She rolled onto her stomach, groaning, “Caleb,” into my pillow.
I sat in the armchair by my bed, rubbing my temples in an effort to calm the migraine that was looming.
“Mmm … Caleb…” she moaned, making me wonder what she was dreaming about.
There was so much I wanted to say, so much I needed to tell her, but I didn’t know where to start. I didn’t want to scare her away. She was finally back in my life, and I was determined to keep her there. My brother showing up out of nowhere was unexpected. It seemed like it was one thing after another.
I still had hours of work ahead of me and decided to bring it into my bedroom so I could watch over Evie as she slept. Although, I left before she woke up the next morning. It was better that way. I didn’t sleep, and I was fucking exhausted, running myself ragged.
Evie was right. I was missing so much time with my kids. They were growing up so fast. Before I knew it, they’d be driving, in college, getting married, beginning their own lives. I had to try to be present for them and their futures.
I just hoped…
Evie would still be in mine.
Chapter 17
Caleb
Then: One year later
My cell phone rang as I was driving toward the private hangar in Texas. Tomorrow was the Super Bowl, and I was flying out to Miami for Jax’s big night. All it took was one season for him to take his team to the most important game of the year.
Which didn’t surprise me. Jax was a natural born leader. Football was in his blood. He was made to be a quarterback and be the best in the league.
“Hello,” I answered his call.
“Hey, man. Did you leave yet?”
“No, I will in about thirty minutes.”
“Perfect. I need your help.”
This was how all our conversations began in reference to his sister.
“What did she do this time?”
“She missed her flight.”
“Of course she did.”
“I tried to get her another ticket for later tonight, but it’s Super Bowl weekend in Miami. All flights are sold out. I need you to do me a favor… Well, actually, I need a few favors.”
“I’m listening.”
“I think her missing her flight is a sign that she needs supervision. I’m going to be all over the place with practice and interviews this weekend. This is her first time in Miami, and I don’t want her to be alone. The city is going to be wild and crazy. More than it usually is, especially after we win on Sunday.”
“Mmm hmm,” was all I could reply.
“You’ve been so great with her since I moved. Honestly, man. I’m truly thankful for everything you’ve done for her.”
Over the last year, I’d seen Evie a couple times a month for one thing or another.
Whether it was a flat tire…
“Ugh!” she loudly groaned, storming out of her car when she saw mine pulling up behind her. “What are you doing here? I swear you have a tracker on me!”
“You think I want to haul ass over here to save your ass when I’m supposed to be in a meeting? What are you doing in this neighborhood? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is?”
“I. Got. Lost. Dad. Now, I’ll ask again. What the hell are you doing here?”
“Your brother texted me. Triple A won’t be here for hours. He pinged me your location.”
“Great!” She flung her arms out in the air. “I get punished because I accidentally took the wrong turn. You know I would have been fine, right? I’m in my car, the doors are locked, and I have pepper spray. Plus, I know self-defense.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“What? I’m being serious. I could totally kick your ass.”
I narrowed my eyes at her, amused with her threat.
She snidely smiled, stepping up to me.
“What? I’m not scared of you.” To really prove her point, she started jumping up and down from her left foot to her right, holding her fists out in front of her like a real boxer. “I’ll lay you out. Right here, right now.”
“Evie… I don’t have time for your games. I need to get back to work.”
The little shit actually swung at me, but I caught her wrist midair. She didn’t stop there, swinging her other arm toward my face, but I caught that one as well.
“You’re going to hurt yourself, darlin’.”
“Stop calling me that!”
She tried to knee me in the balls, and I used her momentum against her. I spun her so fast that her back collided with my solid chest. Snaking my arm around her neck, I held her tiny frame captive.
“You done now, sweetheart?”
As soon as she felt my hold loosen, she crouched to the ground, but she wasn’t fast enough. In one quick swoop, I tackled her onto the grass.
With my body now hovering above hers, I bit, “Not so tough when you’re lying beneath me.”