Chapter 28
Mitch
Callie’s sitting in my truck, nursing a little longer than usual. I give it another minute, watching Luke crack open another beer.
He offered me one earlier, but I passed. I don’t know…now that I’ve got a kid, drinking just feels…wrong. Also, it’s illegal. Either way, I haven’t had much of anything since Landon was born.
Cigarettes are another story.
I’m having a hell of a time quitting those. Callie gives me grace about it, says she’s just glad it’s not alcohol I’m using to cope. Not that she loves that I smoke. Ever since she was pregnant, the smell makes her sick. She says she doesn’t think she could ever smoke again—even if she wanted to.
I stand and head back toward my truck. The passenger door’s open, and Callie looks up when she sees me coming. Landon’s sitting upright in her lap, fists in his mouth, babbling to himself like he’s got something important to say.
“Hey,” I say, resting my hand on the open door. “You coming back down?”
“Yeah,” she says quickly. “Sorry. He was just being cute and…I don’t know. We were just hanging out.”
She shifts Landon up onto her shoulder and steps down out of the cab. I notice the burp rag left behind on the seat as I shut the door. My eyes stay on her a second longer than necessary, studying her face.
Something in my gut tells me she’s bothered by something.
I just don’t know what.
We walk back down together. Macy grins and makes a comment about Landon being all fat and happy now, and Callie laughs, drifting closer to her as she hands him over.
Luke turns the radio up a notch when a new song comes on, and the night settles back into itself. Easy. Warm. Familiar.
Callie looks relaxed again, watching the girls pass Landon between them like he’s the coolest one here.
Which…yeah, he kind of is.
Maddie sighs a few minutes later, Landon balanced on her hip now, his fist clenched in her tank strap. “I don’t know,” she says lightly. “I kinda want one.”
She flicks her eyes toward Luke.
He snorts. “Funny.”
“I’m serious,” she says, bouncing Landon when he lets out a noise. “Look how cute.”
“I didn’t say he wasn’t cute,” Luke fires back. “But we can barely have a functioning relationship, so yeah—yeah—let’s totally throw a baby into the mix.” He scoffs, shaking his head as he takes another drink.
“Smart man,” I cut in quickly, filling the gap before it gets worse.
Maddie rolls her eyes but doesn’t push it.
Macy watches Landon for a second longer, then shrugs. “Yeah…I don’t think kids are for me.”
Callie looks over at her, surprised. “Really?”
“Yeah,” Macy says, smiling as she takes Landon and adjusts him on her lap. “I think I like being the aunt. I get the fun parts, and then I get to hand him back when he’s fussy or pooped.”
She laughs. Everyone does.
“That’s not what is,” I say without really thinking.
Four heads turn toward me.
“What do you think it is?” Macy asks, brows knitting.
I shrug. “I think you’re afraid of turning into Mom.”
Maddie and Callie both let out a synchronized, dramatic ooooh, like I just cracked a code.
Macy freezes, the smile slipping just enough to show it hit somewhere real. “I—” She stutters, then laughs it off. “That’s…not— I don’t—”
She shakes her head, adjusting the blanket over Landon like it needs fixing.
Luke clears his throat and takes another sip of beer. The fire pops loud, sparks jumping.
Callie meets my eyes for a second, knowing, before looking back at Landon.
“Just a thought,” I add nonchalantly with a shrug.
Macy exhales, shaking her head like she’s clearing it. “Well, thanks for that free therapy session, Mitchell.”
“Anytime,” I say.
The fire crackles, and the night settles back into itself.