Page 14 of Stolen Holidays
My chest tightens thinking about my mom spending Christmas alone. Before I can think too hard about that, Rhys comes bounding into the hallway.
“Callie!” He crashes into me and wraps his little arms around my waist in a tight hug, which I return tenfold.
“Rhysie.” Over the last couple of months, Eli’s nephew has become my favorite Miller—aside from Eli, of course. Rhys is so talented and sweet. I just adore him.
“Get your own girl, you little twerp.” Eli rips Rhys from my arms in a roar of laughter.
“It’s not my fault Callie likes me more.”
Eli throws Rhys over his shoulder and tickles him. Rhys’s shaggy brown locks fall around his face as he wiggles in Eli’s hold, and a vision of Eli playing with our son has me placing a hand on my stomach.
Could there already be a little guy in there?
I watch Eli and Rhys from the hall, hoping with all my heart that I am pregnant. As if she can read my mind, Rylann appears out of nowhere and tugs me down the hall.
“Hi.”
“Shh, come with me,” she hisses as she places her forefinger over her lips. I let Rylann pull me into the bathroom, close the door, and flip the lock. She pulls out a familiar paper bag and places it on the counter. “Scarlett hid this in here for you.”
“She didn’t.” My hand covers the spot where my heart races beneath.
“She did. But don’t worry. It takes very little to distract Levi, if you know what I mean.”
I bark a laugh. “Oh, I bet. These cavemen are easily distracted.” The bag crinkles, and my hand shakes as I open it and pull out the pregnancy test. A thrill rips through me at the thought of finding out if my suspicions are correct in a matter of minutes.
“I’m scared,” I admit without thinking, looking over at Rylann.
I’m met with one of her warm smiles. “But the good kind, right?”
I return her smile. “Definitely. I think I’m more scared that it will be negative. Or that it’s positive and I won’t be able to keep it a secret for ten days. You know?”
“We can wait.”
“No.” My voice is strong and determined. I rip open the box and pull out the stick. “I just pee on this, right?”
“Yep. Easy as hell. Scarlett even splurged on a digital one.”
“Perfect,” I unbutton my jeans as I walk over to the toilet.
Rylann turns around as I pull my pants and underwear down and sit. She instructs me to take off the cap, pee, and then dip the spongy part in the stream and count to five.
“I can’t believe I’m in the bathroom listening to Callie Wright pee.” She shakes her head and laughs.
My body shakes as I giggle. “Stop it. I’m just a normal person.”
Rylann throws her hands in the air. “Don’t you think I know that? But still… You’re you. You’ve been on the cover of magazines. You’ve won awards. People pay to listen to you sing. It’s still weird.”
“I’ll trade you,” I tease, which makes Rylann snort.
“No way. That’s all you.”
I cap the stick, finish my business, and flush the toilet. “Fine. But don’t treat me differently. I love just being a part of your family.”
My friend turns around as I wash my hands, her eyes watery with unshed tears. She grips my wrists as she showers me with affection I didn’t know I needed to hear. “We are elated and grateful that you are a part of our family. You are kind and thoughtful. You love my son and give him free guitar lessons. You’re a wonderful friend. And most importantly, you make Eli happy. Happier than I have ever seen him. He’s his old self again, and it’s all because of you.”
“Oh, shoot.” My throat grows thick as my eyes cloud with tears, and my voice cracks. “You have no idea how good it feels to hear that. He makes me happy too. You all do. I’ve always wanted a big family.”
“You have it. Forever.” Like her son before her, Rylann throws her arms around my waist and squeezes.
