Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 115706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
After the sporting goods store, we headed to a burger place for lunch next, since we’d both worked up an appetite spending all that money. And that’s where the budding friendship that felt like it was forming during our drive to Billings really started to flourish. During our meal, Caleb and I chatted easily. We swapped stories and laughed frequently. Notably, Caleb not only asked questions about Raine, but also about Claudia, too, which I greatly appreciated. So, of course, I returned the favor by asking Caleb lots of questions about his closest family and friends.
When the check for lunch came, Caleb said, “I’m having too much fun to leave yet. Show me something a tourist should see in Billings.”
I knew exactly where to take him. The Yellowstone Museum. It’s not a world-famous attraction, by any stretch. Certainly not a “must-see” for a guy who’s traveled the entire world. But still, we had a blast walking around the exhibits for an hour and a half, chatting and laughing and building on the conversations we’d had over lunch.
From the museum, we went for ice cream. And it was while we were enjoying our cones at an outdoor table that Caleb spotted our next stop of the day: a nearby toy store.
Toys.
My god, Caleb Baumgarten bought a mountain of them for his daughter. He actually wanted to buy out the entire toy store for her. One of everything, to be shipped to his lake house. But I told him, no; he could pick out three gifts for Raine and leave it at that.
“Six,” Caleb countered.
“You already bought her a bunch of sand toys and a floatie at the sporting goods store,” I reminded him.
“I’m turning the third bedroom into a kick-ass playroom for her,” he fired back. “So, that means I need to get her lots and lots toys.”
“Pick four,” I compromised, using the same voice I always use with Raine when she requires a firm boundary, at which point Caleb pouted the exact same way Raine always does when she doesn’t get her way. It was the first time I could see Caleb’s features in Raine, clear as day, rather than only seeing Claudia’s. It was a jarring moment for me: confirmation, in a visceral way, that Caleb is half responsible for the existence of my favorite person in the world.
Thankfully, Caleb ultimately took my advice about the toys. Sort of. He bought five toys, instead of buying out the store. Although I think that had more to do with the lack of room left in the truck than anything else.
Finally, after loading our toy purchases into the truck bed, we made our way back onto I-90 and into Prairie Springs, where we stopped at a grocery store on Main Street for a few supplies before heading to Caleb’s house to unload and prepare for Raine’s imminent arrival. Which is what we’re still doing now.
With a soft exhale, I place the last bag of toys in the third bedroom—Raine’s new playroom—and begin unboxing and setting up a bunch of stuff. When that task is completed, I head into the hallway, intending to head outside again for another load of whatever. But when I reach the living room, I stop dead in my tracks. Across the room, Caleb is taking a seat, shirtless, behind his new drum kit, drumsticks in hand.
The sun is setting behind Caleb through large, floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the room in glorious, golden light that only enhances the “golden god” aura wafting off his muscled frame. Yes, I watched Caleb playing drums at the music store today. But he wasn’t shirtless back then. And we weren’t alone. Also, we hadn’t yet spent the whole day together, talking, laughing, and becoming increasingly comfortable with each other. So, to put it mildly, I’m now experiencing extreme anticipation and excitement about what’s about to happen.
Before Caleb begins playing, he notices me standing in the doorframe watching him. He flashes me a cocky wink. One that reminds me he’s not only Caleb Baumgarten, but also C-Bomb from Red Card Riot. And then, with a sharp rise of his tattooed chest and a twirl of a drumstick, the rockstar begins to play.
With each strike of his sticks and each thump of his foot, it becomes more and more obvious to me: this is what Caleb Baumgarten was born to do. He’s a work of art when he plays. Indeed, the colorful tapestry of his tattoos on his skin seem more vibrant when Caleb plays, like the lines and swirls on his flesh are pulsing in time to the music. Or maybe that’s my clit pulsing, because I’m definitely feeling highly aroused. Damn.
I shouldn't let myself feel this way. Sexually attracted to him. He’s slept with my best friend, for crying out loud; and, even more importantly, he didn’t want Raine for two solid years. And yet, I can’t stop raw, undeniable yearning from coursing through me.