The next morning I awoke to my phone ringing and I shot out of the bed, scrambling to grab it but before I could it stopped ringing and then began seconds later.

My Dad.

I quickly flipped open the phone and shoved it against my ear.

"Daddy?"

"Abby?! Abby where are you?"

"I'm in a little town in Georgia. I'm okay, Dad."

"Are you staying there?"

"Yes. It's safe here."

"Good. Because they are looking for you Abby. Seth came by and practically destroyed the house looking for any information on where you were."

My heart clenched.

"I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. As long as you're safe."

"I am."

"Okay. I have to go now. But I love you Abby."

"I love you too."

We hung up the phone and I sighed.

When would I get to see him again?

I loved my father.

He had been the only real family I had since Seth became a Black Wolf.

When your mom takes off when you're a kid and your brother is a gang leader, you tend to become close to the one family member who is always there for you.

The time on the clock said 7:03 and I sighed.

Guess it was time to get ready.

I made myself look presentable and dressed in a new pair of white shorts and a the tee shirt Kate had given me yesterday.

After downing a glass of orange juice I was ready to go and went into my garage where I had put the new bike and opened the door before walking it out onto my driveway.

I then had to jump to reach the handle to close the garage door and then mounted the bike so I could ride it to work.

I made it two blocks away from my house when I heard someone honking at me and in annoyance turned and looked to see Ashton in his truck.

Giving him a wave I rode faster and lost him at a turn.

I got to work just as Kate arrived and she let us both in.

"How was the rest of your day yesterday?" She asked me as we both put our bags behind the counter.

"It was good. I got some shopping done. What about you?"

"It was good. Ashton came by though and asked about you."

I shook my head.

"I think I gave him the wrong impression."

"How did you do that?"

"I don't know!" I laughed. "He offered me a ride and I said yes but that's it, and now he's like...ya know."

"He's sweet. Maybe he just really likes you?"

"That's flattering and all, but I'm not that interested."

"What about Officer Hood?" She said and my eyes went wide. "I saw the way you blushed when he talked to you."

"I don't really know him."

"Well you've only been in town a couple days. But he's a sweet guy, very handsome and smart. He's the best catch in town."

"I uh-I just got out of a relationship, so." I lied just so we could change the subject. I hadn't had a boyfriend in two years honestly, but I
didn't move here for love, I moved here for safety.

"Oh, is that why you moved?" Kate asked.

"No." I laughed, giving her a smile which she returned.

We were busy in the morning because a few buses came in and then we had the lunch rush.

And like Kate said, just like they had yesterday, the four town heroes walked into the store.

"Hey Nessa, I saw you got a bike." Ashton said as he walked up to the counter.

"Yeah."

"Cool! What kind did you get?"

"The kind that works." I mumbled as I counted his change and then handed it to him, and I heard chuckles and looked up to see Officer Hood standing next to Ashton.

I blushed like mad at this and I think he noticed because he laughed harder even though Ashton stood there with an annoyed look.

Ashton moved out of the way and then Officer Hood stepped up.

"You're quite sarcastic." He smiled as he handed me a ten dollar bill and I smiled as I made the change.

"I like to call it New York confidence." I winked and he laughed again before I handed him back his change and like yesterday he put a few bills in the tip jar.

And it went like this everyday for the rest of the week.

At lunch the four men would come in, Ashton would flirt with me, I would not flirt back, and then Officer Hood and I would share a laugh or smile over something I muttered under my breath, and then he would put his extra change in the tip jar.

On Friday after lunch I was getting ready to head out when Kate caught up to me.

"Hey, I was thinking of going to Blues Bar tonight and I'd love to have you join me." She smiled.

"Sure. What time should I be there?"

"Oh I can pick you up! I'll be at your place at around 7:45."

"Okay. See you then." I smiled and waved as I left, getting my bike and riding back home.

I took a shower and then straightened my hair so it was perfectly flat, and then did my makeup.

I put on a pair of ripped up blue jean shorts and then a black v-neck shirt.

I had time to kill so I ate a lovely dinner of boxed macaroni and cheese and then watched television.

I had seen the news report of the shooting again several times.

You could see Carlos fire at me and me run in the middle of the crowded street as they all ducked, but no one could see my face.

At 7:43 there was honking outside my house and I looked to see Kate in her small white carolla sitting in front of my house.

Grabbing my keys I locked up and then walked out to her car, getting in.

"Let's go party!" She squealed excitedly and I laughed as she drove us to wherever we were going.

We pulled up to a building on the outskirts of town and she parked before we both got out.

When we walked in I felt like I was in a bar out of a movie. The walls were wood panels and the floor was wood as well, pictures hung everywhere and the lights were low. There were pool tables to the left and other tables everywhere else where people lounged about, and my eyes fell on the four men I had come to be acquaintances with this week.

They were out of uniform but my eyes landed on Officer Hood in a navy blue tee shirt and jeans, tipping his beer back as he talked with his friends.

"Nessa!" Kate tugged on my arm and I broke out of whatever trance I was in.

"Let's go get a drink." She dragged me over to the bar where she got some fruity concoction while I ordered a Long Island Iced tea.

Once we had our drinks she then began to lead me over to the table where the four men sat.

I could feel the butterflies in my stomach and they waved as we walked up.

"Hey!" Officer Hemmings waved and got up so I could have his seat, which so happened to be between Ashton and Officer Hood.

"Hey Nessa!" Ashton grinned at me and I gave him a little smile as I went to sip my drink. "So
how has your first week in town been?"

"Good." I took another sip.

"How's the house on Elm Grove treating you?"

I was about to reply but was interrupted.

"Oh you bought the house on Elm Grove Lane?" Officer Hood asked and I nodded. "I know that place. Ya know, we responded to a call there a couple years ago. Found two bodies in the house. People say it's haunted."

I knew he was messing with me.

"Oh, well that explains the voices and the blood stains on the floor." I teased and he let out a laugh again. Wow he had a really nice laugh.

"Good one." Ashton said but he wasn't really in the conversation.

I looked down and noticed my drink had all but disappeared and I decided to head to the bar and get another one.

I leaned against the bar while I waited for my drink and soon was joined by Officer Hood.

"Can I get a beer?" He asked the guy and then smiled at me. "So Ashton seems to have taken quite the liking to you."

"Apparently. He's sweet but...."

"A bit clingy?"

"I guess you could say that."

"Well, you're new in town and a city girl, it's a new avenue for him. But he hits on every attractive girl in town, he'll move on in a week or two."

"Oh, so you think i'm attractive?" I raised my eyebrows and I saw him open his mouth and no words came out so I laughed.

He relaxed and then joined in the laughter.

"I meant to say that Ashton hits on every girl so he will leave you alone when someone new comes along."

"Mhmm, sure." I said and he laughed as he shook his head again.

"But i'll tell him to back off."

"Thanks Officer Hood." I smiled.

"You can call me Calum."

"Then thanks, Calum." I corrected my sentence and he smiled at me.

The bartender brought us our drink and Calum thanked him.

"Put her drinks on my tab." He said to the guy and I blushed as Calum and I walked back to the table.

"So have you lived in New York all your life?" Calum asked me.

"Yeah."

"So why would you move out to the middle of nowhere?" He laughed.

"Just needed a change. Besides, it's nice here."

"I understand." He smiled and I liked that he didn't try and press me for answers.

I could feel the alcoholic buzz going through me and smiled as I listened to everyone's conversations.

"Nessa! Want to go play some pool?" Kate called out to me and I nodded, following her over to the pool tables where she and I started a game.

Every so often I would glance up and make eye contact with Calum but he would then quickly look away.

I kicked Kate's butt in pool and she and I were about to head back when Ashton walked up.

"Wanna have a round Nessa?" He asked and I didn't even have time to reply because Calum strolled up.

"Ashton, if your going to challenge her to a game at least make yourself be a bit more competitive."

"Oh, someone thinks mighty highly of himself." I smirked at Calum.

"I'm good at pool, what can I say?" Calum winked at me and the three of us began a game.

Of course Calum had to win and he then called it a night, waving goodbye to all of us before he left with Michael.

"Wanna go again?" Ashton asked.

"Sure." I gave him a polite smile and he and I set the table back up.

Throughout our game drinks appeared in my hands and I guzzled them down, after that I didn't know until I woke up in the morning with a horrible headache.

I was laying in my bed with the lights on, but I didn't remember how I got home.

With a headache so strong I stumbled to my kitchen where I threw up in the sink, and then took some aspirin and water before going back to bed.

As I laid down something felt different.

Had I kissed someone last night?

For some reason it felt like I had.

I only got a few more hours of sleep before I had to go into work, and cringed as I looked at my disheveled appearance.

I showered and fixed myself up and took a few more Advil before getting on the bike and riding to the corner store.

As I walked in Calum was standing at the counter talking to Kate.

"Hey Nessa! How's the hangover."

"Be quiet." I mumbled as I set down my bag and turned to face Calum who was chuckling.

"Yes, how was the rest of your night?" He smirked at me.

Did he know something.

Kate was smiling too and I narrowed my eyes.

"Whatever. I don't remember anything after you leaving." I said to Calum. "But I woke up and felt like I had kissed someone, but...."

"Um...." Kate said and my eyes went wide.

"Wait I did? Who did I kiss?"

Both Kate and Calum just stared at me.

"Who was it?"

They kept staring and then the thought popped into the back of my mind.

No.

Oh no.

At that moment my eyes glanced out the window to see Ashton walking across the street with a bouquet of flowers in his hands.

"No!" I gasped and my hands flew to cover my mouth while Kate and Calum laughed.

"Oh my god! I can't believe I did that!"

"It was...intense?" Kate said and I shook my head despite my headache.

"I'm not here!" I said as Ashton got to the sidewalk and I ducked under the counter and opened a cabinet before climbing inside and Kate shut the door as Ashton walked inside.

"Hey man. Why do you have flowers?" I heard Calum's voice.

"They're for Nessa. Is she here yet?" He asked and I could literally hear his smile.

"She called in sick." Kate quickly lied and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"I know you're excited and all, but don't you think flowers are a bit much? You two aren't dating." Calum said.

"Not yet. I was going to ask her out today. I guess I'll stop by her house and check on her."

"Okay." I heard Kate say. "Bye Ashton."

There was a few moments until the cabinet door opened and both Kate and Calum looked at me and I let out a whine.

"I hate myself." I poked out my lip and Calum laughed before reaching out a hand and helping me from the cabinet.

I then proceeded to push myself up onto the counter.

"I don't even remember getting home last night, let alone kissing him. Are you sure I did?"

"I saw you. You and him made out for forever."

"As Ashton put it you made out for two
hours straight." Calum said and I dropped my head into my hands.

"I was so drunk."

"What happened to that New York confidence?" Calum joked.

"It died alongside my dignity." I mumbled into my hands causing him to laugh. "It's not funny! What am I going to do? I'm not into him like that!"

"Well you seemed to be pretty into him last night." Kate laughed.

"Kate!" I lightly hit her with my arm.

"Look, you have to tell him, just tell him you didn't mean to give him the idea you were into him and apologize." She said and I nodded.

"I just feel so bad." My shoulders fell.

"It'll be okay. He'll get over it." Calum patted my shoulder. "Look, I'll call him and tell him you came in late and then you can get it over with."

I nodded nervously and watched as Calum stepped away and I watched him before looking back at Kate.

"What?"

"I don't want Calum to think I'm like this with every guy." I sighed quietly.

"He won't. We've all done stupid things when we're drunk, he understands." She said and then her eyes went wide. "Does someone have a crush?" She said and I laughed nervously.

"He's sweet and cute, and I think he likes me..."

Kate just grinned at me as Calum came back up to the desk.

"He's on his way so Ill take that as my cue to go. But good luck, Nessa. Oh and thanks for watching the kids for me tonight Kate!" Calum smiled and patted my shoulder again before waving and leaving.

I hopped down from the desk and waited until the door opened and Ashton walked, all smiles and flowers in hand.

"You've got this." Kate whispered and then went to the back store room to give us some privacy.

"Hey." I awkwardly smiled as he approached the desk.

"Hey!" He grinned. "These are for you." He handed me the bouquet of brightly computed flowers. I was a red rose kind of girl but I wouldn't say anything.

"Wow, um thank you." I set them on the desk in front of me.

"So, I have been looking for you because I wanted to ask you out on a date for tomorrow night. We could go have dinner, see a movie...?" He suggested and I let out a ghost of a laugh before dropping my head and then picking it up.

"Ashton, I am really flattered, and you're a really sweet guy and all, but I don't think we are each other's type."

"What do you mean? I seemed to be your type last night." He said, the smile still on his face.

"I was obviously quite drunk and I tend to be very...friendly when I am intoxicated, so I honestly didn't mean to give you the wrong impression."

"Look, all I'm asking is one date."

"I-" I began and sighed.

"Just one date." He pleaded.

"Ashton, I'm going to be frank with you. I just got here, I don't really know my way around and I still need to get to know people, and I want to get settled into a life here before I start dating again. Okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I get it. It's too soon."

I gave him an apologetic smile.

"Sorry."

"No it's okay. I understand, I shouldn't have been so pushy."

"Do you want these?" I moved the flowers towards him.

"Nah, keep them. They bring out the color of your eyes." He pushed them back and I actually smiled at his compliment.

"Thank you."

"So...i'll see you around?"

"Yeah." I nodded and he took his hands off the counter, giving me a wave before hesitantly walking out of the shop.

Once the door closed Kate came out of the back room.

"You handled that well!" She hugged me.

"I felt bad, but...

"He'll be fine." She assured me. "Oh here comes a bus!"

I looked outside to see a bus load of people and sighed as the group of them began to walk in and I had to do my job.

At lunch Officer Hemmings, who I learned was named Luke, Calum, Ashton, and Michael came into the corner store for their lunch.

I checked Michael and Luke out before a bashful Ashton came up to buy his sandwich and left so Calum could buy his.

"Ashton told me what happened. I think you said everything exactly how it needed to be said."

"Thanks. I felt so bad."

"Don't. He'll be fine, and now you can settle in and not worry about guys asking you out."

I felt the air leave my happy bubble.

So maybe he wasn't into me like I thought he was...

"Uh...yeah..." I said and kept my head down as I gave him his change.

"See you later, Nessa." I heard him say and then move, and I looked up to watch him walk away.

"You okay?" Kate asked me.

"Yeah." I nodded. Glancing back up to see Calum's back getting further from me.

The next day was Sunday so I had the day off and I spent it catching up on sleep.

Monday and Tuesday were awkward because I refused to make eye contact with the four boys, but especially Calum.

Wednesday they came in for lunch again and Calum seemed to notice my silence because he finally said something.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

I nodded my head and then he bent down to look at my face since I was staring at the top of the counter.

"You look upset."

"I'm fine."

"I may be a man, but I do know that when a woman says she's fine she is not really fine."

"I'm just homesick. I'll get over it." I lied and he seemed to accept that answer.

"I'm sorry, Nessa."

"Thanks." I gave him a brief smile before turning around.

Thursday was better, I was actually able to look at him.

I didn't know why I was so upset. It's not like we had been dating or talking or whatever. But I thought he had kind of liked me or was at least a little into me.

Kate was the only true friend I had here and she listened to my confused rambles as to why Calum had said what he said with a comforting attitude and hug at the end of each rant.

On Friday after lunch it was about thirty minutes till my shift ended when Calum suddenly barged into the corner store, Kate and I both widening our eyes.

It had been his day off apparently because he was in jeans and a tee shirt that showed off the muscles he had and I wanted to drool just looking at him.

"Kate! I know tonight isn't the night you normally work but I got called into a late shift, can you watch the boys for me?" He ran up to the counter.

"I made plans to see my grandmother tonight. She's in the hospital." Kate said and I saw Calum sigh. "But what about Nessa? You're free aren't you?"

"Um yeah." I said.

"Have you babysat before?" Calum asked.

"Yeah. All the time."

"Would you mind? It would be from 7-2 am. I know that's late but-"

"I'll do it." I smiled and he relaxed.

"Thank god. You're a lifesaver."

"It's no problem." I laughed lightly.

"Do you mind if I get your number so I can send you my address?"

"Sure." I blushed and wrote it down on a sticky note and handed it to him.

"Thanks Nessa! I owe you one! Bye Kate!" Calum ran out of the store.

"Well that was interesting." Kate said and I laughed.

I went home after my shift and took a nap to get some rest before changing into a different tee shirt.

My phone buzzed and I looked to see I had a text from a new number.

'Hey it's Calum Hood! My address is 578 Oakwood Drive. Do you think you could get here at 6:30 so we can go over a few things?'

'Sure! See you then.'

It was already six so I took an apple and then got on my bike, going to find Calum's house.

He wasn't too far from me but I got turned around a couple times so it took me the full thirty minutes to get there.

His house had a big oak tree in the front yard and a front porch that I walked up. It was painted gray and white and I smiled when I saw a few toy dinosaurs on the front porch.

I knocked on the door and heard commotion behind it before it opened to reveal a boy about five or six years old with dark brown hair like Calum's, brown eyes, and the same skin tone. He had on cargo shorts and a spider man tee shirt and he looked at me before yelling and slamming the door shut.

"Eli!" I heard Calum's voice and the door opened to reveal Calum in his police uniform. "Sorry." Calum sighed. "Come on in."

He opened the door wider and I stepped inside his house.

The television was on in the living room to my left and I noticed he had the same floor plan as me.

"So how was your break?" He asked me.

"It was good."

"Thanks so much for doing this."

"It's really no problem." I smiled.

"I'll introduce you to the kids. Eli! Cade!" He called out and feet came pounding down the hall and two boys ran up to Calum. "So you met Eli." He placed his hands on the boy who had slammed the door on me. "And then this is Cade." He nodded to a boy about two years old, and he looked like a mini version of Calum. They both did.

"Guys, this is Nessa. She is going to be watching you guys today while Daddy goes to work." Calum said to the boys.

"It's nice to meet you guys." I bent down a bit and smiled at them. "Can I have a high-five?"

Eli gave me one and then Cade did as well, him smiling away.

"Alright, I'll show you around." Calum said and both kids took off towards the living room.

"So the kitchen, obviously. I have the doctors number on the fridge if you need it. You guys can order pizza if you want, they just need to
be in bed by ten. Cade will probably fall asleep before then, and just give them a bath before they go to sleep. There's toys literally everywhere so you shouldn't have a problem with that, and yeah, that's basically it."

"Are they allergic to anything?" I asked.

"No, but good question. I should've mentioned that."

"No, I just have a degree in pediatrics so I thought i'd cover all my bases." I laughed and he nodded.

"Where did you study?"

"NYU."

"Ah." He nodded. "Well then I have absolutely no worries. CPR certified?"

"Yup." I smiled and we both laughed.

"Good deal. Well I'll finish getting ready, and then head out but make yourself at home." He said and he walked down the hallway so I walked to the living room where the boys were and took a seat on the sofa.

"So how old are you Eli?" I asked the boy who was stacking legos.

"Six." He said. "How old are you?"

"Twenty five."

"Daddy is too!" He said and then gasped and ran down the hall yelling "Daddy guess what!"

"And what about you Cade? How old are you?" I asked the little one and lightly touched my fingers to his hair.

He didn't respond but showed me the dinosaur toy in his hand.

Eli came running back in and skidded to a stop before dropping down on the floor before going back to his legos.

"So how old is Cade?"

"Two. He's a baby." Eli said and I laughed.

"Can I play legos with you?" I asked him and he nodded so I sat down on the floor, and began to make towers with him, Eli showing me where he wanted things to go.

Cade came over to us and began to mess with the blocks making Eli mad so I convinced Eli to let Cade have a few of his own to play with to solve the argument.

A few minutes later Calum walked out with his belt that held his gun, taser, flashlight, and radio, and his polished shoes.

"Okay, Daddy's leaving now so come say goodnight." Calum said and both Eli and Cade ran over to him.

"Bye Daddy!" Eli hugged him and Calum kissed his forehead.

"Be good for Nessa, okay. I don't want her to tell me you've been bad when I get back."

Eli nodded and then Calum picked up Cade.

"Goodnight bubba." Calum kissed his head.

"Daddy." Cade smiled.

He set Cade down and then waved at me.

"Okay bye you two. I love you."

"Love you Daddy!" Eli yelled as he ran back to the legos.

Cade made to say I love you but it sounded like "wa ooo" so Calum just laughed and said see you later to me before leaving.

Tonight would be interesting.

--

Aw Calum's kids are going to be so cute!
Ahhh!!

Can't wait to show you guys what I have in store!

Much love xx -m