Текст книги "Easy Melody"

Автор книги: Kristen Proby

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 14 страниц)

Chapter Sixteen

~Callie~

I haven’t seen him at all since he walked me to my car Monday night. He’s called twice, and texted a couple of times, but that’s it.

He’s backing away, and I feel so powerless because there’s nothing I can do to stop it. He feels the way he feels, and that’s that. We have a standing dinner date on Wednesdays, so I’m looking forward to seeing him and really talking. It’s always been so easy to talk to him, this shouldn’t be any different. Is it going to suck? Yes. But damn it, this sucks too, and I’d rather have some answers.

I’m at the bar before noon to go over the books and to take a look at the space next door that just went up for sale. I’ve done well enough in the past three months that I am seriously considering an expansion. I’d like to add a dance floor and maybe even a full kitchen for a menu.

It’ll be expensive, and would require quite a renovation, which excites me. Adam arrives around one to look at the other space with me. I don’t say much to the realtor as we look, but I can picture it all perfectly in my mind.

It’s going to be badass.

When we say goodbye to the realtor and return to the bar, I turn and give Adam a wide smile. “I loved it.”

“It’s going to be a ton of work,” he says, returning my grin. “And I agree, it would be awesome. Can we afford it?”

“Here’s the thing.” We sit at one of the tables. “I don’t think I can afford it alone. I can probably get a loan, using the bar as collateral, but I’d rather not have to do that.”

“Callie, I have plenty of money,” Adam says. “I’m happy to loan it to you.”

“I don’t want a loan, Adam, I want a partner.”

He sits back and narrows his eyes. “A partner.”

“Absolutely. You’re just as invested in this place as I am. Probably more, actually.” I lick my lips and tuck my hair behind my ear. “I can’t run this place without you, and we already bounce ideas off of each other like partners. Let’s just make it official. I told you from the beginning, my dad should have left it to you.”

“Are you sure this is what you want? Absolutely positive?”

“I’m sure.” I nod and smile at my friend. “So, are you in?”

“I’m in.” We shake hands and then laugh, excited all over again. “Call the realtor chick and tell her she has a sale.”

I make the call, and she assures me that she’ll get the paperwork started right away. Just as I hang up with her, a text comes in from Declan.

I won’t be able to make it to dinner tonight. I’ll see you later.

And just like that, my bubble is burst. I sigh in disappointment, but before I can think on it too hard, my phone rings with a number from Denver.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Cal,” Keith says, making me raise a brow. “It’s good to hear your voice.”

“Okay,” I reply, not sure what else to say. “What’s up?”

“Well, I’d like to see you,” he says, and I pull the phone away from my ear and stare at it.

“Wait, you called Callie Mills. You know that, right?”

“You’re exactly who I meant to call, Callie,” he says, a smile in his voice. “I know it’s been a few months.”

“It’s been eight months,” I reply. “And I don’t have time for this.”

“I’ll come to you,” he says. “I know you’re busy with the business. I don’t expect you to clear your schedule for a trip.”

“How kind of you,” I reply and roll my eyes. “But the answer is still no, Keith.”

“Callie—”

But before he can say anything else, I hang up.

“He has nerve,” I say as I join Adam behind the bar. “I don’t care enough about Keith to give him even five minutes of my time.”

“Good girl,” Adam says with a smile. “Where are you and Declan going for dinner tonight?”

“We aren’t.” I sigh. “He just cancelled.”

He cocks a brow. “How do you feel about that?”

“You know, I’m just getting impatient. I wish he’d just talk to me so I can tell him to get a grip and if he can’t handle me, he doesn’t deserve me.”

“I like it when you’re badass,” Adam says with a grin. “It’s hot.”

“Damn right it is,” I reply and wink, just as Kate O’Shaughnessy walks through the door. “Hi, Kate.”

“Hi! I know the signs says you’re not open yet, but the door was open.”

“No worries. What’s up?”

“Well, Eli’s out of town tonight for business, and we live just a few blocks over. I was thinking I could take you out for dinner tonight? We haven’t had a chance to really talk.”

“Actually, dinner just opened up for me tonight,” I reply with a nod. “I’d like that.”

“Great, I’ll come get you at about six. I have to get back to the office. Have a great day!”

She rushes out and I turn back to Adam. “Maybe out of all of this, I’ll have made some of those girl friends you’ve been wishing for,” I say to him.

“As long as some of them are hot and single, I’m good with that.”

“God, you’re disgusting.”

***

“So,” Kate says with a smile after the cute waiter at Café Amelie takes our drink orders and walks away. “What are your intentions with Declan?”

I choke on the water I just sipped, and when I can finally breathe again, I laugh. “Just gonna get right to it, are you?”

“Why not?” Kate says with a nod. “I like you, and Declan is one of my very best friends, so I want to know the scoop.”

“Well.” I sit back and look at Kate and decide what do I have to lose? Maybe she’ll have some new insight. “Things were going great. Declan is attentive, encouraging, sexy, fun… all the things I could ask for in someone.”

“He is all of those things,” Kate agrees. “But?”

“But.” I take a deep breath. “A few nights ago, we were making love, and I blurted out that I love him. He didn’t say it back. Since then, he’s been blowing me off. He’s distant and distracted, and I’m honestly just embarrassed. I think I screwed up.”

“You didn’t screw up by loving him,” Kate says, then smiles at the waiter as he sets our drinks down. “Thanks, Joe. We’re talking for now, but will you put in an order of the Brussels sprouts for us?”

“You got it.”

“He’s hot. You know him?” I ask, watching the hot Joe walk away.

“Just from here,” Kate says with a laugh. “Anyway, loving someone isn’t the wrong thing, Callie.”

“Maybe he wasn’t ready to hear it,” I reply. “I’m confused. He’s always been so tender and affectionate. Loving.” I shake my head and shrug. “I mean, I did say it in the moment, and I was half asleep too, but the more I think about it, the less I regret it. It’s how I feel, Kate.”

“Then it’s definitely not a bad thing that you said it,” she says emphatically and sips her lemon drop.

“Except, since then, he’s barely spoken to me. He walked me to my car Monday night, like always, but he didn’t even touch me. I usually go home with him, but he made sure tsay goodnight and he’d talk to me later.”

“Weird,” Kate says, frowning.

“Very weird. I think I freaked him out.”

“I don’t know.” Kate twirls her cocktail glass, still frowning in thought. “Declan is a sensitive guy. It’s not like him to avoid someone. If anything, he’s too insightful. Even if he didn’t feel the same way, it’s not like him to ignore it.”

“I’m so confused about it all. He’s not the guy I fell in love with, that’s for sure. But maybe this is the real him?”

“No. What you’re describing is not Declan. Trust me, I know him. There has to be something else going on with him.”

“If there is, he’s not talking about it.”

I lift my drink and glance to my right and the world falls out from under me. I can’t hear Kate’s voice. I can’t feel anything except my heart beating erratically in my chest, as I see Declan, sitting across the room with another woman.

His profile is to me, and he’s smiling at her, and to my utter horror, she reaches across the table and… and I stand up. I should go over there, but I just… can’t. I’m so exhausted by all of this, so over the drama of it, I just need out of here.

“I’m sorry, Kate.” I can’t feel my feet as I step away from the table. “Declan’s here with a woman.” Is that my voice? “I can’t do this.”

And without looking back, I escape. I walk as quickly as my heels will allow, out of the restaurant, through the courtyard to the street, and to the bar.

I’m panting, my feet are screaming at me, and I’m just seeing red.

He’s already moved on without even talking to me?

I stomp through my place and behind the bar.

“I thought you were with Kate,” Adam says, his eyes widening when he sees my face. “What happened?”

“I saw Declan with his new girlfriend. Or flavor of the week,” I clarify, pacing behind the bar. I don’t even care that half of the place is empty, and I’m putting on quite a show for the others.

“Wait. What?”

“Yep.” I nod and begin washing dishes, just to do something with my hands. “He was at the restaurant Kate took me to. Didn’t see me, I don’t think.”

“And he was with a woman?”

“That’s what I said, isn’t it?” I snap.

“Hi, Callie.”

I look up. “Fuck you, Keith,” I reply, then just simply laugh. “Oh great, let’s make it a fucking party, full of men who are a royal pain in my ass.”

“I know you said no on the phone earlier,” Keith says, “but it was important to me to see you.”

“Take it in the back, Cal,” Adam says, and I’m just so fucking pissed off.

“Fuck you too, Adam.”

He grips my arm and pulls me to him and whispers in my ear, “I know you’re hurt and you’re pissed, but this is your business. Take that motherfucker in the office and have it out, then get him the hell out of here. I’m here if you need me.”

I pull my arm free and gesture for Keith to follow me, leading him to the office. He shuts the door behind him.

“I want you back, Cal.”

“You can’t have me,” I reply immediately. “And how the fuck dare you come into my place, after all of these months, and just say that?”

“Wow,” he says and shakes his head, as if he doesn’t know what to say. He’s in his usual suit. His blond hair is perfect, his tie straight. He looks exactly the same as he did the last time I saw him. And I realize, for the first time, that I feel… nothing. I never loved him, that’s for damn sure. I felt affection, sure, but now with the months of no contact, there is nothing left.

“Why are you here?”

“I told you, I want you back.”

“In what capacity, exactly?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.

“I want everything we had before,” he replies and shoves his hands in his pockets, standing firm.

“You want me to run your club?”

“Yes,” he says with a nod.

“And you want me in your bed.” It’s not a question.

“I do. I miss you.”

I look at him, impassively, for a long minute, then just shake my head. “Why would I do that?”

“Look, I saw the show on TV—”

“That’s why you’re here,” I interrupt, it all making perfect sense now. “You saw that I made something good here, and you knew you made a mistake letting me go.”

“I’ll give you a raise.”

I cock a brow. “I’m not for sale.”

He blows out a breath and rubs his forehead, a sign that he’s agitated. “Look, I know I’m an asshole for doing this. The club has suffered since you left. None of your staff is still there; they quit when they learned you weren’t coming back. I’ve gone through two managers.”

“This isn’t my problem.” And I don’t feel even a little sorry for him.

“No, but I’m asking for your help.”

“And you think that if I came back to get the club up to par, I’d fall back into bed with you too?”

“We always were good in bed, baby.”

“Don’t call me that,” I snap. “I’m not a whore. You can’t buy me.”

“I didn’t call you one,” he replies, his voice calm, but his eyes… his eyes are turning dark with both frustration and lust. We always had the best sex when we were pissed at each other.

“Don’t.”

He tilts his head, glances at my desk. “Wouldn’t be the first time I fucked you blind on a desk.”

“I’m not interested in you touching me, or in helping you with your club, Keith.”

And that’s when he changes. His stance, the fire in his eyes, even his hands come out of his pockets. He’s no longer hunting me, he’s just examining me.

“You’ve changed.”

“Really?”

“You’re stronger.” He frowns, thinking. “And damn if it doesn’t look good on you.”

“I’ve always been strong, Keith. You just didn’t give me the chance to show you. You were too busy micromanaging me in the club, and making sure that I knew that you’d never fall in love with me and that sex was all you wanted to see past the heels and blonde hair.”

“Maybe,” he replies, nodding. “And that’s my fault.”

“One hundred percent,” I agree. “And as pissed as I was to see you tonight, maybe it’s good that you came to see it, and remind me of it at the same time.”

“I’m proud of you.”

My jaw drops at this declaration, and then he continues. “This bar is amazing. I was in earlier, looking for you, and took a look around. You’ve done a stellar job.”

“Thank you.”

“And you may have been strong in Denver, Cal, but it’s been doing this, living here, that’s brought out the best in you. Asking you to leave is wrong. You’re better here.”

Being with Declan has made me better.

I bite my tongue and soak in his words, not even realizing that I needed them. But I did. I do.

“You look good,” I say, calming down and seeing that he is making an effort.

“You’re beautiful, but you always were,” he says with the smile that got him in my pants in the first place.

“You’re not charming me,” I say with a chuckle. “I’m sorry that the club is struggling. Can I give you some advice?”

“I can’t guarantee that I’ll take it, but go ahead.”

“Stop being an asshole, and stop sleeping with your staff.” He shuffles his feet and frowns. “Yes, you do both of those things.”

“I don’t sexually harass anyone.”

“No, but you have to stop hiring women who will fall into your bed easily. In fact, maybe you should stop hiring women altogether.”

“Let’s not go crazy,” he says with a smirk.

“If you fuck them, they start expecting special treatment. And when that doesn’t happen, they quit.” I know I’ve hit my mark when he glances down and frowns.

“I didn’t have that issue before because you and I were exclusive,” he says.

“I know. But now you’re messing around, and enjoying it. But stop pulling from your staff, Keith. Because they won’t respect you, or be loyal to you, after you’ve gotten them naked.”

“Point taken.”

“You’ll be fine. You’re a smart man; you’ll turn it around.”

“I’m obviously an idiot for letting you get away so easily.”

“Well, that goes without saying,” I reply with a smile. “We all make mistakes.”

“Yes. We do. You’re mine.” His face sobers. “I was wrong, about a lot of things.” He steps toward me, and just when I think I’m going to have to kick him in the neck for coming on to me after telling him no, he simply folds me into his arms and hugs me tightly, gently rocking back and forth. “I was so wrong to tell you I’d never fall in love with you. I did fall in love with you, Callie. And I’m sorry if I ever hurt you.”

With that, he kisses my forehead, and pulls back.

“Thank you for that,” I say, smiling up at him. “You were an important part of my life for a long time, and I won’t forget that.”

He smiles, brushes his lips over my cheek, and turns to leave. As he moves away, I see Declan standing in the doorway, his eyes hard and trained on me. His whole body, usually loose and calm, is tight, every muscle on high alert, as Keith brushes past him.

“Sorry, man, she’s all yours,” Keith says, having no idea who he’s talking to. He looks back at me, “Take care, sweetheart.”

And with that, he’s gone, and I’m left squaring off with the man I’m hopelessly in love with. I have nothing to feel guilty for. I’m not the one who was out at dinner with someone new.

Neither of us says anything. We simply look at each other, both of our faces completely impassive, not giving away what the other is thinking.

I’ll be fucking damned if I let him see me cry. Hell no.

I simply fold my arms over my chest and wait. And after what feels like forever, Declan simply shakes his head and walks away.

Chapter Seventeen

~Declan~

“So what’s your news?” I ask Beth. She’s sitting across from me at Café Amalie, decked out in a red dress that shows off her curves and her long blond hair. She smiles slyly and leans an elbow on the table.

“We’ll get to that. First, how are you?”

“Great.” I’m short with her on purpose. I don’t want to be here. I want to be with Callie. I haven’t seen her in days.

“Okay, I see how this is going to go,” she says with a sigh. “Look, Dec, I know you weren’t thrilled to be stuck with me when Laura retired and left the firm.”

“I’ve never made that a secret,” I reply, agreeing whole-heartedly.

“I’m a good agent,” she stresses.

“You’re a decent agent, and if I hadn’t been under contract to stay with the firm, I would have left immediately. That contract is up in six months.”

“I know.” She nods and sips her drink. “But I’ve managed to keep you busy with work—”

“I’ve kept me busy with work,” I reply coldly. “You’re too busy trying to get in my pants.”

She blushes and looks at the candle flickering on the table. “Okay, let’s talk about that. Why not me?”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh come on, Declan, we all know your reputation.” She reaches out to touch me, but I catch her wrist in my fist.

“Don’t touch me.”

“I’ve made it clear that I’d like to sleep with you, and you never once took the bait. Why?”

“Two reasons. Because I’m not stupid enough to mix business with pleasure, Beth, and I’m not attracted to you.”

Shock, dismay, then indignation cross her face, but before she can speak, I continue.

“If you think I’m stupid enough to have a very brief affair with someone I do business with, you don’t know me very well. I am an artist, but I also come from an influential business family, and I’m a smart man, Beth. It’s your job to get me work, not get me off.”

She clears her throat. “I see.”

“Finally.”

“What in the bloody hell?” I glance up and see Kate stomping to our table, her furious face firmly in place.

“Oh, is this the flavor of the week?” Beth asks.

“Shut up,” Kate snaps at her. “I want to speak to you without the bimbo listening in.”

“Hey, who are you calling a bimbo, sister?” Beth demands, ready to go to war.

“Stop.” My voice is firm and clipped. “I’ll be back.”

I stand and escort Kate out of the restaurant and to the sidewalk outside. “What the hell, Kate?”

“Oh no, you don’t get to be mad at me,” she says, shaking her finger at me. “What are you doing out on a date with someone other than Callie?”

“I’m not on a date. Beth is my agent.”

Kate frowns, and then her shoulders deflate as she lets out a sigh. “Oh.”

“It’s okay. Say you’re sorry for biting my head off. Where’s Eli?”

“Eli isn’t here,” she says, worry suddenly settling over her. “I was here with Callie.”

And now dread settles over me. “Oh, God.”

“Yeah, I asked her out to dinner because Eli’s out of town tonight, and we were in the middle of talking about you being an idiot when she glanced over and saw you getting all cozy with Beth the agent.” She props her hands on her hips.

“This is a business meeting, Kate.”

“I know that now, but it didn’t look like that. Let me put it this way: remember when you picked me up to take me to the airport when it was time for me to return to Denver last year?”

“Yeah.”

“And we saw Cindy leaving Eli’s house, and I was devastated because I thought he’d spent the night with her?”

“I hate Cindy,” I mutter.

“Yeah, well, that’s what it looked like to Callie.”

I rub my hand over my mouth, dread settling in my belly. “Look, I have to finish this dinner, but I’ll talk to Callie tonight and clear it up.”

“You’d better,” she says. “And you’d also better explain to her why you’ve been a douche bag lately.”

“I’ve been a douche?” I ask, completely thrown. “I haven’t even seen her in days.”

“Exactly,” she says. “Fix it.” And with that she turns on her heel and walks away. Jesus, what a shit show. Women confuse the hell out of me. How could I have screwed up? I’ve barely spoken to Callie.

I walk back to the table and find a pouting Beth when I get there.

“Jealous?” she asks.

“Cut the bullshit, Beth, and tell me what you need to tell me. I don’t want to be here all night.”

“I’m leaving the firm,” she says, and my heart bursts with joy, but I keep my face and voice passive.

“Good luck to you, but you could have told me this via email. There was no reason to blow my phone up and demand a meeting.”

“Well, I was hoping that once I told you, you’d want to go home with me.”

She leans on the table, showing off her cleavage, and I just stare at her face. “If you don’t have any other business to talk about this evening, I’m leaving. Right now. I’ve told you I’m not interested. I can’t make that any more clear.”

“Fine. A girl can ask,” she says irritably. “I do have some business to talk about. There’s some recording work coming up in Memphis you might be interested in, and some song writing requests came in last week.”

It takes an hour to discuss all of the business details. Honestly, when Beth is in professional mode, I don’t hate her. But I take a deep breath when the meeting is over and I can head straight over to The Odyssey to see Callie and straighten all of this out.

When I walk through the door, the place is mostly empty. Adam is behind the bar.

“Hey,” I say as I approach. “Where’s Callie?”

“In the office, but—”

“Thanks,” I say, cutting him off and hurry to the back of the bar, then stop short when I open the door and find another fucking man with his hands on my girl.

He’s pulling away from her, as if he just kissed her. I can’t see Callie because the dude’s back is to me, completely concealing her.

When he does move to turn away, she’s smiling up at him in the special way that she smiles at me, and it sets my teeth on edge.

Tall, Blond and Handsome bushes past me. “Sorry man, she’s all yours.” Damn right she’s all mine.

And just when I think he’s going to leave, he turns back to her. “Take care, sweetheart.”

I should punch him, just out of principle, but I can’t take my eyes off of Callie. God, she’s a sight for sore eyes. I’ve had a shitty few days, and all I want is to pull her in my arms and hold on tight, but her eyes are emotionless as she stares back at me. She crosses her arms and cocks a brow, and I read her loud and clear.

Fuck off, Declan.

She’s mad at me, and I don’t even know what I did wrong, but I can see anger and frustration written all over her. So I’m going to leave her be, let her cool down, and then she and I are going to have a coming to Jesus about who’s allowed to put their fucking lips on her.

Because I’m the only one on that list.

I shake my head and walk away, through the bar and to the street, when Adam catches up with me.

“Hey!” he yells. “What the fuck, man? Were you really out with another woman tonight?”

“It was a business meeting,” I reply in frustration.

“So things are good with you and Callie?”

“She’s upset,” I reply, shaking my head. “She needs to calm down, so I’m going to give her some space.”

“Knowing Callie, that’s probably a good idea,” Adam says with a nod. “Just don’t make me regret trusting you with her.”

“It’s a misunderstanding,” I reply and clap him on the shoulder. “We’ll figure it out.”

***

Someone is leaning on my doorbell, making it go off over and over again. I stumble out of the music room where I spent the night writing songs for the job Beth gave me last night and open the door.

“What’s wrong with you?” I ask Savannah, glaring at her.

“You didn’t hear it the first three times,” she says, breezing past me and into the kitchen, where she proceeds to brew a cup of coffee, then glances over at me. “You look like shit.”

“Thanks.” I slide onto a stool, longing for a cup of that coffee. “Didn’t sleep much.”

“Kate called me,” she says, eyeing me over her mug. “Did you get it all straightened out with Callie?”

“Not really,” I reply and scratch my head. “I saw her, but she was pissed, and I decided to give her time to cool down.”

“You’re an idiot.”

“Wait. What?”

“She’s upset, thinks you’ve been out with another woman, and you walk away to let her cool off? You’re such a man.”

“First of all, I don’t like the way you call me a man like it’s a bad thing.”

“It can be,” she says, but I keep going.

“Second, I know Callie pretty well by now, and I think she needed some space.”

“How much space are you going to give her?” Van asks.

“A day,” I reply. “I miss her.”

Van barks out a laugh, rinses her mug, and turns back to me. “If you miss her, go see her. You know, women aren’t as difficult as men believe. Hug us, tell us we’re pretty, and we’re happy.”

“Not true,” I reply, shaking my head. “Y’all are complicated as fuck. Trust me, she’s not hurt; she’s pissed. I know what I’m doing. I want to see her, but I’m respecting her space.”

“Whatever,” she says. “There was a reason I stopped by.”

“Aside from giving me awesome relationship advice? Great.”

“Smart ass.” She glares at me. “I have a hearing for the divorce next week.”

“I’m there,” I say immediately. Van will never have to be in a room with that asshole alone ever again. She nods and fights tears, and I stand, circle to her and pull her in for a hug. “It’s going to be okay, you know.”

“Why is it taking so long?” she asks. “It was supposed to be over long ago, but he keeps appealing everything.”

“His lawyer is a dick, but ours are better,” I assure her, rocking her back and forth. “He can legally appeal all he wants, but it’ll eventually lead to a court date and it’ll be over.”

“It could take a long time,” she says and sniffs.

“It’s okay. It’s all going to be okay.” I’m not sure who I’m trying to convince, her or me, as I rock us both back and forth.

***

She won’t take my calls or answer my texts, and the last time I tried to call, I went straight to voice mail.

She turned her damn phone off.

It’s been a good thirty-six hours since I last saw Callie in her office, and I’m done giving her space. I need to see her, hold her, and put this whole mess behind us.

But I can’t find her. She won’t answer the phone, and she’s not at the bar. She has to be at Adam’s.

I surprise Adam when I burst into the apartment. He’s in the kitchen, eating cereal dry and out of the box.

“Hello,” he says mildly and tosses some Lucky Charms in his mouth.

“Where’s Callie?” I ask on my way to her room, then return to the kitchen when I don’t find her.

“I don’t know,” he replies with a frown. “I assumed she was with you.”

“I haven’t seen her since the other night.”

The frown turns into a scowl as he glares at me. “What the fuck, man? You said you were going to give her space, not disappear!”

“A day and a half is space.”

“Two hours is space,” he argues and tosses the cereal on the counter. “She hasn’t been here since yesterday morning.”

“Well, where is she?”

Adam shrugs. “She hasn’t even mentioned your name. I assumed y’all kissed and made up and were fucking like rabbits at your place.”

“Did you tell her I was giving her a chance to cool down the other night?”

“Now, why would that be my job?” Adam asks. “You didn’t tell me to relay a message.”

“I just figured you would!”

“Well, I didn’t know I was supposed to be Dr. fucking Phil this week,” he shouts, just as frustrated as I am. “She didn’t come to work last night.”

“Great.” I pace the living room. “I don’t know where she would have gone.”

“You know, I should deck you. I trusted you with her, especially after we had the talk where you assured me that you love her and want to be with her forever.”

“I meant every word of that.”

“But you hurt her, and then you walked away without a word.”

“I didn’t walk away for good. I walked away in the moment. I’m not interested in anyone but Callie, damn it. If I can just find her, I’ll explain everything and fix this.”

“Well, I don’t know where she would be,” he replies. “Keith’s probably left town by now.”

“Who the fuck is Keith?”

“Her old boss from Denver. The guy who was in the office with her the other night.”

“He was from Denver?”

“Oh, right, you left without talking, so you don’t know what went down there. He wanted her to come back to Denver.” Adam’s eyes widen as mine narrow. “She wouldn’t have gone back to Denver without telling me.”

“No, but would she be staying in some hotel with the fucker?” I ask, fury at the very thought running through my veins.

“No,” he says, shaking his head. “Definitely not. She’s too hung up on you to fall back in bed with Keith.”

“Back in bed?”

“They were a thing, but that’s been over since she moved home.”

We stare at each other for a long time. “Call him.”

“I don’t have his number.”

“Find it.”

“I know the name of his club in Denver that Callie used to manage,” he says, waking his laptop up and loading Google. He finds the number to the club and calls, but curses when they’re closed. “It’s morning. No one’s there.”

“What’s his name?”

“Keith Marron,” he replies, “but I won’t be able to find a cell number for him. We’ll have to wait for the club to open.”

“Damn it,” I mutter, the very idea of her being with him now eating a hole in my stomach. But then I remember her, in my arms, telling me she loves me, and everything in me just… calms. “You know what? She’s not with him.”

“She’s not?” Adam asks.

“No. I know her better than that. Damn it, Adam, I love her. She may be pissed at me, but she’s not fucking some other dude.”

“You’re right.”

“So where is she?”

“Fuck if I know.”

***

As night falls, I’m exhausted and worried out of my mind. Adam and I looked everywhere we could think of for Callie, and couldn’t find her. She obviously doesn’t want to be found.

And that just pisses me off. It’s not fair for her to worry us this way. Even a text to let me know she’s okay is all I need.

My phone rings in my hand and I answer before it can ring a second time. “Yeah.”

“It’s Charly,” my sister says. “What are you doing?”

“I just got home. I’ve been looking for Callie.”

“Can’t find her?” she asks.

“No, and I’m really worried. Do you know where she is?”

“Yep,” she says, totally throwing me. It never occurred to me that my own sisters might know where she is.

“Where is she?” I demand, standing and grabbing for my keys.

“I’m not telling.”

“Excuse me?”

She clears her throat at the sound of my voice. “She’s safe, Dec, but she’s hurt, and she just needs some time to think.”

“I’ve given her two fucking days,” I growl. “I’m tired, worried, and I need to see her.”

“And you will,” Charly says. “I’ll call you in the morning and let you know where you can find her. But for tonight, she needs to be left alone.”

“Fuck that, Charly. This is all way more dramatic than it needs to be.”