Chapter 12
Oliver
The nice thing about tonight is that my best friends will be here, too. And while they should—and will—be here to support Cici the Reindeer, they’ll also be getting a front row seat to what Callie and I look like together in action.
“It looks like there are some seats over near the middle.” Jo points to where four cafeteria chairs practically have a light shining down upon them.
With the number of parents and family members here, it’s honestly a miracle that she spotted that many together at all.
But the churn of friends and family leaving after each class helps with the seating issue.
John nods, hands glued to his daughter’s shoulders. His daughter that truly does look like a little reindeer with her brown fleece suit, antlers headpiece and face paint. “Good catch. You three go save them while I get Cici to her class.”
Cici wiggles in place, dancing to the holiday music playing over the speakers before the first class takes the stage.
“I think I better go with you,” I offer, clearing my throat. “Since her teacher is my girlfriend, and all.”
Beside me, Rindy grins. “Right. Good thinking, lover boy.” She holds out her hand, and I grace her with the task of watching my coat. “There’s nothing like your face on hers to make a class recital go smoother.”
Rolling my eyes, I turn and run to catch up with John and Cici. It’s a quick walk from the cafeteria to Callie’s classroom and Cici does a pretty good job of giving us show spoilers the whole way.
But my favorite kindergartner’s enthusiasm is warranted when her gorgeous teacher squeals as soon as Cici walks through the door.
“Cici McNalley, you look absolutely adorable!” Callie kneels so that she’s eye-level with Cici, my girlfriend’s fitted cocoa blouse and dark jeans accentuating every curve.
Her long hair is pulled back into a ponytail, the loose strands telling how much she’s been running around keeping order.
“How does your costume fit? Are the antlers poking at all?”
Cici shakes her head, causing said antlers to look a little haywire.
With an expert hand, Callie fixes the headpiece in record time and sends Cici over to her desk. “Hey guys,” Callie breathes, looking between John and I. Finally landing on me, she blinks. “You came.”
The smile already on my face threatens to test the human laws of physics. “Of course I’m here. I wouldn’t miss it.”
“I’m, um, I guess I’m just not used to that,” she laughs. Nerves make her voice higher than normal, but whether it’s the stress of managing her class or my presence, I’m not sure.
I know which one I hope it is.
“I mean, Connie’s usually here somewhere,” she continues, “but she doesn’t come back here or anything.
John—” she says, remembering we’re not alone “—are you ready for Cici’s performance?
Got your camera prepped and ready to capture the cutest reindeer?
” The questions are rehearsed, as if she’s asked them a hundred times.
Grinning, John holds up the silver camera he’s had for years. “You bet, Ms. Rutherford. Ci gave us the rundown of when her parts are, so I feel well-prepared.”
Callie smiles, shaking her head. “That girl cracks me up.”
“You and me both,” he nods. I send him my best get lost look, which he astutely picks up on before I have to escort him to the door. He claps my shoulder. “Ollie, you good to get back to the cafeteria by yourself? Or do you need a chaperone?”
Flicking away his hand, I have a hard time looking away from the stunning woman tenderly helping a little boy fix a button on his shirt. “I’m good, man. Now get out of here.”
“See you out there.” John laughs all the way to the hall.
With the boy’s costume back in order, Callie turns to me. A shy smile graces her lovely face. “Hi,” she breathes.
I don’t bother hiding my own grin. “Hi, Ms. Rutherford.”
“Is it weird I still can’t believe you’re actually here?”
My lips tip down. “We’re a team, Callie. If you’re up to bat, I’m in the dugout rooting for you.”
That soft smile grows into a full-blown grin. “I feel like we should come up with a secret handshake or something.”
Laughter bursts through my lips. “If that’d make you feel better, I’ll get to work on one. Though—” I peek around her to the kids chattering excitedly among themselves “—you may have better resources for that than I would.”
“Maybe,” she nods. “Are Rindy and Joanna here, too?”
Nodding, I glance at Cici, who’s busy smoothing another girl’s hair. “They wouldn’t miss it. So,” I say, looking back at the amazing woman before me, “where do you wait while they’re on stage?”
“Off in the wings. You know, just in case one of them decides to start eating their weight in boogers on stage, or something.”
Quirking a brow, I give her my most serious look. “Does that happen often?”
Pressing pink lips together, Callie’s face darkens. “More than you’d like to know.” She gives me a look of pure terror before it morphs into giggles.
Laughing along with her, I can’t help but feel so comfortable. This—being in Callie’s class with her, or just laughing together—feels so natural.
Despite our strange predicament, everything has.
While Callie gives directions and her class prepares to walk toward the holding area, a little boy holds up a hand. “Yes, Alex? Do you need to use the bathroom before we go?”
Alex shakes his head, smartly holding onto his antlers during the moment of chaos.
Callie smiles. “Okay, then what is it?”
“Who’s that?” The boy points around her. Right to me.
My girlfriend blushes, twisting around to look my way before turning back to her kids. “That’s Dr. Rhodes. He’s a friend of mine.”
“He told Daddy you’re his girlfriend,” Cici shouts, leading the entire class in giggles.
Callie laughs, peeking at me over her shoulder. “Well, I guess that gives us all something to think about. But for now—” she claps “—we’ve got some reindeer who need to show their parents how awesome they are.”
The kids get lined up in some predetermined order while I watch Callie with nothing short of admiration.
I do well to manage the kids in my sessions, but watching her work is something else entirely.
It’s practically an artform. This woman balances tenderness and holding firm, always taking the time to show each student that they have her entire attention when speaking with them.
She’ll be a great mother one day.
A weight gathers deep in my chest at the reminder that we have a timer—an expiration date on our ‘relationship’. I won’t get to watch her love her own family when that day comes.
And I hate that.
When all the little reindeer are lined up and ready to go, Callie shoots a smile my way, warming my entire being. “Help me wrangle this herd of deer toward the music room?” Tilting her head, those chocolate eyes pin me in place.
Unable to find my voice, I smile and nod while the little girls at the back of the line snicker mercilessly.
Somewhere between the classroom and the main hallway, Cici sneaks to the back of the line, taking my hand.
And since her teacher has taken up my entire attention since the day she walked into my practice, I need all the help I can get navigating this strange place.
Ushering the kids into the music room, Callie worries her bottom lip, giving me an apologetic look. “I need to stay here with them. Are you good to go find a seat?” Her beautiful eyes widen. “I didn’t mean you have to stay. Please don’t feel obligated to.”
Chuckling, I take her hand. “Of course I’m staying,” I whisper. “I’ll see you after?”
A breathtaking grin takes over her face, lighting up every feature. “After.”
“After,” I repeat, kissing her knuckles. Letting Callie get back to work, I take off toward the cafeteria, hoping that Rindy hasn’t given up my seat.
But who knew finding a seat would be the least of my worries, because walking into the crowded room, I run into none other than my sister.
“Blythe?” Blinking, I squint at the woman in front of me to make sure I haven’t lost my mind.
But no, my comically short sister really is standing here.
In Cici’s school. After hours. With a recital going on. “What’re you doing here?”
Blythe’s nose wrinkles, squinting right back. “Supporting Callie and her class. Duh. Mom and Dad are here too. Just over there.” She points somewhere off in the distance.
Alarms go off in my head. “But … why?”
She shrugs. “Callie’s my friend. She’s your girlfriend.
She, Ian and Aaron are always talking about how her family isn’t very supportive.
Plus, Cici’s in her class this year. When Ian mentioned the recital the other night, I told Mom and Dad about it and we all thought we’d come down to be here for her.
” Blythe looks up at me like it’s the most obvious thing in the world, and I’m an idiot for not anticipating this.
I completely should have.
I should’ve known Mom and Dad would want to get to know any girl I brought home. I should’ve known Blythe would know all about this since she regularly hangs out with Callie and her best friends.
I should have known.
But Callie doesn’t know they’re here.
“Hey Oliver.” Ian walks up behind Blythe. “Callie told me she went to see you yesterday.” He sends me a look letting me know Callie clearly told him of the new arrangement.
I nod. “Right, good. That’s good.” My eyes bounce between Ian and a very confused Blythe.
“Look, you should probably know something,” Ian leans forward, “the Rutherfords are here.”
Brow furrowing, I try to connect all the dots. “Yeah, I guess Connie usually comes.”
Ian shakes his head. “No, man. All the Rutherfords, from Ira to Marigold.”