Chapter 19: Chapter 19

I feel a body stir beside me and I snap my eyes open, immediately taking in my surroundings. Sunlight streams through the car windows around me and I frown, trying to remember where I am. I feel a firm body nestled beside me and I slowly turn, coming face to face with a sleeping Calvin Black.

"Holy crap," I whisper, noticing his arm is slung over my waist. He's pulled me against his body and I can feel his warmth seeping it's way through his clothes. His dark hair is rugged, falling over into his eyes as he sleeps. His eyebrow piercing catches the light every few seconds, the silver glinting away in the sun. I study his face, noticing how peaceful and innocent he looks. A small smile stretches across my face and I gently pry myself away from his body.

The movement causes Calvin to stir in his sleep and I sit up, fiddling around with my dark hair. I run my fingers through it, attempting to make it appear more presentable. The empty pizza box is lying beside me and my thoughts drift back towards last night.

"You're awake.”

I turn towards Calvin, my eyes widening slightly. "Hey, yeah. I'm awake." I mumble, shuffling further away from him. I don't know why but I feel the need to create distance between us.

Calvin slowly sits up, running a hand through his hair. The muscle in his arms tenses and my eyes linger on them. Even in the morning, he manages to look irresistible. . .

He notices the change in my personality and frowns, green eyes staring intensely at me.

"Why are you acting weird?”

"I'm not acting weird, why do you say that? You're acting weird, not me." I ramble on, a blush creeping up my cheeks. Calvin shoots me an amused look, his right eyebrow raised high.

"Wow Hunter, I've never seen you so flustered." Calvin smirks, readjusting his shirt. It rides up slightly, exposing the lower half of his stomach that looks incredibly smooth and toned. I tear my eyes off him, blinking to snap myself out of whatever boy-crazy state I'm in.

"I'm not flustered, I've just woken up. I'm a little groggy, that's all." I say defensively, wishing the blush on my cheeks would disappear. Calvin lets out a low slow chuckle, the sound of it causing my stomach to tighten with knots. I clear my throat, suddenly becoming very aware of the close distance between us.

"I should probably get going." I mumble, straightening out my clothes. Calvin doesn't respond and leans back in his seat, silently studying me. The corner of his lips are still stretched into a smirk and I glance at him from under my lashes. “What?"

"You're embarrassed.”

"I'm not embarrassed." I shoot back.

"You're blushing and you look like you want the ground to open up and swallow you. Is this because I slept next to you?" Calvin asks, the amusement dripping from every word. I roll my eyes, hating that he's enjoying making me squirm.

"You think so highly of yourself, it's quite sickening." I respond causing him to laugh again. The sound of it fills the empty car and I grin back at him, unable to wipe the smile from my face.

"You're cute, like a puppy.”

I open my mouth to respond, ignoring the burning sensation at the tips of my ears. In that moment, Calvin's phone begins to ring and he pulls it out of his back pocket, his amused expression disappearing as he reads the screen. I sit up a little straighter, interested in who's contacting him. His eyes briefly flicker over to me uncertainly and I avert my gaze, pretending to be interested in a loose thread on my shirt.

"Hello?" Calvin answers, his voice quiet. I hear the muffled voice of the caller on the other end. It sounds deep, possibly a males voice, possibly his father. The hairs on the back of my neck prickle in anticipation.

"What time?" Calvin says bluntly, his green eyes darkening. He doesn't look happy and makes no attempt to disguise it from his features.

"Do I have to?" He says, answering the callers words with a question each time. I hear the anger in his voice, followed by frustration. There's a long pause as the caller continues to ramble on but it's too low for me to make out the words. Eventually, Calvin sighs deeply —

"Twelve at Grovers Place? I got it." He mumbles quietly, his eyes dropping to his lap.

He ends the call, dropping his phone from his hand. It bounces on his seat before settling down and he sighs again before turning towards me.

"I'll drop you off home. Hop in the front.”

"Why don't we spend the day together? We can try to look for Zack again." I suggest tactfully.

I wonder what he's doing or who he's meeting at twelve. My watch tells me it's only an hour away.

"I can't hang out today, maybe some other time." The hostility is clear in his voice.

"What about Zack?" I ask quietly.

"His parents are still looking. There's nothing more you and I can do." Calvin says quickly, clearing his throat. He pulls open the door before walking around and sliding into the drivers seat. I watch his every movement, trying to analyse him as best as I can.

"Are you sure you don't want to hang out today?" I try for a second time, hating how desperate I was coming off. Calvin sighs and turns towards me, shooting me an apologetic smile. It's kind of lopsided and a whole load of adorable.

"Sorry sweet cheeks, I'm busy. Now hop in the front.”

I roll my eyes, climbing into his front seat and letting out a small groan as I bounce into the seat. I pull the seatbelt over and Calvin begins driving me home. The entire time, my stomach twists with nerves and anger knowing I'll have to face Micah.

"By the way, don't call me sweet cheeks." I mumble under my breath, loud enough for Calvin to hear. He chuckles quietly, the low rumble of his voice filling the silence between us.

"Don't act like you don't love it, sweet cheeks.”

*****

Before I slide out of Calvin's car, he takes hold of my arm, stopping me in my tracks. I turn towards him, a questionable look on my face.

"If your brother tries anything, call me straight away, you got it?”

There's no humour in his face or voice at all, his expression stone cold serious. I feel my throat dry out and nod at him before sliding out and slamming his door shut.

Little does he know Micah warns me of the exact same thing when it comes to Calvin . . .

I push the key inside the door, breathing deeply before entering. When I get inside, I'm met by Ted and Margaret. They are both standing side by side, exchanging looks between one another. I take a step inside, a slight frown on my face.

"Erm, hi?”

Ted looks at Margaret and she sighs, motioning at the couch. "Why don't you sit down honey?”

"No, I'd prefer to stay standing. What's going on? Is it Micah?" I say coldly, my eyes widening. I glance around the house quickly, scanning it for any sign of him. Ted leans forward, placing a hand on my arm.

"Calm down Hunter, Micah is fine. He's upstairs in his room, he has been since last night. We understand he's a little hungover.”

I nod my head, my shoulders slowly slumping in relief. It doesn't answer the question on why Ted and Margaret look like they want to stage an intervention with me? . . .

"We need to talk about you staying out all night Hunter." Margaret says, a soft smile on her face. I pause, the frown on my face melting away.

"Is that what this is about? Because I didn't come home last night?" I ask, a little surprised. I didn't realise it would be such a big deal but according to Ted and Margaret's serious expressions, I'm guessing it is.

"From now on, we need you to sleep here every single night. If not, we need to know your whereabouts to inform the FBI. It's part of our contract with them." Ted explains. I nod my head, feeling guilt settle inside me.

"Sorry, I didn't realise it was compulsory." I respond, not used to having rules to live by. During my time on the streets, I'd do what I want and choose when to do it. When I was recruited for the FBI, things didn't change much. I had a schedule to follow but other than that, I still kept my freedom.

"Did you? . . . " I trail off, my voice quietening.

Ted gives me a small smile, shaking his head. "No, we didn't inform the FBI but we won't lie for you a second time. Do you understand?”

I nod my head, sighing in relief. I know the FBI don't handle negative news very well when it comes down to their agents. I'm one of the best, I can't have my reputation tarnished by a silly mistake I wasn't even made aware of.

"Thank you." I say gratefully, fiddling with my house keys in my hand. I head for the stairs to go upstairs and change. Once I'm by my bedroom door, the door next to it swings open and Micah steps out. He's dressed in a plain black shirt and denim jeans. His eyes are sunken in and withdrawn and he definitely looks the definition of hungover. His eyes burn into mine, expression full of apology and guilt. I ignore him and push open my bedroom door but he swings forward, grabbing hold of my arm.

"Hunter, please! Let me explain.”

I yank my arm away from his grip, gritting my teeth in anger. When I turn around, I can feel my eyes burning flames in Micah's direction.

"Don't-you-dare! Don't you dare Micah! You almost sabotaged this entire mission and for what? Huh?" I question him, the bubbling anger inside of me exploding. I pause, waiting for him to answer my question. For the first time since I've known him, I see vulnerability flash through his dark eyes.

He takes a step back, a lump appearing in his throat. "I - I'm sorry." He stutters, his hand reaching up and raking through his hair.

I open my mouth to yell at him some more but for some odd reason, I find myself calming down. I don't know whether it's the broken tone to his voice or the vulnerability in his eyes that gets to me. Before I say anymore, I disappear inside my room and shut my door, leaning back against it.

I rest my hands on my knees and breathe deeply, closing my eyes. No matter what I do, I can't seem to shake his face away from my thoughts.