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It’s a future I get to have and I’m excited for.

CHAPTER 36

Evan

Ipromised Callie I’d tell her if Marcus ever came back, so when we grab coffee that week, I don’t put it off.

“Marcus and I talked over Thanksgiving weekend,” I say. “We’re back together. Or trying to be. There’s still the distance, but… yeah. I figured you’d want to know.”

“Oh, Evan, I’m so happy for you!”

“Thanks for being so cool about all of it.”

“I always knew what this was.” She shrugs, then leans in, lowering her voice. “Besides, Kenny says Mikey’s been asking about me. Have you heard anything?”

I laugh, grateful for the shift. “He’s a good guy. He’s been there for me through the Marcus situation too.”

“We’ll see if he’s brave enough to ask me himself.”

When we hug goodbye outside the café, she says, “Go be happy, Evan.”

“You too. Seriously. I’ll see you soon, I’m sure.”

I watch her walk off toward her car, glad I kept my promise, and when I get into my car, I text Marcus.

Me:

Just finished coffee with Callie. Told her about us. She’s happy for me. For us.

Marcus:

Yeah?

Me:

Yeah. Call you in a few.

I smile the whole drive home, and the second I’m through my apartment door, I call him.

“Hey, baby,” Marcus answers.

“Hey,” I say, dropping onto the couch. “Okay, so I’m off from the 23rd through New Year’s Day. Which means I’ll either be in Bloomington for Christmas, or I could stay here.”

“You should go see your family,” he sighs. “I know how much you miss the kids.”

“Yeah, but are you going back?” I think I already know the answer, but I ask anyway because as much as I love my family, I need to see him. I want us to finally spend a holiday together, and I’m sure my family will understand.

“If I never go back to Bloomington again, I’ll be fine.”

He tries to play it off jokingly, but my heart aches anyway. I press the heel of my hand to my eyes. “Fuck, sweetheart.”

“Sweetheart?” Marcus chuckles at the nickname.

My cheeks heat at the slip, but I’m not embarrassed. “That’s exactly what you are. You’ve got this whole tattooed, scowly, nothing-fazes-me thing going on, but underneath it you’re just a big softie. And don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone, sweetheart.”

He laughs through the phone, and it warms my heart. Already putting the shattered pieces back together.

“Thanks, baby.”