Page 37 of Sweet Pea

Callie

It had been two days since I’d seen Sweet Pea, but he’d managed to infiltrate just about every thought I’d had since then. As much as I hated to admit it, he was a welcome distraction to my shit storm of a career and the train wreck of my personal life. But as fun a distraction as he was, and sweet Jesus was he, I was frightened by how quickly a biker had gotten under my skin.

My phone buzzed, and my heart raced at the thought of a text from Sweet Pea, which made me feel foolish. Not that I had anything to worry about, as it wasn’t a text from Sweet Pea, but a call from my father.

“Hello, Dad,” I said, trying to sound ‘neutrally cheery.’

“Callie, what’s wrong?” My dad’s uncanny power to see right through my bullshit on full display.

“What? Who said anything was wrong?”

“After the Knight verdict, I expected the usual call from you. It’s been close to a week now and still no call.”

“It’s been four days, and everything is okay. I’m sorry I didn’t call you I’ve just been...busy.”

“Too busy for a call?”

Yes, father. I’ve been busy. First, I was busy plotting the kidnap and torture of a man I failed to put in prison. Then I got distracted when a giant Norseman used my stump to throw his axe into... repeatedly. But lately I’ve been busy crying on my sofa while watching my only friend eat rats.

“The law never sleeps. You know that, Dad.”

“Come on, Callie. Give me a little credit, will ya? You think I don’t know you a little better than that?”

“I’m sorry I didn’t call. I really am. I’ve never missed one of our post-trial debriefings and I shouldn’t have missed this one. Especially this one.” Tears began to form and my voice waivered.

“You wanna talk about it, Sharkey?”

“Thanks, Dad, but I really am okay.”

“Really?”

“No.” I laughed through my tears. “But I’m trying.”

“You call me or come to the house any time you need me. You hear me?”

“If only all those hardened criminals you’ve put away over the years knew what a softy you really are.”

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