“Don’t go,” I whisper.
Chapter 16
Carrying Your Love with Me
Callie
Waking up with a hell of a hangover, I hold my head in my hands and cry. I cry for myself, and I cry for the tiny thread of hope I had for Duke and me. My head pounds and it feels like justice for how I acted last night.
I felt so happy after our day out on the boat. Cash was gone for the weekend for World Championships, which apparently is a big deal, and won.
Cowboy Cash
Wish me luck, Hurricane. This is the biggest show all year.
Good luck, Cowboy. You’re a damn rodeo star.
Cowboy Cash
I’ll bring home thewin to you.
Holy shit, Hurricane! Did you see it? I’ll call you in a bit, it’s crazy here. But I won. Beat Wilkes. Just imagine me happy dancing. I’m not, on account of being a cowboy and all that, but just imagine it anyway.
Back in reality, I realize what a mistake I’ve made. Duke didn’t deserve any of what I did. He doesn’t deserve to be punished because Roger fucked me up. I wish I could fix it, make it better, but everything I think of to say feels trite and stupid. Like I’m making excuses for being an abusive drunk, like my piece of shit ex.
I get dressed in a daze and slowly make my way down to the dining room in search of coffee, hoping Lizzie isn’t around. Walking into the dining room, I don’t find Lizzie, but I do find Cash.
Sighing, I sit.
“What’s wrong, darlin’?” he asks me, concern written in his brow. The uncharacteristic serious look makes me feel worse. I hurt Duke and now I’m bothering Cash. I think I have an emotional hangover too.
“Just a headache. Let me get some coffee.”
He stands up and starts to head into the kitchen. “Lizzie, Callie has…” That’s all I hear before the door swings shut, granting me blissful silence for a few minutes. He returns and holds out a bottle of medicine. “Here you go, Hurricane.”
Taking the bottle, I nod my head in thanks and swallow down a few pills, chasing it with hot coffee that makes me wince.
“Thank you, Cash,” I whisper.
“I won’t keep you long, but I wanted to stop by and tell you I have to go out of town. Rodeo stuff.” I peer up at him from my hiding place behind my coffee, which earns me a sympathetic chuckle. “Damn, baby. It must have been a rough night.Anyway, now that the season is warming up, I’ll be coming and going. I’ll be back on Sunday. I’ve got a couple of rides over the next few days, but I’ll be available if you want to chat.” He leans down and plants a comfortable kiss on the top of my head. “I’ll be here Sunday. Don’t disappear,” he whispers before he turns to go.
“Bye, Cowboy,” I call out weakly.
His laughter fills my ears as he walks through the front door.
The cozy, warm way he gives me updates, kisses me like he expects to do it for a long time, feels soft and normal. The heat between me and Duke burns me up.
Pulling out my phone, I open my texts, seeing nothing from Duke. Not that I expect him to have written. I walked away from him. Laying my face on the cool wood of the table, I wait for my headache to go away.
Back in my room, I gulp down so much water my stomach hurts, so much I think I can hear it sloshing around, before getting dressed. I’m supposed to start at Pete’s Farm Supply on Saturday, but I have a meeting with Pete and Vickie to look at the apartment above the store that’s for rent.
Realizing I’m running behind due to my late start this morning, I rush out the door and to my car. Tucked under my wiper blade is a note.
Hurricane,
Stay safe while I’m gone. I’m still working on my chance.
X- Cash
