by Cara Carnes
I clung to every note, every chord and tumbled along with Caleb as he sang every word as though he was ripping it from the very depths of my soul. Each heart-mending moment resonated with me because they were the words I would’ve created. The silence of the crowd was deafening, but I didn’t care if they heard what he said.
I savored every syllable because they were mine to have, to hold. Forevermore. He sang about the despair, the longing, the raw hunger each night as memories of what we’d shared here in White Bluffs torpedoed his nights with what he’d lost. What he’d walked away from.
Each line struck a blow to my battered defenses. Caleb’s fingers glided along his guitar’s frets without hesitation. His gaze never left mine. I sensed Bets stand beside me. Firm hands grasped my arm and tugged.
Without words, without hesitation I trusted her to maneuver us down the rickety bleachers because no way in hell would I sever the eye contact—the emotional bond permanently fusing our souls together. As I trudged alongside my friend, I wept as the emotions resonating within his song enveloped me.
I wouldn’t be satisfied until I heard it a million times. I’d always wished he’d written something for me. I’d hoped to be important enough in his world to deserve something cherished, beautiful. The fact it was unlike anything they’d ever released offered me a secret realization. He’d written Me Without You alone.
As the last note echoed in my ears, Bets guided me to the edge of the stage. Suddenly Caleb was there. I wrapped myself around him and allowed my tenuous grip on my emotions to snap. As long as I was in his arms I was safe, protected from whatever hazards awaited us.
“I love you, Shasta Monohan, and I’ll spend every last second of my life proving it to you. No matter what.” He claimed my mouth in a kiss meant to brand, possess everything within me.
I chuckled against his lips and gripped him tighter as flashes exploded around us and the assembled crush of White Bluff residents went wild. Their celebratory chants and shouts deafened me. “I’ve always loved you, Caleb “Colt” Douglas.”
He sighed against my ear as he held me close. “I want to drag you away somewhere private and make love to you for an eternity. Somehow I don’t think my dad’s ranch screams romance.”
I pulled away enough to scan the crowd. There, at the very edge with a shadowed expression denoting his devastating pain, Frank stood. Bets was right. He needed a good woman. For tonight, though, his presence reminded me to hang on tight to what I have.
And plan ahead.
“Well, I happen to know where we can hide out. What do you say, rock star? You ready to corrupt a cowgirl?”
He grinned big. The gleam dancing in his gaze made arousal flood me. “I thought you’d never ask, Mrs. Douglas.”
I froze. He chuckled and swept me into his arms.
“W-what did you say?”
“You heard me.” He kissed my lips quickly. “Think on it. I intend to get a yes from you, no matter how long it takes.”
Like he didn’t know the answer already. As we made our way to the Hummer we ran into Pete. His words from earlier knocked the air from my wings a moment. I’d spent more time with him than I had my dad. His opinion meant something and the fact I knew my joy was against the grain of what he thought was best for me stung. Bad.
I was a big girl. I could deal with his disdain. I was used to people looking down on me and my decisions.
“Pete.” Caleb set me down as if sensing my need to lock away the tension between my boss and me. Damn my man was awesome. He got me.
“Caleb.” Pete nodded. “You got a minute, Shasta?”
“Sure.” I wandered away from Caleb and followed Pete as he hobbled toward the weathered red Ford he’d driven longer than wise. He paused and settled against the rusted door. I fortified my mental defenses and braced myself for the impending battle. “What’s up?”
“I was wrong about your man. He did right by you, spoke his mind even though everyone would hear.” Pete nodded his approval and my defenses shattered in relief. “He’s a good boy, Shasta. I’m happy for you both.”
I lunged the distance I’d put between us and drew him into a hug. “Thank you. Your approval means the world to me. I’ve always considered you to be my second father, you know.”
He cleared his throat and looked away. “Well, good. You’re a great girl. He’d better treat you right.”
“He will.” I grinned. “Can I take tomorrow off? I’ll get Bets to cover my shift.”
Pete chuckled. “Do me a favor and let me find your replacement. I think your girl is wound up as tight as you with those twins back. Let her have her day off.”
Damn. How bad of a BFF had I been not to notice? Tomorrow I’d set her straight, once I figured out the situation. Maybe Caleb. I smirked as I wandered over to him. My inner hussy listed the top ten ways to make him talk.
Let the games begin.
Author’s Note
Thank you for reading Twisted, Book 1 in the Delirium Series.
If you enjoyed the story, would you please find a moment to leave a review? Your feedback really is important.
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