“She is, and I know Nico knows that. So he’d be naïve to assume she wouldn’t find someone who adores her awesomeness.”
“He wasn’t nice to me,” I admit, and Dad looks over at me. “He took a jab at my mental health.”
Dad takes a deep breath. “That’s really messed up. I assume you haven’t told Owen.”
“No, he’d lose it. Hell, I haven’t even told Callie. I don’t want to come between them. She’s fiercely protective of the people she cares for.”
“So are you,” he says slowly, holding my gaze. “And I know you’ve struggled with liking yourself, but you have to protect you, Evan.”
I swallow thickly. “I know, and I got mad. I wanted to knock his teeth in, but I didn’t want to hurt Callie.”
“I get that,” he agrees, lacing his fingers together. “But don’t let it happen again.”
“Which is why I don’t want to be around him. I just don’t know how to tell Callie that.”
He hisses a breath through his teeth. “Yeah, that’s a pickle, son.”
“I know.”
“Maybe give him a chance to apologize, and if he doesn’t, then tell Callie you’d rather not be around him.”
Maybe I’ll do that. I know Callie wants to have dinner when we get there, so perhaps if that goes well, I can attend her adoption. I know she wants me there, and of course, I want to be there. “Yeah, let me see how that goes.”
“It’ll work out,” he promises, tapping my hand. “Don’t worry. Just enjoy the road trip with Callie and have fun.”
“Thanks. I think we will.”
He side-eyes me. “So, Mom told me you said it was serious.”
I roll my eyes. “Why do my mom and my brother have huge mouths?”
He laughs. “It runs in that side of the family,” he teases, and I chuckle. “So, I guess you love her,” he draws out, waggling his brows at me, and I push off the couch.
“Bye, Dad.”
His laughter follows me as he razzes, “I know you do.”
“I’ll call when I get there.”
He’s still laughing as the text comes through that Callie’s here. “Be careful, and know that I love you,” he sings playfully, and I roll my eyes.
“Have you been drinking?”
More laughter. “Maybe.”
“Dork,” I say, and then I wave as I go out the door. Callie gets out just as I reach the Jeep and opens the back for me. I throw my things in and then kiss her when she tips her head back for me. “Hey.”
“Hey.”
“Perfect timing.”
She beams. “Really?”
“Yeah, my dad was teasing me.”
She laughs. “Your dad is awesome. What was he teasing you about?”
I wrap my arms around her waist. “About how smitten I am with you.”
She grins. “Well, he isn’t wrong. I mean, I am awesome.”
“You are,” I say, kissing her nose.
“Am I driving, or are you?”
“Whatever you wanna do.”
She nods. “I’ll drive until I’m tired,” she decides, so I head to the passenger seat. I open the door to find a bag and chalk everywhere. As someone who is in a gymnastics gym regularly, I know this is chalk and not cocaine, though a lot of other people might wonder. And while I know this, I don’t know why it’s in her Jeep.
“You brought chalk?”
She shakes her head, starting the Jeep. “No, those are my grips for bars. Oh, it’s a little chalky.”
“A little?” I ask, and she laughs. She takes her hand, whacking the seat free of chalk and then throwing her grips in the back. She grins at me, her lips so glossy and her eyes so playful, it hits me straight in my heart.
“All better.”
I laugh as I get in, leaning across the console to kiss her lips once more. She cups my jaw, and as we part, she smiles so widely at me. “You’re in charge of the music.”
“I’ve got you,” I say, and I swear, I do.
I always will.
Because yeah, I’m serious about Callie.
So serious that it’s best Nico Merryweather just accepts that Callie and I are together.
We’re happy.
And not anything, or anyone, will change that.