Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“I called Carol. She’s on her way. I told her she didn’t have to come, but…”
“She’s a mom,” Knox filled in.
Callum bit his thumbnail nervously. I’d never seen him do that before. “I called my mom. I hope that’s okay. I was worried. Jesus, I’ve never been so scared in my life.”
“Hey, come here. I’m sorry I couldn’t be out here with you.” I pulled him close, my arms around his shoulders, his around my waist. I kissed the top of his head, savored the feel of him against me.
“I called Law,” Mary Beth filled me in. Callum had his cheek against my chest. My heart raced, and I wondered if he felt it beat against him, if he knew he’d brought it to life again. “I wanted to tell him I might not be in to work in the morning.”
“And there was no way I was going to stay at home,” Law added. “We went over and took Frankie Blue out before we got here. What can we do, brother?”
“Coffee,” I replied. And time with Callum, but I think they knew that.
Law nodded. Remy clamped a hand on my shoulder in support.
“I’ll head down with them,” Mary Beth said, and the three of them walked away, leaving us.
“Christ, I needed this, needed you. I was so scared. I’ve never seen it come on so hard that fast. I kept thinking, what if something happens? My kids are my world. I…”
“Hey, it’s okay. Logan’s gonna be fine. Nothing’s going to happen to your kids. You’re such a good dad, Knox. They’re so lucky to have you.”
“I’m lucky to have you. Just having you against me makes me feel like it’s going to be okay.”
Callum nuzzled his face into my chest. I squeezed him tighter, didn’t care that we were in the hospital where people from Havenwood could see us. He was mine, and I was his. That was all that mattered to me.
“I was so scared too. I’ve never had this—something like this, ya know? And I never thought I would. I know it’s not the same. Logan’s not my son, and he never will be, but I love him like he is, and I…”
I could feel the fear in the set of his body. In how tense it was and the way his words broke apart.
“Like I said, I know I’m not his dad, but—”
“Aren’t you, though?” I interrupted. “At least in some ways. You’re the man I love and want to spend my life with. You’re one of the people he trusts most in the world. One of the people he goes to when he needs someone to talk to, or when he needs help with homework, or wants to play video games. I don’t think being a dad has a damn bit to do with blood. It has to do with love, and that kid couldn’t love you any more than he does.”
Callum’s whole body went rigid. I wondered if I said something wrong, but then he backed up slightly, looked up at me with watery eyes. His hands were still at my hips, and I raised mine to cup his face.
“Don’t cry, Cal. This is a good thing, right?”
“The best,” he said, and I wiped his tears away with my thumb. “I love them both. I want to be part of your family. It feels right. And tonight, when Charlie let me comfort her… I’ve never felt something like it. I want to belong with you guys…so much.”
“You belong.”
More tears spilled from his eyes. I brushed those too, then used my lips to kiss them away. Callum melted against me as my lips made their way down his face. Our lips touched, a soft yet passionate meeting of mouths, over and over, with no tongue.
I dropped my forehead against his just as I heard, “Daddy?”
Callum jerked away from me. My pulse shot through the roof, this panic clinging to me.
“I knew it!” she shouted as Law, Remy, and Mary Beth were walking back to us. “I knew you loved him more than us!”
“Charlie, stop it,” I warned.
“That’s what happens! My best friend’s dad met someone else, and he started a new family and didn’t love her anymore!” She turned to Callum. “I hate you!”
“Charlotte! That’s enough! I’m not going anywhere. I’ll always love you. Apologize to Callum right now.”
“No!” She turned and ran down the hall and toward the ER doors.
“Charlotte!” I called after her just as the tech came out.
“Mr. Wheeler, they’re ready to take Logan up. Room 2026.” They were pushing Logan’s bed into the hallway.
“Dad?” Logan asked. “What’s going on? What’s wrong with Charlie?”
“It’s fine, buddy. I’ll talk to you about it soon.” Then to the tech, I said, “This is my partner. He’ll go up with Logan.” I looked at Cal, and he nodded, his eyes wide and full of pain. “I’m sorry. We’ll work it out,” I told him. He gave me another nod, and I took off after Charlie.