forty-three
CALLAN
The Smiths have been here nearly a week, and I swear, Breelookslighter. For the first time in a while, she’s laughing more, sleeping better, and not jumping at every unexpected noise. It’s a hell of a thing to witness.
Right now, she’s off having a girls’day with her mum, mine, Juliette, and Lucy. Which, based on the energy they left with, either involves shopping or drinking. Possibly both.
Tom, on the other hand, was more than happy to hang back, which works out perfectly because there’s something I need to talk to him about.
I clear my throat, trying to figure out the best way to say it. Subtlety has never really been my strong suit. Tom glances over, one brow lifting in that all-knowingdadway.
“Something on your mind?”
Aye. Just his daughter.
I take a deep breath, my heart pounding a little faster. “I need to talk to you about Bree.”
His focus is now entirely on me. “Go on.”
This is it. The moment I’ve been stewing over for weeks, planning every word, every breath, just to get it right.
“Tom…I love your daughter more than anything in this world. She’s the light of my life, my best friend.” I pause, gathering my courage. “I’d like to ask her if she’d be interested in moving here, but I didn’t want to do that without you knowing.”
Tom doesn’t say anything right away. I can practically hear the gears turning in his head, weighing me against some invisible scale only fathers seem to possess to decide if I’m worthy of what I’m asking.
The silence stretches out, the seconds ticking by slower than they should, until it feels like the entire room is holding its breath, waiting for him to speak. Just when I start wondering if I should say something to reassure him that I’m not a complete idiot, he nods.
It’s a very slow dip of his chin, but a nod nonetheless, followed by the faintest hint of a smile. “I know you love her. That much is obvious.”
His expression turns serious. “Just promise me one thing,” he says. “Take care of her, no matter what. And don’t let her hide from you. I already know she’ll move if you ask.”
The relief that floods through me is immediate, but I hear what he’s saying.Don’t let her hide from you.That’s not just a blessing… It’s a plea. A father’s quiet confession that he’s watched his daughter carry more than she should, that he knows how easily she slips behind her own walls. This love, this life I want with her, won’t just be built on the easy moments. It’ll be defined by the hard ones, too.
Bree’s stronger than she gives herself credit for, but I’ve seen the cracks she tries to smooth over. The way she tucks her pain behind tight smiles, the way she pulls away when life presses too hard. I recognize it because I’ve been there myself.And I know that’s when she needs someone to see her. Not just the version she carefully curates for the world, buther.
That’s what I’m promising. Not just to love her, but toseeher. Even when she tries to disappear. Especially then.
I look Tom square in the eye, my voice firm, the promise I’m about to make more important than anything I’ve ever said. “I promise you, Tom. I’ll take care of her. You have my word.”
He nods, a look of approval settling on his face. He reaches out to shake my hand, his grip solid. “That’s what I wanted to hear, son. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders.”
“Thank you, sir. That means more to me than you know.” The words don’t quite do it justice, but I mean every bit of it. Bree’s not just my world. She’s everything.
We sit in silence for a moment, but it’s not awkward. I let the calm settle into my bones, even as the adrenaline creeps in, buzzing just under the surface.
He lets out a low chuckle. “Don’t keep her waiting too long. That girl of mine is stubborn as hell, but when she knows what she wants, she doesn’t mess around.”
Don’t I know it. The woman is a force of nature, which, honestly, makes me wonder why she’s chosen me of all people. But I’m not about to question my luck.
We’re allat Knox and Juliette’s place this evening. It’s the only house in the group big enough to handle this many personalities without someone stepping on toes or losing their cool. The smell of Mum’s cooking has been taunting us for the last hour, rich and savory, the kind that makes your stomach rumble even when you’re not hungry. The buzz of laughter and chatter fills the space, loud enough to rival a pub on a Saturday night, and it’s a welcome kind of noise.
Bree is perched on the arm of a couch with Lucy, her head tilted in that way that shows she’s really listening. Then she glances my way, catches me looking, and gives me one of those smiles that hits you like a punch to the gut and leaves you feeling grateful for it.
Damn, this woman. That smile could ruin me if I let it.
Shannon, Rose, and Mum are in the kitchen, chatting and laughing, the sound spilling out between sips of wine. I’m half convinced they’re plotting something. Knox, Paul, and Tom are huddled around the dining table, their conversation a wild mix of gestures and animated arguments. Most likely it’s about rugby, football, or maybe whisky this time. Whatever it is, it’s loud.
Juliette stands beside me, arms crossed, a soft smile playing on her lips as she watches the chaos unfold, but there’s a calmness in the way she observes it all.
