Lock Walker.
CHAPTER 2
“So, what exactly are you going to say to Callie?”
The sound of her name made Lock’s skin feel too fucking tight.That’swhat she did to him. What she’d always done to him.
He looked at his brother as they walked down the street. “I’m going to be honest and tell her why I broke up with her.”
Kayden nodded slowly. “And tell me again why it’s taken you two years to tell her.”
Two years…a long damn time. And it had felt longer. “I panicked. I was scared. Hell, I thought he was watching the fucking street. And I thought if I told her the truth, she’d still try to contact me, so breaking all ties and putting security on her until we killed Malone felt safer. In my head, it was only supposed to be for a few weeks, until we eliminated him. But by the time I came back, she was gone, and no one would tell me where she was.”
She’d left Misty Peak, disconnected her old phone, and deleted all social media accounts. Her father and best friend had refused to tell him where she was.
The familiar frustration slid up his throat like acid.
A frown cut into Kayden’s brow. He was one of four brothers, all former military, and all back home now in Misty Peak, Tennessee. Their only sister lived with her partner in Cradle Mountain, a small town in Idaho, so they didn’t see her nearly enough.
“What do you think she’ll say?” Kayden finally asked.
A muscle ticked in Lock’s jaw. “I don’t know. I don’t even know if she’ll hear me out.”
The memory of her face when he’d ended their relationship flashed in his head. The disbelief. The hurt. Walking out of that house had taken every ounce of strength he’d had.
His brother clenched his arm. “So make her listen. You love her too much to lose her.”
Hedidlove her. And time had done nothing to change that.
Lock looked at his brother. “You and Tilly seem to be doing pretty well.” Which was surprising as hell, considering who Tilly’s father was and Kayden’s trust issues.
Kayden’s eyes warmed. “I love her, man. She’s become the best part of me.”
They stopped in front of the studio. “I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks. I want the same for you.”
There’d been a time Lock would have sworn that he and Callie were unbreakable…until he broke them. “I’ll see you Monday night. Dinner at your place, right?”
“Don’t be late.” Kayden thumped his shoulder before continuing down the street. Spending time with his brothers was one of the best parts about being home and out of the military. Would Callie be the next best part?
He looked through the glass to see the place empty. Was she even here? Damn, had he missed her?
Wrapping his fingers around the door handle, he pushed.
Unlocked.
So she was here. Good. It had already taken him too long to find her.
He was done waiting.
Quiet slipped over him as he stepped inside. His gaze moved over the reformer machines. The big mirrors and bold writing on the wall that read Callie’s Yoga and Pilates Studio.
She’d finally done it. How many times had she spoken about wanting to open her own studio? It had always been a dream of hers.
Fuck, he was proud of her.
He crossed the studio and was about to enter the back room when she stepped out.
