Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 92629 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92629 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
He locked his bedroom door and sat gingerly on the edge of his bed. His ribs still smarted like nobody’s business, but the family doctor had assured him that nothing was broken or seriously injured. He’d be back in fighting shape in no time.
Teague sighed and stripped, moving carefully. A quick glance at the clock told him it was late—later than he’d wanted to be out and about. His promise to Callie lingered in the back of his mind. It was the only reason he allowed his sisters to run rampant over him. At least that way he had something to tell her when he called her at night to reassure her that he was taking care of himself.
His shower was quick and miserable, the hot water doing nothing to pound the tension from his muscles. He needed a week on a beach somewhere and daily massages to work the stress out, but it was more likely that a unicorn would burst through his door.
The fight was here. Callie was here. His family was here.
Which meant he was where he needed to be.
He shut off the water and grabbed a towel. Lying down on his bed was a slice of sheer heaven, but he didn’t close his eyes. There was one last thing to do before he could give over to sleep. He smiled and reached for his phone.
A few seconds later, Callie answered, “Late night.”
“Yeah.” He adjusted his pillows. “My mother cornered me to ask about tux choices. She sat me down for an hour to go over pictures. An hour.” And when he’d told her to just pick whatever she thought was best, she’d ripped him a new one without ever once raising her voice or letting the smile slip off her face.
Callie made a sympathetic noise. “She called me three times today. I’m not particularly proud to admit I dodged every single one of them.”
“I don’t blame you.” He laughed. “I’d be doing the same thing, but the woman knows where I sleep.”
“So what did you decide on?”
“Hell if I know. I chose three options before she was finally satisfied.”
“Poor baby.” She moved, the sound of fabric sliding coming through the phone. He closed his eyes, picturing her lying out on her bed the same way he currently was on his, wearing a pair of sweats and a tank top. He liked that she went for comfort instead of sexiness for sleeping. It was such a contrast from how she carried herself during the daytime—perfectly put together in every way.
“I wish you were here.” He wasn’t sure where the words came from, but they were the stark truth.
“I wish I was there, too. I don’t trust that you’re taking care of yourself.” She paused. “And I miss you. I know it’s only been a few days, but—”
He cut in before she could tag some qualifier on there to take away from the statement. “I miss you, too. Do you want to go get lunch tomorrow?” Or breakfast. Or dinner. Or, hell, he’d settle for coffee. Anything that got them into the same room and settled the uncomfortable feeling he hadn’t been able to shake after the way they left things the other day. They might have talked every night they’d been apart, but it wasn’t close to the same thing.
“I wish I could.” The regret in her voice was real. “Papa and I have a meeting that I can’t reschedule.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to ask what the meeting concerned. He knew for a fact his father was coordinating things on his own without talking to Colm about them, so it only stood to reason that Colm was doing the same thing. But bringing business up meant taking away from the comfort and intimacy that came from just having a conversation with Callie. Business could wait, at least until tomorrow.
Instead, he said, “Soon, Callie. I want to see you soon.”
She shifted again, maybe rolling over on her bed. “Let me see how the meeting goes, and then I’ll have a better idea of when I’m free. I want to see you, too.”
“Deal.” It wasn’t an exact date, but the intent was clear. She wanted to see him as much as he wanted to see her. He yawned, a wave of exhaustion rolling over him.
“Go to sleep, Teague. You need it.”
“You too.” She wasn’t getting enough. He didn’t have to sleep next to her every night to know that. Every time he talked to her, she sounded more run-down and tired. Last night she hadn’t been able to remember the last time she ate when he asked. It was added motivation to get some alone time with her—at least then he could make sure she got a full meal and maybe a nap. “Good night, angel.”