We’d been on puppy duty until Harper and Asher got home, then we walked over to check things out here.
Construction had started the Monday after Harper and Asher moved in, and things were coming along nicely. The demolition part was over, and they’d pulled everything down to the studs and frame. The home studio probably wouldn’t be up and running for a while, so we’d be recording the entirety of our next album at Harmony Waves as planned, but the prospect of having everything we needed at our fingertips for future projects was exciting.
Large windows framed a beautiful panoramic view of the ocean, and although construction was still underway, I could alreadyfeelhow inspiring this place would be upon its completion.
Cal had the blueprints spread over a worktable in the center of the room. He’d been pointing out where the sound booth was going to go when I zoned out, my thoughts drifting to the girl we both loved in very different ways, then to the uncomfortable secret I held between my lips.
“He’s probably waiting for his lady friend to text him,” Evan teased before I could reply. I shot him a warning glance.
“Are we ever going to get to meet this lady friend of yours?” Cal questioned, his lips twitching with a smile. He turned to grab the can of Coke he’d set on the worktable.
“Soon,” I managed, shooting another frown in Evan’s direction when Cal’s back was turned. Each day this secret weighed more and more on my shoulders. But Connor didn’t want me to tell him by myself, she wanted to be there too.
My plan was to sit her down and get her to pick a date to tell Cal, and soon. If she wasn’t ready to tell her parents, I’d be okay with that…but I didn’t think I could keep hiding the way I felt about her around Calum. With Connor starting her placement at the recording studio on Monday, it was about to get even harder to hide.
“You gonna elaborate on that? Give us any details at all? A name…maybe?” Cal arched a brow at me, waiting. A bemused look danced across his usually severe features, softening them.
My cell phone buzzed again in my pocket, and I was saved from replying right away. I pulled it out, reading the message before responding to him. It was Connor, letting me know that Lara had dropped her off and I could head over.
I texted her back, letting her know I’d wrap up here and be over as soon as I could. Then I slid my phone back in my pocket and raised my eyes to meet Calum’s penetrating gaze. He was still waiting for a reply, a smile softening his lips.
These days when Cal smiled, it was authentic in every sense. The darkness and the demons had receded from his eyes, and as far as I could tell, he hadn’t touched alcohol since the night of the reception. Even then…he wasn’t tossing back drinks like the old Cal would have. He wasn’t drinking to numb the pain and forget his regrets anymore.
“She’s incredible, and I really care about her. Like, I think I’m head over heels for her. I’d do anything to make her happy.” And that’s what it came down to; I’d even swallow this secret forever if it meant I could call her mine in some semblance.
I didn’t want to, of course, but I would.
Cal clapped me on the back, his grin spreading. “That’s awesome, man! I can’t wait to meet this girl.”
“Me either,” Evan huffed, shaking his head as a small smirk appeared on his lips. I shot another look at him, begging him without speaking to stop. He raised his hands innocently, then pulled an imaginary zipper across his lips.
“I can’t remember the last time you were serious about someone,” Calum remarked, shooting me a curious look, like he was wondering what had changed.
“I don’t think it’s ever happened before,” Evan added, unable to help himself, his smirk transforming into a mischievous grin. He was enjoying watching this unfold, me trying to answer questions without answering questions.
I frowned. “I guess it hasn’t. I just…haven’t had the time to think about dating until recently, really. I’ve been too busy dealing with you punk asses.”
“But now, we’re all grown up!” Evan teased.
“Well, one of you is anyway,” I said, eyeing Evan warily. I glanced at Calum, and he was still looking at me as if waiting for me to answer. “She’s…different.” In so many ways. Connor had always looked at me with stars in her eyes, like she truly believed I could be something. She’d always had an unwavering faith in my talents as a musician, and I had that same kind of faith for her.
“Go on. What makes her so different, then?” Calum asked. He’d been awfully inquisitive lately, and it was beginning to make me uncomfortable.
It started when I’d overslept and showed up late last week to help them load Harper’s possessions into the moving truck. Thursday afternoon, I’d been unable to resist any longer and took a drive to Halifax. I waited until she was out of classes, then picked her up. We grabbed takeout and went back to the hotel room I’d rented.
We spent the night tangled up in each other’s arms, sharing dreams and goals and making love. I’d been more than a little late getting to Mahone Bay the next morning to help with the move.
I’d done my best to stave off his questions, but they kept coming.
“So many things…” I trailed off, trying to summarize all that I felt for Connor in a few short paragraphs without giving too much away. “She’s beautiful, inside and out. She pulls something out in me, something good and real and true. She makes me want to slow down; you know?” Maybe Cal would remember me saying this all later, when he found out the truth and was seconds from decking me.
I still couldn’t gauge how he’d take it. He seemed supportive of the idea of me being serious with someone, but would that support still be there when he found out that someone wasConnor?I couldn’t be certain.
Calum nodded with understanding. “Yeah, I get that. Well, again…I’m happy for you, and I can’t wait to meet her. Why don’t you bring her by next Saturday night?”
“What’s next Saturday night?” Evan butted in, frowning. He hated feeling out of the loop.
“Harper and I are throwing a bit of a housewarming party.” Calum grinned. “Just a few close friends.”
