Page 47 of Jacked and Jaded

Despite her occasional trips to Zoey’s, Jackson’s parents’ house, the store and the visits from her mom, Calliope was still getting cabin fever. She loved Jackson’s house and his big, wonderfully shaded back yard, but she was sick of being forced to stay in it so much. She missed just getting in her car and going somewhere when she wanted without having to report to Jackson and without someone tagging along. She missed having her own car with her and the independence it represented. As far as she knew, her car and her things she’d packed to take with her when she left Clint were still at his house. Sadly, if she’d been able to find her keys that night, she still wasn’t positive that she would’ve been able to drive herself to Redemption. With her luck, she would’ve passed out behind the wheel, run off the road and finished the job Clint started by accidentally killing herself.

Jackson realized she was going stir crazy and had tried to help ease her boredom by taking her to the store to buy supplies to start creating her jewelry again. So far, she’d made a bracelet and a set of earrings. She really needed to get in touch with Bellamy and see how much of her merchandise was left at her store. Speaking of Bellamy, she hadn’t talked to her friend since before all of this began. She should probably give her a call.

She grabbed her phone and got comfortable on the couch, ready to call her friend. After three rings, Bellamy picked up. “Calliope?”

“Yes.” She didn’t have a chance to speak further because Bellamy jumped right back in and she sounded pissed.

“Where the hell have you been?”

“Um.” Calliope hadn’t expected her friend to sound so angry with her. Sure, she hadn’t stayed in contact with her like she should, but she didn’t think Bellamy’s tone was warranted.

“Um? That’s all you have to say? I saw on the news that Clint was arrested. They said it was for assault on his live-in girlfriend!” Bellamy’s voice rose with each word. “I’ve been going out of my mind worrying about you. I’ve called and called and nothing. I mean, what the everloving fuck?”

Calliope waited for Bellamy to take a breath so she could jump into the conversation. “Bellamy, first of all, I’m okay now.”

“Now?” her friend screeched. Bellamy wasn’t just her friend and one-time room mate, she also sold Calliope’s jewelry in her store. Funny, Bellamy was Jackson’s age, but acted a lot younger. Despite the age difference they found they had several things in common and got along like two sisters, Bellamy the older one and Calliope the younger one.

“Yeah. And secondly, Jackson had my number shut off and got me a new one.”

“Jackson?” Calliope had filled her friend in on everything that led up to her moving back to Boulder. She told her how she’d thrown herself at Jackson, they’d had mind blowing sex and then he’d torn her to shreds the next morning. Yes, her friend was very well versed on everything Jackson.

“Yes. I’m in Redemption and living with Jackson.”

“What thehellis going on? I feel like I’m in an episode of theTwilight Zone.”

Calliope laughed at her friend’s description. “Yeah, I know the feeling. Look, Bellamy, I am so sorry I haven’t talked to you before now and that you worried about me. I should have thought to call you once I got to Redemption, but there was so much shit going on, I could barely keep up myself.”

Bellamy was quiet for a moment. “I’m coming to Redemption so we can catch up. Tonight. I need to see with my own eyes that you are okay.”

“Are you going to get Martha to cover your store?” Martha was Bellamy’s grandmother and covered the store whenever Bellamy needed a break. She was a wonderful woman and Calliope loved her like she were her own.

“No.” Calliope heard her sigh over the phone.

“What is it? Is Martha okay?”

“Oh, yeah, Grandma’s fine. It’s the store. There was a fire two nights ago and it’s gutted. Everything inside is a total loss.”

“What?” It was Calliope’s turn to have her mind blown.

“Yeah. About that. I’m almost positive it was Clint that set the fire.”

“Are you serious?” Calliope couldn’t believe it. Why would he do that to Bellamy?

“Yes. I’m serious. The bastard kept coming around, asking me where you were and I always told him I didn’t know, which was the truth sincesomeonedidn’t bother to tell me where she was and that she was okay.” It was just like her friend to lay on the guilt.

“I told you I’m sorry. Now tell me the rest.”

“The last time he was in, he said if I didn’t tell him where you were at, that I would be sorry. The next day my store was on fire and I lost everything.”

Calliope closed her eyes, her head dropping forward. She was sick that her friend’s business had suffered because her deranged, psycho ex was determined to get to her. She knew that even if Bellamy had known where she was at, she would never have given up the location. She hadn’t been a fan of Clint’s since almost the beginning. She’d done everything but beg Calliope not to move in with him, but she’d done it anyway. Looking back now, Calliope was able to see that she herself had had doubts about moving in with him, but she also felt, why not, she could never have Jackson, so maybe she could settle for Clint. The. Worst. Mistake. Of. Her. Life.

“I am so sorry, Bellamy. I can’t believe he did that. Well, no, I actually can see him doing that. It doesn’t make it any better for you. God, I am so angry at that man.”

“I know. I am, too, not just for what he did to my store, but for what he did to you. That’s why I’m coming Redemption. I want to know everything that’s been going on. And I miss you. Like, a lot.”

“Yeah. Well, like, I miss you a lot, too.” They both broke into fits of laughter. Calliope had an idea. After she met up with Bellamy, maybe she could convince her to move to Redemption? Wouldn’t that be amazing?

“All right, I’m getting off here. I think I’m going to go ahead and pack and head your way in the morning. I’ll check in to hotel and give you a call tomorrow so we can arrange to meet up.”

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