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“Sure, I’ll text Elli and let her know.” She fished her phone out of her purse and texted as she crossed the room to join him.
Caleb slid his arm around her waist and grinned. “Great. We’ll meet you there,” he told Cookie.
“I’m catching a ride to O’Toole’s with Brad and Joe.” Jeffery said as he waved from the door. “Lynn is meeting us there, so I don’t need a ride home. See you in a few.”
As the studio emptied, Caleb turned Theresa in his arms and drew her close. The tech crew worked around them to close things down for the night, but his entire focus was on the woman in his arms. “The band seems to be taking our being a couple well.”
“Hmm-mm.” She ran her hands up and down his back. “I’m starving, Caleb. Let’s head out so the crew can lock up. I don’t want to be out too late. It’s a long drive to Santa Barbara, and I’m beat.”
“Are you sure you want to go out tonight?” he asked.
“Yep. A burger and a beer with everybody sounds really good right now.”
“Okay.” His overnight bag was in the back of her SUV, and the thought of his first sleepover with Theresa sent anticipation coursing through him. Hand in hand, he and Theresa left the studio and crossed the parking lot to her SUV.
“Theresa,” a voice called out. “Wait.”
Caleb caught movement from the corner of his eye and turned to see a man emerge from around the side of the building. David. Every protective instinct he had went on full alert. Caleb stepped between Theresa and her ex.
Theresa moved out from behind him. “David, what are you doing here?”
“I just want to talk to you.” David raised his hands. “I don’t want any trouble.”
“How is it you’re out of jail?” Caleb glared.
“That’s none of your business, McGee. If you don’t mind, I’d like a few minutes of privacy with my wife.” David aimed a challenging look his way.
Dammit, he had a really bad feeling about this. “She’s not your wife.”
“Slip of the tongue.” David shrugged. “I’d like a few minutes of privacy with the mother of my children. How’s that?”
“The restraining order is still in place.” Theresa took out her phone again. “You should’ve called rather than risk being picked up for violating the order.”
“I tried to call you, Theresa, several times in fact. My calls never got through, not even to messaging.”
“Oh, right.” Theresa’s chin rose. “After all your threatening phone messages, I blocked your number.”
“I’m sorrier than you can imagine for making those threats. I know it’s no excuse, but I was under the influence. I’m in a program now. I’ve been off the drugs and alcohol for months, and I want to make amends.” David took a step closer, his expression one of earnestness. “Just give me a few minutes.”
Caleb’s bad feeling escalated to near panic. “Don’t do it, Theresa. Unblock his number, so he can call you sometime.” Caleb reached for her hand. “Let’s go. Everybody is waiting for us.” She tugged her hand away from him, and his heart plummeted.
“Caleb, this is my decision to make. I’ll give David a few minutes but no more.”
Not good. Not good at all. All kinds of alarm bells went off in his head. “Fine. I’ll be right over there if you need me.” Theresa nodded without taking her eyes off her ex, and Caleb’s gut twisted.
He knew what David meant to do, and he couldn’t blame him. The idiot had probably figured out he’d lost the best thing he’d ever had, and now he wanted his family back. Theresa’s ex was about to grovel for a reconciliation, and Caleb couldn’t predict … damn. He didn’t know or trust how that would turn out.
Full-blown panic gripped him. Hands fisted, he strode off. Her SUV was close enough that he’d be able to hear the conversation, and he had every intention of listening. If things got out of hand, he’d intervene.
* * *
Theresa wanted nothing more than to turn around and leave. She had no interest in anything David had to say, and even seeing him decimated the relief she’d been enjoying in his absence. If it weren’t for Jeremy and Charlie, she would walk away. Instead, she remained where she was and scowled at her ex.
“Explain to me how you’re out of jail? My lawyer was supposed to notify me first? I had her looking into—”
“I pled guilty on the harassment charge, and I’m out on parole. I know your lawyer told you I’d changed my plea. If you hadn’t wanted me out, you would’ve shown up at my sentencing hearing.”
“I figured you’d remain incarcerated while awaiting your trial on the drug charges,” she said.
