Hometown Love

Colton

I could watch her all day long and never get bored. Callie moved about the kitchen with striking ease and beauty. She looked lost in her own little world, flitting between drawers and cabinets, throwing things in a pot, and standing blank-faced in front of the fridge. Now she stood over the pan on the stove, stirring and dancing along to a beat only she could hear.

Okay, maybe I had lied about her dad asking me to stay for dinner. But I knew John well enough to know he wouldn't question me staying over for dinner and he wouldn't rat me out. Yes, I was a desperate man, but I didn't care. I just couldn't leave her.

John was asking me all about Los Angeles and the team, but I couldn't fully focus on what I was saying, and he knew it. He snickered at my half-coherent responses, following my eyeline to the kitchen.

"Y'know what, I've got a beam to patch in the pole barn. Why don't you go help Callie girl and come get me when it's all ready?" He gave me a knowing look.

He sauntered off and I made my way into the kitchen.

"What can I do?" I stood dangerously close to Callie.

"You can chop those onions," she pointed with her spoon without taking her eyes off the pot.

I did as she instructed, while trying to think of ways to get her to talk to me.

"So, what's been happening in Cambridge the last three years?"

She turned and gave me a pointed look, "Your sister hasn't told you a thing since you left?"

"I guess I haven't really asked about the town. More just about—" I cleared my throat, "her. And catching her up on my life. You know, stuff like that."

"You still have your tell."

"My tell?" I questioned.

She stopped stirring and faced me, crossing her arms and leaning her weight onto one leg.

"Yeah, your tell. Like when you're lying. I had forgotten but you're so damn obvious. Your eyes go really wide and your mouth forms into a little pout."

I felt my cheeks flame up and I looked down at the onions, suddenly very interested in them.

"I always loved that about you, y'know."

"What?"

"You just say what you want to say, and you don't hold anything back."

She contemplated what I said, tilting her head.

"So then what are you hiding?"

"I... nothing... I just, damnit. Maybe I asked her about you, too. Whatever."

When I finally summoned the courage to look up at her, she was staring at me with disbelief written across her face.

"I know, I'm the asshole who left. But that doesn't mean I didn't still worry about you, Cal."

Her eyes turned sad, and she nodded slowly, turning back to the food in front of her.

"So what did Emma tell you about me?"

Shit. I wasn't about to let slip that I constantly checked in with my sister about Callie-- how she was, if she was happy, who she was dating. I would like an obsessed stalker if I told Callie everything I knew about her from the last three years.

"I just wanted to know if you were happy, Cal."

"That's not fair, Colt."

"Cal, can I just get this off my chest?"