Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 100202 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100202 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
“You made a life for yourself,” I said softly. “Good for you. We’re all proud. But some of us had little brothers to take care of. If you want to call me an asshole, fine. I am what you and Dad made me. Every choice the two of you made shaped me, and you should be glad about that because I’m here now. I came when you called. But would you ever have done the same for me?” My words lost their fight. I looked at Callie. “I need air.”
She nodded, her face pale and her eyes wider than the dinner plates on the table.
I grabbed my jacket and walked straight out of the house, closing the door softer than I ever thought possible. Then I stalked to the side of the driveway and looked out over the Madigan property, the land we’d managed to save while the family fell apart.
The door opened and shut, and I cringed. “I’m going to need a little space, Reed.”
“Good thing I’m not Reed.” Callie shoved her arms into her coat and zipped it as the first flakes started to fall, making her way toward me. She put her hand on my arm and my head hung.
“I’m so damned sorry,” I muttered. “I only came here so you could have Thanksgiving with Ava, and then I just blew it all up.”
“It was pretty nuke-tacular,” she joked with a sad smile. “But I don’t blame you. It was bound to happen sometime. If not now, then Christmas, or even worse—their wedding. I mean, could you imagine that going down in front of a full audience?”
I pulled her to me and wrapped my arms around her, resting my chin on the top of her head. “I didn’t mean for that to happen.” Guilt gnawed at my stomach for the way I’d lost control, but there was a small part of me that was glad I did, glad that at least Reed knew how I felt.
“I know.” She linked her arms around my back and held tight. “I just wish for your sake that you’d said it before now.”
“So I didn’t ruin dinner?”
“So you didn’t carry it for all these years.” She turned her head to the side and put her ear against my heart. “But I understand you a little better now. Why you show up when you’re needed. You’re an incredible man, Weston.”
“There was nothing flattering about what went on in there.” I sighed. “I just lost it.”
“Losing it would have been hitting him.”
“What about wanting to?” I tilted my face and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
“If the world starts judging people on what they want to do instead of what they actually do, we’re in trouble.” She squeezed me tight and stepped away, and I let her. “How about I get Sutton out of your room and we head home?”
“You should stay. I’ll go.” I felt like shit for ruining her evening.
She shook her head. “I want to be wherever you are.”
The words punched me in the stomach and somehow jump-started my heart all at once.
“Give me two minutes.” She backed away and then turned, walking up the steps to the front porch.
“Callie,” I called out.
She turned, her hand on the front door.
“Steal their pie.”
A grin flashed across her face and my heart raced double time.
I’d spent fifteen years building up my defenses, but when it came to Callie?
Fuck, I could fall for that woman, and that was…unthinkable.
13
Callie
* * *
The shots were phenomenal. The way the sunlight caught the bride’s veil? Absolutely scrumptious. Lighting was on point, the colors were heavenly, and the look in the groom’s eyes sent a stab of straight-up yearning through my chest.
I wanted Weston to look at me that way.
Like I was the only woman in the world he’d ever want.
When the hell had that happened? I knew I’d been falling for him last week, and if I was being honest with myself, I never would have slept with him if I hadn’t. Not when there was so much on the line.
But watching him shred himself in front of Reed a couple of nights ago had gutted me in a way I hadn’t expected. He’d raised his voice, and yet had controlled his temper in a way I’m not sure I could have if I’d been dragged into Thanksgiving with my parents. My stomach turned just thinking about facing them again. He’d made it an hour longer than I would have.
And yet Weston was here at Madigan, facing down his demons because his family said they needed him. He’d known the cost and paid it anyway.
He’d shown up, just like he had for Sutton with skiing and me when I was sick or needed help shooting action shots.
And I loved him for it.
I, Calliope Thorne, was head over heels in love with Weston Madigan, fully knowing he avoided attachment like the plague, knowing loving him would eventually break my heart. But there was nothing I could do about it. It wasn’t the sweet, childhood love I’d had for Gavin, either. No, this love was messy, inconvenient, and worse…unrequited.