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“In case no one has told you, Callie, I’m proud of you.”
I can feel myself blush. “Thanks, Jeff.”
“Look at her,” he says, and my gaze moves across the table to where Katie is sitting. She’s laughing and talking with a girl she works with, and she looks so happy that my heart squeezes in my chest. “You would think she’s the happiest woman on the face of the earth.”
“She is. You’re getting married. That’s a good thing, right?”
“Except she’s marrying her backup guy.”
“Jeff—”
“It’s okay, Callie. I’ve always known where I stand in Katie’s life. She loves me. I know that.”
“She truly does and so does Lennon. Don’t underestimate that.”
“I don’t. But I know in my heart she’s wishing it was Jake here tonight that she was getting ready to say I do to.”
“I think you’re very wrong. We’re not in high school anymore.”
“She always gets really sick around the first of the month, you know?”
My face heats as I shift uncomfortably. This isn’t a conversation I’m used to talking about—especially with a guy. I mean, Reed and I talked about it, but it was natural with him. He used to rub my stomach and put a heating pad on my back. Sometimes he’d bring me ice cream to bed.
He always took good care of me.
I don’t think I ever truly appreciated that like I should have.
“Jeff—”
“I rubbed her back until she fell asleep. When I knew she was out, I snuggled her close and kissed her forehead, just watching her sleep. I told her I loved her. Do you know what she whispered to me, Callie?”
“What?” I ask. It sounds like a sweet story, but I have a feeling it’s not. I don’t think I truly want to hear his answer.
“She whispered a name. Only it wasn’t my name. It was my brother’s.”
My heart squeezes in my chest. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain that must have caused. Almost against my will, my gaze turns back to Katie.
“Jeff,” I whisper, putting my hand over his. I wish I knew magic words that might help. In the end, I can’t think of one thing.
“I’m left asking myself if I can marry Katie knowing that she will never love me the way that I love her.” I squeeze his hand but remain silent. “Can I marry her knowing that she wishes it was Jake lying in bed beside her?”
“I think you need to talk to Katie. You two need to clear the air. High school was a long time ago, Jeff. Katie has memories of Jake that will never go away. Lennon is a constant reminder of that, but that doesn’t mean that she’s still in love with him.”
“You don’t believe that, Callie.”
“You’re wrong, I do,” I insist.
“Then, I suppose you don’t love Reed anymore.”
“It’s not the same, Jeff. I sent Reed away because I wanted him to live his dream. I—”
“Why do you think Katie didn’t tell Jake about Lennon? She knew he wanted to follow his heart in the rodeo. He didn’t want to be a father. He told her that often. She also knew that if she had told him, he would have stayed here in Macon, taken a job locally and been a father and a husband—but never truly be happy.”
“What are you going to do?” I find myself asking, my heart aching for him.
“I have no fucking clue, Callie. I love her.”
“Talk to her, Jeff. You need to talk to her.”
“Yeah,” he says, staring at Katie. She’s not paying attention. If she was, she could see the pain on his face. “Maybe I will.”
I’m positive he has no plans to talk to her. Fear and love do crazy things to people.
Heck, I know that better than anyone.
Reed is due to be in Macon in two days. Two days and I’m going crazy. I’m nervous and happy and everything in between.
Most of all, I’m scared to death.
CHAPTER 4
Reed
Macon City Limits.
As I pass the sign and read the words, my fingers tighten on the steering wheel. I stopped about thirty minutes ago at a small mom and pop grocery store and got some supplies. There wasn’t a big selection, but it was small and out of the way enough that I knew I wouldn’t run into someone I knew. I wore a cap and kept my sunglasses on. I’m also sporting a beard lately. When I look in the mirror, even I don’t recognize myself. The checkout lady at the store did laugh and said I looked like that guy who sings country music. Apparently, she wasn’t a big fan of Ryker Lane. I told her I couldn’t sing my way out of a paper bag. It made her laugh while telling me that most of the music in that genre was “bubble gum” pop.
I’m not sure I disagree. I’ve been trying to get so many songs that I’ve written onto my new album, but my management company and producers are fighting me. It will cost me a mint to get out of my current record contract, but I’m thinking more and more about it. If I started my own company, I could maintain creative control—which would be a big change. I wouldn’t have as much clout and contacts. The hit could hurt the bottom line, which would be okay with me, but I have a band that depends on me to get paid. Things are different when you have others counting on you.
