Page 151 of Overdue I Love You's
Staring at the closed door, I know that voice. Not too well, but enough to remember the disdain dripping at the end. Callahan Vuk doesn’t raise his voice, but he’s good at patronizing everyone around him. When I asked for time off, he didn’t care. When Dean asked him to apologize, he looked at me likeIhad to get on my knees first. This was the man Dean took the fall for. The middle brother of three. I’m trying to be empathetic, but his voice rises outside the powder room, and I don’t like it.
I walk out but stay away to listen.
“Cal, can we talk later?” Dean’s voice is brotherly. Not gentle, but not rude. He talks to Callahan with unfiltered friendship and pain.
“No the fuck we can’t.” Callahan moves around, I hear the shuffling of fabric. The deepened breath, the shallowness of the air around them. The tension reaches me. “Tell me why the hell my assistant comes to tell me we’re missing 15k from the account?”
Oh shoot.
“I can explain.” Dean, you don’t need to explain to anyone but me.
“If this has to do with your love story, I’m done. Fuckingdone, Dean. You act all high and mighty, coming out of prison. You have everyone hating on me. People come to me and ask about you. Our own mother looks at me with pure hatred in her eyes. Azar doesn’t talk to me unless he really needs to. You’re theonlyperson that looks at me like you don’t hate me and I’m fucking done with this act of yours.” He keeps going, puncturing every vein connecting me and Dean. His hurt is mine. “I let you follow her to that damn dating show and what? You repay me by plastering your choices on my screen. Why do I have to revisit it every damn time? Why is it biting me in the ass over and over again? All Iaskedwas for you to stay low the second I handed you a job in my place. Then you takemymoney, hand it over to her like my hard work meansnothing.”
I’ve never understood the difference between having brothers or sisters, but I get it now.
One is full of silent understanding and the other with pained melancholy.
“She knows, Cal.” It’s full of resignation like he regrets the words coming out. I try to read past the untouchable tone flickering in his voice.
Callahan’s intake of breath tells me a lot. “Youtoldher?”
“She was on the jury.” I don’t like where this is going. “I had to do something.”
My fingers turn white from fisting my dress.
I had to do something.
Throwing a wad of cash to keep my mouth shut it ticks that box.
“If playing the hero is akinkof yours, then carry it out fully. Don’t drop it midway, brother. Stayfuckinglow. Take the blame as much as you want but keep me andmybusiness away from it.”
“You’ve got some nerve, Callahan.” I walk out of my hiding spot. Callahan turns to look at me and he runs a hand down his face.
“Couldn’t have told me she was here?” He asks Dean with a glare.
Dean doesn’t answer. Doesn’t look at me either.
“Hey,” I snap at his face. “Talk to me, I’m right here.”
“I don’t have time for this,” Callahan scoffs, heading towards the door. I pull him back by his sleeve.
He pulls away, muttering a curse under his breath.
All I see is red. Callahan Vuk has a stick up his ass.
Marching right up to him, I push him roughly against the door. A finger pointed in his face. Looking straight into his surprised eyes. “I’ve had it with you. That man over there,” I point back at Dean. “Spent four years of his life behind bars. He didn’t get to see you, your mom, or your brother at that time. He sacrificed his life for you, not because he wanted you to realize your mistake or because he wanted everyone to kiss his feet, but because he loves you. You’re stupid if you don’t see that. He’d do it again and again, even if you remain an ungratefulshit.”
Callahan attempts to move but I shove him harder. “You can say that he took the blame all you want—that he made his choice. But what aboutyou, Callahan? When you let him decide for you, that was your choice. The man I love sat all alone in that trial room with no one from his family to support him,thatwas your choice. He’s not throwing the past in your face,youare. He has done nothing to deserveyour disrespect, but has done more to earn friendship, love, and a whole family to come back to—whichyouhave made impossible. The one time he picks himself, you throw it in his face like he’s the villain in your story. Well, I got some news for you, Callahan. Look in thefuckingmirror.”
I don’t blink. I don’t cower. I don’t stop.
I’m not panting, but my heart feels like it’ll erupt any second. I may need a transplant, a blood fusion—something to keep going. All I’m left with is sad grey eyes and a stubborn jaw.
“Now apologize to Dean,” it’s said placidly. “And get out.”
Callahan doesn’t look at his brother. He keeps his eyes down when his voice breaks apart a forced, “I’m sorry,” before clemently shutting the door behind him.
Icicles of stoic air puncture my skin.
