Page 32 of Backed By You
The question hangs between us, loaded with implications I’m not sure either of us are ready to address. Part of me wants to say yes immediately—the part that’s drawn to her presence, her gaze, her attention. While another part recognizes how this temporary arrangement could complicate things.
I’m her landlord, after all.
“Do you want me to?” I ask.
She meets my gaze and something vulnerable flickers across her face. “I just thought—”
My phone rings in my pocket, cutting the conversation short. When I glance at the screen, I see Rhett’s name.
“You’re late,” she says softly. “You should go.”
I hesitate, looking at Hulk splayed out on his bed, then back to Callie. “Are you sure?”
It certainly wouldn’t ruin my night to stay in with her over partying with my brothers and their rowdy group. I don’t tell her that, though. For some reason, I have this asinine need to hear her ask me to stay.
“We’ll be fine. You’ve already done more than enough.”
“I’ll text you,” I say, reluctant to leave. “To check in.”
“I’d like that.”
At the door, I turn back for one last look. Callie has settled herself on the floor next to Hulk, her injured leg stretched out in front of her, one hand stroking his fur.
“Have fun tonight,” she calls.
I glance over my shoulder and note she never explicitly told me not to come back. The unspoken invitation follows me out the door and stays with me as I drive into town.
I park my truck outside of Tavern Nine and opt to sit in silence for a moment before I’m thrust into a brother-bonding experience I didn’t consent to. My mind continues to replay the look on Callie’s face when she asked if I’d be coming back.
What did she mean? To stay? To spend the night again?
Or was it a friendly ‘hangout’ invitation?
My head floods with thoughts as the lot continues to fill with vehicles. I walk toward the front of the bar. The heavy wooden door swings open, releasing a wave of noise alongside the scent of fried food and alcohol. Country music drowns out most conversation, but I spot my brothers and a few others near the pool tables off the back of the bar.
I was told the new ‘pool room’ here is a recent addition built by Rhett and Levi’s construction company, and Roger, the owner, reserved it specially for our group tonight at no charge.
“There he is!” Rhett’s voice booms over the music when he spots me heading their way.
Butch raises his beer in my direction, his smile wide beneath his thick beard. Levi, our youngest brother, is already three sheets to the wind, judging by his flushed face and the horrible shot he just took at the table. “Son of a—”
“Thought you might bail,” Rhett says, clapping my shoulder as I approach.
“Considered it,” I reply, accepting the beer Duke passes my way. I’m not a big drinker, never have been, but tonight… I wouldn’t mind the distraction.
“Rough night in the tent?” Duke asks with a knowing smirk. He lives right up the road. No doubt he saw the state of it the other day on his way to work.
“Tent’s history.”
“So, where you been crashing?” Levi slurs, throwing an arm around my shoulders as Stan, Butch’s best friend, takes his shot at the eightball and sinks it. Levi huffs.
The memory of Callie’s face when she found me on her couch flashes in my mind. Then her sound asleep beside me all night and into the morning. “Truck,” I lie, taking a swig of my beer.
Rhett raises a brow but doesn’t get a chance to press the issue as a waitress arrives with ten shots. We each take a glass. “To the futures of the current Mr. and Mrs. Butch MontgomeryandMr. and Mrs. Duke Montgomery,” Rhett hoots, reminding me that even though this is a bachelor party for my brothers, they’re both already married. The wedding reception was simply postponed for whatever reason. Babies, I suppose.
Everyone cheers, takes their shot, and returns to the informal pool competition. I force myself to join in—it’s what I’m supposed to do. These are my brothers, my family. This is home.
So why do I feel like I belong somewhere else entirely?
