The Royal Love Triangle

6: Booze And Conditions

Callie’s POV

I don’t remember much from the time I got that call to the time I ended up at the bar. I remember calling one of my parents’ emergency numbers. I remember being so angry, screaming into the phone about them lying to me for 21 years. I must have rejected several calls from Chandler and my so-called mother. I honestly didn’t care if I hurt her feelings right now. She never took in to account how I would feel if or when I found out that I was a Princess.

As I stood at the bar and ordered another shot, I think how glad I was that i turned 21 a few weeks ago. I typically don’t drink, but my new-found situation is far from typical. I scrunched my face up as I felt as the tequila burned its way down my throat. I threw my hands up in victory! I’d never done this many shots before. Wait… Was that 5 or 6? I don’t think it mattered at this point. The bar tender shot me another look, asking if I wanted another one. I put my hand up and shook my head. I was already feeling pretty good. I took this as the opportunity to head out of the little dive bar to get some fresh air. Once I stepped outside, I grabbed my phone from my back pocket. 23 Missed calls, 3 voice mails and 5 texts. F*ck.

I go through my missed calls and see that most of them are from my “parents” and the guy that called me earlier. What was his name? Chad? No, maybe it was Chandler. That was it. I listened to my voice mails.

Voice mail 1 left at 2:25 pm: “Princess Callie, this is Chandler again. Your parents want to speak with you. There is so much we need to catch you up on. I need you to contact me as soon as possible. Thank you.” That sounds like a typical thing a guy named Chandler would say. He’s acting so calm. Then again, he wasn’t in my shoes.

Voice mail 2 left at 3:15 pm: “Callie! Oh Callie! Please call me. There is so much that we need to explain to you. We love you so much. No matter what anyone says, you’re our baby girl and we love you. If you need us to, we can cancel the rest of our vacation and come home. We love you sweetie. Call me or dad back… Please.” Mom and Dad. Wait… Do I even call them anymore? I really don’t know. It’s hard to think that 2 strangers raised me. Kidnapped me even. Is this even reality?

Voice mail 3 left at 4:48 pm: “Hey sweetie, I’m worried about you. Please call or text me so I know you’re okay. I love you, Cals.” Tessa’s sweet voice said over the phone. She was where I needed to be. I needed my Tessie more than ever right now. But I didn’t even know what we were. Are we just friends? Are we dating? I have no clue. But she did say that she loves me. Don’t over think this Cal.

With a sigh I dial my phone to call Chandler back. When he picked up, I started talking before he could say anything. “Listen, I don’t know if this is some sick joke, but if it is, you sir, are f****d up. If it’s not, then I apologize for my previous statement. I’m not quite ready to talk to anyone, not you or the King and Queen, for that matter. I have several conditions before I even THINK of considering this.” I could feel myself becoming braver from the alcohol. I could hear him take a sharp breath in before telling someone in the background to get him some paper and a pen. He was taking this seriously. How far could this joke go?

“Anything for your highness. Just name it.” He said in a very serious voice. He wasn’t playing around. “Your parents will do anything to get you back princess. They’ve been looking for you since the night you disappeared.” His voice sounded sad.

“1. I want my best friend Tessa Copper to move with me. If she doesn’t come, it’s a deal breaker. 2. I don’t want to be called “princess” all the time. 3. I don’t wear heels. 4. I don’t want guards or security or anything like that following me around constantly. I’ve made it to 21 on my own, I don’t need anyone following me around now. 5. At any time, I want to be able to leave. If things aren’t working out, I think it should be my choice to continue the life I have made for myself. 6. There will be no mention of this ‘arranged marriage.’ I don’t want to pick out a dress or flowers or ANYTHING until I feel like I am comfortable enough. And finally, inform the King and Queen that I will not be calling them mother or father until I feel comfortable. I feel like there is enough that I must get used to right now. I don’t need any more pressure than I already have on my shoulders. I’ve never been a princess before, and I just found out my entire life has been a lie.” I let out a deep breath. I can suddenly feel the alcohol hitting me like a ton of bricks. I managed to keep my words from slurring too badly until this point. “Text me arrangements. I need to go.” I hiccupped and hung up the phone.

I headed back into the bar and had a few more shots. The guy standing next to me started flirting with me. So, for shits and giggles, I flirted back. What does it matter at this point? Tess wouldn’t answer my question of what we were. AND I was apparently getting married to some guy I have never met or knew anything about. He bought me a couple shots and we started talking. He was cocky, full of himself. I rolled my eyes, I was only still talking to him because he was buying me drinks. I took my last shot of tequila. With that I winked at him and turned to walk out of the bar. As I turned, he grabbed my wrist. I just laughed at him.

“Oh, I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” I smiled at him.

“Why? What are you going to do about it sweetheart?” He grinned cockily and I couldn’t help but laugh. He pulled me closer and held me by my waist. I moved up closer to him. I put myself between his legs and whispered in his ear.

“I will f*ck your day up. Don’t test me. It only takes a single wrong move on me and in one phone call, and I can have you locked up for life.” I took a few steps back from him to watch his face.

“What makes you say that sweetie? What are you, a cop’s daughter or something?” There was his stupid smile again.

“I’m a f*cking princess. I’m sure my family wouldn’t want to hear about some creep trying to pick up their daughter in some run-down bar, now would they?” With that he let go of me and huffed. I stumbled out of the bar laughing. I couldn’t wait to tell Tess! Oh sh*t. I had to call Tess back! I hiccupped a few times. Sh*t. The alcohol was hitting me and it was obvious I was drunk. Maybe I could hide it… I grab my phone to dial Tessie but before I can, it starts pouring. F*ucking rain. I ran inside. I hit dial, and her phone rang and we to voicemail. Sh*t. I redialed her number. She answered.

“Callie! I was worried about you! Where the hell are you? Are you…” She sounded panicked. How long have I been gone? I knew she could hear the chatter and loud music in the background.

“Tessa, I’M A MOTHER F*CKING PRINCESS.” I screamed and I felt my words slur. Sh*t.

“Callie, are you drunk?” I could hear the anger in her voice rise.

“Tess, did you hear me? I’m a f*cking princess. Oh, and I have to get married to some prince in less than a year due to some treaty from some dead ancestor. AND I find this out on the day I finally told the girl I’ve liked since I can remember that I love her. Of course, I’m drunk.” I laugh, probably a little too loud as I can feel several pairs of eyes from nearby tables on me. I stick my middle finger up at them.

“Where the f*ck are you? I’m coming to get you now.” She was screaming at me. I knew it was because she cared but I still felt a little hurt. She was completely ignoring what I just told her.

“F*ck Tess. I’ll send you the address.” That was all I said before I hung up the phone. I sent her the address to the bar I was at. It couldn’t be more that 15 minutes from the apartment. Perfect! I can have a few more before Tessie gets here! I make my way back to the bar and order a couple shots before Tess arrived and dragged my ass out of the bar. She basically carried me to her car and strapped me into the front seat. She slammed the door shut and ran over to the driver’s side. “Tess… I…”

Before I knew it, I was waking up in my bed at the apartment. There was a pounding in my head, and I felt like I swallowed a million cotton balls. I roll over and see a note, some Tylenol and a bottle of water sitting on my night stand. “Take these and drink the whole bottle. Meet me in the kitchen, I’m making breakfast. We need to talk.” I sigh. I’m probably going to be getting lectured. I do as the note says and sit up. It isn’t long before I noticed I was naked. Sh*t. I don’t remember anything after getting in Tessa’s car. I sigh and quickly grab my robe and throw my hair up. I make my way to the kitchen. Tessa was standing at the stove flipping pancakes.

“Good morning sleeping beauty. Seems you had a great night.” She was being sarcastic.

“Tess, why am I naked? We didn’t…” I feel my face go hot when she turns around and looks at me. Just the way her eyes scanned me made me feel self-conscious. I put my head down and looked at the ground.

“Cal, I would never take advantage of you like that. You puked all over yourself the second I got you out of the car. There was no way I could get you into something else, so I just threw a blanket over you. We have a lot to talk about Cal…” She turned back around to finish making the pancakes. I made my way over to the table and sat down. I put my hands in my head and sighed.

“Sounds like a lot of people want to talk to me.” I looked up when Tess stepped in front of me with a plate of chocolate chip pancakes and set them in front of me. “Thanks, Tessie.” I smiled at the plate of pancakes before realizing that it read, ‘be mine?’ My jaw dropped in disbelief. “Tess… are you serious?” I looked over at her and she nodded. I jumped from my seat and ran into her arms. She picked me up and walked me to the counter where she sat me down. I looked into her eyes. I grabbed her cheeks with my hands and before I could stop myself, our lips were touching. She answered my kiss, both of us moving in perfect sync. She broke the kiss and stepped back. Her face fell and she looked to the floor.

“I talked to Chandler. He was blowing up your phone this morning. He’s sending someone to pack up the apartment and were moving to your castle. He explained everything to me, all of your conditions.” Her voice broke off and reality hit me. It wasn’t all a bad dream. I was really a princess.

“s**t Tess, this is all real. I can’t… Tess, I want to be with you, more than anything, but, I cant even think straight. I mean, I just found out that I’m a princess, that my parents aren’t really my parents, and I’m supposed to be marrying some prince. Can we just, put this on hold for a while until I figure everything out?” I looked to the ground. My heart was shattering, but it wouldn’t be fair to try and have a relationship with her if I couldn’t give her my full attention. I have a lot to adjust to.