Page 3 of Careless
“The Ashfords, years ago, developed this town, but it was like his great-great-grandpa or something. Or great-great-great. How many greats did I say?” I asked, blinking as the girls laughed.
At the sound of our laughter, Callum looked over at us, and I froze like a deer in headlights. Bambi, scared in the meadow and unsure of what to do with wobbly legs. But then he lifted his chin, and I waved at him, smiling.
Maybe I wasn’t Bambi. Maybe I was the skunk who could learn to flirt and wave. I just hoped I wasn’t the little rabbit, who spoke too much and slipped over their own feet. No, that sounded more like me.
“You know him?” one of the Ls whispered. I couldn’t tell which one was which. That was probably an issue that I would deal with later.
“Yes, I know everyone who grew up in Ashford Creek. We’re a small town. And he’s friends with Rune and Atlas.”
“Oh,” two of them said at the same time, their voices breathy.
I just shook my head and smiled as Callum walked over.
“Here he comes. How do I look?” Laurelin asked, sliding her hands down her tiny, red dress.
Jealousy bit at me, and I pushed away that irritation. No, I wasn’t going to let that have any hold over me. After all, the girls wouldn’t be back, most likely, and it wasn’t like Callum was for me.
“Happy birthday, Felicity,” he whisper-growled, and my knees nearly went weak.
“Thanks, Callum. Buy me a drink?” I asked, trying to act like an adult. Because I was one. Damn it. “Or I’ll buy you one.”
He looked down at my nearly full drink and winked. “I’ll buy you a soda, little flower.”
One of the girls sighed behind me, and I blushed. “How about another time then? It’s my twenty-first birthday, after all? I’m legal.”
Something went over Callum’s eyes, but I couldn’t tell what it was. Instead, he nodded. “Another time. Though you’re in Denver now, right? Not up in Ashford Creek that often.”
“You never know. I could come home. I love home.”
He shook his head. “There’s so much more out there than Ashford Creek, little flower. You should go out and see it.” And with that, he lifted his chin at the other girls and made his way back to the bar and Rune.
“I have so many questions,” Laura whispered, and I just grinned before draining the rest of my drink.
“Brother’s best friend and all that,” I said with a shrug.
“Well, he’s not my brother’s best friend, so maybe I have a chance,” Laurel slurred.
“Didn’t you just try to hit on my brother?” I asked with a bite.
“Maybe. But it’s Ashford Creek. There’s nobody else here. It’s a small town on a mountaintop. With nothing.”
“Hey, it’s my small town.”
“That’s right,” Laurelin said as she wrapped her arm around my shoulders. “Be nice.”
“I’m mean when I drink, I’m sorry.”
“Forgiven. But you owe me a drink.”
“Like you’re paying for a single drink tonight,” Laura whispered, and the four of us laughed, walking back out on the dance floor.
We danced for another hour, and I tried to keep up with my water, but I was dizzy. By the time I was back at my brother’s house, tucked into his guest room with all of my friends, I was nauseous, regretting that last drink, and ignoring the roll of Rune’s eyes.
“You’re lucky I love you and you’re staying here. Mom and Dad might not have been too happy about you drinking as much as you did.”
I smiled brightly, my head pounding only slightly. “I didn’t mean to. They were free.”
“We’ll teach you how to take care of yourself better next time, okay?” He leaned forward and kissed my forehead before making his way out of the guest room. I blinked a couple of times, wondering if I saw another shadow beside him. But it was such a wide shadow. Was it Callum? No. It wouldn’t be Callum. He was just the man of my dreams.
