Page 81 of Love You Madly

Why does this feel so big? It’s not like knowing her last name changes anything. But at the same time, it kind of does. It’s another step. Something deeper. Something about getting this answer feels like the next level—like I'm finally closing the gap between the girl I used to text and the real person she is now.

Her response comes with a playful edge, and I can’t help but smile. She’s always been quick with the jokes.

Callie:

Oh my god! You’re right! I guess that should have been one of your questions early on. LOL!

Me:

So…?

Callie:

I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.

Me:

Klein. Your turn.

My thumb hovers over the send button, and for a split second, I wonder what she’s thinking on the other side of the phone. Does she feel this same pull? Or is it just me? God, maybe I’m reading too much into everything.

The text bubbles pop up, and the anticipation makes my chest tighten. Here it is.

Callie:

It’s Madden.

Well, it will be Madden again. Legally, it’s Graham right now. But it won’t be once my divorce is finalized.

Me:

It’s nice to meet you, Callie Madden.

As I send the last message, a smile tugs at my lips. The name suits her. And while this whole conversation might seem small, it feels like another brick in the foundation of something I can’t quite define yet. But I want to find out.

As I drive to Hawkridge, every mile feels longer than the last, anticipation building with every turn. It’s like the universe decided to make this trip twice as long just for shits and giggles. Thanks, universe.

Today is a fresh start for Callie and I cannot help but wish it was a fresh start for me too. I want to be there for her in any way I can. I tell myself that it’s just about helping a friend, but I know I’m lying to myself. There’s this nagging feeling that maybe, just maybe, I’m not ready for what this weekend might mean.

I try to focus on the road, but my thoughts keep drifting back to Karissa. Why didn’t I end things with her before I left? Maybe the hospital cafeteria wasn’t the right place but I could have done it after work before meeting up with the guys. I’m just delaying the inevitable but I don’t want to be the asshole who breaks up over text.

I should’ve gone to see Karissa first, cleared the air before driving out here. But no, that’s too reasonable, Owen. Goodjob. Now I’m heading to Callie’s like I don’t have another loose end trailing behind me, waiting to turn into a disaster.

The irony’s not lost on me. Here I am, heading to help a woman who’s moving on from her past, while I can’t even properly disentangle myself from my present.

As I finally pull into her driveway, I cut the engine and just sit there for a second. The sound of silence fills the truck, broken only by the low hum of the cooling engine. This is it. I take a deep breath, but it gets caught halfway down, nerves tightening my chest. It’s excitement laced with uncertainty, like I’m standing on the edge of something big, and I don’t know if I’m about to step forward or fall flat on my face.

As I step out of the truck, the cool air hits me, and for a moment, I stand there, taking it all in. The house, the driveway, the yard—everything feels so... still. Like the calm before a storm. Maybe it is.

I’m about to take a step toward the house when I see it—the door on the side of the house starts to open. I freeze, caught mid-step like a deer in headlights. My heart skips a beat, my mind running a thousand miles an hour. Is it Callie? What the hell do I even say when I see her?

It’s been so easy to talk over text, but seeing her face-to-face? That’s something else entirely. And part of me, the part I’ve been trying to ignore, wonders what happens after this. What does this mean for us? For me?

The door creaks open a little further, and I feel like time has slowed down again. I take a deep breath, nerves twisting in my gut. This is it. I just hope I don’t fuck it up somehow. Whether we eventually become more than friends or not, I just know I can’t lose her again.

thirty-five

WAITING FOR SUPERMAN - DAUGHTRY

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