Page 108 of Barefoot Dreams
“Okay.” It’s barely audible.
So freaking adorable.
“I’m sorry you found out like this.” She motions around us at the shit show that just went down.
“Hey, if you get to find out by throwing up and peeing on the stick, this is the least I can do.”
“And what’s the most?” she asks, making me smile as I remember the night that started it all.
“I’ll teach our kids to call their uncle Clover. Never Callum.”
"Hey! I heard that, you asshole, and don’t you dare!” he says, and both Julie and I start laughing.
“Hm, I do like that punishment,” Julie muses.
And it so is because if there’s one thing Cal hates with passion, it’s his hippy middle name.
“Go.” I kiss her lips in a quick, short peck. “I’ll meet you shortly, okay?”
She nods but before disappearing, Julie quickly runs toward Callum, throwing her arms around him as he lifts her off the floor.
“I want to stay mad at you but it’s bad for my aura. And also, I’m really,reallyhappy to see you,” she tells him, and I see the way Cal’s arms wrap around her tighter at those words.
“I’m really happy to see you, baby sister. But did it have to behim?” the petty asshole asks, and I roll my eyes.
Julie wiggles out of his hold. “You’re insufferable, you know that?” she tells him.
“Oh God, you had to do that to get a baby.” Cal twists his face. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
“Okay, no growing up for you, got it.” Julie kisses his cheek disappearing from the station.
“My sister! It had to be my freaking sister, you asshole!”
“Yeah, we already established that.” I turn to the supplies closet for some towels.
Callum is quiet for a long beat and then… “My sister! It had to be my freaking sister, you asshole!”
I groan. “Jesus Christ! Get over yourself, finally. We are gonna be brothers-in-law.” A grin pulls up my face and Cal groans again.
“Wipe that grin off your face, sister defiler.”
There he is…the guy I remember. My best friend. My brother.
“Callum,” I say. My voice suddenly heavy with emotion. “You’re back.”
“Yeah, I’m back,” he agrees quietly, and the office door flies open with Luke charging at us.
“Finally! My whole family is back together!” Luke throws his arms around us and the look on Cal’s face is fucking priceless.
It’s a cross between shock, amusement, and utter disgust. Luke never used to hug. None of us did. “Who the fuck are you and where is our grumpy asshole?”
“Don’t look at me like that! It’s all her fault.” He throws his thumb over his shoulder to where Grace is standing in the doorway and then turns my way. “What are you still doing here?”
“The floor?” I motion down to the puddles.
“Fuck the floor! This asshole can clean it by himself. Go get your girl.”
A huge smile breaks over my face and I bring my two closest friends into a tight hug. “I’m going to be a dad,” I whisper to them, wishing Caleb could be here for this too.
