by Baker, Tory
“I love you both so much. Thank you for everything you’ve done to help me out. I have money saved, I swear, but I want to spend more time with my daughter besides the weekends. I’m not saying this to take her away from you because she’d fight me on that alone, but I would love to be able to spend a couple of days and spoil the shit out of her. You know, like you guys do,” I say with a laugh.
“You rascal, we don’t spoil her with anything but love,” my mom says with her own chuckle, knowing she’s full of crap.
“We love you and that little girl. We’d do anything for you. Now, go on home. I’m going to take your momma out for dinner.” He winks, but I know it’s a bittersweet moment for them, too.
“No problem, I know what that’s code for. Clairabella, we need to go, honey. Your aunties will be at our place soon, and we have lots of food to devour,” I call out. I hear feet stomping down the hallway, her backpack making a swooshing noise.
“I’m ready for all the food! Bye, Gran! Bye, Pop! Love you and see you soon!” She hugs them both, and then we head for home. My girl has a smile plastered on her face the entire way.
4
Jamie
I heard Callie leave, and part of me wanted to talk to her the minute she marched her cute ass out of my office. Damn if my mother didn’t put that thought in my mind. Her curves were on display today when she leaned over my desk, showing me a hint of cleavage in her white flowery blouse, and she enunciated every issue she needed to address with me. I can’t even deny that it got me hot under the collar. I pinch the bridge of my nose and do something I’ve never in all my life done before. “Jesus Christ, Jamie, you should be ashamed of yourself,” I tell myself before pulling up Callie’s personnel file.
It doesn’t take me long to see all of her information open and waiting for me. She’s twenty-five, a college graduate, and has been with the company for almost six years. Never once has she been late to work, been written up, or used even a fraction of her vacation time. There isn’t much to go off besides her date of birth, address, and phone number. I make a note of everything I’ll need for later tonight.
So, what do I do? I delve even deeper and look her up on social media. A few words typed out, a click of a button, then there she is with what I’m assuming is her daughter by the way she looks. Both of them have straight red hair, and with their eyes so much alike, it's as if they're sisters instead of mother and daughter. They even have the same matching, bright red lipstick and cute duckface lips on display. Hell, the two of them together are stunning; there are no other words for their beauty. I’m not sure where her daughter’s father is, but if he left on his own, he’s a damn fool, much like the way I’ve been acting. Callie’s little girl is hanging on to her, and I can see the love they have for one another. It’s an unbreakable bond, one I know as well from how my single mother raised me. The two of them are matching from head to toe.
“No wonder she was done working for my tyrant ass. I don’t know what I could do to get her back here and working for me. I wouldn’t even blame her if I got on my knees and begged, and she still told me no,” I mumble out to my empty office. After seeing everything I need to see, I close my computer down, straighten up my office, unroll my dark grey long-sleeved dress shirt and close the buttons at the cuff, then pull my suit jacket on to somehow make myself more presentable, and walk out my office door. Thank goodness this building isn’t like a lot of other places where you have to lock every single door. I didn’t want that at my firm, which is why I implemented as much as we could to put files on online servers. It hasn’t failed us yet.
When I stop at Callie’s desk, it has me stuttering in my steps. Everything is gone, and it pisses me off that I didn’t see just what a diamond she was and how much I took advantage of her. Rapping my knuckles on her desk a couple of times, I come up with a plan, memorizing her address like the stalker I’ve all of a sudden become. It’s time to put my plan into action.
I could wait and stop by her house tomorrow, but what if she already has a job? Or maybe Callie and her daughter have made plans to spend time together tomorrow? I can envision her as a mother so clearly now, where before, I just thought of her as my assistant.
The whispering that seems to be going on as I walk down the hallway, and even when I get on the elevator, is ominous. Fuck. Maybe I need to re-evaluate a lot in my life.
In a matter of minutes, I’m in the parking garage. It was so awkward in my own building; I’m wondering if I’ll come out to my brand-new white Audi i8 being keyed or smashed like a damn country music song. I’m not one to spend money on material things, but I’ve had this car in my sights for well over a year. When I learned I was able to order a custom Audi, I knew it was meant to be. When I come into view of my car, I let out a relieved breath of air. If this has taught me anything, it’s to be freaking humble. And, I guess, now it’s time for me to eat some humble pie in the form of apologizing to Callie Taylor. Something tells me she’s going to make me work for her forgiveness.
With that thought in mind, I punch her address in the car’s GPS and head to her house. When I see it’s a good twenty minutes away, it makes me feel even worse. My place is literally within five minutes of driving distance, but I also live in a building close to work, only choosing to drive if I have to leave and go to meetings throughout the day. If not, I’ll walk when I can.
Turning into her neighborhood, I see all the houses look similar. I put it all together, realizing it’s a former military home community. The houses are a lot alike in their brick exterior, and every eight or so houses, you can see a different pattern. However, you can see that each family has put their own stamp on their home. Streetlights are starting to light up with dusk settling in the air. Kids are playing hopscotch on the sidewalks, some jumping rope with friends, while others are sitting on the grass talking. I must say Callie picked a pretty amazing neighborhood to raise her daughter.
When the GPS announces that I’ve arrived at my destination, I park on the street behind a couple of other cars. I’m not ready to get out yet, so instead, I sit inside the car and take in Callie’s house. It’s painted white, and the shutters are different from what you’d usually see; instead of them being at the side, the kind that flip up like you’d see the old aluminum or canvas style, these are wood-like and definitely more modern. The black shutters fit perfectly, being the same shade as her metal roof.
She has roses growing along one side of the concrete wall, tall and red, along with well-kept flower beds. Callie must really be busy when I actually gave her the time off she so clearly needed and deserved.
Finally pulling myself out of my thoughts, I get out of my car and make my way to her front porch steps. I’m just about to knock when I hear the laughter that’s coming through the front door with a giggle mixed in. I’m almost tempted to turn around and leave, to let Callie go, but she at least warrants an apology from me, if nothing else.
“Hello.” A little girl opens the door once I finally knock, and she takes my breath away. She’s even prettier than the picture I saw.
“Uh, hello. Is your mom around?” I ask.
“Yes, hold on a second.” She leaves the door cracked open and yells, “Mom! There’s some guy in a suit at the door.”
“Clairabella Ann, what have I told you about opening the door without me?” I hear Callie tell her.
“Sorry, Momma. I won’t do it again.” Something tells me she will, though.
“It’s okay. I only want you to be safe. I can’t have my Claira getting hurt.” Callie makes a kissing noise, and they both laugh. It gives me hope that maybe this won’t go as badly as I think it will.
I listen to the footsteps until Callie opens the door more. Her eyes are as big as saucers when she sees me standing at her door. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“I came to apologize.” I run my fingers through my hair, more nervous than I’ve ever felt before. Not having anything else to do with my hands, I place them in my pockets.
“I think we’ve said all we needed to say to each other. I can’t believe you’re even here. Who does this?”
“A person who knows he fucked up. Sorry, screwed up.” I take a look around her, making sure her daughter isn’t behind her.
“Oh, you owe the swear jar a whole dollar. Tell him, Momma,” Claira says.
“Not right now, honey. Go back in the kitchen with your aunties, please,” Callie says calmly.
“Fine, but he still owes. A swear word is a swear word, and he should pay up.” She stomps off with her hands crossed over her chest.
“You need to go. Everything is said and done. There’s nothing more to say to one another.” She turns, leaving me speechless once again, before closing the door with a soft click.
5
Callie
“Well, you’ve got to hand it to him. At least he’s apologizing. Do you know how hard that has to be for that type of man?” Lyla says as I walk into the kitchen. I stare at her because I know she’s right, yet I still don’t care.
“He’s still a D-I-C-K,” Presley spells out from impeding little ears.
“What’s done is done. I’m not dealing with it right now. Tonight, we’re going to continue to gab, eat, and drink. Well, until your menfolk come and get you. I need details. How are my nephew and niece?” I ask Lyla and Presley.
“Your niece does nothing besides eat, sleep, and have Colt wrapped around her finger. The minute Brently makes a peep of noise, he’s up and swooping her into his arms. It’s the hottest damn thing, seeing my husband hold our daughter, but boy will she be a spoiled thing,” Lyla responds.
“I know an auntie that was like that not too long ago, too. Shockingly, I think I said the exact same thing as well. Who knew I would be right?” I stand and grab Clairabella’s crown from my head before saying, “I’m the queen bee, huh?”
“Yeah, yeah. Hush you.” I see the tilt of Lyla’s lips as she smiles.
“What about Noah? Is he sleeping through the night now? I know you said he was having sleep regression?” I ask Presley.
“Yes, finally. I thought that was going to be the longest time of our life. Okay, you know how much I love Noah, but if this is anything to go by, I think Lincoln and I are both in agreement that one child might be enough for us.” Presley takes a healthy gulp from her glass of wine.
“Well, we’re all still young. I wouldn’t say no to it right away. Hell, even I would love another little one running around the house. Of course, having a man in your life might help with that little aspect. At least, conception wise.” We all laugh with that comment.
Then Lyla, being her usual self, says, “You have a hottie with a body outside your door. Sure, he’s been a giant pain in the booty, but girl, let me tell you from his voice alone, I wouldn’t be saying goodbye to him just yet.”
“Do you not realize why I finally quit? He was ruining my life. I do not like him. No way, no how!”
“So, you’re telling us that if he didn’t grovel, and I do mean really grovel, and change his ways at work, you still wouldn’t like him?” Presley presses.
“No. Not only no, but H-E-L-L no.” When Claira is home, I swear if we aren’t careful, she’ll have our whole check for the swear jar alone.
“Pshhh, yeah freaking right. Listen, we are your best friends. We got a good look at him, and he is sizzling hot fine. Right up there with Lincoln. But don’t tell him that. With all that natural tan skin, the accent he has going on, and the way he fills out that three-piece suit, I’m going to call you on that lie. I love you, but you can’t lie to us,” Presley calls me out on my shit.
“Fine, he’s hot, but he’s also made all of our lives miserable for two years. His blue eyes are killer enough, and when he smiles, dear sweet baby Jesus, he could melt panties. Still, Jamie Rodriquez is not a man that will change. Therefore, he can grovel all he wants, but I still can’t and won’t go back to work for him.” I cross my arms over my chest, Presley and Lyla look at me with their eyebrows raised.
“Shit, now I look like Claira,” I grumble.
“You owe the swear jar, and so does Mr. Jamie,” Clairabella calls out from the living room.
“Geesh, her hearing is impeccable,” Lyla says as I put my dollar bill in the swear jar.
“Don’t we all know it, but can we drop the Jamie topic, at least for now?”
“Sure, but we’ll be coming back to it, especially because he’s sitting outside on your front porch right now. He’s not even staring at his phone,” Presley states.
“What? Why?”
“That’s a good question. Maybe you should go ask him yourself. I just texted Colt, so he’s on his way to pick us up. I’ll get Bella ready for bed. I love our tres Amigas time but this woman needs her man.” Lyla saunters off. I should be fighting her to get Claira ready for bed. Then again, these girls have helped her become the amazing girl she is.
“Zip it. The only thing we are going to discuss is what job I’m looking for next.” I do the close your lips and throw away the key mimic like we all did at one point in our life, and it puts us in a fit of giggles.
“I’m not going to say anything except this. Maybe he didn’t realize what a gift you are until you stood up for yourself. It’s not like you’ve confronted him before. Men like that, where they eat, live, and sleep work, they function on nothing but the next big case. I’m not saying it’s okay, but he may have needed this as a wakeup call. I’d at least give him a chance to explain his thoughts before you write him off completely.” Presley comes around the kitchen bar, enveloping me in her arms.
“I know you’re right. I’m just scared, but I will think about it. Now, let’s go get Bella Bug ready for bed before Colt gets here to whisk you all away.”
“How many stories do you think she’ll get out of us tonight?” Pres asks.
“I’d say at least three, at the very least; although she may pass out before the second is even finished. Mom and Dad had her busy planting new flowers today.”
“Then I guess we better get to it.” We walk arm and arm until we reach Clairabella’s room. Lyla has her snug as a bug in a rug, in her bed, and is already reading the first book. We make our way to join in on their fun, none of us leaving until she’s fast asleep.
“God, she’s amazing,” I mumble.
“She really is. All right, let’s get out of here before we wake up the princess,” Lyla suggests.
Once we’re back in the living room, we turn on the television to catch up on what the weather will be like tomorrow until Colt comes by to take Lyla and Presley home.
6
Jamie
I sit here on Callie’s front porch; at least the furniture is comfortable. I’m deep in thought, my forearms resting on my knees, contemplating my next move when I hear the closing of a door.
“Looks like you got left out of girls night. I’m Colt. Who are you?” He doesn’t hold any punches. Maybe this is why Callie wouldn’t let me say what I really needed to.
“Looks like it. Jamie Rodriquez.” I stand, holding my hand out. At first, I’m not sure he’ll even take it, so it shocks me when he does.
“I’m here to pick up my wife, Lyla, and her friend, Presley. Do they know you’re out here?” He nods toward the front door.
“I’m not too sure, but it’s okay. I’ll wait ‘til things settle down before I try to talk to Callie again.”
“Might be a good idea. Let the girls talk to Callie. She wasn’t in a good place. Hell, I even offered her a job after you tried to make her work during Clairabella’s recital. Not that I’m saying you’re a bad guy because I don’t know you, but I’m going to give you a piece of advice. If Callie does decide to come back to work for you, you’ll have to change her hours, pay, and understand her daughter comes first.”
“I can see that now. I’ve clearly let work rule my life for entirely too long. Hell, I didn’t have any idea she had a daughter. Between Callie and mi madre, my eyes are wide open now,” I tell him tru
thfully.
“Callie’s a forgiving person. Give her time, though. Two years is a lot of time to heal overnight. If you’ll excuse me, I need to grab my wife before she decides to drink some more and I have to carry her to the truck.” Colt walks right into the unlocked house. Something about that churns at my gut. Why the hell wouldn’t Callie lock her front door? What if I wasn’t here, or if I was a real dick and walked right in?
I never responded to Colt when he walked away, something that’s never happened before. I always have a comeback or something to say, but that’s twice today I’ve been stunned speechless. I sit back down on the chair I vacated when Colt appeared. It has me thinking I should probably leave when I hear the door open up again and my name being called.
“Hey, Jamie, don’t give up on Callie. She can be a little hardheaded, but she’s worth it,” the blonde friend of Callie’s says to me as she saunters to Colt’s truck, hopping in the backseat.
“She’s not wrong. I mean, sure, you’ve been a dick, but I see through what Callie is saying. She wouldn’t have stayed on for two years if there wasn’t some redeeming quality about you,” Colt’s wife says to me.
“Thanks, I promise I’ll try my hardest to win her back.” She winks at me and then lets Colt’s arm go, practically skipping to the passenger side of the truck.
“You may not know everything about these girls, at least not yet, but once you do, you’ll see each of them is worth more than any amount of money could make you.”
“I appreciate that.” I shake his hand again, and with a nod of his head, he’s gone.
My hands are back in my pockets as I watch Colt and Callie’s two friends leave, debating if I should leave and try again tomorrow when I hear the creak of the storm door opening.
