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“Bluebird—”
She shakes her head silently, asking me to let her speak. I have to bite my tongue, but I do it.
“But even though I made those decisions, I never stopped loving you. If anything, they were made because I thought I had lost my only chance at having love in my life. Because you own my heart. You always have.”
“Fuck, Callie,” I breathe.
Her words have tears stinging my eyes. There’s so much I want to say, but the blaring of the phone—this time the landline—stops me.
Callie grins. “I bet it’s for you.”
“Let’s ignore it and concentrate on one another instead,” I suggest.
“If you’re sure,” she hedges.
“That’s my girl. I’ll get a towel for the—”
I stop talking as the answering machine kicks on. Immediately Trisha’s loud—and very angry—voice comes over the speaker in the bedroom.
“Reed, you son of a bitch! Pick up this damn phone. I know you’re there. Where else could you be in that little Podunk town?”
“Christ,” I hiss, looking at Callie. She’s gone pale. A minute ago, she was professing her love, and her face was filled with desire. Now she’s worried and that’s the last thing I wanted. It’s just another reason to know that it’s time for me to end my association with Trisha. A manager should support you—especially when you fucking pay her bills. I know damn well that I’m her one major client. I owe her a lot for the push she gave me when I started, but she’s quickly burning that debt with the way she’s acting about my decision.
“You should answer,” Callie answers cautiously.
“Damn it, Reed! You’re throwing your life away for that bitch again, and I won’t have it!”
“And that’s enough of that!” I snap, sprinting to the phone. It’s time Trisha finds out that she works for me—and can be fired by me.
CHAPTER 39
Callie
I sit at the kitchen island, my brain a mess. I’m so confused. It’s been thirty minutes since Reed disappeared into his office. I got dressed and made coffee, moving as if I were a robot. Now, I’m just sitting here with Reed’s manager’s voice in my head.
You’re throwing your life away for that bitch again.
The rest of her words are nothing but a blur, but I’m pretty sure the ones I do remember are burned into my brain and will never leave. Five years ago, I pushed Reed away so he wouldn’t ruin his life on someone like me. Am I making a mistake now? I always thought Reed would be the one to decide he missed the life he had in Nashville. That he would figure out that I no longer fit in his world.
But he loves me.
He’s making changes for me, changes that I hate, but love him for just the same. I don’t want to give him up. After last night and then everything we shared and talked about this morning, I don’t want to give him up. I don’t want to push him away.
I want to be whole enough to be what he needs.
The question is, can I be? Reed’s life is not like anything I’ve ever experienced, and with the issues I have, I might not be able to fit in his world and God… I want to. Do I have the courage to try? Reed loves me. Doesn’t he deserve someone who loves him enough to push through and be there for him?
“I’m sorry, Bluebird. Dealing with Trisha wasn’t how I imagined we would spend our morning.”
“Did you get everything figured out?” I ask, while avoiding his eyes. I’m too raw right now for more heart-to-heart talk.
“Trust me, sweetheart, Trisha will no longer be an issue,” he says, giving me a reassuring smile.
“From the sound of it, I’m thinking it may not be that easy.”
“You don’t have to worry, Callie. I promise.”
“What are you doing today?” I ask him, needing to change the subject while I work through all the questions in my head.
“I have a conference call with the record company and with the guys from the band a little later. Then I need to polish up the bridge of the new song. What about you?”
“You work so hard. I doubt anyone realizes how much energy and heart you put into your career, Reed.”
I can almost see the heat rise on his face. Reed is one of the few men I’ve seen that actually blushes. I’ve always loved that about him. He can talk dirty and drive you crazy at night and then overwhelm you with kindness and sweetness during the day. He’s perfect in so many ways.
“It doesn’t feel like work when you love what you do, baby. Plus, my career allows me to work and be anywhere. That’s a gift.”
I find myself smiling at him. “I’m really happy for you.”
“You’re the one with a day off work. What do you have planned?”
