Page 160 of The Drummer

And most of all, the woman in my arms.

So yeah, I believe in miracles.

I’m holding one. Hearing one. Living one.

“You did this, Callie,” I whisper, pulling her close. “Don’t ever tell me you’re no one.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

After we wrap, Eli and Sweeny talk us into going to a club to celebrate the monumental day. It doesn’t take long to see more evidence of how much has changed.

The lights, the crowds, the glamor… it’s all lost its appeal now that we’ve found something richer. There’s nothing wrong with any of it, but it no longer feels like a necessary release or offers a high like it used to.

Hanging out and being treated like royalty for a few hours is fun, but nothing more.

Entering suite 403 with my best friend and girlfriend feels like more of a reward than anything else that happened tonight.

Once we’re settled on the couch, Callie slides the remote off the coffee table, then hesitates.

“You okay?” she asks Luke.

Concerned, I lean past her to check his expression, but relax at his soft smile.

“You know, a year ago I wouldn’t have been able to do what we did tonight without getting wasted and making a dick of myself,” he says in a reflective tone. “Six months ago I wouldn’thave been able to even make it through those doors at all. And then tonight…”

He casts a brief glance at me before resting his gaze on her. “I think I’m a different person now.”

Warmth blossoms inside me. Hope.

He is. But so is Callie. So am I.

“We all are, man,” I say.

“We are,” Callie agrees. “You don’t have to be a ghost anymore.”

Luke returns a weak smile and settles back against the cushion. I’m not sure what he’s thinking, but for the first time in a long time, I’m not afraid of it.

“So what do you guys want to watch?” Callie asks, brightening the mood.

“Anything is fine with me,” Luke says.

“There’s still another season ofDead Head,” I suggest just to watch her eyes do what they’re doing now.

“You promised I’d get to choose the next show!” she argues.

“So why did you ask what we wanted to watch?” I counter.

“I…” She stops and angles toward the TV in an adorable pout.

Luke smirks as I release a triumphant grin. But we’ve only just begun.

“Not that it matters,” I direct at Luke in a conversational tone. “She’ll be asleep fifteen seconds in no matter what we choose.”

“Hey!” she cries, smacking my chest.

I laugh and pull her into me.

She pretend struggles for barely a second before relaxing against me with a sigh.

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