“Ben,” Junie chastises, but I just sigh.
“She’s different. It’s like she’s not even the same person,” I finally answer, realizing that talking with Kingston about this is probably what I need.
“Of course she’s not. Dude, it’s been years. You had to know she’d be different.”
“I guess. Honestly, I’m different, so I understand it. I wasn’t coming back to get another shot, man. I just wanted to prove to myself that I didn’t still love her.”
“How’d that work out for you?” Kingston asks, proving he’s a son of a bitch.
“Fuck, man. Who understands love? I sure as hell don’t. My heart took one look at Callie years ago, and I was lost,” I bite out. “I was hoping time had changed things. For most of the night, I thought it had…”
“But?” Junie prompts.
“For a few minutes, when it was basically just the two of us, I saw her—the woman I’ve always loved. Fuck, I sound like a pussy.”
“You kind of do,” Ben says.
“Ben!” Junie snaps.
“I’m just telling him the truth. Don’t act like you didn’t have me so wrapped up in you that I didn’t act the same way, woman. We both know you did.”
“You were an asshole,” she snaps. “You’re lucky I gave your ass a second chance.”
“I know, baby, and I am thankful every fucking day,” he says quietly.
Shit.
“I’ll let you guys go.” I don’t really want to hear how blissfully happy they are.
“Hold up, Reed. I’d like to talk to you,” Kingston announces.
“Well, I’m going to bed,” Junie sighs. “This baby is wearing me out. Keep your head up, Reed. You’re an amazing guy, and if Callie doesn’t get that by now, she doesn’t deserve you.”
“Night, Junie,” I mumble, her words not making me feel one bit better. “Let me have it, Kingston.”
“I just have some advice for you,” he says.
“What’s that?”
“If you love her, stop letting her decide what happens.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“Listen, I don’t know this Callie, but from what Junie has told me, she’s been through hell. She doesn’t have a reason to believe in promises—even you screwed the pooch on that.”
I don’t say a word. What I did was out of my control. Callie is the one that asked me to leave. I just accepted her decision and left. I didn’t fight to stay in her life. At the time, staying just felt hopeless. Still, I definitely understand how it could reinforce Callie’s belief that promises are worthless. Shit, I don’t really believe in them myself anymore. I’m a cynical bastard. Getting into the music business did nothing but make me that way—even more than before.
“Get to it already, Kingston.”
“It’s simple. If you want her, don’t take no for an answer. Show her she is all you need and even when she tries to push you away, keep trying.”
“Is that what you did?”
“I was a thorn in Junie’s side. Scared the fuck out of me that she would decide not to give me a second chance.”
“Kingston—”
“I’m just saying, sometimes you have to man up and just refuse to back down. If you love her, prove to her that she comes first in everything.”
“What makes you think I didn’t try that already, asshole?”
“Because you’re in Nashville, and she’s in Texas. If she really is yours, then prove it to her. If she’s really a good woman like you say—”
“She is. She’s made some fucked up choices, but I made some of my own. Life has a way of messing with your head…”
“Yeah, I do know that. So, you need to understand something. If Callie really is a good woman, I guarantee you that there’s someone there in Texas trying to step up to fill the space you left. Hell, they might have already.”
“Are you trying to cheer me up?”
“Wake you up,” he corrects. “I almost lost Junie while dwelling on the past. Our stories might be different, but let me tell you, if you see the woman that is your future, don’t hesitate to grab onto it—and her—with both hands.”
“When are you releasing your book? What’s it called again, Kingston’s Guide to Relationships?”
“Laugh if you want, but when we hang up, I’m snuggling up against my hot-as-hell, naked, pregnant with my baby, wife. You, on the other hand, are going to bed with your hand. It’s time you make your move, Rockstar. If that’s claiming Callie or just finally moving on, you need to figure that out and do it.”
“You make it sound so fucking easy,” I complain.
“Don’t forget, I’ve been where you’re at. It’s not easy, but if Callie is anything like Junie, it will be more than worth it.”
“I hear you. I’m going to get off here and let you get back to your woman.”
“I’d appreciate that,” he laughs.
“Later, Kingston.”
“Later, man. Believe it or not, I am hoping it works out for you.”