8. Chapter 8 - Callum
The rest of the evening went smoothly enough, though the urge to kick Jacob in the shins throughout the meal was strong.
I was grateful for Charlie and Paxton, who seemed to hit it off, playing off one another while I tried hard to ignore Jacob’s narrowed eyes as he glared at me every time Paxton touched my hand or draped an arm across the back of my chair.
As we stood after the meal, Paxton put a gentle hand on my lower back, causing heat to rise in my chest and up my neck. Every time he touched me, in fact, warmth washed through me and my heart thumped a little harder.
Before we left, Mom and Dad came over to say goodbye, Mom wrapping us each in a tight hug, Dad shaking Paxton’s hand firmly.
“It was good to meet you, Paxton,” Dad said.
“I’m just sorry we didn’t get more of a chance to get to know each other.
Will you be joining Callum at some of the other reunion events? ”
Paxton gave him a winning smile, which made my heart flutter. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
When we made it out to the car, Paxton hurried around to open the driver’s side door for me.
I chuckled and shook my head. “Who says chivalry is dead?”
He gave me that grin that made my stomach flip and shrugged. “Are you okay to drive?” When I nodded, he gestured to the car. “Then your chariot awaits.”
As we got onto the road, the music filled the space between us. Paxton reached his hand out as if he were going to take mine, but hesitated and then adjusted the volume on the radio.
“So that was… something.”
I gave a soft laugh and nodded. “It definitely was.”
“Your ex is a real piece of work.”
“Tell me about it.”
A moment passed before Paxton spoke again. “Do you… you don’t still have feelings for him, do you?”
I couldn’t stop my startled laugh. “No. Definitely not.” I glanced at Paxton and he was nodding. “Why do you ask?”
He shrugged. “I just want to make sure we’re on the same page. If you wanted to get back with him, we could manufacture some drama to make him look like the good guy. I mean, it would be difficult to pull that part off, but I could try.”
“Absolutely not.”
When I glanced at him again, his Adam’s apple bobbed. “Okay, then.” He cleared his throat. “That definitely makes my life easier.”
I hummed softly and the two of us fell quiet as I drove. When I pulled into Paxton’s driveway and put the car in park, he lingered for a moment.
“Thanks for inviting me. I had a great time.”
“Despite Jacob?”
He laughed. “I liked needling him. I could tell we were getting under his skin.”
“Thanks for coming. It would have been miserable to go by myself.”
“You have Charlie,” he pointed out.
“I do, but it’s not the same. Obviously.”
“I hope not.”
We both laughed before quieting again for a moment. I knew I was stalling but I cleared my throat and gestured toward the house. “Let me walk you to the door?”
Paxton grinned. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I’d like to.”
“Well, then.”
We both climbed out of the car and headed up his short walk. I stood behind Paxton on the porch as he unlocked the door and when he turned to me, my heart skipped a beat.
“Thanks again for putting up with my family tonight.”
“Anything for my boyfriend.”
My face heated at that, but I forced myself to laugh lightly.
Paxton’s grin was wide and relaxed as his gaze dropped to my lips for a long moment before meeting my eyes again.
My breath caught in my throat. I was sure he was about to step closer and put his hands on me and my skin tingled in anticipation.
“I should…” His voice was low and husky and he stepped forward just a bit, closing some of the distance between us. Before he could speak any further, his phone began to ring in his pocket. “Shit,” he hissed and stepped away, pulling the phone out. “I should take this.”
“Everything okay?”
He shrugged and grimaced. “I don’t know. I’m so sorry. I’ll see you soon?” With that, he tapped the screen to answer the call and stepped inside his house, leaving me on the porch alone.
My stomach sank. I headed back to the car, a heaviness settling over me.
It had been a great evening. I tried to shake off the disappointment and remind myself that we were just friends, after all.
He was doing me a favor. We weren’t… anything else.
We were helping each other and that’s all there was to it.
If I hoped for anything else, well, that was entirely my own problem.
I headed home and went straight to bed, feeling sorry for myself.
The next day was Saturday and I woke up determined to get out and work on finding other locations for my article.
As I fumbled for my phone, still charging on the nightstand, I thought about how I couldn’t just write about a single mead taproom and call it a travel feature.
I could always visit the Foggy Basin Brewing Company, to offer a contrast to Celestial Cask.
The first thing I did was check my notifications, and I was surprised to see I had several missed texts from Paxton.
Paxton: So sorry again. It was my uncle. Family stuff.
Paxton: I had a great time tonight.
I took a slow breath and released it, a sense of relief lifting some of the weight that had been pressing on my shoulders. There was one more text from him that had been sent about an hour ago.
Paxton: Good morning boyfriend.
It was accompanied by a winking emoji. I chuckled and grinned, my cheeks heating as I texted back.
Callum: Good morning. Don’t worry about last night. You don’t owe me an explanation.
He replied immediately.
Paxton: Are you busy today?
Callum: I was thinking about visiting Foggy Basin Brewing Co. For the article.
Paxton: I have a better idea. Can I pick you up?
Callum: Sure. See you in an hour?
Paxton: Can’t wait.
I sent him the address and got out of bed, getting ready for the day.
I showered quickly and then made my way into the kitchen to rustle up something to eat.
Mom was in the kitchen, cleaning up a mess while the oven hummed.
The scent coming from the oven was delicious, vanilla and sugar and cinnamon.
“Hey, Mom.”
She turned to face me. “Morning. Here for a cinnamon roll? They’re not ready just yet.”
I shook my head, a little sad I’d miss out. “Not today. I’m just going to grab a bagel. Paxton’s picking me up in a few minutes.”
“Oh? What are your plans for today?”
“I’m actually not sure. He says he’s planned something.”
“Well if that isn’t the cutest thing.”
I smiled and pulled a day-old bagel out of the paper bag sitting on the counter. “Thanks.” I leaned against the counter and took a bite of my bagel.
“I’m just saying, I’m glad you’ve found someone. You seemed so happy last night.”
I nodded as I took in what she said, chewing another bite of bagel thoughtfully.
I had been happy, despite having to face down Jacob and Angie the night before.
Being around him made me feel… lighter, but also tethered.
Not tied down, but in a comforting, grounding way.
My skin heated as I remembered his touch, the way he’d pressed his thigh against mine under the table, his hand on mine.
Before I could formulate any words, though, the doorbell rang.
“That must be him,” I said. “Bye, Mom. Love you.”
“Don’t forget—all of the younger cousins will be here tonight for a sleepover. It’s going to be chaos, so plan appropriately.”
I suppressed a groan at the idea of a dozen or more tweens-and-under running around. “Got it. See you later.” I hurried to slip out the front door.
Paxton’s fist was raised to knock on the door as I swung it open. His face lit up when our eyes met. “Hey there.” His voice was soft and he sounded a little uncertain.
I grinned. “Hi.” We stood there smiling at each other like fools for a couple of long seconds before I shut the door behind me. “Ready to go?”
He nodded and led the way out to his pickup truck that was waiting in the driveway. “I’m excited.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “I would be if I knew what we were doing.” Paxton opened the passenger side door for me and I sighed. “You really don’t have to do that, you know.”
He shrugged. “I like it.” After the door was shut behind me, he hurried to his side and climbed in. “Trust me, you’ll be excited when you see what we’re doing.” He hesitated for a second. “I hope.”
“I’m sure I will be. Unless you’re going to murder me.”
“It will be much sweeter than that, I promise.” He winked at me and put the truck in reverse and we were off.