Jaxon
Five months. That’s how longmyCallie has been homeless. Five months, and she never once asked for help.
My sister’s fiancé, Liam, was one of the firefighters on scene when that apartment building burned down. Ruby almost lost Liam that day, and I almost lost Callie—I just didn’t know it. The timing lines up perfectly with when she ghosted me.
Christ, Bluebird. Why didn’t you ask for help?
The silence on the drive home gave me way too much time to think about every horrible thing that could’ve happened to her, every worst-case scenario played out in my mind alongside my worst memories. I can’t lose another person I care about.
I glance at her side profile, dimly lit by the glow of the moonlight overhead.She doesn’t seem real.
“Callie—”
She sighs deeply. “If you’re going to start in on me about the dangers of being a woman all alone in this big, scary world, can it wait? I’m tired.”
Her voice is dull and lifeless, not at all like the self-assured woman I’ve come to know.It’s possible the public version of Callie is a mask for a much more broken person, and I understand more than I’d like to admit. I’m not so naive to think she felt comfortable enough to let her guard down with me, but I’m foolish enough to hope.
“I was only going to ask if you’re hungry. Family dinner just ended, and I’d bet my last dollar they’ve got leftovers up at the big house.”
She gives me a tight-lipped nod, keeping her gaze focused out the windshield. I want to reach for her and offer some sort of comfort, but I’ve already crossed far too many boundaries tonight. I have a feeling her pride won’t let her accept much more.
Not a moment too soon, the tow truck pulls up behind us. “Why don’t you head inside? I’ll pay for the tow and grab us something to eat.”
“I can get it. I just need to grab my purse from the car.”
I shake my head and place my keys in the palm of her hand. The touch sends a jolt of electricity straight to my heart. “I’ve got it.”
She purses her lips. “You’ve done enough. I can pay for the tow.”
I’m going to break through this stubborn streak of hers. I don’t know what she’s been through that’s made her so self-reliant. I hope someday she’ll feel comfortable enough to open up to me.
The tow truck driver hops out of the truck, and I recognize another of my old high school classmates instantly. “Tripp. Good to see you, buddy. What do I owe you?”
Callie steps up beside me, crossing her arms over her chest. She’s too damn cute to ever be intimidating.
Tripp looks between the two of us with a raised brow. “It’ll be one hundred twenty-five dollars. How’ve you been?”
The question feels a lot like staring down the barrel of a loaded gun. Tripp grew up next door to Ryan. He took the loss almost as hard as I did. We haven’t spoken much since, but I see him around town from time to time. He’s married with two boys and another one on the way.
It seems everybody I used to know is moving on with their lives, doing all the big things people are expected to do when they grow up: falling in love, starting a family. Everyone but me. I can’t imagine reaching those milestones when Ryan won’t ever experience them. His dreams were always so much bigger than he was, and I have no doubt he would’ve seen every single one of them come true had he lived long enough.
I give him a thin smile and say the thing everyone says when they can’t think of anything better. “Livin’ the dream. This is Callie.”
She lifts her hand in a wave, and he returns the gesture with a nod of acknowledgement.
“Your car?” he asks.
“Yeah. I just need to grab my purse.”
“Not a chance in hell,” I tell her. “I’m covering the tow, and my buddy Tripp here is gonna let me.”
He holds up his hands and backs away. “Hey, don’t bring me into this lover’s quarrel.”
Callie responds way too quickly. “We’re not lovers.”
“Sure.” Trip’s shoulders shake with silent laughter, and he walks away from the scene shaking his head.
She elbows me in the ribs, pinning me with a glare. “Seriously?”
