Page 85 of Fate Forever and Always

Okay.

Don’t feel pressured, but the offer is there. You can also sleep in yours alone, and they can have mine. Totally up to you. I love you Sweets.

Callie

I love you too.

Link and I headed home around two thirty after saying our goodbyes to the band. When I opened my bedroom door, my perfect girl was in my bed waiting for me. I changed my clothes quietly before making my way to the bed. I put my hand on her shoulder before getting into bed just in case I scared her. Once she opened her eyes a little to see it was me, I got in the bed next to her. She turned, kissed me, and then spoke in the cutest, groggy tone.

“You’re back,” she said as she kissed me again. “How was Elijah?”

“He’s good, baby. Get some rest. We can talk when we wake up.”

She hummed. “Okay. Goodnight.” She turned, putting her back to me and snuggling in close.

I put my nose in her hair, taking in that jasmine scent I love so much. “I love you, Callie.”

Talking to Link about proposing to Aubrey really put some ideas in my head about Callie and me. I think I want to talk with Callie about it. I just assumed we would eventually get engaged and then get married someday, but I never actually mentioned it to her. It had only been a few weeks of us technically being together, even though I’ve been hers forever. Like I told Elijah and Link, I would marry her tomorrow if she would let me, but I wanted to give her some time. I wanted to mention to her and let her know that I did see that in the future so I could gauge her thoughts on it. I shook off the thought and kissed her head as I drifted off to sleep.

Chapter thirty-five

Callie

It was finally Thanksgiving, my favorite time of the year. Nick and I were planning to tell our family that we're really doing this. Technically, they all know already, so I guess we’re just making it official today.

My mom came over to do all the cooking for us like she usually did for holidays. Aubrey, Lincoln, Nick, and I all watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on T.V., just like Aubrey and I did as children. I always wrote down the different floats and balloons that we saw just to feel some nostalgia. It was probably something I would continue to do forever, especially if I ever had kids.

This was my way of remembering the good things about my dad. He was the one who used to help me write it all down. That only lasted until I was about seven years old because he was too high to help me after that. Luckily, when he left three years later, it didn’t really phase me because I had already given up on him years prior.

“Calliebug, check the popper in the turkey to see if we are all set, please.”

“It’s popped!” I exclaimed after opening the oven. “That’s too early, right? It's only noon.”

She waved me off. “Oh, that’s totally fine. It needs to rest for a bit. Just turn the oven off for me and go get the girls from the sunroom and have them help you set the table. Nick and Lincoln should be back any minute with the drinks, and Aubrey’s parents are on their way. They just texted me. We should be ready to eat in less than an hour.

I loved seeing my family all together for holidays, and yes, I consider all of them my family. We will get to see even more of them for Christmas at Aubrey’s house when her biological dad and his wife also come up. It will be her first time hosting in her and Lincoln’s home for a holiday. She was planning to host Thanksgiving, but her biological dad couldn’t make it to Connecticut. A friend of theirs needed help after surgery, so they are staying in Tennessee.

We made our official announcement once everyone finished their meal. Just as I had expected, no one was surprised—except Aubrey’s dad, apparently. He told us to make it last and that he couldn’t wait to have some grandchildren. He gave Aubrey and Lincoln a look.

“Don’t look at me,” Aubrey stated. “Until there is a ring on this finger, no babies are coming out of this body.”

Lincoln leaned in and said, “We can arrange that.”

Aubrey playfully smacked him and then kissed him deeply. I loved seeing my best friend so happy. My thoughts from the other day came flooding back, and I was instantly grateful once again that Aubrey and I were finally in healthy, happy relationships.

We all crowded into the living room to watch some football. I had zero interest in who was playing, but Nick cared, so Iwatched it for him. I sat on the floor directly in front of him. He’d been much more touchy today. I didn’t know if it was because we made our announcement, so he was more comfortable now, or if it was because he was just a little sad that his family wasn’t here. Honestly, it's probably a little bit of everything. I know sometimes these days when we all get together are really difficult for him, so I planned to ask him about it as soon as we had a moment alone.

After everyone left and the house was clean, Nick and I went for a walk since it was surprisingly warm for November, especially for Thanksgiving. It was fun to just catch up and talk with him. We may have been living together, but we had barely seen each other lately since we had both been so busy.

When we were almost back home, my phone buzzed in my hand. I looked down, and my heart dropped. It was a number I didn’t have saved, but I knew who it was from the moment I opened the message. It was an old picture of me. I was lying on my old bed with my head hanging over the side, and Jake's puny excuse for a dick was down my throat while my hand was between my legs, and I was pleasuring myself. Another text immediately followed.

Unknown

Leave Nick, or the whole world will see what kind of slut you really are.

Surprised, I stopped short and let out a loud gasp. I held the phone to my chest so Nick wouldn’t see it.

“What? What is it?” Nick looked around for something he obviously wasn’t going to find. I coughed to hide the scared look I knew I had on my face.

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