Page 16 of Loving Callie
Jake put his hands on her thighs and gently stroked them up and down. The motion was sensual yet comforting.
“Sounds great, I can’t wait to meet her.”
* * *
Half an hour later, Callie jumped up and wove her way through the crowd to the front door to meet Reagan. Her friend was a beautiful woman, with long red hair, and curves that would make any man drool. She moved with an easy grace, and the affection between them was evident on their faces as they greeted each other with a tight embrace.
Jake rose out of his seat and pulled Reagan in for a friendly hug. “Hey Reagan, it’s good to meet you, Callie has told me a lot about you. Welcome to the Lucky Strike. I’m eager to hear your opinion on the band playing tonight. Cal says you love live music so please don’t hold back.”
Reagan looked Jake up and down appraisingly and said, “Well now, she didn’t lie about you being a total hottie, but she seriously undersold your charm. It’s good to meet you too Jake. Anyone who can make Callie glow like she has been lately, is a friend of mine.” Reagan settled in her seat on the other side of Callie before looking back to Jake with a smile. “Now, how does a girl get one of these local beers I’ve been hearing about?”
“Coming right up.” Jake waved at Ryan to get two more beers poured for the ladies.
As Callie and Reagan chatted over their drinks, Jake heard his name called out by Chase McCormick, the lead singer of the band playing tonight. His sound was a unique mix of rock and soul, somewhere between Ed Sheeran and Maroon 5. When they first met, Chase had seemed vaguely familiar to Jake, but he still couldn’t figure out why. Regardless, Jake hoped that having Chase perform each week would be a great addition at the pub.
“Hey, Jake, we finished our soundcheck and are ready to go on whenever you want us to start,” Chase said.
Jake clapped him on the back and replied, “That’s great to hear. Let me introduce you to some friends of mine, then I’ll go up and announce you to the crowd and we’ll get started.”
When Jake introduced Chase to the two women, it was clear to anyone who was looking that Chase’s gaze lingered on Reagan. After, Jake walked Chase to the stage before heading back behind the bar with Ryan. Reagan and Callie sat on their stools, eager to hear the music.
It was instantly clear that Chase would be a hit at the pub. His soulful voice had a commanding presence but was not overwhelming. It was the perfect fit for a pub where people would want to enjoy the music and be able to hold a conversation. Callie swayed along with the music, occasionally glancing to Reagan who appeared to be entranced by the tattooed singer on the stage.
At the end of the band’s set, Jake walked back over to Callie and Reagan. When he got there, Callie stood up and yawned. “I’m sorry, I can’t stay longer. I really need to get some sleep before tomorrow.”
Jake kissed her forehead in response. “It’s alright, I’m glad I got to see you. Text me when you get home safely okay?”
Callie smiled up at Jake, touched by his concern. “I will. Oh, and Jake, Chase’s band is great. I think you should definitely have them play more often.”
Jake grinned, clearly happy that Callie had enjoyed the music. Turning to Reagan, Jake asked, “Hey, what did you think? Would you come back to hear them again?”
A blush came over Reagan’s face as she quickly looked up at Jake, before standing up and pulling her jacket on. “Oh, ummm yeah they were great, Jake. Really great. I think I should go too. Thanks for the beer, see you!”
As Reagan turned and made her way swiftly through the crowd to the door, Callie stared after her quizzically. “Well that was weird, I wonder what made her leave in such a rush. I should go and make sure she’s okay.”
Turning back to give Jake another kiss goodnight, realization dawned on Callie as she spotted Chase heading their way, his gaze lingering on the door that Reagan had just hurried through. Perhaps her best friend was somewhat affected by the handsome singer, just as he seemed to be taken with her. Smiling to herself, she knew she would have to tease the details out of Reagan.
“Goodnight, I’ll text you as soon as I get home,” Callie said. Then as she pressed another sweet kiss to his lips, she tried to turn and leave. But Jake captured her in his arms and pressed her against his hard length. She gasped at the feel of his erection straining behind his zipper.
“Just so you know, Gorgeous, I’m going to go home after I’m done here and dream about being in bed with you again. And I’m counting on making that dream come true real soon.”
With one last hard kiss that sent jolts of arousal straight to Callie’s center, Jake released her with a seductive smile, and gently nudged her towards the door.
As soon as Callie arrived home, she opened her phone and texted Jake as promised.
Gorgeous: Home safe and sound. Thanks for another great evening… xx
She placed her phone on her bedside table and went to brush her teeth before climbing into bed, only to hear it beep with an incoming message.
Hot Bartender: Good. Now climb into bed and whatever you do, do NOT tell me what you’re wearing. Good to see you tonight Gorgeous. Sleep well.
Callie laughed at Jake’s message, then grinned as she typed her reply.
Gorgeous: Okay, I most certainly will not tell you what I’m wearing. Or not wearing. Goodnight Jake.
Hot Bartender: You torture me. Go to sleep. You have lives to save tomorrow night.
* * *
