Drinks are on me

Hailey: i told him i needed some time to think about it.

Hailey: why should i apologize for not wanting to get hurt again? you're supposed to be on MY side.

Callum: Hails, I will always be on your side, but it sounds like you are leaving out some pretty big details to me.

Callum: And if not, then it sounds like you got the explanation and apology you wanted and then ghosted him.

Hailey: because it just isn't okay?

Hailey: he is my friend but like, it's not the same kind of friendship you and lydia have always had.

Hailey: he tried to work things out with me and i freaked out and just ghosted him and now im wondering if i shouldnt have

Callum: Ok, that doesn't make sense.

Callum: So now you ghosted him?

Lydia: no lol

Lydia: but you will be!! if you keep ignoring my question!

Callum: Ok....

Lydia: well hello callum

Lydia: do you want to grab some lunch?

Callum: My whole first name?

Callum: Hey you.

Hailey: it's not that easy, Cal.

Hailey: lydia is crazy to reject you. you're the best person i know and you guys had a friendship that's just, way different. you guys have history.

Callum: Why isn't it that easy?

Hailey: ask him what? if he's a liar who just doesn't like me? no lol

Hailey: it just is.

Callum: Whether he likes you and what is making him hesitant?

Hailey: it just feels like he's hiding something from me.

Hailey: he seemed so into me and then in the blink of an eye was pushing me away like i was disgusting and then turned around and tried to apologize but it just doesnt feel right.

Hailey: you and lydia is different...

Callum: Did you ask him out right?

Hailey: i dont know. i mean, yes but the way it all happened just made me feel like it might happen again

Hailey: does that make sense?

Callum: Can you give me a little more detail?

Hailey: made me feel really stupid and rejected me.

Hailey: they had a reason i guess and tried to explain it to me but i just feel like it makes me twice as dumb to believe it and let myself get hurt again, you know?

Callum: I understand that feeling.

Callum: But, did you hear them out?

Hailey: is it stupid to give another chance to somebody who hurt me?

Hailey: dont ask who cause i'm not telling you their name

Callum: well, it depends.

Hailey: i need some big brother advice

Hailey: but i dont have a big brother so i need it from you instead, Cal.

Callum: Anytime Hails.

Callum had decided to take a night off. The thing was in a small town like this, there wasn’t much to do other than go to his bar, or the other bar in town. He didn’t feel like hanging out his place was much of a night off. So he made his way to Tappin’ Boots figuring he would have a drink or two. He made his way to the bar without looking who was already there. Before he realized it, Sheila, one of the regulars from his bar was next to him. “Oh Sheila, Isn’t that Travis over there.?” He said with a small laugh trying to diffuse her attempt to come on to him. The woman looked over her shoulder and ran off from him. “Thank god Travis was here. I almost feel bad for that, almost.” He told Daniel as the bartender approached. “Whiskey and a beer.” He ordered from him. “Haven’t seen you in a while. How you been?” He asked.

It was hard to tear apart the connection Callum and Lydia had built through years of friendship over something as silly as emotions. She tried to ignore everything that happened, because honestly she wasn’t ready to face her feelings with anyone in her life. The whole thing that was happening with Phillip was hard to accept too, even after their little impromptu Valentine’s Day date. All she knew was that Callum was her one constant and it would’ve really fucking sucked to lose him as her best friend even though it felt like his confession came a couple years too late. That was why Lydia nodded when he apologized. “It’s forgotten. You’re my best friend and you bring me tacos so how could it not me?” She joked and walked into the kitchen with him so it wouldn’t get weird. She hated how his voice cracked and it made her feel guilty, but she really was figuring everything out. She would never ask him or Phillip or anyone to wait while she did. Lydia set the tacos on the table and grabbed a couple of drinks for them. “What’s new?” She tried to change the topic but wasn’t sure if that would even be possible. 

Callum nodded. He could feel that she didn’t want to have this conversation so he let it go. He hated that this was between them and wanted nothing more than to be them again. This night was an attempt to do that. So when she said all was forgotten he did his best to forget it himself. “New? Not much, really. Actually nothing. Just working.” He told her as he watched her grab them something to drink. “How about you? What have I missed out on?” He asked. “Besides how amazing this place looks. You guys are really doing a great job with the renovation. I’m really excited for you.” He told her, genuinely. “If there is anything you need help with that Philip can’t do, let me know. I’d gladly pitch in however I can.” He told her. And he meant every word of it. No matter what happened or didn’t happen between them, he would always be there to help her out and take care of anything she needed.

Peter didn’t need to take it too far, he was coherent enough that he could make another choice, but the second that Callum tried to put his hand on him, the younger man jerked away from him and ended up elbowing someone else in the face in the process. “Don’t put your god damn hands on me, dude!” But at that point it was too late as his buddy tried to talk him down and the guy who had taken an elbow to the face started to shove Peter back. Without hesitating, Peter turned around and started swinging and before he knew it, there were four of them all going at each other and throwing punches. He had his back to Callum now, who was probably about to call the police but Peter was lost in his own head now, knuckles bleeding and face about to be bruised and busted before the night was over.

Callum sighed. “Then just walk your ass out of here.” But before he could get to much further into the conversation, the fists started flying. Callum tried to grab Peter to restrain him, but before he could, he felt the fist of the patron connect with his head. He knew this was bad idea and hew knew he should probably have backed out and let his bouncer and the police handle it, but he didn’t want it to get worse. Luckily the bouncer grabbed the other man and pulled him off as more fists were flying. Callum grabbed him by the arm again, this time a tight grip in an attempt to pull him away, knowing the man had already started to struggle when he touched his arm the first time.

“That sounds nice.” Liv wished she had done more traveling, but the only place she ever really went to was New York City and that’s it. She stayed right here in Asteria for most of her life. Then, a small frown spread across her face at his next question. “Well, to put it plainly my ex-husband didn’t want me to.” She had been so foolish back then and felt like an idiot now. “It’s fine, maybe our date was a sign that I should just sit things out for a while,” she shrugged her shoulders. “Thank you for offering, but it’s not anything that serious.” 

Callum smiled. “It was amazing. It was supposed to be a last hurrah before I settle down and go to college. Which I did sort of. But i mean, one semester and I was back home. College was not for me.” He shrugged. He listened to her for a minute. “Thats horrible. I’m sorry Liv. I’m glad you are away from him then. And you should take that trip to Paris now.” He told her, not thinking about her kids and it  probably wasn’t easy to just jump on a plane and go somewhere. “Are you sure? I mean I’m here.” He offered.