Chapter Fifty-Six

Jon slid his sunglasses up his nose, and pushed them into his face to block out as much daylight as possible. His corneas were burning and his throat felt like someone had scraped sandpaper down it. Thank god that they had a break coming up, even if it was only two weeks and they had a court case in-between. Anything, which meant he was not on a stage night after night, was a blessing at this point.

It had been two weeks since Callie had left and Jon couldn’t remember the last time he’d spoken to someone on the phone nearly every day since his crushes in high school. He didn’t realize how much he’d missed hearing her voice until it had gone. And how much more grounded he felt in the midst of this fucking whirlwind of a tour by just talking to her, his constant.

Now more than ever, Jon had finally realized this and wasn’t prepared to accept anything less from her. She was so good for him, and he was good for her and he would spend the time that he had with her proving it. The bus-ride back to Jersey was uneventful, bland snowflakes began to fall on the shore and the chill picked up. He should have been going back to his parents place, or hell renting an apartment.

Callie hadn’t offered, and he didn’t want to just assume he was just welcome back there in case he pushed her too far, too soon.

Part of him hoped she would, being away from the band would be a godsend right now, he was sick of every asshole, even Richie was starting to get on his nerves. Doc stood at the front of the bus and drummed the top of the seat, “Jonny—am I dropping you at home?”

Jon rubbed his chin, “I’ll drop in and see Callie.”

“Sure thing Jonny, you only spoke to her less than twelve hours ago.”

Jon slapped the top of the seat as he moved into the isle, “hey—she’s saving your ass now. You lost the right to have a say in that relationship when you decided to deal in drugs.”

Doc stood silent, and Richie came up behind Jon, patted his shoulder and chuckled. “Say hi to her for me.” Jon reached up and grabbed his hand momentarily, “I will bro. Try and have a break from the booze and drugs Rich.” It was no secret that all of them had been over indulgent in the benefits that were coming with their success. He kept away from the drug shit, he hated the stuff after some fucked up shit when he was younger. He was pretty sure lager and wine seeped through his pores these days and not sweat.

“You know me, I’m all good Jonny,” Richie laughed it off like he always did. He didn’t want to deal with any of it right now, he needed a little space and a little perspective, and he was ever loving thankful Callie was around to give it to him.

Jon made his way to her apartment, god it’d been such a long time since he’d stood at the steps of the small apartment building. Their relationship had hardly got a chance to even start. He rapped his knuckles against her door but there was no answer, it was just after five so she probably was still studying. He dumped his bags down in the hallway and sat on the stairs looking down into the foyer. She was on the first floor of the four levelled apartment building, he rubbed his eyes and leaned in against the battered wooden banister, the edges of the carpet were frayed and the wallpaper was peeling. So it wasn’t the Ritz, but it felt like home more than anywhere else right now.

He wasn’t even aware until the jingle of the door downstairs, that he’d closed his eyes. A pair of killer heels with a pair of creamy shaped legs melted into view as they climbed the stairs. His cock jumped as blue eyes met his and she spoke.

“Why hello there.” A coy smile played on her lips as she took the next couple of steps. She looked amazing, like something out of lawyer of the week. Her suit was navy blue, with a white shiny looking shirt underneath, it was snug and shaped her body perfectly. Her hair was rolled up off her face all neat and nice. He flexed his fingers, already itching to mess her up.

“Hello there yourself –legs,” he stood to meet her and held out his hand for her case.

“Thank you sir.” She hovered in front of him on the step below his, he could smell her hair, god it smelled like clean girls. “What do I owe this fine pleasure?” She glanced at his bag and then back at him.

“I just got back, I thought I’d drop in before going home....” he tucked the one loose wisp of hair back from her face. “Or....”

She chuckled, “we’ll see about that or—why don’t you come in, you look like crap Jon.”

He snorted. “Gee and here I was about to tell you, you look amazing and you go and say that?” He picked up his bag and stepped up to the landing by her doorway.

She fished her keys from her pocket and unlocked the door, pushing it open. “You do though, and you smell like a brewery or a distillery, I haven’t decided which one yet.”

Jon gestured for her to walk in and followed her, mesmerized by the sway of her hips from behind. God love women. His woman. He dropped his bag and her case, “that’s too bad as I was going to do this.” He hooked his arm around her waist and dragged her in, the sweet intoxication of her perfume was enough to make him snap in two. He cupped her jaw and pressed his lips against hers, letting her sweet taste flow into his mouth.

She moaned and he lifted her up, holding her close to him. He broke the kiss and smiled, “Good to see you. You have no idea.”

She laughed and pushed back his hair and stroked his forehead. “I think I do. Go and
have a shower and I’ll get some dinner organized.”

“I’m that bad huh?” He dropped her down on her feet and let her go, “I have some money for takeout---my shout?” He went for his bag but she stopped him.

“Nope, I’ll cook. You look like could use some real food.” She kicked off her heels and padded towards her little kitchen. “You know where everything is.”

He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Thank you.”

“I haven’t said yes to you staying yet.”

“I know, this is for the shower and dinner. I’ll charm you for that.” He left her and glanced back over his shoulder before he left the room. Never in twenty years would he think coming home to a woman cooking him dinner was something to be treasured. Maybe he was just tired, sick of the road but this simple pleasure relieved his heavy heart. He showered for a good twenty minutes letting the spray pound out all the stresses of the last couple of weeks. He washed his hair, his father would have had a fit if he saw how ratty he’d let it become. He dried off and pulled on a fresh pair of jeans. He tidied himself up and padded back into the lounge tugging a sweater over his head. The smell of sweet potato and gravy made his belly rumble as he watched her work effortlessly at the stove.

He slipped into the chair at the table and rubbed his eyes, the table was piled with dusty worn medical journals and law papers. “How much law work are you still doing?”

“Oh, you’re back. Good shower?” She glanced over her shoulder and smiled.

“Yea—the best. Do you want me to move all this? Or are we going to eat in the couch?”

“We can eat on the couch, saves moving it all---I have it all in order, it just may
not look like it.”

He chuckled, “no kidding.” She still had avoided the law question, he could see from the papers she was still doing something to do with law, and he bet it was her father was grasping to the last straw of control he had over her as long as he could. He was still proud of her though, she’d come so far in such a short time. Maybe being away from him had helped that, like she had said earlier.

“Alright, what do you want to drink?”

His nose screwed up, “honestly anything non alcoholic—for now.”

She laughed and reached for the cola. “We can have a glass of wine later.”

She served up the most amazing chicken and vegetable dinner, and they both sat on the couch in a comfortable silence. Jon didn’t realize till he ate it, how much he’d missed real food. Good fucking god. She took his plate and he leaned back patting his stomach.

“That was amazing Callie—I had no idea you could cook like that.” His pants felt two sizes too small and his belly was full and content.

“I haven’t cooked properly for anyone in a long time. Dessert?” She asked pulling out a couple of bowls.

He sat up, “trying to make me fat woman?“

She snorted, “You’re way too skinny as it is. It’s fruit salad and ice-cream, nothing spectacular.”

“I won’t say not to that, but first come here.” He patted the side of the couch and waited for her to join him. Now just in her silky shirt and skirt, and pantyhose feet. He reached behind her head and pulled out the clips, letting her hair tumble around her shoulders. She was so beautiful, he just hadn’t seen it before the way he’d seen it before.

His hand slid up her neck and cupped her head, her hair falling around his hands. Her hands slid up his chest and to his shoulders as she leaned in with him. The kiss was long, slow and seductive. He ended the kiss and slid his cheek against hers. “I want you to be mine Callie.” Patience warred with need. He needed to know she wanted him in her life for good as he couldn’t stand any other option. This woman cared about him, the man and his life. She was extraordinary.

She parted her lips to speak, his eyes searching hers for any hint of acceptance. His hand smoothed down her shirt, cupped her breast and she moaned into his mouth.

“Mine.” He reaffirmed as she let his tongue in tasting every corner of her mouth, his thumb grazing over her nipple.

He held her close, barely millimetres apart from him waiting for the words he so wanted to hear, the words he hoped once and for all she would say to him.