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)
It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him that we’d managed not seeing each other just fine in the last two weeks he’d been home.
“I just want the chance to be in your life. Whatever that looks like to you, I’m fine with. Just…the chance.”
The angry sixteen-year-old boy that still lived within me wanted to tell him to fuck off. But the fifteen-year-old? He was tempted to say yes. “Time’s up.”
Dad nodded, his back falling against the seat in defeat.
I took off and managed to keep my head clear enough to fly back to the helipad. It was the longest flight of my life, and I’d survived being shot at in the air before.
I ran the bird down in silence while Dad waited for the rotors to come to a complete stop.
It felt like forever, but they finally did.
“Thanks for the flight. It was worth every penny.” He reached for the handle.
“Why?” I asked, unable to let it go. “Why now? Because you managed to fall in love and Melody changed you? Because Reed swooped in and saved the resort? Because it’s convenient now that I’m home and you don’t have to track me down across the world to apologize?” My grip tightened on the laminated checklist. “Why. Now.”
He closed his eyes for a second, and then looked my way. “Because I’m finally in a place where I can say I’m sorry without any of those excuses you were looking for, and because despite my lack of showing it, I’ve always loved you, Weston. Always will.” He climbed out of the helicopter and left me sitting on the pad.
Callie climbed into bed with me later that night, long after Sutton was asleep.
“You were off tonight,” she said, laying her head on my chest.
“I’m sorry.” My hand stroked up and down her back over her tank top.
“Nothing to be sorry about.” She rolled, lacing her fingers over my chest and propping her chin on them. “You weren’t mean, or short. Just…off.”
Any other woman, and I would have gotten up and left. Hell, any other person on the planet and I would have walked out of the conversation. Then again, I’d never felt this way about a woman before. It was more than respect and friendship. I lived for the moments I was with her. As terrifying as it was, I adored her.
“I got into it with my dad today.” I kept making small circles on her back, touching her because it brought me comfort.
Her eyebrows shot up.
I gave her the Cliffs Notes version of what happened, and she listened silently.
“And then he said he loved me.” I scoffed. “Like that word could even remotely pair with his actions. Like that word could erase the last fifteen years.”
“I’m so sorry,” she said softly, her eyes liquid in the moonlight that came in through the window.
“Gavin died.” My hand slid to the small of her back. “And yet you didn’t fall apart. You took care of Sutton.”
A sad smile tipped her lips. “You saw me on one of the many nights I fell apart. I was a damn wreck most of that year. If anything, Sutton was what pulled me through it. She gave me purpose, a reason to live. Every time she’d smile, I’d see him.” She didn’t look away. She let me see everything she was feeling without reservation. “Sometimes I still do.”
My hand stilled. “You still love him.”
“Yes.” She tilted her head. “But it’s faded with time. It doesn’t hurt in the same way it used to either. The waves don’t pull me under when I think about him anymore. I’m less angry that he died and more thankful that I had those years with him.” Her smile brightened. “And I’m infinitely thankful that he gave me Sutton.”
“You’re an incredible mom, Calliope.” I forced a smile, but it slipped. “And my mom would have loved you.”
“And I’m sure I would have loved her.”
I looked up at the ceiling. “She never would have done what he did. I just don’t understand what the hell made us so unlovable that he couldn’t show up for us.” I shook my head. “We were kids. Fine, teenagers, and unruly ones at that, but still…just kids.”
“Nothing.” She sat up on her knees and cupped my face. “Weston, nothing about you is unlovable. Not now, and I’m sure not then.”
A wry laugh escaped. “There are about a million things I could list.”
She leaned in, hovering close and filling my vision. “And there are a million things I could list, because I love you.”
My heart stopped. “You can’t.” It was impossible…and yet, she was the most emotionally reckless person I’d ever known. She threw her heart into everything.
“I can, and I do.” She nodded, her face scrunching before she smiled again. “I love how you take care of everyone around you. I love to watch you with Sutton. I love how you handle a helicopter. I love how you force me to the edge of my comfort zone. I love that you like everything in its place, and I love that you make exceptions for me, for us.” She stroked her thumbs over my cheeks. “I love how you worry about your friends. I love that you can’t keep your hands off me. I love how you touch me, how you make me feel Like there’s nowhere safer to be than in your arms.”