Chapter 7 #2
“Everybody drove me around, and I could walk everywhere in town. It wasn’t until I realized that I was going to need to drive in Denver that I got my driver’s license. A lot of kids these days wait till they’re eighteen.”
“I’ve noticed that. It never made any sense to me. I wanted to be behind the wheel as soon as I possibly could.”
“But I was spoiled.”
“You are a spoiled brat.”
“Rude. I’m allowed to call myself spoiled. You can’t call me spoiled or a brat.”
“You’re a brat, and we both know it,” he reiterated as he parked in the driveway of the small two-bedroom house that looked fricking adorable. It had blue shutters, blue trim, and a well-kept lawn and garden.
“You do all this? The maintenance?”
“I don’t mind. The family needs help, and they pay me in baked goods. You know, that way I don’t always have to go to the bakery.”
“You could bake yourself, or really, it doesn’t look like you eat any baked goods.” I let my gaze slide over him, and he just met my own, a small smile playing on his face.
“I do work out so I can have cookies. That’s how the world works. But come on, let’s go see the place.”
I hopped out of the truck, doing so quickly so he wouldn’t have to come and help me.
I didn’t know if I could handle his hands on me again.
Because if he did touch me, I’d want to climb him like a tree, and there was something wrong with that.
I swallowed hard and followed him into the small home.
It was older, so not open-concept. The kitchen was disconnected from the living room, and I loved it.
My parents had a huge open-concept area, though the dining room was separate, and I appreciated it.
There were so many of us that it made sense to have it all connected so everybody in the kitchen, the living room, and the kitchenette could speak.
But here, when it was just going to be me and maybe a couple of friends every once in a while, having the separated spaces worked.
Especially since I only had a couple of pieces of furniture.
“This place is adorable. I love it.” I finally opened the packet that had been sitting between us on the truck console, and my eyes widened.
“The rent can’t be this cheap. What the hell?”
“I told you, they’re friends. They’re not going to overcharge you because of the area, and it’s normal pricing.”
“I can’t take this. I’d be taking advantage of them.”
“You aren’t. This place is empty most of the time. They own the house outright, so they only have utility bills and taxes, and this will cover that. Just take the place, Felicity.”
“Callum—”
Before I could say anything, though, the door opened, and two familiar voices hit me.
“Atlas!” I called out as I tossed the folder at Callum and ran towards my brother. Atlas opened his arms, and I threw myself in them, and he twirled me around the living room.
“Pipsqueak. You’re here. Look at you, looking at a house like an adult. What the hell, Callum? Why are you encouraging this? She needs to be locked away at my parents’ house.”
I kissed his chin and then punched him in the gut. Of course, my hand felt as if I had just run it into cement and I growled at him.
“Be nice. Callum’s doing a good thing. And I think I’m the one taking advantage of him.”
“Oh, really?” Atlas asked, lifting a scarred brow. He had gotten a skate to the face during one game at the beginning of his career, and now his right eyebrow had a scar that apparently drew women in droves. There was even an Instagram account just for his eyebrows.
I would never understand puck bunnies or fans. However, my brother was here, making fun of me. And that was all that mattered.
“Your sister is going to be safe here. Don’t worry. And come on, you didn’t want to live with your parents when you were in your twenties.”
I turned to Callum and beamed. “See. You understand.”
“I mean, if I could lock away my sisters so that way they’re safe from men and evil things, I would. But sadly, Teagan can kick my ass, and Briar’s already married.”
“Okay, I take back my thanks. Jerk.”
“What about the utilities?” Rune asked as he began to pace the building. “Has anyone looked at the plumbing? What does the backyard look like? What about maintenance? And there are a few other things that I have questions about.”
I snorted. “I have the same questions, but don’t worry. I can handle it.” I rolled my shoulders back and looked around, wondering why it felt so much smaller in here now that there were three very large men with broad shoulders storming around the place.
“I have everything in this packet, but don’t worry, I wouldn’t steer her wrong,” Callum began…
“Because you always take care of my baby sister. That’s what I like.” Rune squeezed Callum’s shoulder, and I rolled my eyes even as Atlas gave me a look.
I narrowed my gaze at him, daring him to mention my crush on Callum. Rune might be completely oblivious, but Atlas could always tell. Damn that brother.
“Maybe I should stay here whenever I’m not on the road or at my house in Portland. You have a guest bedroom, right?”
“I won’t have a bed in it. It’ll be my office. Because I’m going to have an office.” I threw my hands up in the air. “I love it. Thank you, Callum.”
He just shrugged. “Like I’d let you have a shitty apartment.”
“Aw, you like me.”
He just let out a grunt and took Rune through the rest of the house.
Atlas stayed back, though, as we looked around the kitchen, and I tried to take note and feel that this home would be mine.
“It’s a good place. Better than your place with the four LS.”
I nudged Atlas with my shoulder. “It is. I mean, I liked living with them at first, but then they got to be too much, and I didn’t realize it until, well, you know.”
He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and squeezed. “Yeah. Pretty much. But this place will be good for you. And Callum will be right across the street.”
“Another big brother watching over me,” I said carefully.
“Yes. That,” he said just as carefully.
I never could read Atlas, so I had no idea what he meant.
“Anyway, I’m only in town for a couple of days, and I have to deal with a work function tonight, even if it’s online, but dinner tomorrow?”
“Deal,” I said softly. “Though I do wonder how you were able to take this time off.”
“Things happen. Don’t worry.”
“Atlas.”
“Things happen. Don’t worry,” he repeated.
“Okay. But I’m always going to worry.”
He grinned then. “As will we. Okay, I’m going to take Rune out of here and bug the shit out of him. You let us know if you need any help?”
“Always.” I hugged my brother, and he hugged me right back, one of those deep hugs that reminded me that he would always be there to protect me.
Damn that brother of mine.
By the time Atlas had dragged Rune out, I found myself standing hopefully in my new living room alone with Callum, wondering if this was real.
“So what do you think?” he asked softly.
My teeth dug into my bottom lip, and I nodded slowly.
“I love it. It doesn’t seem real. But, if you’re serious, and if they will actually go for this rent, I’m in.”
“Good. You deserve the best, Felicity.”
I smiled then, and without thinking, I went to my tiptoes and pressed my lips to his in thanks. I should have stopped, shouldn’t have even been there, but by the time his firm lips were against mine, there was no going back.
I must have let out a little sound because then Callum’s arms were around me, one hand digging into my hip, the other around the back of my neck, holding me in place, as his tongue slid against the seam of my lips, and I was lost. He growled into me, taking me, and I let him.
Before I could put my hands on him, to deepen the kiss, to do anything, he pulled back, his chest heaving.
“Okay then.”
“Callum,” I said, not knowing what I should say.
“Let’s get you back to your car. We’ll sign the paperwork.” He let out a breath, not looking at me. “Okay then.”
And then he left me standing there, waiting for me in the truck, and I knew the most awkward ride of my life was about to come.
But I put my hand to my lips and let out of breath.
He kissed me.
He kissed me back.
And he hadn’t said sorry.