Steal My Breath (Elixir 1)

As I listen to him, my mind has already drifted away. Callie feels further out of my grasp than ever before. Because I’m lying to her if I don’t tell her what’s going on. But to confide will only be bringing her further into a fucked-up situation I don’t want to taint her with.

12

Callie

“Thank you so much for doing this, Callie,” Paris says with a huge smile as she grabs her bag to leave.

I arrived at Luke’s place ten minutes ago, and she gave me a quick tour and a few instructions for Sean’s dinner and bedtime.

“Anytime. I’m happy to help wherever I can.”

She reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze. “Luke hit gold with you.”

“I feel the same way.”

She sighs and a dreamy look floats across her face. “Love. I can’t wait to experience it one day.” She swipes her keys off the kitchen counter. “I better go. Otherwise, I’ll be late for my shift.”

She exits the house in a mad whirlwind. She informed me she’s studying nursing and has to take on shifts at the hospital. Apparently, she can usually get shifts that work in with Luke, but not tonight.

“Callie!” Sean’s panicked voice echoes through the house, and I freeze with my own panic.

What the hell were you thinking offering to babysit a four-year-old?

You have zero experience with children.

And now you want to potentially kill Luke’s offspring?

Oh, shut up.

I run towards where his voice came from and find him standing near the toilet with a sad expression on his face. “I had an accident. I weed my pants.”

Oh, the poor little poppet.

“It’s okay. I can ge

t you some clean clothes.”

His brow furrows, and he looks at me like I am stupid. “Silly, I need a bath. I’m dirty.”

Right.

I knew that.

He stares at me, clearly waiting for me to make the next move. I wonder exactly how smart four-year-olds are. I mean, is he smart enough to know I have no fucking clue what I’m doing?

Fake it until you make it.

Quick, just run the damn bath.

“Okay, let’s get you in the bath then.” I head into the bathroom and drop to my knees in front of the bath. Turning the taps, I say, “How hot do you like it?”

“I like it really hot, but Daddy doesn’t.”

“Well, Daddy would know best, so I won’t make it too hot.”

“Maybe we could have it hot. I won’t tell Daddy.”

I turn to look at him. He’s watching me with expectation. And as much as I don’t know Sean, I recognise the sneaky glint in his eyes.