 39 of Mine

He was so calm it chilled me to my core.

Luke’s hands tugged at Cal’s that were wrapped around his throat as he struggled to breathe.

Luke’s eyes met mine, and I jolted forward, calling out to Cal.

“Cal, let him go, let him go!” I begged, pulling at his arms.

Cal threw him onto the floor, before leaning down to his level. “Get thefuckaway from us.”

Luke sat up, gasping for breath. He stared at me in horror, spluttering in disbelief. “You chosethis? This fuckingmonster?!” He rose slowly, his hand still on his throat as he trudged away.

“Oh, Luke,” Cal called out, “She’s not frigid. Not withme, anyway.” he added, as Luke’s face fell.

“But you said, Gretch, yousaid...”

Cal moved in front of me, his eyes dark as he scowled at me. “Get in the car. Now,” he barked, his voice laced with fury as he guided me to the passenger door.

Tears streamed down my face as I realized Cal’s eye had swollen and blood trickled from his lip. He slammed my door shut, moving to the driver’s side in record speed. I gazed at his wounds, my hand at my mouth as he shook his head dismissively.

“I’m okay,” he snapped, as I cupped his face. “So, youkissedhim?” He curled his hand around the steering wheel as he turned to face me. “He kissed you, and you fuckingkissed him back?” he uttered, as I reached for him, despite my terror.

“I did it because I am used to it! It’s a shit reason, but it is the truth. I feltnothing, Cal, and I knew I was doing the right thing leaving him.”

He started the ignition, and the car screeched away, causing me to fall into the side of the door. He glanced at me in concern as I held my hands up.

“I’m okay,” I muttered.

“Don’t kiss anyone else ever again. Those lips aremine,” he said, and despite the dark tone in his voice, I was alive with passion. I should be worried, scared, or wary, but all I felt was content.

We drove to his house in silence.

As we walk in, we find his mother, Alice, at the kitchen table with a glass of white wine.

“Cal! What happened?”

She glanced at me as I followed him in, exhausted from the day.

I sent a text to my Mom, telling her I was studying with Cal and that I would be home later.

It isn’t far from the truth.

Cal reassured his Mom that he was alright and held his hand out to me.

“Gretchen isn’t with Luke anymore.”

Alice stared at him with disappointment, her green eyes mirroring his before they flickered over to me. “Is that what this is? You had a fight with yourcousinoverGretchen?”

I hung my head in shame as Cal ran his hands through his hair.

“She’s with me now.”

His mother looked over at me, and I tried not to meet her eyes.

The last thing I wanted was for her to dislike me because I was some kind of harlot.

“I see. Well, if you’re happy, I’m happy. But try not to cause any more trouble with your cousin,” Alice turned her emerald gaze to me. “I’m sure he is hurting, losing a beautiful girl such as yourself, Gretchen.”

I blushed at the unexpected compliment as I smiled, “Thank you, Alice.”