Page 53 of Hit the Ground
Caleb
Iwasn’tabigtalker in person, even less on the phone. I’d been holding mine for the last fifteen minutes, going back and forth on whether to make the call. Now was the time to do it. Jesse was in his room for the night, and if I waited any longer, it’d be too late. This hesitation wasn’t like me. Once I made up my mind to do something, I got it done.
Finding no real reason to stop myself, I sighed, punched in Alice’s number, and tucked my phone against my ear. She answered on the third ring.
“Caleb?” Surprise and wariness threaded through my name, which I thoroughly deserved.
“Hey, Allie.” I did as best I could to blankethername in assurance. “You left without saying goodbye.”
There was a pause then almost a strangled sound. “I know. I feel bad about that. I texted your mom, but—”
“You didn’t have to go.” I sat on the edge of my bed, facing a window. There wasn’t much to see unless I looked up. At night on the ranch, the endless sky was where the magic happened.
“Hannah was worried about Cormac,” she explained. “I thought it was better to give everyone privacy, but I do feel terrible for not saying goodbye.”
My brow dipped at her regretful tone. “You don’t need to feel bad. No one was offended, I promise you.” I cleared my throat. “Cormac was upset.”
“I did gather that.”
I chuffed at how prim she sounded as she sassed me. “Yeah. Figured you did. You’re probably wondering what’s going on.”
“Sure. I’m human, so I’m curious, but it isn’t my business. You don’t have to explain.”
“It’s not a deep, dark secret or anything, and I don’t think my brother would mind if I explained.” I shoved my fingers through my hair. “My parents got a wedding invitation in the mail for their college friends’ daughter. Cormac spotted it on the coffee table, and he—well, you saw how he reacted.”
“Oh,” she whispered, tickling my ear. “Through context clues, I’m guessing he isn’t happy about the marriage.”
My mouth hitched. The way she spoke was different from anyone I knew, and I liked it. “Cormac is as easygoing as they come, but when it comes to Zara Vasquez, he’s a closed book. No, don’t think he’s happy she’s getting married. He doesn’t like the guy. That’s part of why he and Zara fell out years ago. It’s sad, but I’m hoping this is what it’ll take for him to move on.”
Killed me to see my brother down. He had always been a happy kid and had grown into an affable man, but on this subject, he was weighed down by a darkness he couldn’t seem to navigate himself out of. He also refused to share the burden, even though he had to know any of us would have helped him take it on.
“Sometimes it takes a swift kick in the pants for moving on to happen,” she said, and I easily read between the lines. I’d beenthe kicker, and she’d moved on from me. “I’m sorry for Cormac, though. That can’t be easy.”
“No, but he’s got us to lean on. If only he’d take anyone up on it.” I rubbed my leg and dug my fingers into my knee. “Anyway, that’s what was going on tonight. I thought you should know.”
“Thanks for telling me, Caleb.”
“Yeah.” For once, I wasn’t ready to hurry off the phone. Alice’s voice was nice to listen to, and I had a few questions about what I’d learned tonight. “So you’ve written two books, huh?”
“Well, yes. But they’re middle grade, so they’re shorter—”
I frowned. “Don’t downplay your accomplishment. Remember what my dad said?”
There was a long pause before she murmured, “I’m an author.”
“Hell yes, you are.” I balled my fist on my knee. “And I’d love to read your books, Alice.”
She hmphed. “You have another book you need to finish first.”
Ah, deflection. I’d let her have it. As curious as I was, it wasn’t like I deserved to have a first look.
“You’re right about that.” I eyed the hardback on my nightstand. “I’m halfway through. Reading it on my own isn’t the same as reading it to you.”
“Well…” Something rustled on her end. I imagined it was her shifting around, curling her legs beneath her like she had when she’d spent time on my couch with me. I hoped her living room was comfortable. That she had lots of fluffy pillows to lean on, and a warm, fuzzy blanket to cover her. “I have a little time before I need to get to bed. Would you like to read a chapter or two to me?”
I got stuck swallowing, so it took me a beat to respond. When I did, it came out choked. “You wouldn’t mind?”
“Mind listening to you read my favorite book?” Her laugh was a gentle breeze through the line. “No, Caleb. It wouldn’t be a hardship. That is…if you want to…”
