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“Callie, you know as soon as I have enough for us, I’ll take you anywhere you want to go. I would buy you the world if I could. But I have to stick this job out a little longer, so I can afford to give you everything you deserve. I know it’s not the greatest when I’m working, and I know you feel neglected, but I swear, honey, that I’m doing everything within my power to get us in a position where I can support you. I’m in this, Callie,” I told her.
I walked over and sat down next to her. I could see she was disheartened, and I hated that I’d done that to her, but the fact of the matter was that the O’Connell’s, while being helpful and taking me on, the pay I received was dismal at best. At this rate, we’d be in our forties by the time I had enough money saved for us to be together.
Callie took my hand and raised it to her lips, kissing it tenderly. “Mike, I can wait. I’ve waited two years. What’s another two, right?” she asked with a smile that melted and broke my heart at the same time. I wrapped my arm around her, and she cuddled into my side right where she belonged.
Then the realization hit me—no matter how hard I worked and saved, it would never be enough for her. Callie was expecting us to be settling down in two years when the reality was much, much different. She would be waiting for me for years, and I was being selfish by making her wait for a tomorrow that may have never come. I held her so tightly as I struggled with my inner turmoil, trying to hold back the damn tears that were forming in my eyes.
“I love you, Mike,” she said quietly, and then her eyes met mine.
“I will always love you, Callie… always.” Before the tears overflowed, I closed my eyes. I didn’t want that to happen under any circumstances.
If you love her, then let her go.
That’s the stupid motto everyone always talks about, right? And did I love Callie? With every fiber of my being, I loved her. But would she be better off with Niall? He would always have money behind him. He was studying finance somewhere in the city, so I knew he could give her the life she so richly deserved.
“C’mon, let’s go face your
parents,” I said.
Callie nodded and leaned over to pick up her dress, and we headed to the rust-bucket.
When we arrived at the King mansion, Bernard was on the front doorstep waiting. I swallowed hard when I pulled to a stop, and he was standing with his arms folded across his chest, his rifle leaning up against the house menacingly. Just one look at him, and I knew how much trouble we were both in. His face was contorted with rage, and I knew the next few minutes would be the worst of my life.
I hopped out of the rust-bucket and then shot a sly glance at Bernard. He was livid as I guess he should be. I did keep his daughter out all night when she had an eleven o’clock curfew.
I walked around and opened Callie’s door. When she slid out, she tried to avoid all eye contact with her father. She looked at me, and I faked a smile. Callie took my hand, and I led her to the front porch where Bernard was tapping his foot impatiently waiting.
I had no idea what to say.
I knew I’d done wrong.
I should’ve taken her home last night.
And I should never have gone all the way with her.
But I guess in some sad, twisted way, at least I would always have the memory of Callie and that night we spent together in the barn.
“And what time do you call this, then?” Bernard boomed loudly, making Callie jump. I squeezed her hand, and she leaned into my side.
“I’m sorry, Mr. King. I know it’s no excuse but we lost track of time, and we—”
“Let me guess, you fell asleep?” His eyebrow raised in suspicion.
“Daddy, stop it! It wasn’t Mike’s fault. We were having so much fun at the dance, and then we did fall asleep. I swear. As soon as Mike woke this morning, he brought me straight home because he knew we’d broken curfew and you’d be angry. So, don’t blame Mike, Daddy. I’m just as much to blame as he is,” she reasoned.
“So, he takes you out all night and brings you home late, looking like you’ve been up all night, doing God only knows what, and then what? You talk for him? Can’t the boy speak for himself?” Bernard questioned.
I took a deep breath and sighed. “Mr. King, I’m so sorry for returning Callie home this late. I assure you it will never happen again. In fact, I won’t be taking Callie out again, sir,” I informed him as I felt Callie stiffen next to me. I swallowed and raised her hand to my lips, then kissed it tenderly.
“What are you talking about, Mike?” she asked almost in a whisper, trying not to let her father see how upset she was becoming.
The fact that I was about to hurt her nearly killed me. I was shaking, and sweat topped my brow. This was the hardest thing I had ever done, but to make Callie hate me was the only way I could think of that would allow her to move on and into a life she deserved. I wanted so much for her. She deserved to be treated like the beautiful woman she was, and there was no way I was ever going to be able to give her anything like what she was worthy of receiving from a future husband.
So, I had to let her go.
I removed my hand from hers and took a step back.
Callie stepped toward me and shook her head. “Mike?” she questioned.
