“We’re friends. He’s been really good to me. I know he likes me, but I’m not sure I’m ready to date anyone, Reed. It’d be wrong to lead him to believe I am. I’m actually surprised he asked me out. He hasn’t done that before.”
“He might have heard we’ve been spending time together and thought he should make a move.” Reed shrugs and I laugh.
“Doubtful. Besides we’re not dating. You and I are just old friends touching base while you’re in town. Kurt would know that.”
“He would?”
“Of course,” I answer, shaking my head.
“How would he know that, Callie?” Reed asks.
“Because, Reed, you’re you and I’m me.”
“What does that even mean?” he asks, sounding annoyed.
“It means you’re Ryker Lane. Two months ago you were dating the most popular actress in the world. I’m not even in your hemisphere any longer. Kurt would know that for sure.”
“Callie—”
“Besides, I never was in your hemisphere.”
“Callie—”
“Callie! There you are! Come in here, I want to show you the sample bouquets they dropped off today!” Katie cries as we make it to the open, sliding glass doors that lead into the kitchen.
“Did they get done? Yay!” I exclaim. I give Reed a quick hug. “See you at the altar,” I joke.
He nods, but he doesn’t look happy. Yikes. He apparently didn’t like the joke. I guess with him being who he is women are always trying to really get him to the altar. I make a mental note never to bring up marriage and weddings with him while he’s in town.
I follow Katie into the house. I’m not sure I blame Reed. Right now, I just want this wedding done. It’s making my life way too complicated. Now, I have to deal with Kurt’s invitation, and I have no idea how to tell him no without upsetting him or hurting his feelings…
CHAPTER 20
Reed
“What the fuck,” I growl under my breath when Callie walks off.
“Whoa, buddy. Do wedding rehearsals always make you so tense? I thought it was the groom that is supposed to be on edge?” Jeff jokes.
I tighten my hand into a fist and then rub my palm against my jeans as I will myself to relax.
“Why didn’t you warn me the good pastor has his sights set on Callie?”
“He’s a man, not a gun,” Jeff laughs, making me give him a look. “Callie’s a gorgeous woman. You had to know other men would notice, buddy.”
“What other men?” For some reason, that makes him laugh harder. “Kiss my ass,” I mumble, walking over toward the outdoor kitchen. I could really use a beer. I don’t drink anything harder, but something to take the edge off would be really welcomed about now.
“You realize that you and Callie aren’t together, right?” Jeff asks, and humor is gone from his face. Fuck, now he looks worried.
“Maybe we’re not right now—”
“Dude. You aren’t ever. How do you see this playing out? Look at the life you live. Callie has PTSD. She freaks out going to the fucking grocery store. She orders her shit and has it delivered.”
“Jeff—”
“Most of the time, she only lets them deliver it to the porch and leaves a tip in an envelope. She reduces all human contact that she can.”
Anger and frustration claw at me. I knew Callie still had issues, but this doesn’t sound like progress. This sounds like she’s worse now than she was when I left five years ago. Regret boils up inside of me. Motherfucker, Kingston was right. I should have never left her. Never allowed her to push me away.
“If she’s slipped back that bad then why haven’t you and Katie talked to her about getting help? Anything? Something.”
“We did. She goes to therapy, and she is doing better. The therapist has warned her that there will always be obstacles in her path. Callie knows that. That’s why she organizes her life in goals to achieve. It’s the reason why she insisted on working the way she does. That way she can pay her bills off early in case things get worse.”
“That’s not a way to live. She should look at getting better, not worrying about what happens if things get worse,” I snap.
“It helps her feel more in control to have a plan, man. The Callie you knew doesn’t exist anymore. Did you think you could just come back, and everything would be rainbows and unicorns? Callie doesn’t fit in your life Reed. I’m begging you not to come back here, thinking you can pick up where it ended before. Real life doesn’t work that way. Leave the past in the past.”
I frown looking at Jeff. I try to hold my anger at bay, but it seems beyond me.
“Are we talking about me and Callie or you and Katie now, Jeff?”
Guilt and surprise mar his face as he looks at me. I don’t give him a chance to answer. Instead, I walk away. I’m pissed-off, frustrated, and confused as hell. I need a minute to clear my head.