Page 38 of Losing Control
“He doesn’t know that we’re friends?” Cal looks a little put out as he asks this question, and I feel bad that I haven’t thought to bring him up in conversation before now.
“Well, I’ve mentioned your name in passing,” I say pathetically.
“He knows that we’re friends, right?”
“Sure.” My voice is a little too high-pitched as I answer. I can feel his eyes on me as I look down and finish my sandwich, but I avoid his stare.
Michael doesn’t know much about Cal because I haven’t told him. When I first started dating Michael, I mentioned that I had a friend who was travelling, but I didn’t know when he would be coming back home. Then time ran away with me and Cal didn’t get mentioned again.
As I realise this, I see what a shitty thing that is to do. Cal is an important part of my life, and I should have made that clear to Michael, but with Cal gone, I didn’t feel the need to explain.
“You are happy, aren’t you?” Cal asks me, interrupting my thoughts.
“Yes.” I am happy, but that feeling of dread firmly settles in the pit of my stomach at the thought of speaking to Michael. I am just hoping that, now that we are back on track, he takes the news well.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Unexpected introductions
“Let me walk you up,” Cal offers as we come to a stop outside of the office building that I work in.
“There’s no need, honestly.”
“I know there is no need, I want to.”
“God, were you always this insistent before you went away?” I remark, smiling.
“Not quite as bad but being away makes you re-evaluate life. Makes you appreciate things and people more.” His answer is a little more serious than I expected.
“Okay then.”
“After you,” he says as he opens the door and gestures for me to walk in. I roll my eyes, but I can’t help the warm feeling within me.
I climb the stairs, Cal trailing behind me, and when I enter the main office I immediately flick my eyes to Michael’s desk. He’s still not there and I breathe a sigh of relief. I walk to my desk and place my bag down before turning back to look at Cal.
“Thanks for lunch, Cal.”
“No problem. You can buy the next one,” he says with a wink.
“Sure thing.”
Cal leans in to give me a hug and I accept his embrace. I am smiling, but the smile is soon wiped from my face when I see the office door open, revealing that Michael has just walked in. I quickly move back and let my arms flop down to my sides.
“Lucy?” Cal asks me questioningly, clearly wondering why my manner has changed in the space of a few seconds. I don’t respond. I just watch as Michael makes his way towards us.
Cal notices my attention is elsewhere and he turns his head to see that Michael has come to a stop behind him. I watch as the two men size each other up, and I inwardly groan. I didn’t want Michael to find out about Cal this way. I would hate to walk in and see him hugging some other woman.
“Who’s this?” Michael asks, addressing his question to me, but keeping his gaze on Cal.
“I’m Cal, and you must be Michael.” Cal holds his hand out for Michael to shake, but I can tell that Michael would rather be sticking pins in his eyes than accepting a handshake from a guy that he doesn’t know. Begrudgingly, Michael takes Cal’s hand, but he lets go as soon as he possibly can.
“And who is Cal exactly?” Michael asks, letting his gaze wander over to me. I gulp down the lump that has appeared in my throat and answer the question so as not to provoke any suspicion from either man.
“Cal is an old friend who recently returned from travelling.”
“I see.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Cal says.
