“Callie I was there. You bit him, but he’s glossing it over for you. I won’t. I could see the bruising starting instantly. When he buckled you in, you grabbed something you shouldn’t and wouldn’t let go. I had to find something to bind your hands. When I came back out he was bleeding. You had bitten down on his lip and busted it open. When I used the cloth we were going to tie you up with to wipe the blood away, you called me a whore for touching him. He told me you wouldn’t remember anything and I told him one look at him and you would.” Chasity said watching Callie.
“He told me he got in a fight.” Callie said looking at him.
“Callie he didn’t want you to be mad at yourself for doing it. He knew you would hate him. I told him he may have to sleep with you to keep you from killing him.” Chasity told her.
“So you only slept with me because she told you to.” Callie said getting mad.
“Callie girl, I made love to you. I did it because I love you.” Chase said as he was kneeling in front of her.
“You couldn’t love me. You don’t even know me.” Callie said pushing him away.
“Callie stop. I know he loves you he even told that teacher he loved you on the phone. He told her she could never compare to you. I know he told you he loved you before he left with you. I never would have let you go if I didn’t think he did. He even threatened to take you away from me if I ever gave you rum again.” Chasity said laughing.
“Everything she said is true. I knew when I saw you in the diner I would love you forever. I also knew you would need time. That’s why I asked you to go riding. I didn’t want to rush you.” Chase said laying a hand on her knee. Callie jerked away.
“Which is why you took advantage of me when I was drunk.” Callie shouted. Chase looked down at the floor. He had no excuse. He had truly lost her. Hearing another knock on the door he looked up. She looked confused.
“I’ll get it.” Chasity said walking away. When she returned, Luke was with her.
“What are you doing here?” Chase asked him.
“Chasity thought you might need me. I think she was right.” Luke said looking at him. “What have I missed?” Luke asked Chasity and she told him everything.
“I really don’t see why this has anything to do with you.” Callie said looking around confused.
“Really?” Luke asked looking around the room.
He looked to Chasity and she nodded. Moving on he looked at Chase. Chase shook his head before looking up at Callie. Callie wouldn’t look at Chase and was keeping a distance. Luke could see it was killing his brother and decided to step in.
“You have nothing to do with this. I don’t care if you want to stay, but stay out of it.” Callie said getting angry.
“I can’t stay out of it.” Luke said. Chase looked up trying to stop him again. “Sorry Chase you can kill me when we get home, but she needs to get over her blaming you. Little miss high and mighty, you still don’t know everything because he is still trying to protect the person who is destroying him.” Luke told her getting angry.
“What are you talking about? Was there someone else there he let take advantage of me?” Callie said her face bright red and her voice raising.
“Callie, stop. We have let you blame him far to long. Listen to Luke. He was at the house and saw things that I didn’t.” Chasity said glaring at her.
“I’m getting really sick of yall ganging up on me. I don’t have to take this.” Callie said moving to stand. Chase tried to block them from getting to her, but Luke pushed him aside while Chasity grabbed her, holding her down. Chase struggled with his brother, but was afraid of scaring Callie so he stopped and sat still. Callie looked about to cry and he glared at Chasity.
“Leave her alone. She isn’t ready. She needs to rest.” Chase told them.
“She is being stupid and I’m sick of it.” Luke said rolling his eyes.
“Don’t you ever talk about her like that!” Chase said swinging around on Luke ready to fight.
“Please just stop it. I will sit here and listen, just stop this.” Callie said with tears running down her cheeks.
“Callie girl, don’t cry. Nothing is worth seeing you hurt.” Chase said moving for her.
He leaned down to kiss her forehead and she flinched away. This was never going to work. She would never trust him. He had been debating on moving and that was seeming like a great idea if it kept her from hurting anymore.
“I don’t know if you’re that stupid or if you are just naïve.” Luke said sighing loudly.
“I’m not stupid. It is not right to take advantage of a girl when she can’t defend herself, and is too drunk to remember what happened.” Callie said trying to wipe away the tears.
“Let me tell you what I saw!” Luke said pulling a chair right in front of her so she couldn’t look away. “Chase called me sounding desperate. I laughed when he opened the door and told me he needed me to stay to keep you off of him. That seemed ridiculous. You started off sweet and innocent talking to me. Are you listening cause you really need to hear the next part?” Luke said waiting for her nod.
“You leaned over rubbing his thigh which wasn’t a big deal, but then you jumped on his lap squirming around before leaning back and biting his ear hard. When he pushed you away you got up spinning around and straddling his hips and kissed him. Even with me sitting in a chair across from yall you shoved your hand down his pants. I tried to make my presents known, but you just told me to run faster. Now from everything I saw, you were the one who was practically raping him!” Luke said practically shouting at the end.
Chase looked over at Callie and she had curled her arms around her head that she had put on the table and her shoulders were shaking from her sobs. Chase glared at Chasity and Luke.
“I told you to never hurt her. You knew I didn’t want to tell her. She did nothing wrong.” Chase told Chasity. “And you, there is no excuse for the way you talked to her. She doesn’t remember anything. I knew better. I think it’s time we move on. I can’t stay here knowing how much you obviously hate her. There is nothing she could ever do to warrant the way you just talked to her.” Chase said before looking around the room.
“I’m very sorry for all of this Callie. I will never bother you again, and I will do everything I can to keep Luke away too. Luke let’s go.” Chase said waiting till his brother started out before looking back at Chasity. “Take good care of her please and if she ever needs anything feel free to call me.” Chase said before leaving behind his brother.
*****
“Callie, they are gone. You can look up now.” Chasity told her.
“The one time I let go I hurt a lot of people. I just need to be alone now. You can go I know your busy.” Callie said refusing to look up.
“I know you’re upset, but you have to snap out of it now! I want my sister back.” Chasity said sounding angry.
“I am your sister, but after what happened I will never be the same.” Callie said feeling herself slip into a dark depression.
The room was quiet and she thought her sister had finally left her alone. Callie laid her head down letting the tears flow. She had never been one to cry, but everything else had changed, so why not this too. She was going to stay in this chair at the table until she could figure out one good thing about herself because right now she couldn’t think of any.
“Oh hell no! Get up now. Pity time is over. You do not get to mope around while Chase and Luke fight about you and begin looking for a new home.” Chasity told her shaking her hard.
“Just stop. They will be fine. Maybe I should go. I’m sick of being the ugly, fat girl everyone laughs at.” Callie told her pulling away.
“You know what? I’m done! Believe whatever you want. Luke was right about one thing. You are acting stupid. I will not stand by and watch you throw everything away. If you ever put your big girl panties on again, give me a call.” Chasity said grabbing her purse.
“Oh and just so you know everything they said was true, and i
f you could pull your head out of your ass, you would see that may have been the best thing that ever happened to you.” Chasity said fiercely before slamming the door behind her.
Callie fell to the floor sobbing. She had no idea what was going on, but she couldn’t deal with it right now. She needed to think, but not right now. She fell asleep having terrible dreams of all the things she had been told. The only bright light was the gorgeous man whispering “I love you Callie girl.” but that was only a dream.
Chapter 8
Chase pulled into the driveway, throwing his truck in park, and jumped out with only one thought in mind: Kill Luke. He went to the house but Luke wasn’t there so he headed to the barn. Luke met him halfway ready for the fallout of what happened with Callie.
“You had no right! It was none of your damn business.” Chase said seeing red.
“I had every right. She was accusing you of the worst crime I could imagine. I couldn’t stand there and let her blame you saying you had wronged her.” Luke said planting his feet firmly.
“It was between us. She wasn’t ready to hear that. She should have never heard it.” Chase said taking a swing and catching Luke’s chin.
“Damn it. That was your only free shot. You are my brother and I won’t tolerate anyone accusing you of a crime you didn’t commit.” Luke said rubbing his jaw.
“You called her names and then told her she raped me asshole!” Chase said swinging again, this time busting Luke’s mouth.
“She did!” Luke yelled and spit out the blood before swinging and hitting Chase on the cheek.
Chase was furious. They had never fought like this, but Luke had pushed too far. He felt blood running down his cheek and knew it was going to be bad later. He couldn’t be bothered to care now. They descended into chaos. Both swinging furiously, not caring how much damage they actually caused each other.
Luke shoved him and they tumbled to the ground both trying to get the upper hand. Chase was on top and raining blow on his brother, but Luke flipped them and returned the favor as Chase punched him repeatedly in the ribs.
“Oh no. Stop both of you now!” A female voice called.
Neither of them paid her any attention and Chase flipped them over again. Luke hammered his ribs as he continued to punch his face. It didn’t last much longer. The voice they heard apparently found the water hose, spraying them both.
“This isn’t helping anything. Stop NOW!” She yelled again.
They broke apart, both not happy about being sprayed. Looking up Chase saw Chasity standing there. He didn’t need this now. He turned to go to the house and she sprayed him again. She had a death wish!
“Damn it quit.” Chase yelled at her.
“Stop acting like a child. I came here to talk.” Chasity said glaring at him.
“The water hose can talk to you then” Chase said wishing she was a man.
“Today didn’t go over well and I think we should discuss it.” Chasity said looking sad.
“Look I know you mean well, but it’s over. I won’t put her through that again. It shouldn’t have happened this time.” Chase said looking down and shaking his head.
“That’s it, you give up? You really were lying about loving her.” Chasity said getting mad.
“Never accuse me of lying. I will love her the rest of my life, but watching how hurt she was, I can never be selfish enough to make her go through it again. I would rather her hate me than to see her tears.” Chase said staring in her eyes to convey his message.
“She is stronger than you give her credit for.” Chasity said turning the hose on his brother again. “You aren’t leaving either.”
“Chasity if you want to talk fine. But I’m not gonna do it standing out here soaking wet. You can come to the house and I will talk with you after I change clothes.” Chase said waiting for her agreement. He wasn’t getting sprayed again.
“Fine, but if either of you aren’t in there in five minutes I will come looking.” Chasity told them.
“Count me out. I’ve had enough talk for one day.” Luke said looking furious.
“I will spray you again, and then follow you and make sure your life is a living hell till you do what I ask.” Chasity promised him.
“As Chase pointed out, this isn’t my business.” Luke said glaring at her.
“Since you made her cry and took a relatively calm situation and caused chaos, it is very much your business. Kitchen five minutes!” She said and turned to Chase for him to lead her in.
Chase could hear Luke calling her really bad things under his breath. Chase wasn’t in total disagreement this time. He didn’t want to deal with her. He showed her to the kitchen then went to his room. After changing he looked in the mirror. Luke had gotten in some hits. He washed the blood from his face before going down stairs.
“Wow, that looks pretty bad. You may want to put an ice pack on… Well pretty much everything.” Chasity told him.
“It’s fine. Luke may take a few more minutes. His cottage is half a mile out.” Chase said.
“Does he know about the forgotten protection?” Chasity asked him.
“No, it’s none of his business.” Chase told her getting annoyed.
“Did you tell Callie before I got there?” She asked hopeful.
“No, she was so happy I didn’t want to upset her.” Chase said hanging his head.
“I won’t mention it with him here. Do you need me to tell her?” Chasity asked quietly.
“Can you give me two weeks? If she will speak to me I would like to tell her, but if she won’t I will let you know.” Chase said folding his hands on the table.
“Okay. She was all to pieces when I left. She has never acted like that. Please don’t be upset with her.” Chasity said and he could hear the plea in her voice.
“I have never been upset with her. She was doing okay at first.” Chase said.
“I know. I shouldn’t have called Luke.” Chasity said looking down at the table.
“He shouldn’t have went off like that, but he was defending me. Before the fight he told me he wouldn’t stand for her accusing me of taking advantage of her. I can see his point. I would probably do the same, but I will not let him talk to her like that again.” Chase told her trying to get her to understand why he did it.
“Chase, I understand. I don’t think Luke was wrong, I just think there could have been a better way to go about it.” Chasity told him honesty.
“Great ya’ll have already started talking. Does that mean I can leave, or should I be ready to fight again.” Luke said as he walked in.
“Sit. We are all going to talk. Crap, you look as bad as Chase. Do ya’ll fight like this often?” Chasity asked looking back and forth between them.
“No, this is the first time.” Chase said looking at Luke. He looked rough too.
“And hopefully the last time. My ribs hurt, ass wipe.” Luke told him.
“Trust me mine do too.” Chase said grimacing.
“Are you truly planning to move away?” Chasity asked and Luke looked at him.
“I think it would be best if we did. Callie could get her life back if I wasn’t here screwing it up.” Chase said sighing.
“I think you should wait to make that decision.” Chasity said giving him a knowing look. “I mean give things a few weeks to settle down. You just got the ranch going the way you wanted and Luke works at the firehouse. It couldn’t hurt to wait a little bit.” Chasity told him.
“She’s right. I like the firehouse, and the ranch is going good now.” Luke said looking up at him.
“Luke you can stay here if you want. You can even keep the ranch. You wouldn’t have to leave just because I do.” Chase said looking at him.
“Where you go I go. We make a good team, aside from earlier.” Luke told him frowning.
“Just give it some time please.” Chasity asked him.
“Fine, I will give it a month.” He said running his hand across his jaw and wincing at the pain.
&nbs
p; “Luke, I know why you said what you said. I would do anything to protect my sister, but if you ever do it again I will cut your balls off.” She told him smiling sweetly.
“She isn’t kidding is she?” Luke said looking at Chase.
“Nope, and if you ever try that again, I will hold you down for her. I will always love Callie, so you need to learn to be nice and try to get along with her.” Chase told him.
“Honestly I don’t have a problem with Callie. I think ya’ll could be good together. I just can’t stand knowing she is hurting you.” Luke said meeting his stare.
“I know, but the best thing to do is drop it. It’s not an issue anyways. At the end of the month I will walk away.” Chase said getting up to leave. “Chasity, thanks for everything, but I have some things I need to do. If she needs anything at all call me. Keep her in long johns and I will be sure to send the money with Luke.” Chase said walking out the door headed for the barn.
*****
Callie woke up on her kitchen floor feeling like crap and sick to her stomach. She called into work and went to the bathroom. She felt a little better after emptying her stomach. She hoped the bug would pass soon. She hated feeling sick. Her phone beeped and she went to check it. I dropped something off on your porch. If you get low on long johns call me. Love you! It was her sister.
She walked to the door and opened it. There were two big thermos’ there. Picking them up she read the note on the front of one as she walked to her kitchen.
Someone dropped this off for you. They said you needed them every morning. Enjoy.
It was way too early for guessing games. She opened the first one when she got to the counter and started crying again. She could smell the sweet chocolate and her mouth watered. It was still steaming too. She remembered him telling her he would make it anytime. How had it gotten here though? Had he actually come by? Her stomach growled loudly and she grabbed the thermos’ and her long johns and went to the table.
Chase's Teacher Page 7
