Page 48 of Legacy

My eyes widened. “I do. They haven’t been back in a couple of years, though? I thought they sold that house.”

The house right across from Callum’s. Oh, that wouldn’t be a problem at all. Clearly, it wasn’t a problem for him. Meaning I’d have to make sure it wasn’t for me. This whole getting over my crush thing really wasn’t getting any easier.

“Anyway, the family didn’t sell it, and their adult kids don’t come here as much. They’d rather stay up at one of the resorts in another town that’s close by. They don’t really feel the need to stay in their parents’ childhood home. I know they’re thinking about selling, but they’re not ready to yet.”

“How do you know all this?” I asked as I walked past him, ignoring that cedar and sandalwood smell that just wafted off of him. Did he bathe in the stuff? No, that wasn’t right. Because it wasn’t overpowering. It was just tempting. Damn that man.

“I take care of the house when there are no tenants.”

“Really?”

“Of course I do. They need help, and I’m there.” He gestured to his truck. “Hop in.”

“I can drive.”

“Just get in the truck, Felicity. I’ll bring you back.”

I frowned, wondering how many orders I’d have to deal with. Okay then. I could do this. It wasn’t weird at all. And yet, I couldn’t help but feel weird.

When he opened the door for me, I slid my bag inside and reached up for the handlebar, so I could lift myself up. Instead, Callum took me by the hips and lifted me on his own. I frowned, stiffening, wondering how the hell he had gotten so strong. But then again, he had been a tight end in the NFL. He was the epitome of strength.

I swallowed hard as he sat me down, and I turned to look at him. His eyes had darkened, his pupils dilating.

“You good?” he asked, clearing his throat.

I nodded, my tongue darting out to wet my lips.

When his gaze went to the action, I thought I had to be seeing things.

Instead, he took a step back and closed the door in my face.

I only had moments of reprieve, trying to catch my breath, wondering why I couldn’t slow my heart rate when Callum moved around the front of the truck and got in on the driver’s side.

“Okay, let’s head out.”

“I can drive myself.”

“You’re already in the truck. And this way, I don’t have to watch you try to parallel park.”

“There is no parallel parking on your road. You’re just making fun of the fact that I can’t parallel park.”

“You ran over Rune’s foot,” he growled as he started the engine.

My cheeks heated, a blush covering my face.

“I ran over the side of his shoe. And he shouldn’t have been standing so close.”

“He was on the curb.” The dryness in his tone made me laugh, and his shoulders moved as he chuckled with me.

“It was your first time trying to parallel park, and I know that your dad, the best man that I know, and the voice of assurance and calmness when it comes to being a fire captain and in the face of danger, had been freaking the fuck out with you behind the wheel.”

“Thank you,” I said as I threw my hands in the air. “Everyone always acts like my dad is the calmest man in the world, and while he can be on most days, he was nowhere near calm when I was learning to drive. And Mom would continue to try to press the imaginary brake, so in the end, it was Atlas who had to teach me how to drive. Well, Atlas and Bodhi.”

Callum looked at me then, eyes wide. “Bodhi taught you? I don’t remember that.”

I shrugged. “He’s calm. He always has been. Especially since…” I let my voice trail off, not wanting to comment on why he had changed. And for good reason.

“Yeah. He’s always been decently calm. Well, I’m glad he could help you. I was never around when you were dealing with all of that. I don’t mind it because I barely remember you when we were younger.”