I Was Never Yours

Chapter 56

Callie P.O.V

Dad ignites the engine and pulls us out onto the freeway with a velocity that could break your grandma's neck.

"Are you and Uncle dating?" I ask.

The exasperated sigh is enough of an answer but he replies anyways, "no, Callie. We went over this last night."

"But you slept together. And you just kissed him," I protest.

"Cal, we didn't fuck. He just slept in my bed," he shrugs, "and, well, to be honest, I don't know why I kissed him. I like seeing him flustered I guess."

"But in the car, you did stuff, like, with your hands. And that's not technically fucking, but isn't that something that people who are dating do?"

"Well sure, but friends also sometimes help each other out," he replies and then suddenly raises his hands, "that doesn't mean it's something you should do. I don't want you messing around with Cooper or something. Like, don't start having sex with a random boy because you saw me giving Uncle a handy."

"Okay, " is the only response I can come up with.

"Okay. Good," he replies with equivalent awkwardness.

A moment later we're pulling into the school. The parking lot is vacant save for a few vehicles which I assume belong to the janitor and the teacher on detention duty.

"When should I pick you up?"

"I think at 3? Same as every day," I sigh. I'm still bewildered that I'm spending my Saturday in detention, and on my birthday at that.

"Okay, text me if it ends up being earlier," he says, bending across to kiss me, "I'm sorry, this is a shitty way to spend your birthday."

"Yeah, oh well."

"I'll try and get you out early okay?"

"Thanks, that'd be great," I say sincerely and then clamber out of the car. I wave him off, sling my bag over my shoulder and then ascend the front steps.

It feels unusual to be in the school when it's devoid of students. It's eerie that the only sound is the squeaking of my sneakers on the tile floor.

"Hey, Callie," Peter's voice punctures through my musings. I look up to find him leaning against my locker, his backpack hanging off one of his broad shoulders.

"Hi, Peter," I force myself to smile through the flutters in my stomach. His hair is framing his temples in soft curls and he's giving me that crooked smile that makes my knees want to go on strike.

"Detention is with Mr.Walker," Peter informs me and I feel myself relax.

"Oh good. I like Mr. Walker."

"Me too," he agrees and I follow him to the classroom.

"Are you feeling okay? Harry was, like, frantic when you weren't replying yesterday," Peter says, grabbing my bicep to prevent me from entering Mr. Walker's room.

"Oh, yeah. I'm fine. We just had some family drama yesterday, " I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant. I'm not sure how other households function, but I'm fairly certain that mine is unique and I'd rather not stand out more than I already do.

"Okay," he turns me to face him, "MJ said it's your birthday this weekend. Why didn't you say anything?"

"Well, yeah. It's today, " I feel my cheeks flush so I look away to try and ease my embarrassment.

"Oh my God, Callie," Peter sighs.

Then, without warning, he grabs my face and kisses me. My heart skips at the sudden contact and it feels like the stars have aligned, all my worries fading away into bliss.