Page 28 of Rugged Soul

I drop to my knees and pull her into my lap before sitting on the ground and cradling her. She twists in my arms, burying her face into the side of my neck, letting me hold her while she sobs.

“Did they touch you?” I finally ask, needing to know.

“N-no,” she whimpers, clinging to me even harder. “It was l-like this when I sh-sh-showed up. I messed up. I messed it all up.”

“What?”

“It was… it was… it was unlocked,” she manages to say in between heartbreaking sniffles. “I left it unlocked.”

“Baby,” I soothe, finally understanding. When we left the other day, we were in such a rush that we forgot to lock up. “I’m so sorry I didn’t think about locking up.”

“Not your fault,” she whispers, her tears still soaking my skin. “I fucked everything up. Maybe my mom was right. Maybe I’m not cut out for a job like this. I don’t know how I’m ever going to recover my career, let alone pay for damages.”

My girl is spiraling. I can sense it in her tone, her words, her very heart itself. I lean back slightly, just enough to cup her cheek and tilt her head up so our gazes meet. “Breathe for me, love,” I whisper. She does, following my lead. “Good girl. Again, a deep breath this time.”

We continue our controlled breathing until Calista isn’t on the brink of a panic attack. Those emerald eyes capture mine and I brush my thumbs across her cheeks, wiping away the last of her tears.

“Thank you,” she says softly, the vulnerability bleeding through her whispered words. “I’m so sorry I ruined everything,” Calista continues. “I’m sure I’ll be fired and then you’ll have to start all over again and–”

“I’d like a tour,” I announce, helping Calista off my lap. We both stand up and I look over at Calista, an adorably confused look on her face.

“Uh… wait, what?”

“Can I have a tour of the property, pretty please?” I ask, doing my best impression of puppy dog eyes. It must work, because she nods and starts walking toward the front of the building. I reach out and grab her hand, lacing our fingers together.

“So, this freshly ruined kitchen used to hold some solid appliances that wouldn’t need replacing for another ten to twelve years. I can’t vouch for that so much anymore under these new circumstances.”

She’s trying to be funny and sarcastic, which I know is a coping mechanism of hers. While I always appreciate her unique humor, I don’t want her to just dismiss this. I’m serious about the tour and I want her to be as well.

“Look at me, Calista,” I say, tugging on our joined hands to bring her closer. “Tell me what drew you to this place. Why were you so excited to show it to me?”

“It doesn’t matter now,” she protests. “Everything is ruined.”

“It matters. You matter. Talk to me, baby girl.”

She sighs heavily, then nods and straightens her back. “Well, the pub and kitchen were huge selling points,” she starts. Calista begins walking again, this time, taking me with her. “The space was already furnished and everything, so you and the guys could start hanging out and making memories right away without waiting for construction to be complete.”

“That was very thoughtful of you,” I comment. She ignores it, but I see her blush slightly.

“The walls over on this side actually open up,” she says, letting go of my hand to undo a hidden latch. Sure enough, with a little effort, the walls can be pushed back to create more space. “I envisioned you guys having wide open spaces so you can build community instead of having a bunch of little rooms for people to hide in. I remember you saying you’re rebuilding, not only the clubhouse but the club itself.”

I hold my hand out for her to take. She does, and I once again draw her close to me. “You’re incredible,” I tell her truthfully. “I love it. Show me more,” I encourage.

We walk throughout the property and Calista relaxes a bit more when she sees the vandalism didn’t go as far as the fully furnished apartments out back. The plot of land is huge and everything she pointed out along the way fits exactly with what I’ve been looking for.

“I’ll take it,” I say as we wrap up the tour and end back at the front of the building.

Calista laughs. “Sure. I’ll go get the paperwork,” she says sarcastically.

“I’m serious. This is the one.”

She stares at me, blinking a few times and then tilting her head to the side. “You don’t have to do this. If you’re trying to save me from getting in trouble or something, please don’t. I want you to have the perfect clubhouse.”

“I will. As soon as I get those papers signed,” I say with all the confidence in the world.

“But… why? It’s ruined. There’s so much work that needs to be done to make it inhabitable. We don’t even know how damaged the kitchen is yet without a professional coming in.”

“I think you mean there’s so much customization that needs to be done,” I correct, grinning down at my girl. She stares at me once again, not sure what to make of my declaration. “I’m serious,” I tell her again. “Not only is this the best location and the best property with all the amenities I asked for, but I know just the people who have the skill and motivation to clean it up and make it their own.”

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