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What the hell, I’ve already screwed up any chance, if I’d wanted a chance that is, of anything with Callie. “Stay backstage.” I knock more whiskey back, needing my senses numb from the fuckup I’m making.
Hearing the door closing behind me, I reach in my back pocket for my cell and dial Dahlia.
Chapter 3
Callie
No matter how much he hurt me back in Alabama, seeing him with a skank locked against him has shredded me. When he looked up at me it was like he really hadn’t known I was there or plan to have me see him with her, but it doesn’t lesson the pain any. It still hurts like hell.
The moment Donovan had walked out of the room he’d been in, he’d taken a look at the tears in my eyes, and pulled me into an office, wrapping me in his arms. And that is where I find myself now, sitting on this lap while my tears soak into his shirt, crying because I’m still hung up on his friend. I hate me right now for allowing myself to react this way.
Why can’t I let him go after the way he treated me? After the way he’s still treating me?
“Callie, please stop crying. You’re breaking my heart.” Donovan continues to stroke my hair, trying to soothe me.
I take in some much needed air and try to control my tears. Sitting up, I use the napkins in my hands to swipe at my eyes and blow my nose.
Donovan grins. “Feeling better?”
“Not really.”
He frowns.
Sighing, he says, “I’m not sure what’s going on with him. He’s behaved for weeks and tonight he was okay, until…um…until he kinda worked out that you were going to be here.”
I start to shake my head. “It’s not because of me.” I sniffle into a tissue. “He can’t be hung up on me after the way he left me. I mean who does that?” I meet Donovan’s gaze. “He was so adamant that he wanted me to himself, and then he just left…” Hiccupping, I try to catch the new tears that have started, while anger tightens Donovan’s jaw – or at least I think it’s anger.
“Reece hasn’t had it easy. He comes from a large family; all girls.” He smirks at some secret memory. “We had some fun pissing them off when we were younger, though.”
His smile slips into a frown. “His dad left his mom without a backward glance at his kids. Reece is the eldest so all the responsibility kinda fell on him, which he hated. He used to get into all sorts of trouble. Considering all that shit, he hasn’t come out too badly. He’s my best friend and I know he can be a bastard.” He leans forward and kisses each one of my cheeks before wiping a stray tear away.
“I’m not telling you this to make you feel sorry for him. I’m telling you because I think you have him running scared. He’s never reacted to anyone the way he did you and that made him do something really stupid.”
I lay my head back on Donovan’s shoulder while I think about what he’s just said. It certainly doesn’t explain his earlier behavior because from his reaction he had no idea I was standing there. I do have a question for Donovan though.
“Who’s Dahlia?” I mumble into his shirt.
He briefly tenses up against me before relaxing again. “He’s been friends with her for a long time…since we were teenagers. Dahlia or rather Dal is the one person he won’t talk about to anyone – ever. Not even Phoenix or me.”
Chuckling, I say, “I still find it amusing hearing everyone refer to Jack as Phoenix, and the fact that Thalia doesn’t get mad when they do is…odd.”
“It’s his stage name, and now that Deception is becoming popular, it’s easier. He doesn’t want his actual name getting out because he still wants to practice law at some point.” He shrugs his shoulders. “We don’t slip up this way.”
“I know Thalia told me why she agreed.” I smile. “She wasn’t impressed at all really and has now come up with another name that only she can call him...damn frustrating because she’s keeping quiet so we don’t pinch that one as well.”
He laughs. “Please tell me you’re feeling better because as much as I’d love to be in here all night with you, we’re on stage in about ten minutes.”
With Donovan’s help, I manage to climb off his lap, giving him an embarrassed look. He’s been so good to me, and although we haven’t really spoken since our afternoon together with Reece, he’s been great. Why couldn’t I have felt the connection with Donovan instead?
I’m not even sure I want to stay. If I see Reece again with the skank, I’m not sure I’ll be able to hold it together. It would also be a tossup who I punch first.
Donovan frowns down at me. “You’ll be okay, right? While I’m on stage.”
He’s so cute and I feel that pang of regret again. Despite how amazing Donovan is, I just don’t feel that same connection that I do…or rather did…with Reece. “If the band’s on stage then I’ll be okay, and Reece might live a bit longer.”
“Come on babe.” He wraps an arm around my neck. “Pretend you’re with me. It’ll piss him off.” He grins at me while opening the door and ushering me back outside into the bustle of back stage.
“Donovan, I appreciate the offer, but I don’t want to cause trouble between you and him. That’s not me.”
