Page 81 of Stolen Voices
Not wanting Callie to walk, or wait in the cold longer than she needs to, I scoop her up under her knees and kick the door shut.
Callie locks her hands around my neck. “You don’t have to keep carrying me,” she says.
Looking down on her face, I admire the slope of her button nose, the fullness of her pink lips, and the way her black-coffee eyes sparkle in the streetlight. I want to kiss her so fucking bad.
Not yet.
“Can you humor me?” I ask her.
“If I must.”
“You must.” I brush a soft kiss on her forehead, and she gasps at the unexpected action.
She better get used to it.
I catch up to Mason at the front door, who is ready for Callie to press her thumb to the scanner. Once it’s done, I walk her inside and place her on the couch. She looks up at me, worry clouding her big doe eyes.
“What’s wrong?” I take a seat beside Callie on the couch.
“You didn’t do your finger.”
My chest puffs out at her subtle hint at wanting me to stay. I brush her hair behind her ear. “Don’t need to. It’s already in the system.”
“Oh. Okay.” She scratches at the foam surrounding her neck.
Mason clears his throat. “Sorry to interrupt, but I want you to know Emery filled the fridge with essentials. Eggs, bread, cheese, fruit… If you need anything, text me, and I’ll grab it or have it delivered.”
“Thanks, Mase.”
“Anytime, E.” He leans against the wall by the door, ready to jet at a moment’s notice. “Just so you know, Rhys knows you’re in town, so don’t be surprised if he comes knocking.”
“Word gets out fast, doesn’t it?” I laugh.
“Yeah, he was over playing video games with me when you called. I swear that kid has dog ears. He hears everything.”
“Rhys is your nephew. He’s eight, right?” Callie asks.
“That’s the one.” I can’t help placing my palm on her thigh and giving it a squeeze, appreciative of her remembering our conversation about him. “Best kid on the planet.”
Callie places her hand on mine. “I hope I get to meet him.”
“You will,” Mason says with a smirk. “And be ready for him to talk your ear off about baseball.”
“I take it he’s a huge fan of his uncle?” Callie glances between me and Mason, looking for confirmation.
“Something like that,” I gripe.
Mason scoffs and turns to Callie. “Eli’s upset because he’s losing the favorite uncle spot.”
“And you’re not?” I toss back.
My brother smirks. “There’s no competition. I live two blocks away.”
“Smug bastard,” I grumble.
“Speaking of smug bastards, did you see Cam? Dad said he was amazing last night, so that must mean he and Talia are good.”
“I did. Ran by the stadium to call in a favor and check on him. Found him and Talia going at it in the supply closet after the game, so they’re more than good. Well, that’s if her brother doesn’t kill him first.”
