“If I let you go, are you gonna ghost me again?”
I laugh. “Will you be on tomorrow night?”
“For you? Any time.”
God, he’s good at this. I almost believe that he truly cares about me. A smarter woman would realize the kind of slippery slope I’m on and course correct before it’s too late, but he’s the first man who’s ever made me feel like I’m not a burden, and I don’t have it in me to let that go.
“Goodnight, Cowboy.”
“Happy birthday, Alley Kat.”
Jaxon
The call ends, and I spend the next several minutes replaying the sound of her voice. I run my fingers through my hair and stare up at the ceiling.
Knowing she’s spending her birthday alone—that her family hurt her in some way—makes me want to find her, hold her, and never let her go.
Ever since Wilder moved back and found Olivia, I’ve become acutely aware that something is missing in my life. I want what they have. Someone to curl up with at night, tell them about my day, and listen to stories about theirs. I want tosit in the same room without having to say a word and take comfort in their presence.
When I think about my life and everything I want for it, she's there. I know it's not realistic, but she's the only woman who calls to me, even if her face changes with each vision. Someday I'll find her, and maybe she’ll make this darkness bearable.
My phone chimes with a notification, and I prepare to decline whatever new request is coming in. My mind is too preoccupied with Kat to focus on anyone else. When I see what’s on the screen, my entire body tenses.
Alley_Kat has sent at $20 tip
Reality hits like a sucker punch to the gut. It’s a stark reminder that this has always been transactional, and I let myself get too caught up in the moment. I’m a cheap toy, useful under the right circumstances, but foolish as fuck for letting myself think this could ever mean something more.
Chapter 5
Cowboy Shit
? Excuse the Mess - Ella Langley
Callie
Families fileinto the children’s section and take their places around the semi-circle as I take my seat in the rocking chair at the front. I’ve never been comfortable being the center of attention, but the library is the one place where I can let my guard down. That is, until a familiar face walks in with two little girls in tow, tying my stomach in knots.
Jaxon Hayes has a dark-haired toddler perched on his hip as a pigtailed blonde drags him through the door. “Slow down, Emmy Lou.”
“Come on, Uncle Jaxy! We’s gonna be late,” the older child, the one he called Emmy, says.
“You’re right on time,” I say, offering him a lifeline.
Jaxon’s eyes meet mine, and time seems to slow. “Hey, Callie. These are my nieces. Emmy Lou and Gracie Mae.”
The youngest rests her head against Jaxon’s chest and shoves a thumb into her mouth. He looks damn good playingthe doting uncle, and I don’t have time to unpack why that thought is far too dangerous to dwell on—not when I’m ovulating and down a vibrator.
“I’m Uncle Jaxy’s best girl,” Emmy says. “But you can be his best girl, too. Mama says it’s nice to share.”
My stomach somersaults. The idea of being Jaxon’s anything is ludicrous, of course, but apparently my heart didn’t get the memo.
“Thank you, Emmy. It’s very nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you from your mom and Gigi." I smile and gesture toward the circle. “Feel free to take whatever empty seats you can find. We’ll get started in about five minutes.”
Emmy plops onto a bright pink beanbag chair and pats the matching one beside her. They’re not the most adult-friendly seats in the room, but Jaxon follows her lead anyway. I get the feeling she could ask him for the moon, and he’d find a way to lasso it for her. His long legs are bent at odd angles, with his knees practically touching his chin.
I try—and fail—to hide my smile, a move that doesn’t seem to go unnoticed. Jaxon winks at me, and my panties disintegrate on the spot—an inconvenient state to be in, given the present company.
I set the book on my lap and clap twice, drawing the kids’ attention to the front of the room. “Hello friends! If you’re new here, my name is Callie. First, we’re going to sing a welcome song to get our wiggles out. Are you ready? Everybody, stand up.”
