Sugar Coated Pain [Boxer!Calum Hood AU] PUBLISHED -- SAMPLE ONLY

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

THE JACKET REMAINED neatly folded, sitting on a shelf underneath the counter of the bookstore, where Noelle's gaze kept dropping towards. She was manning the register today, but the mere presence of the jacket demanded attention and Noelle found herself often looking down at it, almost in disbelief that it was still there. That she still had it.

Truthfully, she was a bit surprised that Calum let her leave Ashton's house while still wearing it last night—though, maybe it was the least Calum could do after spilling his drink on her. And not even apologizing for it. But now here she was, the next morning, with the jacket still in her custody and waiting to be returned to Calum. Noelle pressed her lips together as she recalled the faint scent of his the jacket carried when she put it on, enveloping her completely; it was a nice minty yet woodsy cologne with another smell that she just deemed as Calum, but it was just so delicious. She was practically swimming in the material, yet she hadn't wanted to take it off.

Beverly, too, had made sort of a big deal when she saw her little sister wearing the fighter's jacket. "That's, like, his favorite piece of clothing ever," she had said when she recognized the jacket last night. "I can't believe he's letting you wear it!"

Safe to say, Noelle felt her face heat up and stomach twist excitedly. But she wasn't going to think anything of it. Nope, not at all.

"Excuse me? I'm ready to pay." Noelle snapped out of her thoughts, blinking in startelement as she took notice of the woman standing in front of her with a few books placed on the counter.

"O-Oh, I'm so sorry," Noelle rushed out, offering an apologetic smile as she began scanning the items. Fortunately the customer didn't seem too annoyed as Noelle bagged the books and handed them over. "Have a good day," she chirped, smiling once the woman returned the sentiment and left the store.

Noelle hadn't noticed Beverly lingering near the register, by one of the aisles, until she walked over and stated, "That's, like, the fourth time you've spaced out on the register." Noelle jumped slightly at the sound of her sister's voice, turning to look at Beverly as she smirked slightly. "Do I need to demote you to stocking duty?"

Rolling her eyes, Noelle pointed out, "We both run this place, sis. You can demote any other employee but me." Sitting down on the stool she kept behind the register, Noelle's shoulders slumped. "I don't mean to space out, sorry."

Beverly waved her off, walking behind the counter to lean against it next to Noelle. "What're you thinking about? Everything okay?"

"What? Oh, no, yeah, everything's fine," Noelle assured with a laugh because, really, it wasn't a big deal at all. She was just lost in her thoughts about the stupid leather jacket and its owner, whom she would have to return it to. Only question is, was she going to go herself or have Beverly or Ashton do it? "I was just wondering. . . Um, do you know where Calum would be today?" When Beverly's eyebrows shot up, Noelle quickly added, "I need to give him his jacket back."

"Mmm-hmm," Beverly hummed, eyebrows still drawn together, unconvinced as she stared at her sister. Noelle, in turn, flushed slightly as she wondered what the hell Beverly may be thinking. "He's probably gonna be at Astros until eight tonight. I can just give the jacket to Ashton and he can return it."

For some reason, Noelle wanted to protest to that suggestion. Calum may have been kind of a jerk last night at the party, and even when she had first met him, but he still did a nice thing by letting her borrow his jacket. It was only right if Noelle returned it herself and thanked him to his face. Though, at the same time, she wasn't too sure how Calum would feel if she showed up at the place where he fought. And truthfully, she wasn't entirely comfortable going there.