Chapter 12 #3
Marigold peeks around her dad at me and waves, a shy grin playing on her lips. While the adults continue stilted pleasantries, Callie’s niece slips around her father and tugs on Connie’s hand. With a wave of her tiny hand, Connie leans down.
“Daddy,” Connie’s soft voice catches her father’s attention.
Callie may be the youngest of the family, but Ira definitely considers Constance his baby.
“Marigold and I would like to go see Calloway. And—” Connie nods in my direction “—I’m sure her boyfriend would like to congratulate her on a job well done, too. ”
Clearing my throat, I silently thank Connie. “Absolutely. Uh, this way, everyone.” While the others chat behind me, I have to work to not run toward the classroom to ensure I get to her first.
When we reach Callie’s classroom, she’s helping one of the final kids scrub reindeer paint from their face as the corresponding parent gathers their things.
“Ms. Rutherford,” I call through the doorway, silently cursing myself for the hint of panic in my voice.
Callie looks up, but her smile falls when she sees the look of alarm on my face. “Dr. Rhodes, is everything—”
And both of our families round the corner, pushing me through the door.
“Aunt Callie!” Marigold circumvents the rest of our group, launching herself into Callie’s arms.
“Hey Goldie,” she laughs, setting down her niece and taking in the sight before her. “Uh, give me just a second.”
Ira and Lillian sit somewhere between impatience and annoyance at being put behind a student, but they luckily say nothing. When Ira steps out to take a phone call, I swear the room temperature rises by five degrees.
Our families chatter among themselves while Ian and Aaron—who have obviously been here on several occasions—give them the grand tour of Callie’s class.
Imogene and Connie peruse displayed art projects with Marigold while Prescott and Chris whisper among one another, periodically glancing in my direction.
Or Callie’s. There’s really no way to tell since I’ve positioned myself in between them.
Whatever they’ve been whispering about, they finally work up the nerve to blatantly watch me.
Once the final student/parent combo is out the door, I rush over and engulf Callie in a tight hug before anyone else can even get close. Lithe arms close around me as I whisper, “Your brothers are suspicious and they all insisted on coming to see you.”
“Come on now,” Blythe says from behind me, “you don’t get to hog your girlfriend.”
Releasing my hold on Callie, our eyes meet, the tiniest nod passing between us.
Blythe elbows me out of the way, throwing tiny arms around my girlfriend and only letting go when my parents get close enough to take turns hugging her.
My mom brushes a piece of hair from Callie’s face. “We are so proud of you, sweetheart. And your kids, of course. They were adorable!”
Callie grins, looking around at my family. “I had no idea you were all coming,” she breathes, “but thank you so much. You have no idea what this means to me.”
“Wouldn’t miss it, Callie,” my dad chuckles. “And we can’t wait to see the next one.”
My girlfriend blushes furiously under all the attention—something I get the feeling she’s not used to receiving.
Ian and his brother take turns congratulating Callie on another successful program, which is made slightly more difficult by my keeping a tight hold on her hand. But eventually, the rest of the Rhodes family and the Fairchilds finally see themselves out.
Leaving us alone with the lions.
But this is our den, not theirs.
Lillian Rutherford steps up to her daughter. “Well, it seems you made quite the impression on Oliver’s family.” Anyone walking by would think Callie’s mother was admiring her daughter. Good thing Callie and I know better. “Good for you, dear.”
Callie squeezes my hand hard, making me apologetic to her future birthing partner.
“My entire family is very proud of her,” I say, releasing Callie’s hand to throw my arm around her. With every silent, awkward moment that passes, I pull her closer.
Lillian’s eyes float between us, that catlike smile never vacating the premises. “How nice.”
Footsteps echo in the hallway, announcing Ira’s return. “Lillian, we need to go.” Mr. Rutherford turns to his daughter. “Congratualtions, Calloway. Oliver,” he turns to me, “it’s a shame you won’t be joining us up at Aspen Point for Christmas. Maybe next time.”
“Actually, my parents decided to make Boston a solo trip this holiday,” I say, smiling down at Callie who is now firmly tucked into my side, “so it turns out I can make the trip with Callie, after all.”
Wiry gray brows raise, and his head corresponds with a nod. “Huh. Well, I guess we’ll see you next week, then. Lillian, please?”
His wife gives Callie and I one more once over before making her way toward the door.
Prescott palms the back of his neck. “That was … strange.”
“Thanks,” Callie snorts.
He shrugs. “But it was definitely a decent way to spend a Thursday night. So thanks for the entertainment. Besides, it wasn’t any stranger than Marigold’s program this year where they danced around in pajamas.
” Prescott moves to let Marigold give her aunt another hug, sprinkling in some kisses, before he guides her out to the hall.
Chris follows his older brother out without a word, hooking his arm and pulling him to the side as he does so.
Pressing a kiss to Callie’s temple, I release her and step toward the hallway, allowing some room for her to chat with Connie and Imogene in private.
And to keep an eye on the Rutherford men who are hellbent on making Callie’s and my life harder.
Imogene and Connie both radiate pride for their youngest sister as they take turns giving her awkward hugs, relaying their congratulations.
“Hey guys,” I say, approaching the two biggest thorns in my side. And that includes taking Mrs. Collins’ family into consideration.
Prescott and Chris turn my way, neither looking too impressed.
“Thanks again for coming tonight,” throwing my hands on my hips, I give them my best ‘I'm not dangerous’ smile, “I know it meant a lot to Callie.”
Chris folds his arms over a puffed out chest.
Prescott just looks tired.
“Is everything alright?” I ask, feigning innocence.
Shockingly, Prescott is the first to speak. “So, what’s your game?”
Frowning, I look between them, shaking my head. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Is it our money? Status? Connections?” Chris interrupts.
My brows only dig deeper. “Excuse me?”
“Because the way I see it,” he continues, “you’ve got a lot going for you. Your own private practice, two entrepreneur parents and a sister following in their footsteps—”
“Did you do a background check on me or something?”
“Now the question is, what does someone like you want with someone like Calloway?” Chris finishes, a stupid smirk leaking across that smug face.
Prescott rubs his temples, sighing. “Oliver. You seem decent enough. But you and Calloway? You don’t match. There has to be something in it for you.”
Beside him, Chris scoffs, turning to his brother. “More like he’s too good for Calloway. The only benefit is the money and status he’d get from being with her.”
“Excuse me?” I don’t bother keeping the anger from seeping into my tone as heat floods my cheeks.
Immediately behind me, the classroom door squeaks open, Imogene and Connie’s voices whispering to one another. And both come to a crashing halt once they gauge the temperature in the hall.
“Look, man, just be straight with us and we’ll try to help you out with as little collateral damage as possible,” Prescott finishes.
“No, you look—” I straighten to my full height, narrow eyes searing into these two assholes “—I couldn’t care less about anything that comes with your family name, no matter what you two seem to think.
There is no amount of money or connections that would begin to tempt me.
The moment I met Calloway Rutherford, I knew that she was it.
That she’s the one for me. Callie is the best person I’ve ever known.
She is thoughtful and unyieldingly loyal.
Her kindheartedness knows no bounds and she cares for these kids every single day, showing up with nothing but her best, without fail.
Callie deserves absolutely everything and, if I’m the one who gives it to her instead of her family, then that’s fine by me.
I’m lucky she ever looked my way, and I’ll be by her side as long as she’ll let me.
” Blood pounding in my ears, I turn on my heel and march past a shocked Imogene and Connie and back into the classroom.
Right up to the amazing woman I haven’t been able to take my eyes off of all night.
Callie smiles up at me. “Guess what, Connie—”
Wrapping one arm around her waist, the other slides up her back so my hand can shroud itself with her long ponytail. One tug of her hair and my lips crash into hers, violent and demanding. Desperate.
Callie kisses me back just as roughly. She wastes no time running her hands up my biceps before wrapping them around my neck, pulling me closer. Crushing her chest to mine. Those flawless lips mold with every kiss I offer, and when they part, I take whatever access they’ll allow.
If I could think of anything rational, I’d be thanking her idiot brothers for finally giving me the excuse to do what I’ve been thinking about for weeks. But tasting this much of Calloway Rutherford all at once has every sane thought making a run for it.
Callie’s tongue tentatively looks for mine as her hands find my hair.
My heart pounds in my ears as my tongue coaxes hers into a dance, causing her to moan and lean fully into me. Hands sliding to her waist, my fingers press into her skin, branding her as mine.
Even if no one will know but us.
Only when we’re both out of breath do we finally break apart, chests heaving and begging for air. Grinning down at her, I pepper a few more kisses across her cheeks and nose for good measure.
Her giggles fill the air around us, encouraging me to continue. I only stop when her tender fingertips graze my cheek. Pulling back, I can’t quite remember why I haven’t kissed her like this yet.
Not until our predicament comes flooding back.
A lovely blush heats Callie’s face as she searches mine for an explanation I don’t offer.
But in the recesses of my mind, I admit to myself how thankful I am to have a little more time pretending she’s mine.