Chapter 14 River
River
By the time I pull up outside Callie’s townhouse, I’ve triple-checked the bed straps in the back of my truck and adjusted the brand-new car seat I installed last night. I don’t want her to worry about a damn thing today.
She must have been waiting by the window.
The moment I throw the truck into park, she steps outside, carrying Nora on her hip and a diaper bag slung over one shoulder.
Her hair is up in a knot, and she’s wearing something simple like leggings and an oversized sweater.
There doesn’t appear to be a speck of makeup on her face.
And I swear, she’s never looked hotter.
“Hey.” I hop out, slamming the door.
“Hi.” She adjusts Nora’s weight as I round the front of the truck to the sidewalk.
As soon as I’m standing next to them, I reach out and stroke my finger along Nora’s downy cheek. “Hey, ladybug. It’s an exciting day! Are you ready for a big girl bed?”
She grins, showing off her pearly white teeth. “Rivvy!”
Callie blinks, staring first at her daughter and then at me. “Rivvy?”
“Seems easier than saying River. So, we’re just rolling with it.” When Callie’s brows pull together, I let out a low cough and change the subject. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah.” She points to a small SUV parked up the street that has seen better days. “I’ll take my own car and meet you there since I’ve got the car seat.”
I pop open the door to the passenger side of the truck and show her the brand-new seat I bought. “No need to do that.”
She stutters to a stop. “Wait a minute… You have one?”
I nod. “Yup.”
“Why?” Her voice comes out sounding uneven, like the question has too many layers and she’s afraid of the answer.
I shrug, trying to keep it casual. “I didn’t want you to have to unbuckle yours and then deal with reinstalling it. Those bases are a real pain in the ass.”
For the second time in a matter of minutes, she stares at me, lips parted slightly, as a storm of emotions crosses her face. Surprise, confusion, and something that looks suspiciously like gratitude.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she says, quieter now.
“I know. But I wanted to. It makes things easier.”
Without saying anything more, she gently straps Nora in before sliding onto the passenger seat up front.
When she doesn’t immediately do the same for herself, I step close enough for the faint scent of her shampoo to wrap around me.
My fingers brush her side as I reach for the seat belt, taking my time before drawing it across her chest.
She stills on a sudden intake of air as my knuckles graze the side of her breast before I click the latch. Instead of moving away, my hand remains in place, fingers resting lightly on the buckle.
When I finally look up, her wide eyes are locked on mine. Her pupils are dilated and her lips are parted ever so slightly. The air between us turns charged, as if the smallest movement might tip us over the edge.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
My gaze drops to her mouth and lingers there before lifting to meet her eyes again. “Anytime.”
I close the door gently, then hustle around the hood and slide in beside her. There’s something about having her so close that hits deeper than I expect. Honestly, it’s not a moment I ever thought I’d get to enjoy.
With a press of the button, I start the engine and pull away from the curb.
Nora kicks and babbles the entire drive to the baby superstore.
Callie remains quiet, fidgeting next to me.
I rack my brain for something that will break the tension, but it remains stubbornly silent.
As soon as we pull into the parking lot, Callie unlatches her seat belt and jumps out of the truck.
By the time she opens the back door, I’m already there, nudging her out of the way and unhooking Nora from the seat.
“I can take her,” Callie says, reaching for her daughter.
I shake my head, already shifting Nora in my arms. “Nah, the two of us are tight now. We bonded the other night.” I glance at her. “Didn’t we, ladybug?”
Nora giggles and clutches a handful of my jacket, as if in total agreement.
Callie mutters, “I really don’t understand this at all. She doesn’t go to just anyone.”
A slow smile spreads across my face. “Guess it’s clear I’m not just anyone, then.”
Inside, the store smells like lavender wipes and baby powder. I carry Nora as we stroll the aisles, Callie beside me, her gaze flicking between the toddler beds and me like she’s trying to process both at the same time.
A sales associate sidles up to us. She’s all enthusiasm and big energy. “Oh my gosh, your daughter is adorable! And she looks just like you!”
When Callie opens her mouth, more than likely to clarify our relationship, I say before she can get the words out, “Thank you.”
Callie goes quiet beside me, but I feel her gaze as Nora flashes me a grin and rests her head on my shoulder.
We tell the associate what we’re looking for and she leads us to a fancy selection of toddler beds. We find one that’s all sleek lines, high safety ratings, and costs as much as a playoff ticket.
Callie takes one look at the price tag and shakes her head. “No, that’s too much—”
“Do you like it?” I ask, cutting in. “Do you think Nora would enjoy sleeping in it? Is it something she can grow into?”
Callie studiously avoids my gaze as she nibbles her lower lip. “Yeah.”
“Then there’s nothing more for us to discuss.” I pull out my card before she can argue, and hand it over to the saleswoman. “We’ll take it.”
The woman practically squeals. “What about the mattress?”
“We’ll take one of those as well.”
She raises a brow. “And an extended warranty?”
“Yup.”
With my credit card in hand, she scurries off to ring up the purchase.
As soon as she disappears around the corner of the aisle, Callie swings toward me. “River, I love the bed, and I think Nora would too, but…” A flush creeps into her pale cheeks. “It’s way too much. I can’t afford it.”
I hold her gaze. “It’s a gift. There’s no need to pay for anything.”
“I don’t expect you to buy us the bed. Nora’s my responsibility. And I’m more than capable of taking care of us.” She lifts her chin as her bottom lip trembles. “I’ve been doing this on my own for nearly three years.”
That admission makes my heart ache. It’s tempting to lift my hand and massage the pain away. “I know. You’re one of the strongest women I’ve ever met, Callie. I really admire that about you.”
She blinks, and her jaw stays locked tight, as if she doesn’t know how to respond to the compliment.
As tempting as it is to tug her close and wrap her up in my arms, to soothe some of the hurt within her, I remain still. “Nora deserves a bed that’ll grow with her. You do too. So let me do this.”
Just when I think she’ll continue arguing or flat out refuse the gift, she jerks her head in a tight nod. “Fine. But just this once.”
Her surrender feels like a small victory.
Like I’m one step closer to her letting me into her life.
After signing the sales receipt, we load the oversized boxes into the bed of the truck and strap them down tight. Callie watches me the whole time with a slightly furrowed brow, like she sees something she doesn’t quite know how to handle.
Nora chatters all the way home as she stares out the window and smudges it with her fingers. I can’t help but smile. Even though Callie remains silent, her thoughts are loud.
I glance at her before returning my attention to the road stretched out in front of us. “Are you all right?”
She nods a little too quickly. “Yeah. Just tired.”
“I’m sorry you’ve had to do all this alone. Zane should have been a better partner.” I look at Nora in the rearview mirror, and everything inside me turns to mush. “A better father, at the very least.”
She swallows hard as her gaze finds mine.
“Believe it or not, I don’t regret getting involved with him.
If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have Nora. And she’s my entire world.
She’s the reason I get out of bed every morning and work as hard as I do.
I wish Zane were more involved, but maybe it’s better he isn’t.
The last thing I need is for Nora to get attached, only for him to flake when she’s old enough to understand and be hurt by his indifference. ”
I don’t think about reaching out and wrapping my hand around hers.
I just do it.
From the way her eyes widen and she stills in her seat, she’s just as shocked by the unexpected offer of comfort as I am. It’s not a total surprise when she slips her fingers free before twisting them nervously in her lap.
Neither of us say a word for the rest of the ride.
The silence isn’t uncomfortable, but it’s heavy.
Thick with things we’re both avoiding. My grip stays steady on the wheel, my focus on the road ahead, even as every part of me is attuned to her.
The way she shifts in her seat. The slow rhythm of her inhalations.
The faint scent of her perfume as it weaves through the air.
I tell myself I need to be content with whatever she’s willing to give me.
But the truth is, I’m already past that point.
I want more.
More than she’s ready for.
More than she might ever be ready for.
And no matter how much I try to reel it in, I know there’s no going back.