Meet You There / Calum Hood

Chapter 12: Nashville, Tennessee

It was 1 am, and I couldn't sleep. Our flight here was quick, but I am so jet-lagged. We have one more free day after today in Nashville before our concert, so maybe I can get some rest soon. I could hear yet another high-pitched whistle of a nearby train passing by our cabin.

The boys wanted to be more into nature while we were here, which hints at why we stayed in cabins. And, of course, they had to pick the one's closet to a railroad track.

They were also tired of staying with each other, so everyone decided to switch room arrangements up. There are three cute two-bedroom cabins on this woodsy property.

Ashton got a cabin with Jinger, Luke got with Elena and Michael, and I was lucky enough to get a cabin with Calum.

Even though I was so excited to spend extra time with Cal, my thoughts haunted me. I like him, love him even, but he probably doesn't feel the same way. I mean, one of his best friends felt me up. It's just awkward, and I don't know what he thinks about it.

Thirst snapped me out of my useless thoughts. So I tip-toed my way to the kitchen. The floors creaked loudly no matter how hard I tried to be quiet. Oh well, I tried.

I grabbed a glass from the cupboard and filled it with cool water from the fridge. As I took a few sips, I heard Calum quietly humming and playing his guitar from the living room.

I decided to peek into the living room. He was sitting on the couch with his back turned to me. A single lamp dimly lit the whole room.

"I hope, and I pray, darling," He quietly sang, pausing as he scribbled away in a notebook on the coffee table next to him.

As I took another sip of water, I shifted my weight which caused the floor to creak under me.

Calum turned around, "Tori? You stalking me now?" He laughed and shut his notebook.

"I was admiring your songwriting skills. I didn't want to interrupt the process."

"It isn't much of a process to interrupt. Wanna come sit?" He motioned to the couch. I nodded, making my way to the space next to him.

Running his fingers through his hair, he let out a sigh. "I've got a bit of writer's block when it comes to this song I'm trying to write."

"Well, how about we watch some TV or listen to some music for a bit to help you relax some? That always helps me."

"Sure, you pick." He nodded.

I smiled and took out my phone. There was a Bluetooth speaker on the living room mantle I connected it to. I hit shuffle on one of my playlists I like listening to when I write music.

Calum laid his head back, shutting his eyes.

Some Chase Atlantic songs played, followed by the 1975, and some others.

Then suddenly, an old tune came over the speaker.

His eyes snapped open. Raising his eyebrows, he looked at me, and I laughed. "I wish that I was 18, do all the things you read in a magazine. Not saying I wanna be Charlie Sheen." I sang, using my hand as an imaginary microphone. "She's just a little bit older. I want to get to know her. She said it's already over." I bobbed my head to the music and stood up off the couch. "So tell me, what else can I do? I bought my fake id for you."

I reached for Calum's hand to pull him off the couch. "She told me to meet her there, I cannot afford a bus fare." I started trying to make him dance with me. He gave in, and we danced around the living room, jamming to the rest of the song.

It was a whirlwind of laughter, dancing, yelling, singing, and just enjoying the moment.

It ended up wearing me out, so I hopefully left Calum to finish his songwriting.

About an hour passed, and I still hadn't fallen asleep yet even though I was exhausted.

Floorboards creaking caught my attention. Either it's a ghost, a murderer, or Calum. The floor creaked again but from the hallway, right outside my door.

"Calum, is that you?" I called out into the almost darkness. The only light in the room was the moon and stars shining dimly through the window.

My door squeaked open to reveal an outline of Cal holding a glass of water. "Sorry, did I wake you? I was trying to be quiet, but the damn floors keep screaming."

I chuckled at his comment, "No, I still haven't been able to fall asleep." "Well, can I get you anything? A drink? A snack?"

Shaking my head, I replied, "No, thank you, I'm good right now." "Okay. Try and get some sleep." Calum started to close the door.

"Wait, Cal?"

The door stopped. "Yes, Tori?"

"Can you come to lay with me for a little bit?" My voice trembled some. I can't believe I even dared to ask him.

"Of course." The door opened, and he set his water on the nightstand. The closer he got, the more I could make out of his tan caramel skin. He was shirtless, wearing nothing but pajama pants.

How could someone be so perfect? It's like he had to have been sculpted by the gods themselves.

He pulled back the sheets and crawled into bed next to me, positioning himself on his back. I snuggled closer to him, resting my head on his bare chest. I could hear the rhythm of his heartbeat.

I started tracing my finger over some of his tattoos, "I want to get a tattoo, but I'm scared. Do they hurt bad?" "Nothing you couldn't handle, love." His hand rubbed up and down my arm, occasionally playing with my hair.

My heart fluttered. I could feel the blood rush to my cheeks. Thank goodness it's too dark to see how bright red they are.

"We could get matching ones sometime." He added. My head perked up, "Can we please get little matching bass guitars??"

Seeing the excitement in my eyes, he agreed.

"It would be so super cute!" I gushed.

I could see his eyes admiring every part of my face as I talked.

Maybe he was falling for me too, or perhaps it was the moonlight playing tricks on me.

The next thing I knew, I woke up to a few soft snores in my ear and the fact that I had to pee.

I didn't remember falling asleep, but I must have at some point. I could feel Calum's arm around my waist. We somehow ended up spooning. His face was burrowed into the crook of my neck, and his warm breath gave me goosebumps.

Glancing over at the alarm clock on the nightstand, it read 3:33 am.

I didn't want to get up, but I couldn't hold it anymore.

I wiggled out of Calum's embrace. I realized I didn't have any pants on as I stood up. I was just in my panties. I never sleep with pants on since I usually don't have anyone else in my bed with me, except for the occasional Jinger when she gets scared by a thunderstorm.

I slowly walked towards the door.

"You sleep with me, and then you sneak out while I'm sleeping. How could you." Calum's raspy voice suddenly taunted me.

I turned around and laughed, "Oh shut up, I need to go pee. And from what I remember, I don't think we slept together."

"Pretty sure we did. You know you snore a little?" He teased me.

Rolling my eyes, I made my way to the bathroom.

I went back into my bedroom and crawled back into bed. I did my best to try and hide my panties by pulling my oversized shirt down.

I laid down on my side, and Calum's arm snaked around my waist. He pulled me closer to him and put his face in my neck again. Gently he moved his hand from around me to rest on my hip bone. He slowly started rubbing up and down my side, then down the side of my thigh.

The next thing I knew, I was fast asleep again.