Close As Strangers // C.H.

Chapter 4:

I am walking along the beach with someone I can't really seem to recognize with our hands intertwined.

He is taller than me, with tan skin and brown hair. The more I focus on what he looks like, the more he becomes a blur.

It's a little bit after sunset, but the sky is still a beautiful pink-orange color. He suddenly stopped walking and pulls me into him. I can't seem to tell who he is.

He wraps his arms around my waist, and mine go around his neck playing with his nape.

"This is where it all started. Well after the concert and the party of course." The guy says causing me to giggle.

"I know what you mean," he lets out a breath.

"Thank God," he chuckles. "I just wanted to bring you out here so I can tell you something."

"I'm listening." I say looking him in the eyes.

"I know that we haven't been together long, but over the first six months of the tour we were really close friends. Ever since I saw you backstage at the concert all that time ago, I knew that you were different from every other girl I have met. I wanted to get to know you and I have now. What I am trying to say is that.... I love you, Brooke and I have known from the first time I saw you I would."

I am speechless. While he was telling me how he feels, I could see nothing but honesty and the love in his brown eyes. I know that I feel the same way too. I have known for a while, but I wasn't quite ready to admit it.

"Cal, I love you too." As soon as the words came out of my mouth, his lips crashed onto mine.

The warmth of his mouth sent a current through my whole body. I gently tugged on his hair as I became lost into his soft lips.

The whole thing a memory.

--

I wake up to the curtains being pulled back from the windows, causing the sun to shine directly on the bed. Max.

"Good morning," he says in a cheery voice obviously trying to annoy me.

"Go away," I groan in return.

"You have to get up. There's some breakfast ready and pain killers on the table." He walks out taking his cheery attitude with him. Thank God.

I slowly get up and make my way to the bathroom. Splashing cold water on my face and placing my hair in a bun will have to do for now.

When I enter the kitchen I take notice of Calum sitting in a chair at the island eating, shirtless. The times since we have been spending time together, I haven't really seen him shirtless.

I take advantage of this time to see his tanned and toned chest. I take a minute to admire the tattoos he has on his chest, being that I can only see them from the side.

Max looks up with a plate in his hand and sees me staring. He clears his throat, making Calum notice me. I ignore the look on Max's face, pulling up a seat next to Calum.

"Morning," I say to both Calum and Max.

Calum catches our attention, "Good morning beautiful."

I almost choke on my coffee, Max almost drops his plate. He notices what he said as his smile begins to drop.

"Sorry, it's a habit." He mutters and starts to pick at food.

We are trying to start over and make a relationship so maybe I should try to show that I am ready a little more. I do want to start over with Calum, I feel terrible about how I can't remember.

All I really feel is guilt because I can't be the person I used to be, the person Calum wants me to be.

I hesitantly move my hand over to place it on top of his, the one that is on his knee. He jumps a little from surprise and glances at me. He smiles when he sees my small smile.

"So... what are the plans for today?" Max asks closely watching our encounter.

"I don't know, but tonight I'm taking Brooke out on a date."

Tonight? I take a peak at Max to see his reaction. He's biting the inside of his cheek to stop a smile. This is actually what he wanted.

"Tonight?" I voice my thoughts out loud.

"Mm hm." Calum mumbles taking a bite of his bacon.

I realize that I haven't even started eating yet. The eggs on my plate start to make me feel nauseous. I move those to the side, and focus on my bacon and toast.

"What do I need to wear?" I ask in between bites of bacon.

"Anything really just not too dressy."

"Good, so a dress is out of the question." I smile, I only wear a dress if I absolutely have to.

"Yes," he laughs. "Jeans are fine." Calum squeezes my hand.

--

Thanks so much for reading. I'm going to try to update every week. Please vote and comment what you think.