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“Nothing.” I wave him off, grabbing my bag and lugging it to the room. I toss it on the bed and turn to look at the two of them through the doorway. “I’m just glad Bear’s warmed up to you so well. It’d be awful for your fiancée’s best friend not to like you.”
He points to Bear. “This is your best friend?”
“Yeah, he is,” I say, smiling softly as I make eye contact with Bear.
“That’s cute, Callie,” he says with a smirk. “Well, anyway, I think I’m gonna get some rest. Are you good with leaving around seven in the morning? I told my family that I’d be there in time for the rehearsal at noon tomorrow. I’m not actually used to getting up that early, so I’m pretty sure if I don’t go to bed now, you might be dealing with a zombie in the morning.”
“That’s fine,” I say, giving him a smile. “Good night, Wade.”
He holds my gaze in a way that makes my heart flutter for a few moments before grabbing his bag, though he doesn’t duck away. “You know you can enjoy the minibar as much as you want—take advantage of it, or whatever.”
“I’m good, thanks,” I laugh, squirming a little as that heated gaze stays on me. “I don’t drink.”
“Well, there’s more than just alcohol there, silly.” He smiles, walking over and swinging the door open. “What’s your poison? Dr. Pepper? Diet Coke? Sprite?”
“Dr. Pepper for sure,” I say with a laugh, as he pulls two out of the fridge. “That’s going to cost like ten bucks,” I add.
“Ah, well, you’re worth it,” he says, handing one to me and shooting me a wink. “Have a good night, Callie.”
“You, too,” I say, popping the top. “Here’s to being engaged.” I hold up my can.
He erupts in laughter, clinking his with mine. “Yeah, here’s to us.”
Chapter Six
Wade
I didn’t sleep at all last night.
The glimmer of daylight peeping through the window is tempting me to get up and get dressed. I pack my things quickly and head out into the main living room of the suite, halfway expecting Callie to be there.
She’s not, but I hear Bear, or well, I assume it’s Bear, snoring on the other side of the door to her room. I really don’t know for sure—not that I would care if Callie snored. I smile but I’m not sure why. For some strange reason, ever since I picked up the redhead and her funny dog, I can’t get her off my mind.
She’s the first girl I’ve ever just openly talked to about my life and my feelings. In the first twenty-four hours of knowing her, she already knows more about me than all the other women I’ve dated.
Maybe it’s just the fact we were stuck in a truck together for so long, but I can’t shake the way her smile seems to light-up the whole dang world. And the dog—don’t even get me started on that thing. If I ever get one, I want one just like him.
Glancing down at my watch, I see that it’s barely 6 A.M., so I put on my ball cap disguise, lug my bag out to the door, and quietly exit the hotel room—being as careful as possible to not wake Callie. I don’t know how long it’ll take her to be ready to go, but somehow, I don’t figure it’ll take nearly as long as most of the women that I’ve been with. Callie doesn’t wear ten layers of makeup and, based on how quickly the lights went out last night, I’m pretty sure she doesn’t have a two-hour skincare routine.
Or at least, I don’t think she does. Not that there’s anything wrong with a two-hour skincare routine. It’s just refreshing to be around a woman who seems so … carefree.
I take the elevator to the first floor and slip out to the truck without seeing a single soul. I toss my bag into the back of the truck. My phone surprisingly buzzes in my pocket.
Carson: Call me when you get a chance.
Letting out a sigh, I consider not calling him at all, but given the fact that Callie isn’t up—and I don’t want to disturb her—I decide to call him back. I mean, Carson is the only brother I seem to relate to in one way or another. It’s mostly just because we both have a kid, but there’s no doubt that he’s the better parent. After all, he’s got full custody of his kid—Ava’s mom signed away her rights at birth.
And I don’t have any.
My oldest brother Sawyer is way too serious, and the youngest, Hunter, well, he’s Hunter. I never know if he’s coming or going. Some might say he’s the cowboy version of me—only settled down and married now. The last time I saw him was when he guilted me into singing at his marriage proposal ... which was an odd request since his wife doesn’t even like my music, but whatever.
I hit the call button and put the phone up to my ear. It’s better just to get it over with.
“Hey Wade,” Carson says, his voice sounding much more chipper than I expected it to. “How’re things goin’ this mornin’?”
“Uh, fine, I guess—I was just giving you a call like you asked me to,” I say, leaning up against the side of my silver truck.
“Yeah. So, um ... Mom mentioned that you’re bringing your fiancée with you to the wedding?” Carson remarks, and I can hear the curiosity in his voice. He’s the only one who’s ever known some of my dating history beyond what the media says—he’s actually known their names, unlike the rest of my family, who does good to know if I’m seeing anyone.
