Chapter 45
Tate
“I feel like I’ve been awake for hours.” Bright morning sun slices through the drapes of the hotel room, painting triangles against the carpet.
Ironically, it’s just about the only space of carpet not littered with bags, clothes, or shoes.
Callie’s facing me, half her face pressed into the pillow, hair covering the rest. I’m glad she opted to stay with me instead of Tim, even though I have no problem sleeping alone.
She stirs before answering, eyes still closed. “It’s because you have been.”
“Thanks, Callie,” I say, before forcing myself up and into the little bathroom.
Everything is white tile and porcelain, except for a small hurricane glass filled with sea glass of greens, browns, and blues.
A nice touch, but not nearly enough color.
I twist the shower handle on, allowing the steam to billow through the small bathroom before I undress and get in.
Levi never called or texted me back last night.
At first, I told myself he probably fell asleep.
There’s a lot going on, and today’s a big day for him, so I wouldn’t blame him for turning his phone off and going to bed early.
..but not even a text? It’s weird. And what excuse can I make for him today? It’s after ten and still nothing.
I scrub the shampoo into my hair, starting in small circles at the roots before running it down and through the ends.
The tropical smell works to calm my nerves, but it’s only momentary.
I’m supposed to hit the red carpet today at three, and then the stage at six.
..with a guy who hasn’t called me back. While plan A might have been to not tell him, it feels more like a fool’s mission now.
I hurry to rinse, dry, and check my phone, hoping I have a missed call from Levi.
The room is still dark, and if Callie has moved, there’s nothing that indicates it.
I reach for my phone on the side table, unplugging it from the charger.
The screen’s only halfway to my face when I hear, “He hasn’t called. You need to chill.”
“I’m chill,” I insist, masking my expression.
Callie pulls herself into a seated position, stacking pillows behind her back.
I drop my phone on the bed before heading to the closet to pull out the hotel robe.
“So, what...should I not try to reach him anymore? You’re the one who said I had to tell him. ”
“I know, and you tried. You did your part.”
“That’s it?!”
She rolls her lips into one another. “Am I missing something?”
“Well, now I feel weird about it...”
“Tate, since when do you let Levi determine the mood you’re in? Or how you feel about something? This is business. It’s between you and Gabriella. Your management approved it so you’re going.”
“Wow, look who the big sis is now.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll tell you one thing—if I don’t get some coffee down me in the next thirty minutes, I’m going back to sleep.”
I roll my eyes but obey. I throw on my lilac tracksuit and start brushing through my hair until it’s untangled enough to braid.
Callie is using the wall by the door to hold herself up.
She’s always been this way, part koala. The girl loves her sleep.
When I open the door, Tim’s there. I jump back, not expecting anyone.
“Hey? You guys headed to coffee?”
My hand finds my chest. “Man, you scared me! How long have you been out here?”
Callie walks ahead, a woman on a mission. “Come on, you two! Coffee!”
“Sorry,” he says sincerely, before running a couple paces ahead to wrap an arm around my sister.
My heart beats out of my chest the entire walk to the coffee shop.
So much so, I debate not getting any caffeine for fear of a heart attack.
When we get there, Callie orders a double shot of espresso with a splash of steamed soy milk.
Tim gets a coffee—black—and when it’s my turn to order, I’m lost in a menu of things I didn’t even know existed.
Rose milk lavender coffee? Honeysuckle matcha with a raspberry cold foam?
And maybe the most concerning—black bacon latte with a pat of maple-infused butter.
“Tate?” Callie calls when I don’t add my order. Tim’s card is stuck in midair, waiting on me.
“I’ll just have...”
“Why don’t you do your dirty chai over ice?”
Callie and I both stare at Tim like he just suggested taking a couple shots of whiskey and forgetting this whole coffee nonsense.
“Timothy...” my sister starts, her voice painting concern. “Why do you know my sister’s order?”
His head drops as he scratches the back of his neck, knowing he’s admitted something he shouldn’t have, or at least not in the right way.
“I’ll be right back...” the barista says, feeling the tension of the moment.
“Levi may have mentioned that if I was ever getting coffee, a dirty chai over ice was what you liked...”
Callie’s eyes narrow into slits. “Recently?”
“A couple days ago.”
“What is this? Are you just hanging out with me so you can report back to your buddy about my sister?! Are you some kind of...of...sleeper spy?!” Her voice comes out sharp. Sharp enough to cut.
I look between them. “Callie, don’t be crazy. Tim loves you. This is the uncaffeinated Callie talking. Let’s grab our drinks and go sit...”
“Did you just say ‘hanging out’?” Tim’s voice cuts in louder and harsher than normal. “Here I was thinking we’re engaged.”
“Alright, what can I get for you?” the barista asks, having had no option but to return.
I clear my throat before saying, “I’ll try the black bacon latte.” Both sets of eyes momentarily cease shooting lasers into each other’s heads to look at me questioningly. My shoulders bounce and we move towards the pick-up counter in peace.
Tim and Callie work on making up during the entire walk back to the hotel.
I hang back a couple paces, sipping what literally tastes like liquid bacon.
I think about what Callie said back at the hotel, and I don’t want to be that girl anymore.
I don’t want to feel off or change plans just because I didn’t get a call back.
No matter what happens with Levi, I need to be me.
Fun, confident, energetic me. We stop at the hotel dining room and eat breakfast.
“Glam will be here in two hours,” Callie says between bites of yogurt.
I nod. “I can’t believe how fast this day is going.”
“Well, when you wake up at noon...” Tim says under his breath. Both Callie and I gape at him before bursting out in laughter.
“It was, like, ten thirty!” Callie insists. We all laugh, and everything feels right in the world. When I get back to the room, I decide to leave my phone, stowing it away in the drawer of the bedside table. A half hour or so later, there’s a knock on the door.