Chapter 19
Nineteen
Peter
Last night went better than expected. Even if I hadn’t planned to be so honest with Callie. I needed to get it all out there, though. It was the only I could be okay with her staying here.
Now she knows where I stand, and I’m not sure where this leaves us. I know we’re friends. But can we become more? As much as I want an answer, I know bugging her about it won’t do anything. She’s stubborn and that much hasn’t changed since childhood.
Today will be all about celebrating her first day of work.
Thanks to the help from Lexi, it should be fairly easy.
I guess she got up after we went to bed and left a note for me on the coffee table by my phone.
Her neat handwriting listed out all of Callie’s favorite foods.
Along with a side note that she wouldn’t be home until later.
Something about hanging out with Eric’s kid.
If I didn’t know better, I’d say Lexi was forcing me and her mom to have some time alone. How the hell did Eric rub off on her so quickly? Unless, of course, she’s always been like this. I don’t know her well enough to know for certain.
The semantics don’t matter. I’ll have time to show Callie that I’m serious about giving us a shot. It’s not all fun and games because she’s staying with me. I genuinely care about her. I always have.
“What are you doing here? It’s your day off.” Parker’s voice scares me, and I almost drop the bottle of wine in my hand.
“I was just getting some wine to celebrate with a friend tonight.”
“Oh, you mean Callie?”
“How do you know?”
“Please,” he scoffs. “The minute Piper found out she filled in the rest of us.”
“All of you?” Pierce doesn’t need to know. At least, not until I tell him.
“Not all of us.” He shakes his head and bends under the cabinet to get a bag. “But us cool kids. What are you celebrating?”
“Her first day of work.” I call over my shoulder while trying to decide between the two wines in my hands. I wish I knew what her favorite type is.
“That one.” He points to one of our sweet wines that isn’t sangria. “Then go by the bakery and get a dessert to go with it.”
“How do you know all this?” It’s one of the things that’s always fascinated me about my youngest brother and sister.
They are able to come up with solutions and pairings on the fly.
This might be one of the reasons I do most of the work in the warehouse.
There’s no way I’d be able to remember all this.
“It’s literally my job.” Parker laughs and pulls the bottle out of my hand before placing it in the bag. “Who do you think comes up with the pairings our sister puts on social media?”
“Seriously?” I always assumed Piper did all of it.
The two of them are a force to be reckoned with.
Now if only Pierce would realize it without constantly trying to hold them back.
The shame I feel only now noticing these amazing things about my siblings is daunting.
I let Pierce mold my thoughts and opinions for way too long.
“Yes. It’s kind of my specialty.”
“Well, you’re really good at it.”
He leans against the counter. “So, what are you making for dinner?”
“How do you know we’re not going out?”
“Because I know you, Peter. You’d much rather cook an amazing meal than go to a restaurant. It’s one of your skills. Remember that if you ever decide you don’t want to follow Pierce around for the rest of your life.”
Okay, that hurt. It’s not untrue, though.
“Fine,” I grumble. “I’m making steaks, baked potatoes, and I haven’t decided if I should do a vegetable or salad.”
“Definitely salad.” He moves away from the counter and puts the bottle I didn’t pick back on the shelf. “And if you have any leftovers, bring me some.”
“You wish, little brother.” I grab my wallet and pull out a twenty before sliding it into the register. “Ring that up whenever you get a chance so the inventory is screwed.”
“Will do. Have fun on your date tonight.”
“It’s not a date.” I call over my shoulder as I leave the main house and head to my truck. I wish it was, but I don’t want to press my luck.
The truck is still warm when I get in. Thank goodness because it’s frigid out here. I’m so ready for Spring and warmer weather after that snow and ice storm. We are not made for that type of weather.
After starting the truck, I pull my phone out of my pocket. I’m not the most romantic person, and I need my sister’s help.
Peter
Do y’all sell bouquets already made?
She almost always has her phone on her. I glance at the clock. There’s no way she’s awake yet. I haven’t even left the property today, but I needed to get out of the house before Callie woke up.
Finally, my phone vibrates in my hand.
Paula
Yes. Why????
Peter
Because I need some flowers…
I feel like that should be self-explanatory. What is it with my siblings giving me a hard time today?
Paula
Are they for Callie?
Peter
Jesus, you know, too. I’m going to murder Piper.
Paula
Come by the shop. I’ll hook you up.
Peter
Thank you.
At least she didn’t demand details, though I’m sure she’s saving that for when I stop by Whoopsie Daisy. That will be my last stop. I don’t want the flowers to wilt in the car. Besides, I don’t know how flowers react to cold temperatures. This isn’t exactly my area of expertise.
I wish I had Lexi’s number so I could ask her what her mom’s favorite flower is. Miles is an option…but then there’d be questions I’m not prepared to answer. Especially since I have no idea if Callie told him about our kiss. The last thing I want is to get cussed out by my best friend.
I put the truck in gear and head to town to run my errands. Calling the plumber is next on my list. That can wait until I get to my next destination. As much as I don’t want Callie to go back to her house, I’m sure she’s ready to be in her own space again.
With school back in session the roads are empty. This is my favorite time to get things done. I don’t have to talk to a bunch of people and can everything handled in one swoop. And let’s be honest after the storm, I need to restock my fridge.
After the grocery store, I stop by Out of the Ashes. Luckily, I don’t see Eric’s car in the lot. It makes sense. He’s probably off today if Lexi is going to hang out with his kid after school.
It’s still early and the only people inside are the employees.
“Hey Peter, what can I do for you?” Angie grins as I step up to the bar.
“Do y’all have anyone delivering today?”
“We should, but if not, I can do it. What are you hungry for?”
I pull out the note Lexi left me and pick a few things from the list. “Can you deliver this to Callie around lunch time? It’s her first day at her job and I want to make sure she’s taken care of.”
A sly grin spreads across her face, but she doesn’t grill me about anything. “Sure thing.” She gives me the total and asks for the address before taking my payment.
I leave her a generous tip. Not only because I need to factor in the fact, she’s delivering it, but she didn’t ask me a million questions about my intentions.
I know her and Callie were close in high school.
Angie was probably her only reliable friend.
At least from what I could see on the outside looking in.
“You are a lifesaver.”
“It’s literally my job.” She laughs, then shoos me away. “I’m sure you have more important things to do. I’ll make sure she gets her food.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you later.” I give her a quick wave before leaving the bar. One more stop and I go home and get everything ready.
Paula is standing by the door when I pull into a parking spot in front of Whoopsie Daisy. The drive took only minutes since everything is pretty close to the town square.
“Finally,” she says as she yanks the door open. “I thought you were heading straight here after you texted me.”
“I had other errands to run.”
“Whatever.” She waves me off and beckons me to follow her. “These are the bouquets we have ready to go. The rest of the ladies are in the back working on more, but they won’t be ready for another hour or so.”
That’s time I don’t have. There are four arrangements on the glass counter, but only two contain roses. “Is there a difference in price?”
“Does it matter?”
“Not really.” I’ll spend whatever they are asking, though I’m sure my sister will try to give me some sort of discount since I’m her brother.
She follows my eyes to see which ones I’m drawn to. “So, the yellow roses pretty much represent friendship. Which is cool if that’s what you’re going for.”
“Definitely not.” While being friends is fine, and I’m okay with it, I’d much prefer for the flowers to signify more.
“That’s what I hoped to hear.” She grabs the roses in the middle. They are red and pink with other flowers I don’t recognize sprinkled throughout. “I always wondered when someone would snag your attention enough to stop doing whatever our big brother asked.”
Well, I’m about to pop her happy bubble. “She’s not the reason.”
“What do you mean? There isn’t any other reason for you not being a workaholic, even on your day off.”
Huh? There are things our baby sister doesn’t tell everyone. “Piper made me make a New Year’s resolution. Basically, I’m supposed to do things that make me happy and stop ‘being Pierce’s lap dog.’ Her words, not mine.”
She laughs because only Piper could bully her older siblings into doing something. “Well, I’m glad you’re listening to someone.”
“Glad to know everyone thinks I only listen to Pierce.” They aren’t wrong, though. I’ve been this way for as long as I can remember. The need to prove myself to him runs deep inside me. That feeling is slowly fading. Pierce will only ever look out for himself. He proved that last summer.
“Can you blame us?” She puts the bouquets I didn’t pick to the side and moves behind the counter to give me my total. “You always set yourself apart from the rest of us and only hung out with Pierce if Miles was busy.”
When she puts it that way, I can see why they think that.
Out of all my siblings, Paula should understand the most. She was the person Dad wanted to run the company with Pierce.
She had everything lined up for her. But she decided to do her own thing.
Even that was a big deal in Pierce’s eyes and he basically cut her out of his life until last year. She’s doing just fine, though.
I wish I had her and Piper’s strength to defy our brother. They did it in different ways, but it was effective. He has a lot more respect for them. Respect I wish I had.
“Well, that changed after he kept Dad’s retirement from me of all people. It’s kind of nice not working all the time. Even if it’s mostly because of the snow storm. I did tell him I wasn’t staying late the other day to count inventory.”
“Look at you growing and all that jazz.” She holds out her hand for my card. “Isn’t it great when you aren’t trying to live up to other’s expectations?”
“Yeah, it kind of is.” I pull out my wallet and reach for my card. “How much is it?”
“Does it matter?”
I hand her my card. “Not really.”
“So, are you planning something big to proclaim your undying love.”
“Love is going a bit far. We’re still only friends.” When she hands me the card, I shove it back in my wallet. “It’s nothing big. Today was her first day at her job. I’m making a steak dinner, and I’m sending her lunch to the office. Angie’s delivering it.”
She nods and I know I have her approval. “Nice job. I didn’t know you knew how to be romantic.”
“I watched that movie you were obsessed with when we were kids.”
“Which one, there were a lot.”
“The one with guy singing on the football field.”
“So, you took notes. Good.” She wraps the flowers in butcher paper. “Do you own a vase for these?”
Nope. I’ve never been one to put flowers out to brighten the space. I’m usually only home long enough to shower and go to bed. “Can you grab one for me?” I pull my card out again. This thing is getting a workout today.
“I got you.” She pushes my hand away after grabbing a simple vase from the shelf behind her. “Good luck tonight. If she doesn’t know how you feel about her after this, I don’t know that she’ll ever get it.”
“Thanks. Have fun working today.” I shove my wallet in my back pocket and grab my items. “See you at the next game night.”
Now to get home and get everything ready. I need to clean and prep dinner. Tonight, I’m putting everything on the line.