“Not to butt in on your hobby talk, but it’s starting to get cold in here.” I feel like a jerk for breaking the banter, but at the same time, I can see my breath and we’re inside.
“Right.” Callie nods and glances over at her daughter. “Since you’re no longer carrying anything besides the duffle, grab Alice’s leash and bring her out. We’ll get loaded while you lock up.”
“Fine.” Alexandra rolls her eyes and moves toward the hallway.
Callie doesn’t realize how lucky she is. I know for a fact me and my siblings would have put up a fight to do it. She probably remembers how unruly all of us could be.
“Do you need me to grab anything else?” I glance at my full hands. “I’m sure I can grab one more thing.”
She’s laughing so hard she snorts. I forgot she did that, and its actually kind of adorable.
“Sorry.” She composes herself. “But where exactly are you going to carry anything else? My child has both of your hands full with her books.”
“I’m sure I can hold something under my arm. I don’t know.” I shrug and feel dumb for even suggesting it.
“Thank you, Peter. I can carry my own stuff.” She moves toward the door and I follow after her. “You letting us stay with you is more than we expected.”
“It’s not a problem.” I don’t close the door behind me because Alexandra will be behind me to lock up. “You know your brother will want to make improvements and insist you get a generator, right?”
Callie opens the passenger side door to put her yarn project in the seat before turning toward me. “I’m aware. He thinks he has to protect me from the world after everything, but despite me taking you up on this offer, I’m capable of taking care of things without his help.”
What happened to her? And more importantly, why didn’t Miles say anything to me? The question is on the tip of my tongue, but the door slams and I know I’ve lost my chance. Maybe she’ll open up in the days ahead. It’s not like she can run away from the question when we’re trapped inside.
“Noted.” I lift the lighter suitcase into the bed of the truck, and then the heavier one. It hits the bed with a thunk.
“Be careful with my babies.” Alexandra calls as she approaches the truck. Alice is pulling ahead of her to get out of the cold. I open the back door so she can jump in and she doesn’t waste time.
“They will be fine, I promise.” I wait until Alexandra pulls herself into the seat. “We won’t be driving fast enough for them to move around.”
“Good.” She grabs the handle and pulls the door closed.
“Sorry about her.” Callie’s cheeks are pink. I don’t know if it’s from cold or embarrassment.
“No worries. Her books are important to her. I can respect that. I wish there was something I was passionate about at that age.”
I hold my hand out to help her into the truck. It’s not lifted or anything, but Callie is on the shorter side and I remember all the times I would help her in and out of her brother’s truck.
Reluctantly she grabs it and allows me to be the leverage she needs to get in. I should probably fix the handle that helps people get in.
“And you were passionate about the family business.”
A nod is the only response I can give her. While it’s true, that shouldn’t have been the only thing that held my interest. Look where it’s gotten me. Yes, we’re successful and growing, but it’s my entire life…and that probably isn’t healthy. Which is why Piper is forcing me to focus on myself. Who knew I could let my baby sister bully me?
I hurry around the truck and hit a patch of ice. My ass hits the ground and I can hear Alexandra laughing in the backseat. The passenger side door opens. “Do you need help?”
The offer from Callie is sweet, but I can tell it’s taking everything in her to not join her daughter.
“I’m good. I just need a second.” That’s what I get for running where I knew there could be ice. Fuck my life. Why did it have to happen in front of Callie and her daughter? Whatever cool points I earned from Alexandra have all but disappeared. She’s never going to take me seriously.
Grabbing the bumper, I pull myself up. This is going to hurt later. One of these days I’ll remember I’m not as young I used to be. Today was obviously not that day.
My steps are much slower as I move to the driver side. The key is to act like I didn’t just make an ass of myself. “Seatbelts.” It’s the first word out of my mouth as I get into the truck.
I wait until I hear two clicks before I put the truck in reverse and back down the driveway.
A quick glance back and Alexandra has headphones covering her ears. At least she’s not giving me crap. Not right now, anyway.
“Are you sure you’re, okay?” Callie places a hand on my arm. “I can look you over when we get to your house.”
