Thirty-Seven
thirty-seven
LEGO HOUSE - ED SHEERAN
CALLIE - JULY 13, 2013
I thought that I would have slept better last night considering Sara wasn’t here to keep me up but I had no such luck. It was like my brain wouldn’t shut off. The memories of finally meeting Owen had my mind racing. I never actually expected him to show up when I sent him the text asking him to help me move. And even though him coming to help me was unexpected, I’m incredibly glad he did.
Having the chance to finally see him meant more to me than I care to admit. Part of me is glad that he didn’t make a pass at me while he was here because he’s in a relationship with someone else. And I refuse to let myself fall back into the old patterns I’m just starting to pull away from. But my chaotic side wanted to throw all of that out the window and kiss him like I’ve been wanting too for so long now.
I just wish things weren’t so complicated.
To add insult to injury, I have to make the drive to Burlington to pick Sara up from Adam’s this morning. I am dreading seeing the man that has made my life hell for the last couple of years. Of course, I’m looking forward to seeing Sara but interacting with Adam is the last thing I want to do today.
When I pull up to the house we were supposed to share, I take a deep breath before walking up to the door. Adam opens it before I can even knock with Sara toddling around his legs. My heart swells at the sight of her, and she runs to me, wrapping her tiny arms around my legs.
“Hi, sweetie,” I say, bending down to scoop her up. “Did you have fun with Daddy?”
She gives me a nod and Adam informs me that she didn’t sleep very well last night. That makes two of us. Just as I am about to leave, Adam looks a bit awkward, scratching the back of his neck. “Callie, uh, Katie stayed over last night. I thought you should know.”
My initial reaction is a flash of anger and hurt. He has his new girlfriend spending the night while my daughter is here? I want to lash out, but I bite my tongue and refuse to give him the satisfaction of knowing it bothers me.
“Okay,” I say finally, my voice steady. “Thanks for letting me know.” I force a smile, not wanting to upset Sara.
My phone buzzes in my pocket as I buckle Sara into her carseat. I see there’s a text from Owen, and I can’t help but smile. I’m fairly certain my head is still spinning from my first time meeting him yesterday.
Owen:
Hey, how’s it going?
I sigh, fingers tapping out a reply as I finish buckling Sara in.
Me:
It’s been a rough morning. I just picked Sara up from Adam’s. I’m already exhausted and tempted to lay down and take a nap with her when I get home, but I still need to buy her crib today.
I slide into the driver’s seat and start the car, my phone buzzing again before I pull away from the curb.
Owen:
Sounds like you need some rest. Don’t push yourself too hard. Yesterday was a long day. The crib can wait. Just take it easy.
Me:
You’re probably right.
Owen:
Usually am.
Text me when you get home, okay? Be careful.
Me:
Always.
A small smile tugs at my lips as I put the car in drive and head home. It’s comforting to know someone cares.
Once home, I send Owen a quick text to let him know I made it back safely. His words from earlier echo in my mind and I decide he’s right. I’ll get the crib tomorrow. Today is for rest. And laundry. I need to get some laundry done. Sara can just sleep in my bed tonight.
When I lay Sara down in the Pack N Play for her afternoon nap a couple hours later, her little face looks so peaceful. Once she drifts off to sleep, I take a moment to look for my phone because I lost track of it sometime after I got back to the house. I find it on top of a laundry basket full of clothes I was supposed to fold just before Sara started getting cranky and see a couple texts from Owen waiting for me.
Owen:
Glad you made it home okay.
I hope your afternoon with Sara turns out to be better than your morning was.
Me:
Sorry, lost track of my phone. Just laid Sara down for her afternoon nap.
I decide to start folding the laundry I started earlier while I wait to hear back from him. A short time later, I hear the crunch of gravel outside. Curious, I look out the large picture window in the living room that overlooks the driveway and my heart skips a beat as I watch the now familiar green truck pull up to the front of the house.
Owen gets out of his truck, a grin on his face as he reaches for his phone, reading the text message I sent him a few minutes ago while he must have been driving.
“Good thing you told me that you laid Sara down for a nap or I would have been that asshole that rang the doorbell and accidentally woke up your kiddo,” he says with a wink.
I can’t help but laugh in disbelief, feeling warmth spread through me. Before I can get my wits about me enough to ask him what he’s doing here, he walks to the bed of his truck, pulls down the tailgate and lifts out a large box.
“Owen, you didn’t…” I start, feeling overwhelmed.
He brings the box to the porch, setting it down gently. “I figured you could use a hand since you were too tired to go anywhere else today.”
Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I stare at the box. “Owen…”
“Is it too different from what you planned on getting? I just got white because I noticed the dresser you have for her was white so I just got something that matched,” he says, almost frantically.
I wipe away the tears that are now falling from my eyes. This man… I don’t even know what to say. I slowly shake my head as the tears continue to fall trying to let me know that it’s not that I don’t love the gift. “This is too much, Owen. I…. we…. Why would you do this?”
He looks at me, his expression softening as he leans the box against one of the porch columns and steps closer to me. “Callie… I did this because you’re my friend and you needed some help.”
Ouch . I’m immediately reminded that I’m in the friend zone with this man. This incredible man that just bought me a crib for my daughter because I was too tired to go get one. This man that just drove here yesterday and helped me move out of my shitty apartment. This man who… isn’t mine.
“Owen,” I say softly, “please know that I’m not at all trying to sound ungrateful but I cannot accept this. It’s too much.” And I’m pretty sure your girlfriend will be pretty pissed about it.
“Callie, please accept this. I want to make sure you’re taken care of.”
And before I can stop myself, I blurt out “I’m not going to be anyone’s side chick, Owen. This gift is not a gift that you give a friend. And those things are not the things that you say to just a friend. You have a fucking girlfriend!”
His eyes go wide and I clap my hand to my mouth to shut myself up and take a deep breath.
“What I mean,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady, “is that you shouldn’t do these grand gestures for people when you have a girlfriend.”
“Not anymore,” he says simply, his eyes never leaving mine.
My breath catches in my throat, and I feel a rush of emotions. Holy. Fucking. Shit. “What did you say?” I ask, dumbfounded.
“I said,” – he steps closer to me and takes my hands in his – “not anymore.”
“You better not be fucking with me,” I say, my voice trembling with a mix of hope and fear. He’s so close now that I can feel his breath when he lets out a low chuckle.
Owen’s dark eyes sparkle with a hint of mischief as he reaches up and turns his hat around backwards. Why is that simple move so fucking hot?
“Callie,” he says, gently lifting my chin so I’m forced to look at him, “I assure you, this is not what I have in mind when it comes to fucking,” he pauses, letting the word hang in the air before adding with a teasing smile, “ with you.”
I don’t miss the innuendo in his tone or the fact that the grip he still has on my right hand has become more firm and… possessive as his left hand lets go of my chin.
I look up at him, really taking in his features. His deep brown eyes hold mine with an intensity that makes my knees feel weak. He’s wearing a fitted gray t-shirt that shows off his broad shoulders and strong arms, and his jeans hang just right on his hips. He looks rugged and handsome, every bit the man who has invaded so many of my thoughts since we started talking two months ago.
“I mean it, Owen,” I say, stomping my foot in frustration like a protesting teenage girl.
“Oh, I have no doubt,” he assures me. And he fucking winks at me, that damn playful glint in his eyes making my heart race even more.
God, he’s so close now the pull my heart feels toward him almost hurts. I can’t help but smile through the tears.
I take a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest. “So, what now?”
“Well, first, I’m going to need you to put the claws away,” he says, giving my hand three soft squeezes before letting go, and I feel the loss of his touch in my whole body. “And then, I’m going to need you to invite me inside so I can get this crib put together for you unless you want me to build it on the front porch.”
Owen smiles, a look of pure sincerity in his eyes. His smile transforms his face, making him look more handsome, if that’s possible. I can see the genuine care and affection in his eyes, and it sets my heart ablaze.
“Okay,” I whisper, my voice barely audible as I step aside and gesture toward the door. “Come on in.”
As he picks up the box and walks inside, I follow as the butterflies in my stomach rage around like they are trying to find a way out.