“Hi, this is Braden Gregory, Kallie’s brother.” I sit up quickly with fear in my gut.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen to Kallie?”
“No, no, nothing is wrong. Kallie is fine. I just got off the phone with her.” I blow out a sigh of relief.
“Thank God. So what’s up, man?” Now I’m curious as hell as to what he is calling me for.
“You really do like her, don’t you?” Holy shit, is this like the big brother talk or something? I’m not ready for that, not yet.
“Yea, I really do.” I hear a little voice and I smile knowing it is Kallie’s niece. She adores her brother and his family, and hearing that little voice, I start to understand.
“I’m glad to hear that. So listen, Kallie’s birthday is next week, and I want to throw her a party. My family and I are going to be leaving for a while, and I want to do something for her that will make her smile.” He’s leaving? Why the hell didn’t Kallie say anything? Maybe that’s why she’s been so distant.
“She’d love that. So what’s the plan?”
We talk for the better part of an hour about the party. He wanted to do it at her place, but I told him I would do it here. It will be more fun for everyone. We made a list of people, and we are both going to contact half. The night of the party, I’m going to work it so we do a shoot at her place. I’m going to have Shannon, her old boss, call her saying she needs a photo of me and Brinley for a book cover. Together, we will be able to keep her busy until everything is ready here.
After Braden and I hang up, I smile. He seems like the great guy Kallie told me he was, and the way he talks about his sister is sweet. I’m actually excited for this whole thing. “Hey, you.” I stand up, turn around, and see Kallie for the first time since the shoot. Fuck, she looks stunning in her short shorts and white strapless top. Her hair is up in a ponytail, and damn it, her bare skin is calling me. Fuck, I need to focus.
“Hey. You look beautiful.” She shakes her head but smiles at the compliment. She sits in the chair by me, so I sit back down.
“So what’s up?” I smile at her and reach over for her hand.
“I just want to make sure everything is good with us. The way things went the last time we saw each other, well, it wasn’t a stellar moment. We good?” She squeezes my hand and gets that amazing smile on her face.
“We’re good.” Fuck, what a relief. We sit and talk for a few minutes about the weather, of all things. I know she doesn’t want to talk about what is happening with us, but shit, the weather?
“Besides the weather, what’s been going on?” She looks away from me and stares off into the distance.
“Braden and his family are going to North Carolina for a while.” There it is. I reach for her hand and just like before she lets me take it.
“I’m sorry. Why are they going?” He told me they were, but I didn’t ask why. Not my place.
“He said Sarah needs help with the kids; it’s been overwhelming since Tiffany has been born. I’m really going to miss them. I hate that they need to leave.” I blow out a breath and lean back in the chair, still holding her hand.
“Listen, sometimes things just need to happen. We might not understand them or even like them, but they are meant to happen. Maybe they will only be gone for a short while.” She looks at me with a forced smile.
“Maybe. Can I be honest?” Shit, that’s all I ever want from her.
“Of course.” She looks away again, pulls her hand from mine, and crosses her arms.
“I’m pissed at Sarah. I feel like she’s taking my brother from me. I fucking hate saying it because that is so selfish, but damn it, I can’t help it.” Shit, what the hell do I say here? I know if I don’t agree with her, she’ll be pissed at me, but I don’t know the circumstances.
“You’re entitled to feel that way. It’s a big change.” She slowly turns her head to me and smiles before she starts laughing. What the hell?
“I’m sorry, but who the fuck knew you were this sensitive guy ready to dish out advice.” I lift one eyebrow before giving her a grin and wink.
“Kallie, you have no idea what I can dish out.” This causes her laughter to get louder, and I eventually join in.
“Oh, I’m sure you can dish it out, Jax. I have no doubt. I’m sure you’ve dished it out a lot.” I get up, still smiling, and stand in front of her.
“Keep laughing.” She continues, and I lift her up, tossing her over my shoulder.
“What the hell are you doing? Put me down.” She’s hitting my back, but still laughing.
“I think you need to cool off.” I walk over to the pool, and she grabs onto the bottom of my shirt.
“Oh my God, don’t you dare.” I swat her ass, causing her to yelp and straighten up. I quickly pull her down so she has her arms around my neck.