Page 15 of Fate Forever and Always

“I think you should go, son.” Both of Aubrey's dads stood, but only August spoke. “Maybe you should contact her later when she’s alone.” He tried to grab Jake’s arm to lead him out, but Jake pulled away.

“She won’t talk to me on the phone. I had no other option.”

“Wonder why,” Nick mumbled as he rolled his eyes.

It looked like Jake was about to lay into Nick, so I stood up to get his attention to avoid a blow-up. I motioned toward the door and signaled for Jake to follow me. I knew if I didn’t listen tohim and get him out of there, he wouldn't leave. I gave him five minutes. I looked back at Nick; he was burning a hole through me with his fierce glare. I gave him a reassuring look, but his face remained unchanged.

I led Jake out to the front of the restaurant. I sat on one of the copper benches that I loved so much. This restaurant has been my favorite since I was a little girl. It was built to look like it belonged in Little Italy. The rustic feel is why I loved it so much.

My dad used to take me here for day dates when he returned from long work trips. It’s one of my only memories of him before he disappeared from my life. We haven’t seen or heard from him since I was young. I am pretty sure my mom knows more about him and his whereabouts than she has ever told me, but I stopped wondering about what happened a long time ago. I know from social media that he lives in California now, but that is the extent of my caring about him and what he’s doing.

Jake sat down beside me but left some room between us. He started speaking, but I had drowned him out with the thoughts of my dad. His apology was the typical “I’m so sorry, please forgive me, and let’s still get married in two days” conversation he’d been trying to have with me over and over for two weeks now. I’m not sure what part of him could even possibly think I would still want to marry him, but here we are.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts and spoke sternly, “Jake. Why are you doing this? Why can’t you just let me and our relationship go? Move on with one of the other women you have?”

“Because they aren’t you, Cal. You are my forever.” He inched closer to me to grab me and pull me in. “I love you, baby; please don’t do this.”

I waited to feel something, anything, but this didn’t feel like it used to. His hugs used to send my heart into a frenzy, but now that feeling was gone. I pushed away from him.

“Jake, I am not doing anything you don’t deserve. I can’t be with someone who claims that sleeping with another woman is their way of showing me they love me. Let's just get over the fact that we wasted all this time with the wrong person and move on.”

His face fell, and then I saw the anger and rage take over. “Callie, you can’t do this. We are made for each other. You will regret it if you don’t take me back. No one can love you like I do.”

I didn’t know if he was just making a vile comment or a genuine threat, so I stepped even further away from him.

“Jake, I hope you are right about no one loving me the way you do. I never want to feel this worthless ever again. This is over. We are over. We have nothing left to talk about. My things have been removed fromyourhouse. I removed myself fromyourlife. I will eat the cost of all the wedding stuff, and I need nothing else from you. You can be happy with all your women and have the time of your life. You’ll never have to see or talk to me again.”

“Callie, I—”

“Goodbye, Jake. Please don’t contact me again.” I turned around to return to my friends and family and found my mom restlessly waiting for me with open arms right inside the door.

I started tearing up immediately when I saw her arms outstretched. “Are you okay, baby girl?”

I fell into her arms and let it all out. I don’t know how long we stood there, but my mom didn’t say a word or pull away, which I appreciated.

My mom has never been a very affectionate person toward me. It’s been her and I for as long as I can remember. She has had to work her butt off to take care of us, which took her away from home for most of my childhood. That is how Aubrey and I got so close. I spent most days at her house. Mom and I have grown a little closer as I became an adult. To this day, she is still not the affectionate type, so the fact that she is here for me in such a waymade me grateful. When I was finally done crying, I looked up at her.

“I’m not okay, but I will be.”

When I finally returned to my friends and family, no one bothered to ask about what happened; we all just went on as if it hadn’t happened at all. I looked at Aubrey, and she held up her drink in a toast. Nick didn't look at me once until we left for the night.

“Bring on the wine,” I announced.

Chapter six

Nick

Itold Callie I would get her home safely tonight, and that’s exactly what I’m attempting to do. Now, if only she would just let me hold her hand and walk her out, we would be golden. She keeps trying—and failing—to walk herself out. She is stumbling more than a drunken sailor.

I got sick of her tripping over her own feet, so I picked her up and carried her over my shoulder. Aubrey was drunk, too, but Link seemed to have a good hold on her. We all said our goodbyes as I plopped Callie down into the car.

When I tried to shut the door, she put her hand out to stop it and looked at me through hooded eyes. “Nick, you are the best guy in the world. I hope you know that.”

She patted my cheek, so I grabbed her hands, and I couldn’t help but smile and move her hands to her lap. This was the real Callie. This was the Callie I always wanted to see, the sweet, kind version of her she tries to hide from everyone else.

I should have probably gotten the compliment she gave on recording so I could hold it over her head later when she’s in ahating-me mood, but she’s having a rough night, so I won’t. I shut the door without responding.

When I started driving, she leaned her head on the door and exhaled like she had been holding her breath or something.

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