I need to tell her sooner than later. If I wait too long, she might be madder. “I have to tell you something.”
There you go, girl, rip it wide open.
She drops the balloon from her mouth and rests her hands on her lap. “Is it something with the guardianship?”
“No. They have one more visit with Art and Julianna, then as far as I know, the social worker said she’ll be sending her report to the judge in a couple of weeks.”
Callie rolls her eyes. “Nice of them to take their sweet time with it.”
I shrug. I can’t really fault them for wanting to make sure the best decision is made for the kids. Although I’m biased, I know I’m the best one for them.
She pats my knee. “You’ll get them. I’m sure of it. How’s Mark doing?” She waggles her eyebrows.
“He’s not my lawyer anymore, remember?”
Callie frowns. “I had some hot dreams about him.” She sighs and looks at the ceiling, pink coloring her cheeks before she snaps out of it. “Okay, so if it’s not the kids, what is it?” Her eyes widen. “Did you meet someone?”
You can do this, Leighton. Just spit it out.
“I did.”
“Why didn’t you start with that? It should’ve been the first thing you told me when I walked through the door. And I’m a little upset that you didn’t bring up this mystery guy during our bestie bitch time.” She brings the balloon to her lips, then she sets it back down, seeming contemplative. “Does he check all your boxes?”
“Um… no.”
Her head falls back, and I can’t read whether it’s relief or upset she’s feeling. Then she straightens and goes to blow the balloon up again. “Good. I’m pretty sure whatever guy you find off that list isn’t going to be very good in bed.”
Yeah, definitely not a problem.
When I don’t respond right away, she asks, “You’ve slept with him, right?”
A part of me wants her to blow up the balloon so I can have some time to form my words. Even practicing with Hayes last night, he just laughed and said he really doesn’t give a shit if Callie is okay with us or not, it wouldn’t change anything for him. Which was nice to hear, but it does matter to me, and I think he’s fooling himself if he thinks it won’t bother him if she has a problem with our relationship.
“I have, yeah.”
“And?” She quickly puts up her hand. “Never mind. I know how you don’t like to kiss and tell.”
I always tell her what happens… within reason. But sitting here, it’s the first time I realize that I’ll never be able to talk to her about my sex life as long as Hayes and I are together. Not that I get super specific, but I won’t be telling her over coffee, your brother’s tongue action is top-notch or your brother’s dick almost broke me in two last night.
“Okay, what the hell is going on? This is the first time you’ve seen me in months, and your mind keeps wandering. This guy must be something.”
“He is.” Hopefully she hears in my voice how important he is to me.
“How the hell did you find time to fall head over heels for a guy while navigating the kids and the custody—” Her eyes widen and her jaw drops. “Leighton…”
I’m not surprised she figured it out. Callie’s always been very perceptive. I nod and bite my lip.
“Hayes?” she shouts. The balloon drops from her hands, and she jumps off the counter. “My brother?”
This isn’t the reaction I was hoping for. She seems so surprised, and I really didn’t see that coming. “Yeah, it’s Hayes.”
She whips around and puts her hands on her hips. “You’re sleeping with my brother?”
I nod and mess with the decorations to distract myself.
No. I need to own this. Let her know how much he means to me.
“I’m sorry.” I slide off the counter. “It just happened. I mean, that’s not true. I never told you—” Fuck, she doesn’t even know about the kiss back in college.
