Page 67 of Backed By You
I meet his gaze. Firm and unwavering. “It’s the truth.”
Matthew’s eyes narrow, assessing. “You’re in love with her.”
It’s not a question, but my heart still kicks against my ribs at hearing someone else say it aloud. I haven’t said those words to Callie, but fuck, do I feel them. The last few days here with her have been the highlight of my year. She drowns out everything that’s changed. Everything I thought I’d lost—my career, my future. She’s taken the hardest time in my life and made it into something worth waking up for. Her.
“Yes,” I admit.
“And does she know that?”
I take another sip of my drink. “Not yet.”
He huffs, his gaze suspicious. He leans forward, all pretense of casual conversation gone. “Let me be clear, Montgomery. Callie is all I have in this world. After her mother died, it was us against the world. It has always beenus. She’s dealt with enough shit already—the stalking, the threats, the industry assholes whocontinue to try to use her or control her. I won’t stand by and watch her get hurt again.”
“With all due respect, sir,” I say, keeping my voice even. “I’m not in the business of hurting people I love.”
“No one ever is until they do.” His eyes are hard, but there’s something vulnerable behind them—the worry of a father who’s seen his daughter hurt one too many times. “This industry she’s in, the spotlight; it changes people. Adds pressure. I’ve seen it destroy stronger couples than a three-week fling.”
My jaw tightens. If he’s trying to push me for a reaction, he’s getting damn close. “This isn’t a fling.”
“Prove it,” he challenges.
“I don’t have to prove anything to you,” I snap, willing myself to dial it back a peg. Or two. I need to remember this is my girl’sfather. “Only to Callie. And I do that every day by being there for her, respecting her, and having her back.”
Matt stares at me for a long moment, then does something unexpected—he smiles. It’s small, but genuine. “Good answer,” he says, raising his glass in my direction. “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.”
I feel like I just passed some test I didn’t know I was taking. “So that’s what this was then, a test?”
“More or less.” He finishes his scotch. “Had to be sure you weren’t just along for the ride on her success. Or worse, another controlling prick who thinks he knows what’s best for her.”
“I’m neither.” Though my gripe on hiking apparel does come to mind.
“I believe you.” He signals the server for another round. “Now, tell me more about this cabin you’re building. Callie sends pictures, but she’s not great with the technical details.”
The abrupt shift in conversation throws me for a moment, but I go with it, describing the progress on the cabin, the design elements, and the timeline for completion. Matthew listens withgenuine interest, asking questions that show he knows more about construction than I would have guessed.
As our second drinks arrive, he says, “You know, her mother would have liked you.”
“Callie doesn’t talk about her much.”
“No, she wouldn’t.” He stares down at his glass. “Callie was just a baby when she died. Car accident. Drunk driver hit her head-on coming home from the grocery store.” He takes a breath. “I wasn’t great at talking about her afterward.”
I’m not sure why he’s telling me this, but I listen, recognizing the importance of what he’s sharing as well as this chat for him.
He clears his throat and checks his watch. Appearing as though the direction of the conversation has taken him somewhere he doesn’t like being. “I should head out.”
We finish our drinks and Matthew’s demeanor shifts, becoming less interrogator and more of a father concerned for his daughter. “One more thing,” he says as we stand to leave. “That Jack Turner guy—”
“Won’t be a problem,” I say, and damn sure mean it.
A flash of understanding passes between us. “Good.” He extends his hand. “You have my blessing. Take care of her, Montgomery.”
The double meaning in his strategically chosen words isn’t lost on me.
I shake his hand firmly. “I will.”
The sun hangs low over the Pacific, painting the sky in shades I never see in Montana—vibrant oranges blending into pinks against a backdrop of pale blue. It’s different from our sunsets back home, where the mountains catch the last light in sharp,dramatic silhouettes, and the colors are deeper, more saturated against the vast open sky.
Here, the horizon is a straight line where ocean meets atmosphere, endless and somehow more expansive and confined than the mountain ranges I’m used to. The air feels different, too—heavy with salt and moisture instead of crisp pine and fresh air.
