Page 71 of Chasing Callie

“I will, sir. Thank you.” The lid slides back onto the box with ease, and I tuck it under my arm, heading to put it with my stuff, nerves swimming in my gut.

Callie is snuggled up with Brax and Knox when I get home, and the sight of them together, in our house, fills my chest with warmth. For a long time, this house was miserable. I hated being here. It’s nice to fall in love with home all over again.

“Oh, you’re home!” She extracts herself from their hold, ignoring their protests, and saunters up to me with a grin.

I grab her shirt when she’s within reach and reel her in, capturing her lips. She chuckles against my mouth, but that only gives me leave to deepen the kiss. I only break away when I need air to keep living.

“Well hello to you, too,” she says with a heated smile. Her attention skips to the box on the counter. “What’s that?”

“Open it.”

She gives me a funny look but reaches for it anyway. The lid slides off and as soon as she sees the certificate, she squeals in delight. “Oh my god, oh my god!” She tosses the lid on the counter and launches herself at me. I catch her with a grunt, and she scrambles up my body. My hands fall to her ass to keep her steady as she cups my face, gazing down at me.

“You did it!”

A smile splits my face. “I did.”

“You’re a fucking fire fighter, Jax!”

“Oh shit,” Brax says from the couch. “Congratulations.”

He and Knox get up to join us, but my focus is set on Callie. No signs of worry.

“Captain offered me a job.”

She squeals again and kisses me hard.

“Congratulations again,” Knox says with a laugh.

When Callie breaks away, I shake my head and tell them I haven’t accepted it yet. Callie’s forehead wrinkles in confusion. “Well, why not?”

“Because I wanted to ask you how you felt about it.”

“I feel like this is fucking amazing and also none of my business. Your job is your job.”

“True, but Callie, it’s dangerous. I could die⁠—”

Her palm clamps over my mouth. “Did you die that time we jumped off the cliff?”

“No.” My answer is muffled against her skin.

“You understand that if you die, I will resurrect you and kill you all over again?”

My words don’t make any sense with her covering my mouth.

“Oh, sorry.” She moves her hand and gives me a stern look.

“Are you threatening me, Callie Mae?”

“Maybe so.” She tips her head. “Seriously though, Jax. You have my full support. This is amazing, and you have to take it.”

I want to, fuck do I want to, but I don’t think she fully understands the danger. For now, I settle on saying, “I think we should celebrate,” and that distracts everyone from the more serious part of the conversation.

Soon. I’ll decide what to do soon, but tonight, I want to hang out with my brothers and my girl.

Chapter Twenty-Six

CALLIE