Page 34 of Second Chance with the Enemy CEO
I force a tight smile. “I understand.”
“Keep it together, Callahan. I don't want to see this attitude again."
I stand up, my fingers running through my hair as I grab my gear bag from the floor. “I will work on it, Coach. Thanks.”
“Rest well, okay?”
“You too, old man,” I say teasingly. “Isn't it time to go home?”
“Get out of here, Callahan, and leave me be.”
Saluting, I leave with so many thoughts in my head, one of which is a replay of the conversation between me and Hazel.
****
It has not even been ten minutes since I walked in the door when the doorbell rings. I am barely halfway through peeling off my gear when I glance at the clock and mutter under my breath, “Who the hell’s at the door now?”
I was not expecting anyone, and definitely not someone who’s going to make this damn day harder. But when I open the door, I see Cara standing there with that mischievous glint in her eyes. Great.
“Seriously, Cara?” I groan, exhaling a long breath. “You have never come to see me twice in one month. What is going on?”
She crosses her arms, looking me up and down with a dramatic sigh. “Well, what can I say? I have missed you. Thought I would come and grace your sad little existence with my presence.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Yeah? Or are you just here to raid my fridge again?”
“Oh please.” She waves her hand dismissively, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. “There’s nothing in your fridge worth raiding,” she says as she heads to the kitchen and opens the fridge, taking a can of soda.
“Huh-uh…”
Cara grins, arms crossed, clearly enjoying the confusion she has caused. “Relax, I didn’t come for you, big bro. I came to see Hazel. But because I am such a good sister, I figured I’d stop by and say hi to you first.”
I stare at her, incredulously. “Hazel? You came all the way over here to see her? Why?”
Cara shrugs, a glint of excitement in her eyes. “Yeah, what do you mean,why? You were there when she said I could come to see her anytime, and this is the time. I am excited to catch up with her. I have missed her. Cannot blame me for wanting to reconnect, right? It has been forever.”
“Right,” I say, trying to distract myself from the lump in my throat.
She shoots me a playful look. “I actually want to know what she has been up to. She was a big part of my life growing up, too, you know.”
"Well, good luck with that," I say, not trying to hide the irritation in the tone of my voice. “Go have fun.”
She grabs my wrist, “Nope. Not so fast. You are coming with me.”
I give her alook. You have got to be kidding me. “And why in the world would I do that?”
She bats her lashes dramatically. “Because I’m shy about showing up alone.”
“Since when are you shy?”
“Since now!” She grins, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “C’mon, just this once. Please?”
I snort, pulling my hand free. “Yeah, no. Do you know what would solve that whole shy thing? Not turning up at all. Problem solved. So, take your ass back home.”
“Uh, no. That is not happening,” she says, planting her hands on her hips. “You are coming with me. End of story.”
“Cara.”
“Liam,” she shoots back in the same tone.
