Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
“She seemed pissed on the phone,” Wes replies with a sigh. “But I tried to talk her down.”
I look at him in surprise. “You did?”
“I tried to make her see that you caring for Callie doesn’t mean she has no place in Emery’s life.”
“I thought you wanted me to end things with Callie.”
Wes runs his hand across his lean face. “Emery’s done a lot of talking today,” Wes mutters. “Some crying, too.” His voice falters. “It was heartbreaking, man.”
“What has she been saying?” I ask, curious.
We’re sitting on the library balcony, overlooking the backyard. Every so often, I turn, looking over my shoulder at my daughter. She’s staring down at her book as if her life—or maybe her sanity—depends on her remaining focused on it—as if she’s terrified of what will happen if she lets her attention slip if she starts thinking about Callie. It’s like she’s constantly fighting off tears.
“She’s never seen you as happy as you were with Callie. She didn’t even know her dad could be that happy. She also said that Callie was like a magic potion, that she changed you. She said she was thinking about years in the future—when she was, quote, ‘really, really old’—about how Callie would still be in her life.”
“That’s why we had to end things,” I mutter. “We can’t commit to something like that after only a couple weeks—not even.”
“You said that like a rehearsed line,” Wes mutters. “As if you don’t believe it but think it’s what you need to say.”
“You’re right on the money there,” I groan. “But it doesn’t mean it’s not true, does it?”
“Maybe not,” Wes says. “But the way Emery’s been talking today, hell, she’s got me thinking about doing a whole one-eighty on the issue.”
“You haven’t trusted Callie since the start.”
“That was before I saw how much she meant to you and Emery. I really saw it and heard my niece’s sobs. And there’s something else. Apparently, Sloane has been dabbling in some pretty nasty stuff.”
“Yeah, she alluded to drugs earlier. Probably wants to use it as an excuse for all her bad behavior.”
Wes sighs darkly. “She’s still my sister, Gray.”
“You’re right. I don’t mean to be cruel. It’s just, after what she did to Callie…”
“I’m not saying any of this is easy,” he sighs. “But hell, it seems like Emery had a whole life built in her head. You, her, Callie. She even said, ‘And Mommy could come and visit, right, and be a part of the big happy family. But only sometimes.’ I’d never tell Sloane that last part, obviously, but it’s like Emery’s got this whole future mapped out.”
“That future looks sweet to me,” I say.
“You got any idea how shocking it is to hear you say that?”
I shrug. “I know. But I can’t keep avoiding the truth. Callie means a lot to me. Leaving her earlier was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’m already thinking about driving back into the city, finding her, kissing her, owning her…” I shudder. “Sorry, bro. I know I probably sound nuts.”
“You sound like one of my lovestruck artists,” he says. After a pause, he continues, “I don’t think you can let her go.”
“Are you seriously telling me to antagonize your sister?”
“I know, I know,” Wes mutters. “But I know you, Gray. You’ll never forgive yourself if you let this chance pass you by. You’ve never even been close to the real deal before.”
“You’re giving me whiplash, Wes.”
“I know,” he says with a rueful smirk. “If you want to blame anyone, blame Emery. But if you think there’s a chance this could really work, I think you owe it to yourself and to that perfect little girl to try.”
Hunger and intense need take hold of me. I try to stop myself from getting inflated with purpose. I try and slow myself down. Sloane could still cause trouble, and Callie might still throw that ugly word at me. Controlling. As if I’m some raving lunatic.
“I’m not going to do anything rash tonight,” I say. “Sloane could still lose her mind.”
“True,” Wes says. “But maybe if I talk to her, I can make her see sense.” I look at him, not even trying to hide my shock. He nods slowly. “I know. You never thought I’d make an offer like this—and, truth be told, I never thought I would either. But after hearing that little girl pour her heart out, I wouldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t at least try.”
“I came on pretty strong with Callie,” I murmur. “Sloane might not be the only issue.”
“I can’t help you with the romantic part,” he replies, chuckling. “You know I’ve never been a one-lady man.”
It’s true. Wes has flitted from short-term relationship to short-term relationship ever since we were kids. I’ve been even worse—a no-lady man, telling myself I’m perfectly content to live and, hell, this is morbid, but die alone.