“Is he right? Are you struggling?”
“Callie—”
“We were best friends, Reed. Jake called me out on that. I have no right to cut you out. It’s my fault you didn’t know how I felt about you in the first place.”
I grip my knees with my hands, digging in because I have the strongest urge to scream.
“Nothing I did was your fault. What you saw… I can’t remember it, but I can only imagine how horrible that was for you, because it would have been the same for me if it had been you, Callie.”
“You can’t remember?”
“Not really. Bits and pieces, but it’s all a blur. There was a bottle of tequila. I don’t remember drinking that much… but I must have.” I shrug. I jerk my head around to look out the windshield again, not wanting to see the disappointment on Callie’s face.
“But you don’t drink, Reed.”
“I guess that was the problem,” I mutter. “It’s not important, Callie. I’ll be okay.”
“Listen, I can’t—I mean, I’m not going to say it will be easy, but I can’t imagine not having you in my life.”
“What are you saying?” I ask, unable to breathe.
“Maybe we could start over,” she suggests, and I swear to God, my heart stutters in my chest.
“As friends?” I don’t know what makes me ask that. I guess I just want things clear. I don’t think I can handle any more drama. I’m a basket case as it is.
“How about we start there with a possibility for more?”
She looks at me and I can see she’s nervous. She has no idea that she just offered me the world. I have no idea if I can get myself under control enough not to scare her away.
But God, I’m going to try.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. But, Reed, I can’t see you with Chasity. I can’t…”
“I haven’t spoken to her since the morning after the prom, Callie, and I don’t want to. I just…” I trail off because I don’t know how to put it into words. I think I’m even afraid to say it out loud. If I tell her what I’m afraid of that will make it more real. How do you tell the woman you love that you think someone might have drugged you? It sounds crazy. It’s not like I have any proof. I searched for that damn tequila bottle and couldn’t find it. Hell, Callie might even think I’m lying to try and make her forgive me. I bottle up all the questions and worries I have and shake it off. Then, I turn to look at her. I’ll just put it behind me. I can do it, as long as I have Callie. “I just want to put it behind me, Callie. I never want to think about her again.”
“On that we can agree,” she says giving me a smile that actually reaches her eyes. I feel like my heart lodges in my throat, then stops beating before it takes off again.
“Is it too soon to ask you out?” I don’t plan on saying the words. They just tumble out.
She laughs, but it’s an easy laugh, the kind we used to share. It makes a smile tug on my lips.
“I’m watching Mrs. Johnson tonight,” she says, and I nod. I should have known that. “But, I’m free tomorrow night. I get off work at the flower shop at six.”
“I’ll pick you up tonight at the Johnson’s,” I tell her, but before the words even leave my mouth, her smile falters.
“Reed, I know it’s silly—”
“I’ll take care of it, Callie. Trust me.” I reach out and place my hand over top of hers. I feel her tense, but she slowly relaxes, turns her hand over and links her fingers with mine.
“Okay,” she says, and for the first time in what seems like forever, I feel hopeful.
24 Callie
When I walk outside of the Johnson’s home Reed is parked in the driveway, leaning against a motorcycle. I blink, not quite sure what I’m seeing. “What’s that?” I ask, which is a silly question. It’s clearly a black motorcycle—Harley to be exact. I don’t know much about bikes, but I recognize the brand.
“This is Daisy.”
“Daisy?”
“Seemed like a good name. I traded my truck for it this morning. I had to give some money to boot, but I still think I came out good on the deal. Do you like it?”
“I’m probably the wrong person to ask. I don’t know much about bikes,” I hedge. I’m feeling more than a little guilty, though. “Did you… I mean, I don’t want you to get rid of your truck because of me, Reed.”
His face softens when he looks at me. I’m starting to think Jake was right. There was a haunted look on Reed’s face yesterday and even today I see it lingering. His beautiful features look troubled.