“Probably not.”
“So I’m just supposed to forget the fact that y’all know each other?”
Callum cut his eyes down toward her with a smirk.
“How do you know him, anyway?” he asked, tilting his head further her way.
Panic immediately started to set in. Surprisingly, anyone who didn’t already know her past had never asked her who Christian was to her. But she was prepared. As always. She had a story made up in her mind; childhood best friends, blah blah blah. But…for some reason, she didn’t want to lie. Nor did she want to tell the truth.
“Um, Christian and I–”
“No, not him. I don’t want to hear about him ever again. I was asking about my brother, Connor.” Relief flooded her system. In one respect, she wanted answers. In another, she knew those answers may lead to more questions about her and she most definitely did not want that.
“I went to dinner at Kristin’s parent's house a few weeks ago and your dad, Connor, and Amelia were there. I think your dad and Mrs. Hadley are hoping for Kristin and Connor to get together.” Callum burst out laughing at that statement. “But it’s not happening.”
“No, it’s definitely not. She’s not really his type,” he said.
“Why not? I mean, not that I’m hoping they get together, because she and Micah are perfect, but she’s a great catch. I’m sure she’s almost anyone’s type,” Sam countered. She might be able to slightly
forget the mishap with Christian (even though she wouldn’t fully admit as to why), but she sure as hell wasn’t going to let Callum speak negatively about Kristin.
Callum shook his head and amended, “No, I don’t mean it that way. She’s great. But Connor’s gay.”
Well, then.She guessed Mrs. Hadley would be sorely disappointed when she discovered that news. Sam couldn’t stop the laughter from bubbling out. She wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol running through her veins or…she abruptly stopped when she noted Callum was giving her that death glare again.
“What the fuck?Are you seriously about to–”
“No, no, no. Sorry, I’m not laughing at your brother. I'm just laughing at the fact that Kristin's mom is dead set on him and Kristin getting together, and I’m picturing how sad she’ll be when she finds out. Nothing against him or his love life, just thinking about Mrs. Hadley,” she quickly clarified.
Sometimes she hated herself and her stupid reactions. This was one of those times.
In that moment, she realized whatever had happened between Callum and Connor couldn’t have been that bad if he became so defensive over him so quickly.
Callum took a relief filled breath.
“Yeah, I’ve heard. Don’t tell Kristin, but I don’t think my mom is very fond of Mrs. Hadley at all. She tolerated her since our dads are friends, but I don’t think they really get along too well.”
Sam was shocked when she suddenly realized they were actually having a decent conversation.
Sam nodded. “Sounds about right. Kristin’s mom is very fake. And you don’t have to hide that thought from Kristin, she’ll agree. I sat with your sister at dinner. She was really sweet. We talked for a while about my wanting to go for my MD and her wanting to be a nurse.”
She smiled at the memory.
“Can I ask another question?” she questioned as she looked over to him again.
He nodded, imploring her to continue.
“I tried to talk with Connor at dinner, but I could tell he wanted nothing to do with the conversation.”
He eyes her suspiciously. “That’s not really a question.”
“I don’t know. I was just wondering why he was there in the first place if he wasn't going to even interact with anyone.”
Callum looked down at his beer as he started peeling back the label. She could tell he was looking for the right words, and she immediately regretted letting her stupid mouth get her in a situation with him again.
She was about to change the subject when he spoke.
“Sam, no matter what it looks like on the outside, not everyone grew up in perfect cookie cutter families. Trust me when I say all three of us Barker kids have some serious trauma we are working through.”