Page 72 of Chasing Callie

Nerves flutter in my stomach as we park outside of Lulu’s home on the other side of town. I know a lot about Lulu. She lost her husband when she was only in her thirties and refused to remarry. She’s become the town’s handywoman and won’t let anyone give her shit. She also stepped in when the guys’ mom ran out, so in a way, she’s like their mom.

And I know she’s not too happy with me for the way I left, but it’s time to face the music. When Lulu sends you a handwritten invitation to dinner, you attend.

Brax cuts the engine. His truck—basically a photocopy of Jax’s—is a little cleaner than his twin’s, and he drives like he actually cares about the speed limit. I guess that’s the schoolteacher in him. Jax is still a little untamed. I start to climb out of the passenger seat, but Knox is suddenly there, opening the door for me and offering me a hand.

“I can get out by myself.”

“Yeah, but you shouldn’t have to.”

Sighing, I swallow the rest of my protest. Their dad and Lulu raised them to be gentlemen. Plus, it’s nice after the way Theo would walk through doors without even holding them. I can’t even count how many doors I had to catch before they smacked me in the face. That really should have been the final straw.

But I’m an idiot.

And this is no time for self-loathing because Lulu is standing on her porch, hands on her hips with a look that could eviscerate someone. I take a breath and straighten my spine. Whatever she has to say, I deserve. Especially after missing Frank’s funeral. She means a lot to the guys, and avoiding her is out of the question, so with another breath, I walk up the steps.

She watches me like a hawk watching prey. The lines on her face have deepened, but Lulu is beautiful. Always has been. Age is cruel to some people, but on Lulu, the years look like marks of love. For the guys’ sake, I hope she has plenty left.

“Hey, Lu,” I say, giving her a nervous grin.

“If I didn’t know your mama, I’d wonder if you were a Bar-tailed Godwit.”

One eyebrow lifts. “And what’s that bird known for?”

She’s a devout bird watcher and knows enough facts that she should probably write a book. “The Bar-tailed Godwit goes all around the world but always finds its way back to its breeding and wintering grounds.”

Knox chokes on a cough at the word breeding.

Lulu’s lips twitch. “I hope you’re using condoms.”

“Jesus, Aunt Lu,” Jax mumbles.

Brax stammers.

I sigh. “Could you three be any more obvious?”

“They couldn’t keep a secret from me if they tried.” Lulu studies me, still not smiling. “Are you here to stay?”

Even though I’d prepared for her lecture, all the things she might say, this question catches me off guard. I hadn’t really thought about whether or not I’m here for good. The guys fall silent around me, and the weight of everyone’s attention settles on my shoulders.

“I, uh, I hadn’t really thought that far ahead.”

“Boys, go in. Pull the casserole out of the oven and set the table.”

“Yes, ma’am,” they say in unison before filing into the house and abandoning me.

Traitors.

Lulu squints at me. “These three don’t need another woman running out on them, let alone the same one doing it twice.”

She means their mother. A sore subject, especially for Lulu, since she was her sister. The boys lost their mom, and Lulu lost the only family she had left.

“I didn’t mean to hurt them.” I hook my fingers together. “Would it help to tell you I thought Knox posted the video?”

She doesn’t bend. “That boy has loved you since you were little. Why would he do that?”

I blink, fighting a wave of tears that come unexpectedly. Everyone has been gentle about it, but not Lulu. In a way, I admire how cutthroat she is, but right now, I wish a hole would appear and swallow me whole. “I don’t know,” I confess.

Lulu crosses her arms. “Did you even ask him?”