Page 44 of Screwed
He had to get over her.
But first he was going to get shitfaced drunk.
Chapter Ten
Present day
Cash loved seeing the passion in Callie’s eyes. Sitting across the table from her at the Wild Turkey, after following her to her place to drop off her car, he enjoyed the excitement in her voice as she talked about starting her own business. He didn’t know why he’d been skeptical—or maybe concerned was the word to describe how he’d felt when she’d first mentioned it.
But she’d done a lot of research. He’d never thought Callie wasn’t smart, but he found himself impressed. And there was no doubt that this was something she cared about and had a talent for. He’d seen it himself and had a weird feeling of pride at the amazing confections she created. Even today, when the wedding planner had been so complimentary, he’d felt a warmth expand in his chest and an urge to hug Callie.
Fuuuuuuuck.
“So, I don’t know if this will work out or not.” She swirled the bourbon in her glass. “But I’m going to give it my best shot.”
“Does that mean selling the house is off the table?”
She wrinkled her nose. “I guess for now it does. I don’t think I can handle selling the house, finding somewhere new to live, and moving at the same time as starting a business. On the other hand, who knows how busy I’ll be. But I do like having that big kitchen.”
Going to the house she had shared with Beau irritated him. He didn’t want her to make rash decisions, but he’d kind of liked the idea of her moving somewhere else. And if he helped her find a new place, he could make sure it wasn’t far from him.
Selfish bastard.
“I don’t think I’ll tell my parents.”
“Why not?”
She shrugged and dropped her gaze to her drink. “They probably don’t really care.”
“Bullshit.”
She said nothing.
“Why would you say that? They’re your parents.” She’d never talked a lot about her parents to him. Obviously, he knew about her family. Everyone in Houston had heard of the Sutherlands. Callie’s grandfather had built a huge oil empire years ago, and now her father’s real estate development business was a part of the massive Sutherland conglomerate.
He’d met her parents a few times when Beau and Callie’d been getting married and a few times since then at charity functions or the country club. They didn’t exactly run in the same social circles, except that Beau had kind of dragged him into those circles, especially when it came to business.
He’d always been curious why that hint of sadness occasionally appeared in her eyes, when she’d seemed to have such a picture-perfect life. He knew she wasn’t very close with her parents. “Tell me why you say that,” he commanded, since she still hadn’t said anything.
She sighed. “My parents have never been very interested in their kids. You could ask my two brothers, and they’d say the same. Well, maybe not Josh. He’d probably defend Daddy. They’re so much alike. But Griff and I always felt like they were too busy with their own shit. Daddy’s all involved with the company and making money and trying to prove tohisdaddy that he’s a good businessman. Mama’s into spending the money. Or donating it. She does a lot of great philanthropic work.”
“That’s admirable.”
“Sure. Except she does it because it gives her status and prestige and connects her with other wealthy women. You’ll never see her down on Dowling Street serving food to the homeless.”
He smiled wryly. “Okay, I get it. But they have to be interested in their kids’ lives.”
“Only if we live our lives the way they want us to. You know they were unhappy when I left Beau.”
“Yeah.”
“They thought he was the perfect husband for me. Mama wanted me to have a life just like hers.”
“With a cheating husband.” He remembered the drunken conversation the night of her divorce party.
“Yes.” Callie sighed again. “I wonder if Mama has had affairs, too. I just can’t imagine… Well, we’re different. Obviously. Anyway. We had nannies who raised us while Mama and Daddy were busy with work and charities and extramarital affairs. We were pretty lucky, really.”
Cash snorted.
