“Then, listen to her. Go home and rest. You will be there for Katie tomorrow.”
“I guess you’re right,” she mumbles, looking back at the front door to Katie’s house. I put my arms around her back and navigate her carefully to the passenger side of my vehicle. I help her in and buckle her seat belt. I pause to smile and place a small kiss on her cheek.
“Breathe, Bluebird. It will be okay.”
“Says the man with the busted lip and eye that is quickly turning black.”
“Says the man who is riding home with his best girl after picking up milkshakes, burgers and fries at the dairy bar.”
“God, I gained ten pounds just hearing that.”
I laugh, close the door, and jog over to the driver’s side. Callie might think I don’t belong in Macon anymore, but I’ve never been more positive that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
CHAPTER 30
Callie
“Thank you for this,” I murmur.
Reed grins as he sits back down on the sofa after throwing away all the takeout containers. Once he settles in, he pulls me against him. I go willingly, though it’s probably not wise. It feels good, and I’m not strong enough to stop myself. Reality will intrude all too soon. He’s one of the most famous people around, and I have no doubt he will be forced back to Nashville soon. It’s going to hurt when he leaves. I know it, and I know the pain will be horrible. Still, I’m looking at these days with him as a gift that I never thought I would receive, so I’m going to enjoy them.
I curl up comfortably, relaxing as his heartbeat echoes against my ear. I feel his fingers combing through my hair and breathe out a sigh of pure happiness.
“You good, honey?”
“Mm mm….” I hum. “This is nice.”
“It’s much better than nice.”
His voice is tender and full of warmth. If I let myself pretend enough, it almost feels as if he can warm the parts in me that froze and died after Mitch tried to kill me. I think I always knew evil existed, but I didn’t know the depths it would go to hide and conquer until Mitch tore away the mask he wore. I’d been so wrong about so much. It’s hard to trust yourself after that.
“It’s getting late, though.”
“I guess it is,” he admits. I look up at the clock and realize it’s almost one in the morning. I hadn’t realized I stayed at Katie’s so long. “Do you want me to leave?” he asks. He brought me back to my house. I actually thought he would take me to his. I was kind of disappointed—which was crazy. Still, it feels good having him here, and while my place may not be as grand as his, it is home and feels good.
“I should….”
“But you don’t?”
“Not really. Still, I don’t want you to be so tired when you leave that you fall asleep. So, realistically I know I should let you go.”
He moves, signaling I should do the same. I do, although I don’t really want to. I should have just kept my mouth shut. Instead of getting up, he holds the side of my neck and looks directly at me.
“I don’t want you to let me go, sweetheart.”
I know he’s not talking about tonight. No, he’s thinking of something much more profound. It seems unreal. I don’t want to remind him yet again that I’m not a whole person. I don’t want to push him away again. I don’t think I’m strong enough. Instead, I let it slide and purposely misunderstand.
“What if you stay here tonight? You have some clothes here you left before. I’m sure you can fit in them. Tomorrow is the last day I have off work for four days. You could stay, and we can have breakfast together before I go to the grocery store.”
“You have to go to the grocery store? On a Sunday?”
“Most of the time I have things delivered. Still, there are times that I do break down and go myself. Sundays are usually less busy.” I don’t know why I’m explaining. I feel stupid for letting Reed know that even mundane chores can be hard for me.
“I see,” he says, and I wonder if he’s finally realizing I am a complete mess at times.
“What? Has being rich and famous spoiled you? People actually do menial tasks like shopping on the weekends,” I joke, wanting to get past this conversation.
“I don’t remember you being such a smartass,” he replies with a smirk. His eyes twinkle, and it’s easy to see that he’s teasing me.
“Maybe you don’t remember me correctly.”
“Trust me, baby. I remember everything about you.” I feel myself blush, and I know he sees it, too. It’s there in his smile and the way his eyes sparkle. I don’t know what it is about Reed that always makes me feel beautiful, but he never fails. “Would it be pushing my luck to sleep in your bed with you?”