Begin Again // Calum Hood

Chapter 7.

I was at work at 9 pm, and getting ready to close. I somehow got lucky and got to work with Michael. No one else was in the shop, so we started talking.

"Michael."

"Hmm?" He hummed in response.

"We got into a fight." I abruptly said.

"Who?"

"Calum."

"Oh god. What happened?"

"Well it was basically a yelling match and then I tried to apologise but we argued again."

He sighed.

"I don't think this Calum guy is good for you to be around. He seemed so fake at your apartment." He's so cute when he gets defensive.

"He's not, he's a really sweet guy and a really great friend."

He looked at the clock on the wall.

"It's 5 minutes till closing. You just wanna go?" He looked over at me.

"Yeah I think we're good."

I started wiping off the counter next to me and Michael walked over and started doing the same. He shyly kissed the top of my head. I looked up at him and smiled. He pressed his lips against mine and then continued with the counter. We stayed quiet.

"Do you want to come to my place?" He whispered.

"Um," I bit my lip. "Sure." He snaked his arm around my waist and kissed my temple. I'm not used to a guy being so sweet to me, but it's a nice feeling. He gently rubbed across my back.

"I think we're good. It's pretty clean."

We took off our aprons and hung them up. We walked side by side while the back of his hand skimmed across mine. I playfully bumped my shoulder against his forearm.

"You nerd." He whispered to me. I cringed at the thought that Calum called me that too. He grabbed my hand and wove our fingers together. I leaned my head on him as we walked. I got in my car and followed him to his apartment.

He unlocked the door and we walked into his small apartment, with only a small couch in the center facing a tv, a bedroom on the right, and a kitchen to the left.

"Do you live alone?" I curiously asked as I adventured around.

"Yeah. It's pretty boring here, that's why I'm always out." I heard his keys land on the table and arms hug me from behind. I turned my shoulders to face him.

"Hey Michael?"

"Yes babe?"

"Do you think I could crash here tonight? I'm not in the mood to face Calum."

He hesitated for a second.

"Yeah, of course."

"I'll just sleep on the couch, okay?" I whispered. He lightly kissed me.

"Or, the bed." He mumbled against my lips. I want to sleep with Michael, but that's all. Just sleep. I'm afraid he'll take it elsewhere, and I'm not ready to do that with him.

"Only sleep."

"That's fine, as long as you're here." I kissed him with a smile.

"Do you have any clothes I could borrow?"

He mumbled a quick "mmhmm" and went into his room. I followed straight behind. He pulled out a dark grey sweatshirt with an intricate blue design on it and navy blue sweatpants. He walked out so I could change. I threw on the clothes and started to put my hair in a side braid.

"You can come back now." I said mid-braid.

"Holy shit. You look amazing in my clothes." He stood in the doorway.

"No I don't." He walked over and gave me a warm bear hug. I kept my head in his chest, he smelled so amazing. It was like a mixture of cologne and coffee. His clothes smelled like it, too. I walked over to his bed and laid down on one side. "I'm already tired." I sighed.

"Let me change and I'll join you." He picked out his own pajamas. I watched him as he took off his shirt, exposing his bare back, and put on a new one. He turned around. "I'm gonna change my pants. Close your eyes." A flirty grin lingered on his lips. I playfully covered my eyes like a little kid. "No peeking." I cracked my fingers and I saw his tight black underwear and brought my fingers back together. I felt the bed dip down and a warmth come from the left side. I uncovered my eyes. "I know you peeked." He whispered, inches away from my ear.

"And what would make you think that?" I giggled.

"I saw you close your fingers back."

"You caught me." I winked. I turned to face him and took some of his hair between my fingers.

"You're so beautiful." His eyes wandered around my face.

"No I'm not." I let go of his hair and flipped over to sleep. He put his head on my shoulder.

"Don't say that. You are." I remembered what Alexa said to tease him, and I turned over and smashed my lips on his. He sat up and I did the same. I brought my hands to his upper arms as he put his hands on my waist and started running his hands over them, slowly. He slipped his hands under the sweatshirt and felt up my back. I broke the kiss, moved his hands to his sides, and laid back down. I made sure to face the other way. I didn't want to stop, but I had to. A smile creeped on my face as I closed my eyes. I could hear him mumble "What the fuck?" under his breath as he laid back down.

"Goodnight, cutie." I said, trying not to laugh.

"Um, g-goodnight." He mumbled, obviously taken by surprise.