Page 61 of Love You Madly

I hit send, adrenaline surging. What was I thinking? I hop into the shower, waiting for the inevitable sound of my phone. Surely, he'll respond... right?

Fucking Chaos Callie making herself known again. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.

As the hot water beats down on me, doubt starts to creep in. I finish my shower in record time, anxiety clawing at me. Still no response. Oh no. I wonder if I’ve crossed a line. I throw on some clothes, try to distract myself by getting Sara from her crib, but it gnaws at me. Should I text him and pretend the picture was meant for someone else? Would that be better or worse?

Maybe not since he knows that I’ve been talking to Matt again. But that’s also thirsty as fuck so I quickly talk myself out of it and decide to just face the music later.

I have more important things to stress about at the moment.

Maybe that’s why I was a little unhinged and sent thatthirsty-ass picture to myfriendOwen this morning. Yeah, let’s go with that. I obviously wasn’t thinking clearly.

The morning rush begins to blur as I drop Sara off at my mom’s, bag packed, ready for Adam to pick her up later. I’m a wreck, juggling my emotions—Adam having Sara for the weekend, the panic of sending that damn picture, and the crushing silence from Owen.

What the fuck was I thinking?

When I get to work, I’m practically vibrating with tension. Barely an hour into my shift atBrooked & Brewed,the door chimes, and my stomach drops. Matt walks in—flowers in hand.

Now I really feel like a dick for sending that picture to Owen this morning. I remind myself that I shouldn’t feel bad because I have zero commitments to Matt or any other man for that matter. He looks around, spots me, and walks over with a grin.

“Hey, Callie,” he says, eyes soft and kind. “Thought these might brighten your day.”

Before I can even respond, the door slams open again, and there’s Adam, looking murderous, Sara clinging to his arm with tear-streaked cheeks.

“Where’s the giraffe, Callie?” His voice is sharp, cutting through the air like a blade.

I blink, scrambling to remember if I packed it. “If it’s not in the bag, it’s probably in my car. She was playing with it earlier,” I mumble, already feeling the tension coil.

Adam’s eyes narrow. “Give me the keys. I’ll get it.”

I dig into my pocket and toss him the keys, my hearthammering. His eyes flick between me and Matt, who’s standing awkwardly nearby.

Adam leans in, his voice dripping with malice. “Nice flowers, Callie. Guess you couldn’t wait to move on. You’re really a piece of work, huh?”

Matt’s fists clench, but Adam towers over him. I shoot Matt a warning look—this is not the time to play hero.

“Good luck, man,” Adam sneers, turning toward the door. “Enjoy my leftovers.”

Matt, ever the calm one, just grins. “Pretty sure it’s you who got my seconds, bud.” He even winks.

Adam freezes mid-step, his face darkening. For a split second, I think we’re about to have a full-on fight in the middle of my workplace. But he just storms out, slamming the door behind him.

I stand there, pulse racing, barely able to breathe.

“I’m really sorry about that,” I say to Matt, trying to shake off the tremor in my voice. “Exes, right?”

Matt smirks, but I can tell he’s shaken too. “No worries. Let’s, uh, talk later?”

I nod, watching him leave. Adam returns moments later, practically throwing my keys at the counter before snatching Sara and muttering, “Maybe next time, focus on your daughter.”

Fuck you, I think, watching him leave.

The rest of my shift drags, every moment punctuated by a growing sense of dread. When I finally get off work, I check my phone. Still no response from Owen. What the hell was I thinking sending that picture?

I drive home, flowers from Matt sitting awkwardly in the passenger seat, feeling more confused and alone than ever. The silence in the apartment is deafening.

twenty-four

WONDERWALL - OASIS

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