After All • Calum Hood (Sequel to ISTTY)

47

—Care to explain? -Ashton raises his eyebrows at me once we were boarding the Uber-

After the video, we said our goodbyes to Melanie & Evangeline, as I was waiting, he also went to say goodbye to his girl friends

—Nothing to explain, Evangeline was outside, she asked me to light her cigarette and then we went back inside with her friends

—Well, I must say Evangeline is gorgeous

—Right? -I admit- but I'm sorry to inform you she's taken

—I didn't see any ring -Ashton scrunches his face, confused. I chuckle-

—Not taken engaged, but she has a girlfriend

—Girlfriend? -he raises both eyebrows in bemusement- well, I bet her girlfriend is as beautiful as she is

—The only thing I'll say is: if they were able to biologically have kids together, they'd be perfect kids! -I say jokingly. But truth is both of them were really precious-

~

I get rid of my jacket and boots, leave on the desk my rings and finally get off my clothes to take a quick shower... That ended up being longer than expected thanks to Madeleine's memories running through my mind.

Once I left the bathroom I check on my phone but Madeleine hasn't answered yet, I decide to call her through FaceTime and she finally pick up at the second ring

—Baby, hi -she smiles at me, I smile back. Wyatt wasn't with her which is odd-

—My Princess -I murmur- where's Wyatt?

—He's upstairs sleeping with my parents, I'll be staying here tonight, I already told Mali. I'm at the kitchen right now, I came downstairs because I was starving! I'm craving something yummy -she laughs-

—It's been happening to me lately but with your food, I miss your food -I say pouting-

—I've missed your presence -she pauses- what did you do tonight? It's late, you know? -she laughs-

—I just arrived from the club, I was with Ashton -I yawn- I didn't wanted to go but it wasn't that bad tho

—Oh -she says putting the phone on the counter top then goes through the cupboard until she finds a box of Cheerios, Madeleine really loves those- Cheerios! -she exclaims like a little kid- Oops, I think I shouted too loud while everyone's asleep

—And how's your dad? How are you with your mother?

—My dad, weak, that's why I want to spend more time here -she grabs a handful of Cheerios and stuffs it on her mouth, I had to wait for her to chew and swallow everything in order to obtain another answer- with my mom, I spoke to her today, she's kind of depressed, I guess that's why she's in a bad mood lately—can't blame her -she shrugs grabbing another handful of Cheerios-

—It shouldn't be easy, I mean, I don't imagine how could I feel if you were sick... -through my mind travels the thought of Madeleine getting sick, I'd die without her-

—It isn't -she breathes out- I don't want to imagine us in that position otherwise I'll end up crying. I think I was being a little bit selfish with my mom, I think we both were... We were so self focused, self centred that we forgot both of us love him a lot -Madeleine's eyes suddenly widens a lot with an expression of preoccupation- oh no -is all she mumbles, leaving the phone there and running from the kitchen-

—Madeleine? Madeleine? -I shout a little, preoccupied for her, but she ignores my shouts and leaves... Minutes later she appears- Madeleine, what happened? Why'd you leave like that?

—I thought Wyatt had woken up, I heard a bump and got scared -she explains and I nod- but false alarme, he's still asleep

—Good -I say relieved-

—Yeah -she puts one hand on her chest and grabs the box of Cheerio's putting it back on the cupboard-

—We'll take a flight to New Zealand tomorrow, we'll have 2 days off and then the concerts start again

—You need to rest?

—A lot -I say yawning again- when we finished the concert I wanted to come here to just lay down

—Then why you didn't?

—Because Sierra & Luke went out, then Michael & Crystal did too, Ashton wanted to go out and I didn't wanted to leave him alone -I shrug- even though I would've preferred you here... I admit I would've left Ashton alone if you were here -I chuckle making her chuckle too-

—I miss you -she pouts kissing the phone camera simulating to kiss me-

—I know, I miss you too... Once Wyatt grows up you two'll be coming with me

—We need to get Ashton a girlfriend -Mad jokes- he's the only single right now, it'll be sad going out with couples and him third wheeling

—Poor thing -he pouts-

—I probably would head back to sleep, Cal. I'm sleepy, I'm tired

—You look tired

—Well, thank you -she says amusingly- I know I look like a mess right now

—You never look like a mess, you're more like a beautiful mess -I wink- call me tomorrow once you're with Wyatt. Alright? I want to see my son, I hope he doesn't forget about me

—Oh believe me, he won't forget you, as soon as he sees my wallpaper he extends his arms as if you were coming out of the screen to hold him

—My son's so beautiful -I breathe out-

—I'll call you, love. Good night, I love you a lot, rest!

—You too, Mad. Take care, love you—don't forget it.

After saying goodbye it didn't took me long enough to fall asleep, I woke up in the morning thanks to several messages, the vibration of the notifications make me woke up. I stand up from the bed, grumpy to be woken up, and head to the bathroom, as I came back to the bedroom I grab my phone to finally check the messages that woke me up, it was Madeleine, but none of them were love messages. Mostly, messages asking me to explain her what happened last night, I was so confused I decided to call her through FaceTime

—Bub? -I say as she picks up the phone but her face showed how upset she might be-

—Bold of you to call me babe -she says harshly/

—Hold on, what's going on? I don't get it -I furrow my eyebrows-

—Oh, now you don't know what's going on! Poor thing doesn't know anything -she spits out with irony-

—Madeleine, straight to the point, can you explain me what's going on? Because I don't understand a thing you're saying

—What's going on is that you were cheating on me! Arsehole! -the tears started to leave her eyes and I panicked. I've never cheated on her-

—Madeleine? I don't understand why you'd say that, I've never done anything to harm you or our relationship -I explain calmly-

—There are photos Calum, it's undeniable. It was on the fucking club that you went to last night and you still have the balls to call me as if nothing ever happened. Why? You don't care about my feelings? -her voice filled with anger and sadness-

—Honey, listen to me, I don't know what photos are you talking about but I've never cheated on you

—Calum, look at the damn pictures, I just sent them to you