The Other Side Of Fear[1]

Chapter 34

Thanks for all the messages! I've taken on board your thoughts on Wendy's revelations and it took me a a day or two of planning and thinking to decide which way to go with this in regards to what Cal's side will be, but I've stuck with my original plan after all so I hope you like it👏🏼

'Jared Lane?' Cal repeated with a questioning tone.

I said nothing and he continued to stare at me as his face creased up into a curious and irritated scowl as he glanced from me to the door behind me that was opening as Jack and Wendy stepped out. They hurried to my side and stared at Cal; Jack clearly feeling awkward and Wendy looking at him with pure disgust. Cal studied the pair of them for a moment before looking back to me and raising both eyebrows; I knew he was trying his best to compose his anger.

'Now it makes sense,' he said, looking to the floor as he shook his head then back up to the wall with his tongue in his cheek. 'What the fuck have you said to her?'

His eyes had darted to Jack and Jack's own widened as his mouth opened and closed, looking for a response.

'Don't get them involved, Cal,' I warned him.

'Really? Are you fucking kidding me right now?' he asked me furiously. 'Why else would you be asking me this shit? They've been poisoning your mind!'

'Cal, do not make things worse for yourself,' Wendy told him.

'Yeah? Fuck you, Wendy!' he spat. 'You've tried to turn her against me.'

I could sense the build up of his fury reaching its brim and I jumped as he bolted to the counter and pushed his way through, grabbing Jack's collar tightly with both fists and slamming him against the wall.

'Corrupting her mind with all of this bullshit!' Cal hissed.

'Cal, stop!' I screamed.

Running towards them, I grabbed the back of his jacket and pulled him as hard as I could away from Jack as Wendy screamed. He let go, stepping back but continued to glare at Jack as his jaw remained tight and his breathing heavy.

The bell jingled as a customer entered making us all jump and Wendy quickly moved forward with a forced smile to greet them.

'Take this out back,' Jack murmured to us both before straightening up his collar and walking to join his wife.

I braced myself and headed through the door followed by Cal who slammed it loudly. Sitting on one of the sofas, I waited as he strolled over slowly, unable to look at me as he positioned himself against the wall.

'You need to tell me the truth,' I said. 'I've had enough of liars.'

'I've never lied,' he muttered. 'I was just trying to keep you away from all of this shit.'

'Did you kill Jared?' I asked in a shaky tone.

'No,' he said casually. 'That's all you need to know about that so how about you move onto the next piece of shit they've put in your head.'

'Stop acting like you're innocent here!' I yelled. 'You put a man in a coma!'

He squeezed his eyes shut tightly and was still for only a few seconds but it felt longer. I wondered what thoughts were going through his head. Was he debating on whether or not to open up and tell me the truth? In a way, as much as I wanted him to grant me with the truth, I wasn't sure if I was ready to hear any of it come from him.