Page 36 of Then and Now (The Edge of Retaliation 3)
Callie shrugs. “I’m not sure, honestly. Hopefully not. Have you got security footage we could look at?”
I nod. “I’ve got cameras everywhere, but I’ll have everything changed tomorrow, some deadbolts put on the doors so no one can get in again. You can stay with me tonight, until we figure out what the hell we’re supposed to do about all of this.”
Callie nods, exhaling. “It was horrible, you know? Hearing how angry Ethan was at me. It hurt so much more than I could have ever expected.”
“Yeah,” I say, my voice soft. “I’m sorry, honey.”
“It doesn’t matter, I made a choice, and I have to live with it.”
She’s right.
We both made a choice.
Now we both have to stand by it.
Even if it kills us.
I STARE AT CALLIE, who is looking at her sort of boyfriend, Jake. He’s a good guy, really nice and friendly. He’s also far more into her than she is to him. I get that, though. I’ve dated a few guys, too, but none of them worked out. I got bored, or I didn’t feel that spark, that flame burning deep in my chest.
I’m desperate for that feeling again, but I fear the only person I’ll have it with, I’ll never get back.
That was a choice I made, and a choice I have to stand by, even if it has never felt completely right.
Tatum.
Tatum is always in the back of my mind, replaying over and over. I feel stupid, for leaving him over such a pathetic argument. I never gave us a chance, and I know a chance is what he deserved. I was in a bad place, with Patrick and the media, and the people who came after us, and everything to do with Callie.
I had forgotten how to breathe.
Tatum came into my life at the wrong time, but I’m starting to believe he was the right man, even with the timing.
“You’re going halfway across the country?” Jake says, narrowing his eyes. “Why?”
“My mother needs me, she’s unwell,” Callie tells him.
It’s a lie. Her mother is fine, though she’s never spoken to her again after the last time. She talks to Max here and there, but he’s moved to New York and is off on his own adventures now. The two of them lost the bond they had grown up with when Callie went to prison. She lost all of her family, really.
She rarely talks to her dad, though, to give him credit he does try to call a lot. I understand why she wants nothing to do with him, however. He has a new family, and that new family made Callie feel utterly horrible. He didn’t step up either. So, as far as Callie is concerned, she has no family. At least, not blood related ones anyway.
Jake doesn’t know that, though.
“Is she going to be okay?” Jake asks, his face concerned.
He’s a good-looking man. He doesn’t have that dangerous edge Tanner had but is instead well presented and tidy. His hair is a soft brown, always cut nicely, short back and sides, and his eyes are a deep brown. He’s tall, and well built. The athletic type. He’s a good worker and he’s kind.
But he’s far too nice for Callie, even if she tries to argue with me that he’s not.
She misses Tanner. She craves him. Longs for him.
I know she does.
I see that look in her eyes, because I have the same look in mine.
“I think so, but I have to leave tonight. I will be gone a few weeks, maybe more, I just wanted you to know.”
Jake nods, understanding, because that’s the kind of man he is. “That’s a shame, but I totally understand. I hope your mom is going to be okay.”
Callie looks a little guilty, can’t say I blame her. We’re both about to go back to the place we ran from years ago, the place we thought we’d never have to see again, to face the dramas we thought we’d never have to face again. We’re stepping back into a world we would much rather forget. It’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be so stinking hard it’ll test us both.
But we have to go back.
Ethan called, told Callie that we have no option. If we want Chase back, they want us all in the same place. That means going back.
“Well, I’ll call you,” Jake says. “Can you let me know when you arrive safely?” he asks.
Callie nods, and I leave the two of them to finish their conversation. I yell out to Callie that I’ll be over again soon and walk back down to my apartment. I live a few doors down, so it’s a short walk. The apartments are all accessible from an outside door but are part of one large building. I reach my door and fumble around in my purse to get my keys.
