Page 35 of Make it Real
They went from staring at me open-mouthed like a bunch of fishes, to brimming with pride. Seemed too much for a brand-new relationship, even if nobody knew it was doomed to end in a couple of months. Too much…but I still basked in the moment. It wouldn’t last, so might as well enjoy their happiness on my behalf.
Pop grinned biggest of all, joy and relief andhopeshining through. That smile cut me like a knife between my ribs, knowing what he hoped for Callie and me didn’t have a chance.
“Bring her around to dinner one of these weeks,” he said, Marilyn nodding away at his side.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“So how long has all of this been going on?” Annie asked.
I paused, working out the timeline. Wasn’t sure if knowing just how new things were would make their response better or worse.
Behind me, Maisie burst into wailing tears. Annie hopped off the couch and hauled her up, patting her back and making soothing sounds.
“We should probably call it a night.” She nodded to Wade, who got up to gather their kids’ things, along with the kids. “She’s getting to that stage where nothing’s going to make her happy now.”
“We could try letting her bite Jed.” Wade slung the diaper bag back across his shoulder. “That always cheers her right up.”
I covered the wound, defending myself from another Maisie attack. “My shoulder’s still bruised.”
“Poor guy. I bet your Army buddies would love to hear about your injury.”
“We’re going to head out, too.” June signaled Ty, and suddenly, everyone had got to their feet, ready to break up the party.
I took last place for the goodbye processional, but Pop pulled me aside on the porch. The others drove off into the night while I waited for whatever hammer was surely about to fall. He didn’t look upset, but I knew better than to think he’d have nothing to say.
“I’m happy for you, son.”
His delight served up a side of guilt that sank through my stomach. I didn’t deserve the pride that shone from his eyes, even if his joy had a whole lot more to do with Callie than it did me. I’d agreed to all this for mostly selfless reasons, but it still came with a two-month expiration date. We weren’t gearing up to ride off into the sunset together—we were just idling in the driveway for a bit.
“We’ve only been on one date, Pop. It’s a little early to celebrate.”
“I know. But that you’d ask her to the wedding at all says plenty.” The pride dimmed a touch, swapped out for a stern look of warning I hadn’t seen much since I’d turned eighteen. “I want you to be careful with her.”
I’d told myself the same thing when I’d agreed to her scheme, but the warning from Pop carried a heavier weight.
“She seems like the type of girl who might get her hopes up. She could get real hurt if you’re not serious, too.”
Called out so openly, I couldn’t come up with a defense. I’d dated around, but I hadn’t left a trail of broken hearts. The women I’d seen had known I hadn’t been looking for anything serious, and neither had they. But Pop didn’t know any of that, and frankly, wouldn’t have been much relieved to hear it. Thinking I’d just carelessly use Callie and set her aside said more about his opinion of me than I cared to know.
I tried for a grin. “How come nobody’s worried about her breaking my heart?”
Pop laid a hand on my shoulder, his eyes serious as all get-out. “I’m worried about that, too, to be honest, but I don’t know her well enough to give her a talking-to.”
Hernobody’s going to lose their heart in this situationremark rattled around in my brain. I wasn’t looking for forever, and she had no intention of falling for me. The lack of risk should have been a relief, but tonight, it tugged at my chest like a muscle spasming out of place.
“I promise, I won’t break Callie’s heart.”
Pop nodded once, gave my shoulder a squeeze, and released me. “Glad to hear it.”
A wave of guilt crested, ready to swallow me up. I wouldn’t break her heart, but when everything ended between us, it just might break my pop’s.
TWELVE
callie
It wouldn’t have fitwith Gran’s 1950s sentiments very well, but I’d texted Jed to arrange our next date. I’d sort of hoped he might get in touch with me first, just so I wouldn’t feel like I was being a pain, but after a few days of waiting—and Gran’s incessant check-ins—I’d taken the leap.
Callie: What should we do for our next date?
