Morrison (Caldwell Brothers)

Chapter Sixteen

Days. I have spent days feeling like I am holding on to something while wondering if it’s really there in the first place.

Morrison and his road trip . . . Frustration builds further inside me as I dwell.

Does he really think I buy the bullshit he’s selling? Is he upset because I got in and played the game? Is he angry that I won my own pot to pay my way out? Did I mess up some plan he had for me to be in debt to him?

My head is all over the place, as are my emotions. I want so desperately to trust him. The closer I get with Livi, the more I can see that the Caldwell boys are good. Then, when I don’t hear from Morrison, doubt fills me. Do I have blinders on? Am I seeing what I want to see, not what’s really there?

Given my history, I’m not good at judging people’s character. Honestly, I have never been in a situation to sort out who is good and who is bad—I was never allowed choices. The people I met and associated with were Monte’s people. Even Jamie, in the beginning, was chosen by Monte to be my best friend, although I’m sure he never expected her to become a true friend and not just another pawn in his game.

Sure, Morrison answers when I call, but he has made no attempt on his own to reach out to me. His return from Vegas has taken longer than I ever expected it to, as well. His response to that is he was taking in the scenery.

Again, I call bullshit.

I wipe down the bar in front of me. Oh, well, it is what it is, right?

“Deep in thought over there, girl,” Jared barks out at me.

I hurry over to him, then take another look around to make sure he really was talking to me before I smile sweetly at him.

The man holds his liquor well. He also holds back so much behind those dark eyes as he spits out joke after joke to his friends. Serving the regulars, night in and night out, I have learned that friendships seem to form, and to last, over a simple glass or two, or three . . .

“Hit me with your best line.” He raises an eyebrow in challenge to me. It’s the same thing he tries every night, and every time, his response is the same—a deep frown and a reply to try again on a different day.

“Why does Alice ask so many questions?”

He shrugs his shoulders for me to answer.

“Because she’s in Wonderland.” I smile, and Jared shakes his head.

“Momma, we need to get you out more often. Every night I come in here and you give me some fairy-tale joke. My days of reading bedtime stories have long since passed. Serve me up, darlin’, and we’ll keep this our little secret.”

I laugh out loud, making him look at me strangely.

“I can actually serve you without making you laugh, really?”

“Well, I’m pretty sure that’s what I said.”

“You don’t let anyone serve you until they get at least a chuckle,” I add, not hiding my amusement.

“Everyone needs a break sometimes, Hailey, and I think you need to catch one. So grab my drink and let’s chat.”

I do just that, and stay so enthralled in conversation it takes several seconds for my anxiety to build when my phone vibrates in my back pocket. No one has this number except Jamie, Olivia, the Caldwell boys, and Marshall.

Marshall. Vegas. Time to get a new phone.

Monte is a man of his word in business ninety percent of the time. Am I about to become part of the ten percent?

“Hailey, you should answer the phone, not stare off like you just saw a ghost,” Jared barks, taking me out of my crazy thoughts.

Pulling the phone out, I swipe the screen when I see Morrison’s number. Of course he’d call now, when I’m busy.

Sighing, I answer quickly.

“Hey, little momma.”

At his voice, I quiver. God, why am I so vulnerable to him?

“Ris Priss and I wanted to know if it was okay if we go out to dinner.”

“You’re here? You’re home? When did you get back in town?” I fire off the questions without stopping to let them sink in.

Morrison Caldwell is finally home from doing who knows what, who knows where, and the first thing he wants to do is take my daughter out to dinner? I don’t know if I want to smile or cry.

No matter Morrison’s distance from me, he has made sure to talk to Marisa on the phone every day, and the first question he always asks is how she’s doing. She is a priority to him.

I just didn’t fully realize it until this moment.

“Slow down, Hailey. I got in about thirty minutes ago and found out you’re working. I wanted to take Marisa out for dinner and milk shakes, but before I go anywhere, we wanted to get permission and see if you want us to bring something back for you.”