“Fuck, man.” He put his hand on my back. “Bitches.”
I laughed and couldn’t agree more. “It’s going to get worse the bigger we get. I thought I handled it will but…who can we trust?”
“I know. I hear ya. I’m sorry that I didn’t see that coming.”
“Not your fault, at all. Girls do shit. I didn’t eat it up like I normally would’ve. They were hot, but the crazy and manipulative characteristics kind of blew that.” One word for that change.Callie.
“Agreed. It makes me question how people change when they move up. I’ve heard horror stories about guys changing and relishing in the attention. I don’t want to do that.”
“Your family will help with that. My mom and sister literally kick my ass and knock me to the ground so fast when I act like a dick face.” I sent a silent thanks to both of them. I promised myself to call them over the weekend and see Zaria. We’d both been busy and we were due to hang out.
“I need to have a talk with mine to do that more.” He shook his head and opened the door to Legends.
“I’m always here, too. To knock you on your ass. Just say the word.”
“Always so gallant.”
“Word of the day again?
“No. The goddamn romance books my mom always read. I got bored in the car once.” He grinned, ashamed, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
* * * *
My prediction about Jeff was spot on. He headed in the direction of our house when I went the other way, to see Callie. Her response came later, but it made me happy as hell. I quickened my pace and was at her door within five minutes. My long legs helped, but the desire to see her was motivation enough.
I knocked on the door, not giving a damn about the time. It was midnight. My mom always told me nothing good happened after midnight but I chose to disagree at that moment. Callie opened the door wearing herballsshirt and my mood brightened.
“Damn, with a smile like that, come on in.” She opened the door and waved me in. But as soon as I entered, she held up a hand to my chest. She had a tiny frown line between her eyebrows, but her brown eyes were lit up. “For the record, this is not a booty call.”
“Never thought it was. I wanted to see you,” I admitted and she looked down at the ground in the cutest fucking way. “Is that okay with you, Ms. Callie?”
“Ms. Callie?” She wrinkled her nose. “I was a camp counselor once and they called me that. Brings me back to junior high.”
“I’m trying out new nicknames. We’ll see what sticks.” I massaged her shoulders and pulled her into me. I itched to touch her. “Can I say I missed you?”
“When you have my face pressed into your chest like this, you can say whatever you want.” Her voice was muffled and I squeezed her tighter.
“How was the marathon?”
“Good. I’m super into the show, but it freaks me out. I’m always a little jumpy after watching it for hours.” She released her hold on me and tension lined her eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m having an internal battle. Do you ever have those?” She crossed her arms, the frown line returning. The only part of the shirt I saw readballs.I motioned down to it with my eyes and laughed. She saw what I was looking at and rolled her eyes. “Hell. Not helping.”
“I mean, if you wanted to take the shirt off…be my guest. I won’t complain.” I reached for the hem of it playfully and she swatted me away.
“You are my internal battle.”
“How so?” I tried to hide my panic, but she must’ve seen my distress because she put her hand on my face. I leaned in to her, taking in her sweet smell and comforting embrace, and sighed.
“You are all sorts of crazy. I’m going to pretend you were assuming the worst. My battle is either inviting you back to my room or sending you on your merry way.”
“Room. Invite me in,” I yelped, happy as fuck that was what she was battling.
“Obviously, you’d pick that. The problem is, we’re always together in public…where I must have some control. No promise of that happening in there. Us. Alone.”
“I’m missing the problem here, babe.” Her mouth quirked up at the pet name and I decided to use it as often as possible.
