CHAPTER 2 #2
I love my mom very much. She struggled for a long time with depression after my father’s death, until she found Jon.
I don’t know or care to know which one is her true love, but Jon takes good care of her and my little sister.
He helps manage the ranch and the breeding program, but he’s never been a father figure for me.
My uncle Ethan has. He and Hailey would take me to their farm down in Santa Claus, Indiana.
That’s where I developed my love for caring for animals.
I was beginning to like Eastport before last night, but now I’m not sure where I want to settle.
As the surgical lab progresses, I take notes.
When I’m called up to demonstrate some of the techniques we’ve learned, I stay focused on the class, even though my mind keeps drifting back to Callum.
I wonder why he regrets what we did. I also wonder if he went out and found a more experienced partner after I walked out.
When the class ends, Lennox and I pack up our bags.
“Want to grab some lunch and discuss whatever is bothering you?” Lennox asks.
I purse my lips as I think about everything.
I do need someone to talk to about this.
This isn’t something I could discuss with Ty either.
He might have just came out, but until six months ago, he was in love with me.
It was his way of avoiding the fact that he was gay and didn’t want to disappoint his dad or brother.
In the end, everyone was happy for him to just be authentic.
“You know what, I’d like that.”
“Let’s go.” She hooks her arm through mine, and we head toward the campus food court. “I’ll get the green tea lattes if you buy the small pizza.”
“You’re on.” I giggle.
She doesn’t have as much money as I do, but I don’t offer to cover the whole tab because it would offend her. She works hard for the little bit of money she earns. She works a couple days a week as an administrative assistant for the admissions staff.
As we walk, the hair on the back of my neck rises.
I get the feeling I’m being watched. I try not to act paranoid and just glance around casually.
In the distance, a couple of students are standing together, but that’s all.
Everyone else is moving about on this Friday afternoon, getting ready for spring break next week.
I’m staying here instead of going home. My mother wanted me to come, but I decided to stay and study.
Plus, Amelia wants me to stay at her house for a couple of days before the babies arrive.
My poor cousin is going to be way outnumbered soon. She already is with her older son, Jude, and Striker, and now she’s pregnant with twin boys too.
We find a small table by the windows overlooking the forest behind campus. I love how nature is integrated everywhere. The campus isn’t in the middle of bustling Eastport. It’s actually a good twenty-minute drive to town, without traffic.
“Okay, so you told me you were going to your cousin’s restaurant last night, and you came home like this?” She waves at my body. “Who did you meet there?”
“I did see Lia, but while I was talking to her, this guy from her husband’s club caught a prick who was trying to spike my drink.”
“So, you decided to give him a quickie in thanks?” she says, and takes a bite of the sausage and mushroom pizza.
Lennox likes a lot of the things I like too. We even order our burgers the same way—cheese with just mustard, ketchup, and pickles. Nothing else.
“Not exactly.” I can’t stop the chuckle.
“Callum was sweet. Things just happened, and the next thing I know, I’m back at his room at the clubhouse and well…
” I leave the rest hanging, not wanting to give up too much information.
The memories of last night and how amazing it was will stick with me for a long time.
She holds up her hand. “Wait. Wait. Wait. Did you just refer to him by his actual name and not his road name?”
“That’s how he introduced himself. What’s the big deal?”
“Big deal! Girl, don’t you read romance?”
“Well, yeah.”
“Didn’t you tell me you went to a big book signing called Motorcycles, Mobsters, and Mayhem last year?”
“I did. And?”
“OMG!” She smacks her forehead, then turns to her bag. She digs through it and pulls out a romance novel. Flipping through the pages, she stops and hands it to me.
I read the paragraph she points out, and it hits me.
Holy crap.
“But he regretted sleeping with me afterward.”
“Huh, why the hell would he do that?”
“I overheard him in the bathroom. He was talking to himself. He said, ‘What the fuck was I thinking?’” I tell her, sharing the most embarrassing part.
“That doesn’t make sense.” She rests her chin on her palm, elbow on the table, and stares over my shoulder. “Is he by chance about six feet tall? Maybe light-colored eyes, wears a cowboy hat, and looks like sex on a stick?” She smirks at me.
“Yeah, how did you know?” My gut churns with worry. Did she hook up with him too?
My chair spins around, and there’s a very angry Callum squatting down in my space. “Nymph, we need to talk.”
“Because he’s behind you.” Lennox chuckles. “I’ll just head back to my dorm. Call me later, girly. Don’t forget we have an appointment in a couple of hours.” She grabs her tea and half of the pizza.
Shit. My truck is still at the Roadhouse. I have a hair appointment at the salon, and Lia is supposed to meet us there.
“Take it all. I’m not hungry,” I call over my shoulder. My chair shifts again, and Callum sits next to me.
“Why did you run?”
I drop my chin and pull my top lip between my teeth, trying to avoid looking at him.
I feel so awkward. I’m not as experienced as he is.
But one thing I’ve learned all my life is that the truth is better than fabrications or half-truths.
I think back to the issues on the ranch with Linda before she was killed, and the problems between Hailey and Ethan.
“I’m not as experienced as you. You even questioned what you were thinking. I figured that after you realized how inexperienced I was, you regretted it. You didn’t say anything to me when you went to the bathroom. I thought with one-night stands, the guest leaves when it’s over.”
He pulls off his hat and sets it on the table, then drags a hand through his hair. “First of all, I don’t regret you. I was mad at myself for not talking to you first and realizing you were innocent. You should have had flowers and candles, not a quick fuck in my bed.”
“Okay.” I try not to read too much into it.
“Andi.” He reaches out and cups my cheek with his callused, tanned hand. His fingers slide into my long hair. “Secondly, and most important, you’re not a one-night stand.” He pauses. “You’re special and different. I want things with you I haven’t wanted before. Things I don’t deserve.”
I lean into his hand, needing the contact. “Why am I special to you? I’m nothing. I’m not even a world champion anymore.”
He scoffs and leans toward me, bringing his face close. “Baby, you are everything. Whoever told you that you were nothing unless you were the champ doesn’t know your heart and doesn’t know you.”
“But you don’t know me yet, Callum.”
“Oh, but I intend to. Before I knew you biblically, I watched you run. You always looked like you were outrunning something. What was it, baby?”
I want to give him the pain I live with, but I can’t. I close my eyes to shut him out and slowly shake my head.
“I can’t tell you that right now. I’m still trying to figure it out myself,” I say when I open my eyes. “I have to go get my truck and then come back to get Lennox.”
“Your truck’s outside in the student parking. You left your keys on my desk.”
“Shoot.” I remember pulling them out of my purse to grab my phone, but I don’t remember anything other than rushing out of there before he saw me.
He hands me my keys, and I slip them into my bag. It’s a good thing my dorm room has a digital lock.
He leans in and kisses me softly. “Come on, show me your room.”
“Why?” My lips tip up in a soft smile.
“Just do it, baby.”