Keller and Callahan

Chapter 14

Sam sat at the bar in the lodge’s restaurant and stared down the nose of his beer, his fingers curled into his palm. He had desperately wanted to follow Olivia after their earlier exchange and just blurt out everything, but he couldn’t. He knew that she had to come around to him on her own terms, and forcing it on her would only push her away. He respected her enough to let her make her own decision.

So instead, he told himself he’d go get a drink where she had been working earlier today, and if he happened to run into her, well, that would just be convenient. But he had finished his first beer and there was still no sign of her. And despite the potency of his disappointment - he told himself it was for the best. The time he spent nursing his beer had given him time to think.

Not returning to the lodge after he turned eighteen was the hardest decision he was ever forced to make, but it had ultimately changed his life, no thanks to his father’s intentions. His dark past had threatened to swallow him whole on more than one occasion, but it became what had made him the man he was today. Growing up to be witness to abuse, alcohol, and abandonment, he decided he would do anything in his power to make sure others didn’t experience the type of childhood pain he did. If it weren’t for the Kellers, he would have been cast adrift and left to his own devices, and God only knows where he would have ended up.

He would never fully outrun his past and the memories that went along with them. And despite the fury he held in his heart for his father and all he had taken from him, it was what pushed him to do everything in his power to not let his father win.

Which is what led him to open the foundation for kids with troubled home lives - it had given him a sense of purpose and control. Having the opportunity to give other kids a safe space to go, like he had at Keller Campground, he could only hope he was giving those kids a sense of security he knew they so desperately needed. It also made him come face to face with the demons of his younger years, and helped him cope with the pain. He had wanted to share this accomplishment with Olivia for years, and he was bursting at the seams to tell her about it now, a small way to show her that she was a part of him in those long years of separation.

His mind started to drift back to Olivia, and how her opening herself to him as a kid had allowed him to see there was more to life than the loneliness he felt every day. She was the sole reason he knew there could be happiness after trauma, and damn it, it was time for him to start showing her. He didn’t blame her for being angry, hell, she had every right to be. He had known all those years ago there was something more than just an emotional friendship between them, but feeling the physical chemistry between them now had honestly shaken him. He couldn’t stop thinking about the electricity that shot through his body any time he touched hers. And now that he knew what that felt like, he craved more.

Having been forced to stay away from her in order to protect her, he’d try to replace the void Olivia had left in his heart through distractions with other women. It was always strictly in a physical way, because no one had ever or would ever come close to the place inside him that was dedicated to her. But now that he knew there was a physical connection along with an emotional one, he wanted her even more than he had before he had returned. He wanted her so goddamn bad.

“You look like you’re searching for the answers to life at the bottom of that beer bottle. If ya find some, let me know and I’ll start charging double.” A voice from behind the bar snapped him out of his thoughts.

“If this Blue Moon gives me the answers I’m looking for, I’ll pay you triple and never drink anywhere else but this bar again,” he said without looking up.

“Well, in that case, drain it and let me know what you find.”

Sam looked up at the bartender and studied her for a moment. Her dark chestnut hair matched her deep brown eyes, and despite the tight stare she gave to him, her eyes were warm. It was then that he realized he knew her.

“Cassie Holman.” His recognition pleased her and she returned the smile on his lips with a grin of her own.

“Sam Callahan. I heard through the grapevine that you were back in town, but it was hard to believe it without seeing with my own eyes. It’s really good to see you.” Her words rang out genuine.

Even though he was looking at his old friend through the eyes of an adult, he still felt like they were the teens who used to run around the campground wreaking havoc. When Cassie’s family had decided to move to the lodge permanently, Cassie had become a fixture around the grounds with him and Liv. She was the wild and free counterpart to them both, the one who never turned down a dare, but was as loyal and fierce as they came.

“You too. So you’re officially on the Keller Campground Team, huh? I can’t imagine the trouble you and Liv must find yourselves in having free reign of the booze,” she leaned onto the bar and laughed.

“Once the restaurant and bar were built and final inspections passed, I may or may not have made us a few too many cocktails to celebrate. We definitely paid for it the next day.”

“Shitfaced?” He grinned.

“Obliterated.” Sam threw his head back and let such a carefree laugh go, Cassie couldn’t help but laugh along with him.

“Oh man, I wish I had been here to see that. Remember that one time Liv snuck a few sips of her dad’s Bud and spent the rest of the night throwing up?” Sam shook his head in reminiscence.

“Yeah, and how Ray made her drink a whole can as punishment when he found out to scare her into not drinking until she was twenty one?” Cassie brightened.

“Yeah, that was rough. And he wouldn’t even let me take a few swigs to help her out,” Sam noted. Shaking his head at the random memories that came flooding back, he realized how much history he had here.

“Brought on a whole new meaning to cruel and unusual punishment,” Cassie grabbed a rag and started to wipe down the bar. “So. How long are you staying for?”

“A few weeks, at least. Maybe more.” A tightness in his jaw began to pull at the corners of his mouth at the thought of leaving again.

“Here on business, huh?” She eyed him suspiciously.

“So I see you talked to Liv.” He tipped his beer to his lips and cocked his head towards her.

“Of course I talked to Liv. But she didn’t have much to tell. I couldn’t tell if it was because she was holding some things back or if you were.” Sam countered by lifting his eyebrow.

“Man, you two are just as tight as you were when I left.” He began to spin the bottle in small circles between his fingers.

“We got tighter after you left. I slid into the best friend slot as a placeholder until you came back. Lasted a little bit longer than we thought.” She saw Sam flinch and grip his bottle a little tighter.

“I know. There are so many things I need to explain to her. To tell her. I know I don’t deserve her. I never did. But Cass, I’m really hoping to wear her down. I just need to get her to listen to me.” He needed to find another route to take that would make her listen, even just for a moment, so she would know that he did not stay away willingly.

“Oh you know Liv. She always has to put up a good fight,” she waved her hand dismissively. “But there was always a soft spot for you. If anyone can get her to lower the shield she has up, it’s you.”

Cassie continued to wipe down the bar in soft, even strokes. “She came to find you, you know.”

“Wait.” Sam reached across the counter and gripped her hand tight. “She did what?”

“She had the address of where you had been staying - from the letters you had been exchanging. I went with her. You have no idea what kind of shape she was in.” Cassie shook her hand free and walked to the end of the bar to grab some limes and started slicing methodically. Even though her temper was bubbling hot beneath the surface, she kept her tone even.

“She looked for you, afraid your father had found you and something terrible had happened. She spoke with the woman you were staying with who told her that you left the day you turned eighteen and had informed her when you reached your destination up north.”

Cassie recalled the way Olivia’s knees had buckled and she crumbled instantly in the doorway when the woman had relayed the news. Her sobs racking her entire body that all Cassie could do in that moment was hold her. She held her until Olivia had nothing left, and Cassie had to forcibly lift her off the ground and guide her into the front seat of the car, where she didn’t say a single word for the entirety of their eight hour drive home.

“That was when Liv realized you didn’t want her to find you. Damn you, Callahan, I didn’t think she’d ever get over it.” Her brows furrowed and her eyes were filled with concern.

“Cassie, you know that I would never willingly leave Liv. Ever. You need to believe me when I say I didn’t have a choice, that I did it all for her,” his eyes all but implored her to hear the truth to his words.

She saw the anguish in Sam’s eyes, and even though this sturdy, handsome man was sitting in front of her, she only saw the little boy that Olivia had introduced her to when they were ten. A boy full of secrets, shame, and sadness. Deciding to help nudge her friend along, even though she knew she would never hear the end of it, she knew Olivia’s happiness would be worth her wrath.

“Ya know. It’s the last Friday before peak season. She’s at the Grad tonight, enjoying one more night of line-dancing before she is slammed at the lodge for the rest of the summer. You know how dancing always mellows her out,” she nodded her head in the direction of the door. “You should go check it out.”

A wave of thankfulness overtook him as he immediately reached in his back pocket for his wallet.

“Don’t worry about it, this first one is on me, Callahan.” He stood up with a grateful smile and made his way to the exit. “Oh, and just so you know. I’m willing to secede my best friend status if it means it goes back to you. We both know that title always belonged to you.”

Reaching for the door handle, it was the first time he had felt hopeful since he’d been back. “Thanks, Cass. For more than just the beer.”

“No problem. Now go get your girl.”

The country twang blasted through the various speakers surrounding the open club, reverberating throughout Sam’s body. He had never seen so many cowboy boots in all his life. The Grad hadn’t been built when he’d lived here, but he quickly saw it had become the town’s go to hot spot. As he gazed around the room, the sights enthralled him and he became mesmerized by the synchronization of the dances on the floor. The darkness of the room hid those who stood in the shadows watching those who were illuminated on the dance floor. Strolling over to the bar, Sam ordered a beer and casually leaned against the counter as he sipped from the bottle.

As he took a pull from his beer, a long blonde ponytail spun into his line of sight and caused him to suck in his breath as he set his bottle back onto the bar. She left him breathless.

Her white sundress hugged her curves in all the right places, with the straps hooking around her neck in a way that pushed her breasts up into perfect peaks. The dress hung above her knees, her lean, sun tanned legs leaving very little to the imagination as to what was underneath the thin fabric.

A flash of lust coursed through his veins as he was pulled closer to the dance floor, his eyes trained on her as he watched in amazement as she effortlessly followed the lead of her dance partner. Her eyes shone brightly as she laughed, spinning more times than she had balance for as her partner reached out to steady her before she lost her footing. Before they were able to continue around the floor, the song ended and the DJ’s voice rumbled across the speakers.

“How about another two step?”

Sam saw his chance and took it, quickly closing the distance between them, as he finally reached her, he placed his hand on the small of her back possessively.

“Excuse me Miss, may I please have this dance?” She looked up laughing, not expecting to see his face, and at once she was blasted with heat, her pulse pounding.

His hair stuck out on one side, as if he’d been running his fingers through it all night. She could smell the scent that had always belonged to him, pine with a hint of smoke. In jeans and a black t-shirt, the hard body she’d envisioned in her mind was hinting it might be even better than she imagined. He looked enough like the rough and ready man, but when she looked into his deep green eyes, all she saw was her best friend from the past.

Staring back into her eyes, Sam chuckled under his breath and held out his hand. “Well, is that a yes or a no? Because we’re getting lapped standing here in the middle of the dance floor,” Sam breathed as he spoke closely to her ear.

Breaking out of her trance, Olivia gave him her hand and turned to the man who was still standing behind her. “Save a dance for me before the night is over, ok, Drew?”

Eyeing Sam skeptically, he gave him a once over before kissing Olivia on the cheek. “I’ll be at the bar if you need me,” he said before he stalked off to order a beer.

“Drew, huh?” Sam looked down at her with a raised eyebrow.

“Watch it, Callahan. You can’t disappear and then get angry at those that stayed behind. But even though it’s none of your business, he is, and always has been, just a friend,” shooting a glance to the bar, Sam could see Drew seething from across the room.

“He doesn’t seem to think so,” he muttered under his breath. “So. Shall we?”

He looked down at her determined as he pulled her close to him and placed his hand on the small of her back and lightly grasped her free hand with the other, stepping in tune to the music. Olivia laughed in surprise as he moved gracefully and led her like a professional.

“Have you done this before?” She shouted over the music.

“I’m a fast learner.” Sam’s memories of the time Ray had taught him how to two-step in the living room flashed in his mind as he quickly spun her and pulled her even closer to him than she was before, skimming his hand down her back. The simple gesture caused her stomach to quiver as she inhaled the scent of him.

He had grown into such a man. His taut shoulders where she placed one of her hands were steady and broad, as if he could carry the weight of the world on his shoulders and handle it with ease. The muscles that hid beneath his shirt rippled as he led her around the floor and maneuvered them with grace around other dancers. The strength of his hand gripping her waist made her feel as if nothing in this world could touch her. It was a feeling she liked. A lot.

“You’re just full of surprises, aren’t you?” She smirked up at him with dancing eyes.

He looked down at her and gave her the sexiest wink she had ever seen.

“You have no idea.” He spun her unexpectedly which caused her to throw her head back and laugh with such freedom. They continued to laugh as the song ended and faded into a slow melody.

“You wanna dance one more?” She looked up at him from under her dark lashes, returning her gaze, he pulled her in close.

“You couldn’t keep me away if you tried,” he whispered in her ear as he rested his cheek against hers.

Closing her eyes in contentment, Olivia took a deep breath and let her body sway to the music along with him. A fierce ache moved within her, being held by him so intimately. The way he commanded her and how their bodies seemed to fit together so perfectly left her dizzy. Her heart squeezed in response when Sam lightly brushed his lips across her temple as he readjusted and laid his chin atop her head. The feel of him was so achingly familiar; the solid weight of him, the smell of his skin, the trip of her pulse as those strong hands held firmly against her back.

He was real.

He was home.

The moment was quickly interrupted as a pair of dark eyes caught his attention, a cold chill ran down his spine as he tightened his grip on Olivia. Sensing his tension immediately, she pulled back far enough to look at him and saw menace on his face.

“What’s wrong?” Olivia asked as she turned around to find what he was looking at. “Sam, what is it?”

“Stay here,” he growled as he let go of her and strode towards the door. Not listening to his request, Olivia followed him as he quickly lengthened the gap between them with his long gait.

“Sam! What’s going on?” She asked as she grabbed his arm before they reached the door. Shifting to look at her, Sam forced her hands off his arms as he grabbed both her hands in his and looked her fiercely in the eyes.

“Liv, I need you to stay inside.”

“Like hell. I want to know what caused that look in your eyes, No way I’m letting you go out there alone,” she fired back.

“Damn it, Liv. I need you to trust me. I’ll be right back for you,” Sam said hotly.

It wasn’t lost on either of them that he had said those words to her before. And he didn’t come back. Before Liv could answer, he felt a hand clasp down on his shoulder. Shrugging it off, he turned instinctively closer to Olivia without letting go of her hand.

“What seems to be the problem?” Drew, completely ignoring Sam, looked right at Olivia.

“Drew, can you give us a minute?” Not meeting Drew’s gaze, she continued to look right at Sam.

“I just wanted another dance,” Drew slurred as he tried to pry Olivia’s hands out of Sam’s grasp.

“Drew, not right now, please just give us a minute.” She tightened her grip, refusing to let go.

“Aww, come on Livvy. Just one dance,” he said, swaying as he tried to grab her arm but grabbed her ponytail by mistake.

Caught by surprise, her head snapped back as she lost her balance. Reaching out to steady her, Sam stepped in between them, giving Drew a clear shot of his face. Before Sam saw it coming, the blow to his jaw sent him to his knees on the other side of Olivia.

“Drew! What the hell are you doing?” she shouted, shoving him before bending down to get to Sam. The alcohol coursing through his veins led Drew to react impulsively as he shoved her down to fall on top of where Sam was kneeling between them.

Without thinking, Sam jumped up and shoved him back before turning to help Olivia up. “Never put your hands on her again. Ever.” He snarled. “Are you ok?” He reached down and pulled her to her feet, locking his arm around her waist.

“Well, isn’t this a surprise? I’ve been there for you for the past ten years after this asshole left you high and dry, I’ve fantasized what that little ass looks like, hoping one day you would show it to me. But you always held out. And the minute this trash comes crawling back to town, you put out and kick me to the curb. You’re just a cheap little bitch, Livvy.”

Sam spoke with clenched teeth as he put himself between her and Drew. “Stop talking to her right now, or I will stop the talking for you.” Menace laced the threat completely.

“Don’t tell me what to do, asshole. Just go back to your jailbird dad and leave my girl alone.” Drew was relentless, making another attempt to maneuver around Sam to get to Olivia.

“I’m not your girl, Drew! Jesus Christ, just leave us alone!” Olivia shouted. “Come on, let’s go.” She pushed her shoulder into his side with force as she brushed past him.

Sam’s arm banded protectively around her shoulders as he led her to the door. As soon as they were outside, Olivia turned to Sam and lightly touched his cheek where Drew’s fist had connected with his flesh. “Are you ok? I’m so sorry,” she said softly, fluttering her fingers over his lips.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Not the first time I’ve taken a fist to the face,” he said as he lightly laid his hands on the sides of her face. “I’m a little more worried about you. You got a little roughed up in there. I know you have a tough streak, but Jesus, Liv, couldn’t you let me play the hero, just this once?”

Letting out a small laugh, she covered his hands with her own. “I’m ok. Will you take me home?”

“Sure, boss, let’s go,” he tucked her into his side as he led her towards his truck.

He opened the door for her and waited until she was settled in the passenger seat before he shut her in. As he walked around to the other side of the truck, he scanned the parking lot looking for the pair of dark eyes that had haunted him for years. Before he opened the door, a gray pickup truck peeled out of the parking lot and sped away. Leaving Sam to stare at the red tail-lights until they drove away and out of sight.