Stripping Callum (Last Hangman MC Book 6)(41)

“Babe, you’re going to have to talk to me.” He strokes my cheek and I nod, but I can’t. I can’t tell him everything. “You won’t.” He sighs.

“It’s not as easy as it seems.” I face plant against his chest.

“You’ll get there.” He kisses the top of my head.

“You two should go home. You need to talk or at least relax a bit. Gail and I got this, we can call her brother if anything. Don’t worry.” Josie pats my back.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, go before I change my mind.” She chuckles.

“Thank you.” I pull away from Callum and hug her. “You’re the best.”

“Thanks for stating the obvious.” She hugs me back and shoos us away.

We go to his place and I call Lawrence, telling him I don’t feel good and that I need the night off. He’s totally understanding and doesn’t mind me skipping a night. I’m relieved because I really didn’t feel like going to work and stripping for random people. The fun of the first few months is slowly wearing off, and now I’m just going to see Callum. Although I still wonder why he doesn’t mind me taking my clothes off in front of other men.



We’ve been at Callum’s for an hour, just lying on the couch in silence when he breaks it.

“The first time I saw you was when you were hanging out with a guy at the lake. You seemed happy and like you were having fun. I was jealous of that guy. I wanted to be that guy,” he says out of nowhere. I look up at him, confused. “You always tell me I’m never opening up to you, I am.” He chuckles.

“Thank you.”

“What I wouldn’t give to be at least ten years younger.”

“Why?”

“Because then I’d be closer to your age.”

“Like you care about the age difference,” I scoff.

“I don’t, but you will.”

“Why do you say that?” I’m getting slightly annoyed with him. It’s like he’s trying to find an excuse to push me away.

“Because you’re twenty-two, and I’m going on forty. I’m eighteen years older than you.”

“So? I don’t see where you’re going with this.”

“Nowhere, I was just saying. Maybe you need someone younger.” He sighs, playing with my hair.

“So, you’re telling me that you saw me a while ago, wanted me and pursued me, only to tell me now that you’re too old for me?”

“Something like that?” He chuckles humourlessly.

“Before anything started between us, I knew you were older than me. I never cared. I like you for you. Despite you having your annoying moments, you’re a decent guy. You’re good looking, funny, nice when you’re not being moody, and you’re good in bed. You can cook, and you always make sure I’m good and happy. Why do you want to ruin whatever it is that is between us?” The more I talk, the louder my voice gets. I’m seriously getting annoyed with him. As much as I don’t want to define the relationship, I don’t want it to end.

“You know how to make a man feel special even if you’re yelling at him.” He smiles.

“I’m serious!”

“Me too. I like you. A lot. I’m just not good enough for you. You deserve better. You mentioned bringing drama with you wherever you go. I’m the same. Every woman I’ve ever had something with ended up dead.”

“Man, deadly dick?” I try not to laugh, but a snort comes out of me on its own free will.

“Very funny.” He chuckles. “I mean it.”

“So, every woman you’ve f*cked is dead?” I ask in horror.

“No, just the ones I had something more than just sex with.”

“So, that includes the cop?”

“Yeah. Although we only f*cked a couple of times, she ended up dead.”

“Now don’t get mad, but the world doesn’t revolve around you. We’ve already established that what happened to the cop was pure coincidence and a case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. I don’t know who else in your life died, but I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for it. Something else other than you being the missing piece about those tragedies.”

“While I see your point about Lewis, I still think that I could have protected her better.” He blows out a breath.

“Maybe she didn’t want you to protect her. She was carrying, she could protect herself. Maybe it was in the heat of the moment that she was wherever it was that it went down, but it’s not on you. I know it, and you know it. And I’m sure all your friends know it and told you, but you’re too damn stubborn to accept that fact and would rather wallow in self-pity than admit you’re wrong.” I don’t know why I’m being such a bitch to him, but the fact that he’s still blaming himself for something that clearly isn’t his fault is annoying me.

“You’ve got some balls.” He chuckles and rolls us over so that he’s lying on top of me before kissing me passionately.

“Maybe.” I hold him to me, his forehead resting against mine.

“Yes, I still feel responsible because I should have put my foot down and not let her come with us.” He sighs.