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“It is. If there was anything to worry about, I promise you, Callum would have called. He wouldn’t leave me fretting over nothing.”
This didn’t fill her with joy. “Did you ever meet Tilly?”
“A couple of times but Callum knew I wasn’t her biggest fan. I didn’t like how she ignored Meghan. We went to the park a few times. I knew Drew’s parents wanted nothing to do with her, and so I tried to keep up the family togetherness, but it didn’t work. Tilly was always more interested in the men who were coming and going. She never had the time for Meghan. A few times I thought I saw bruises on her, I told Callum. Did you know her?”
“I did. She was a first-class bitch back in high school. I hated her. She … she wasn’t nice. I feel wrong saying that because she’s part of Meghan. I love Meghan.” She pressed her lips together.
“I think it’s safe to say you’ve got some pretty strong feelings about her father.”
“I care for Drew a lot.” She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I feel a little scared. What if he takes her back?”
“It’s not going to happen.”
“You’re that confident?”
“Yes.” Leah took her hand. “You’ve got to learn to believe.”
“I wish I shared your enthusiasm.”
Leah chuckled.
The front door opened and Callie got to her feet. She walked to the entranceway and saw Callum with Drew. She didn’t know if she should go to him or not. The door was closed, and Drew looked up.
“What did she do?” Callie said. Screw what was right or not, or even her own pain. She was pissed. She rushed toward Drew and cupped his face.
“It’s fine.”
“She hit you?”
“It’s nothing.”
“I think you two should talk,” Callum said. “Leah and I will be in the kitchen.”
Drew nodded.
Her stomach twisted into knots. Was this where he’d tell her that he was leaving her? That he wanted nothing more to do with her?
Nibbling on her lip, she looked at him and waited.
“What is it?” he asked.
“It’s nothing.”
“It is something, talk to me.” He cupped her face.
“You’re breaking up with me, aren’t you? Because she’s back.”
“Hell, no. Fuck that. No.” He slammed his lips down on hers. She moaned his name as he traced her lips with his tongue. “You and Meghan, I can’t give you up. I don’t want to ever lose you.” He stroked her face. “You’ve given me so much happiness. I’m not going to let you go.” He kissed her again. “Tilly made some demands.”
“She did?”
“She wants me to get rid of you. If I don’t, she’s going to make the whole town believe that I beat her up. That the only reason she hit me was to defend herself and a woman needs to learn to take care of herself.”
“No, she won’t, will she?”
“If I don’t do as she asks, there’s more.”
“What more could she possibly want?”
“She’ll take full custody of Meghan.”
“But she was going to hit her. Her slap wasn’t aimed at me.”
“I know. It’s okay though.”
“You’re going to do what she wants?”
He shook his head. “No. Callum called Michael.”
“Sheriff Michael?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I told him everything. I told him about all the abuse. The violence. I didn’t leave anything out. I don’t have any proof other than a black eye.” He pressed his lips together. “I’m not going to let her come between us, Callie. She can try but you’re the only woman I want.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I thought you’d go back to her.”
“Never. I don’t want anyone else.”
She wrapped her arms around him and held him close. “I’ll be here. I promise. I won’t let her hurt Meghan. I know it’s not my place. She’s her mother and I know I shouldn’t interfere.”
“Callie, you’ve been more of a mother to Meghan than she has. You were going to protect her even though she could have hit you in the process.”
“I can handle Tilly’s hits, believe me, I’ve been doing it for a long time.” She shrugged.
“What?”
“Back in high school. Tilly used to follow me into the bathroom. I think she did. She was always alone. She liked to hit me. Punch me. I never fought back. Not once.” She took a deep breath. “I know what it’s like to be afraid of her.” She cupped his face.
“I’m so fucking sorry.”
“What? Why?”
“I was with her. I was part of all of this. I hurt you and I should have been protecting you.”
“Drew, you didn’t know.”
“But I still bullied you.”
“I forgive you.”
“You shouldn’t.”
“I can if I want to, and I do. I forgive you.” She went on her tiptoes and placed a kiss on his lips. “You can’t give back my forgiveness. You’ve got to take it.”
He wrapped his arms around her, pressing his face against her neck. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you but I’m not ever letting you go, Callie. I want to keep you forever.”
