Heathens & Hold Ups (Book 2 of the Heathens Duet)

Chapter 44- Callie

Getting a second cup would be excessive I tell myself as my knees bounce under the table. Especially after I the coffee I had at home, the one at work, and the one I ordered so that I didn't look lost when I arrived thirty minutes early. After sitting in my car for fifteen minutes.

Anxious feels a lowercase word to the all caps way I'm feeling.

After Kace and I...talked, I spent the rest of the weekend with the guys going over the plan before they dropped me off at my apartment Sunday night. It was nice. Well, it was once I was banned from worrying about Kaitlyn while I was with them. Lots of cuddling on the couch and playing the few board games they had lying around. We went a couple of rounds playing cards. I let them win a few hands of low stakes poker. Slept in Kace's room though. The closeness was needed to ensure having sex with me wasn't a fluke or a way to scratch an itch. Though I did give Dario and Jax a goodnight kiss.

It was awkward at first, unsure of what the rules for PDA with the others around. Sharing is all good in theory, but boundaries still need to be respected. With Riggs giving me a reassuring nod and none of the others looking jealous, I allowed myself to give in.

It was easy. A reminder of what every day could be like once the guys are no longer on the run. With them, I almost forget that to the outside world they're criminals. Well, except Jaxson. He's more of a scary guard dog who's a complete sweetheart to his people, but only his people. No idea what he'll end up doing in the real world. Chaos I suspect. Manifesting a happy ending for me and my guys is what I'm focused on, even if I have to enlist Kace's sister to help make that dream a reality.

Texting Kaitlyn to set up a meeting had me typing and retyping out the message a dozen times before I finally hit send. Kaitlyn replied back almost immediately to confirm.

Two days of thinking about the millions of ways this could go horribly wrong have completely fucked my sleep schedule and it is only Tuesday. Work is going to drag the rest of the week. I can feel it.

I've jumped with every chime of the door that I'm sure I look like I'm tweaking. The barista will end up cutting me off like a bartender after too many lemon drops on girls' night.

Finally, the door chimes and Kaitlyn wanders in. In all actuality, she's perfectly on time. I'm the weirdo who's been waiting forever because I didn't want to be late. She looks around a bit before she sees me toast her with my cup. A nod is all she gives me to work with before she heads to the counter to order.

In the back of my head all I can hear are Riggs and Kace telling me not to panic. Because that totally works.

They filled me in a bit on Kaitlyn and how being direct goes a long way with her. At least that they remember. It's doubtful that she's had a complete personality transplant while they've been 'dead', but grief does crazy things to people. Like make them turn into bank robbers.

They didn't think that was as funny as I did, but Dario laughed, so I counted that one as a win.

The ceramic mug in her hand as Kaitlyn walks over to my table is telling. Maybe I should grab another cup, decaf this time.

"Surprised you reached out given the way you hid behind your guard dog at the bank." Plopping down in the chair across from me, she raises her mug to her lips. Her green eyes are so much like her brother's that it's a little unnerving. The intense way they both seem to look through a person; they could be twins.

I have to bite my tongue at the retort that wants to spring forward. If she's anything more like her brother, it won't end well and will get us nowhere. Be the bigger person Callie, I remind myself. "Most people start with a hello."

Never said I was perfect.

She barks out a laugh. "So, she speaks," she smiles. "Was afraid you were gonna be some scared little mouse based on our first meeting. Glad to see I was wrong."

"I'm house trained too," I can't help but add. I can't help but feel defensive. So easily her words could be taken as an insult or a compliment. I don't know her well enough to guess which way she means.

"I see why my brother would like you."

My eyes widen. None of this conversation is going how I thought it would. Kace and Riggs weren't kidding when they said she's direct. I doubt she ever believed he was dead. She does not sound like someone who believes whatever story Dario made the world see.

"I assume that's why you reached out. My brother and Riggs," she adds at my dumbfounded face. "Not too sure on the other two, but Landry for sure. They always were a package deal, those two," she chuckles with amusement. "That or to tell me to fuck off, but that could be done without meeting up in person. Though I do appreciate the effort," she leans back in her seat and crosses her legs. "Don't look so surprised. My brother might be an idiot, but he clearly got the brawn in the family. You're looking at the brains. Glad I came out first. Wasn't too much to go around after me," she laughs like it's a joke she's told a hundred times. She's a lot, but I think it must be an older sibling thing. Never been so grateful to be an only child.

"Now that I know my little brother isn't dead and we've gotten that out of the way, I've got some questions for you," she continues on like my silence is answer enough. "You know of some government types?" I feel a shiver race up my spine as she speaks, praying she's not talking about who I think she is. "Early forties, blond hair with a sprinkle of age," she gauges my face for a reaction. "Looks good in a suit and could put the dad in daddy issues? The other one looks like he's a regular at the Waffle House? Ringing any bells? Because they are," she drills. "They've been sniffing around the Landry place, dropping by ours as well." She narrows her eyes as I fight to not look around the room. Being hooked up to a lie detector and asked about the books I've read would be less nerve wracking than this.

"Not officially mind you, but asking questions. In a town as small as Bells, they tend to stick out as not from around town. Makes people talk. My family has lived there long enough to be ones people tend to share things with."

Definitely need another cup.

After another mug of Columbian nectar, decaf this time, Kaitlyn and I have ironed out a few details of what's going on in Bells. I've filled her in with as much as the guys cleared me to tell her about their wellbeing. Rolled eyes and a few muttered curses aside, she seems to be taking things well. Way better than I would. Meeting up in person is risky for a number of reasons, but Dario made sure I had an extra burner phone to pass along.

"All those brains put together and none of them came up with a better plan than piss off the guy in charge and make him look bad until he gives back the farm?" She mutters under her breath. "Typical men," she sighs. "Guess they're lucky to have us to help them fix this mess, right?"

"Lucky us," I grimace and toast our mugs together.