Chapter 5

Chapter Five

C allie spent the next few nights crashing Trevor’s work party. She had no idea what she was doing since she’d never worked construction, but deep down, she knew what he was doing wasn’t healthy. She at least had seen the kids stop by and hang out for a while. But their lives shouldn’t consist of passing moments.

How could Trevor not see how important it was to spend time with the kids without it being work? Life was too short.

She texted Hannah and Evan and told them to come to the house tonight because they were going to do something fun. Now she just needed to convince Trevor to join them.

Her greatest fear was that he’d continue to choose work over family time.

She knocked on the back door even though she knew he wouldn’t answer. He just left the door unlocked for her to come in. She entered the kitchen and stopped. She heard none of the usual racket. Trevor’s truck was out front, so he had to be there.

“Trevor?”

“Upstairs,” he called.

She climbed the stairs and realized that Lisa’s bedroom door was open. She didn’t think anyone had stepped foot in there since the funeral. Callie eased into the room.

Trevor sat on the corner of the bed flipping through a book. It took a minute for Callie to recognize it was the scrapbook that Lisa kept of Callie’s work. Lisa had been so proud of her.

“Hey,” she said.

Trevor looked up. “You’re really fucking amazing. I had no idea.”

“Thanks.” She glanced around the room. Very little had been moved, but someone had gone through Lisa’s things.

Trevor followed her gaze. “Hannah and Evan took what they wanted. I guess the rest is up to me. I don’t know what to do with it.”

“Would you like me to clear it out?” she offered.

“Damn. I’m sorry. I should’ve asked if you wanted any of her things. I’ve been so busy trying to fix the bathrooms and keep up with the kids I hadn’t considered. You’re welcome to anything you want, Callie.” He closed the book he held.

Callie nodded, feeling a little overwhelmed by Trevor’s compliment as well as being in her best friend’s space. “I’ll take care of it for you. Do you think her mom might want anything?”

“She took some stuff after the funeral, but I’ll text her and ask.” He stood and tossed the book on the mattress. “Are you sure you’re up for that?”

“Yeah. It needs to be done. Leaving it like this isn’t good for anyone.”

“I know. I’m trying.”

“I know you are. I wasn’t criticizing.” She shook her head. She hadn’t prepared for this. “I came over to tell you to pack up your tools. You’re done for today.”

He cocked an eyebrow.

“The kids are on their way here, and we’re going out.” He looked down at his dirty work clothes.

“Hannah is bringing you fresh things.”

“There’s no shower. Bathrooms are torn apart.”

“You can use my shower.”

He stared at her.

“They need this, Trevor. Hell, you need this. Take a break. Have fun with us.”

“What kind of fun are you dragging me to?”

“Cosmic bowling.”

“I hate bowling.”

“You don’t hate bowling. You’re just not good at it. It’s one sport where it’s completely acceptable to suck.”

“Sport?”

“I use the term loosely.” She took his hand and felt an odd comfort in the touch. “Come on. How can you refuse crappy pizza and the chance to humiliate me?”

He sighed. “Fine.”

“Yay!” She gave a little jump. She tugged his hand. “Go shower. I’ll bring your clothes as soon as the kids get here.”

She had thought for sure it would be harder to convince him. She’d been ready to pull out every guilt trip she could think of. But he’d relented pretty easily. Now she just had to pray the night would be as much fun as she hoped. “Clean towels are in the cabinet next to the tub,” she called from the top of the stairs.

“Got it,” he answered. Then she heard the back door open.

She turned off the light in Lisa’s room and checked out the bathroom on her way out. The man was a machine. The room was back to looking like an actual room. He had the drywall done and taped. He hadn’t been kidding when he said he wanted the kids to be able to move back soon.

A few minutes later, the front door opened, and Hannah and Evan came in. As soon as she saw them, she was glad that Trevor was pushing so hard to have them back here. She missed them. “Hey, guys. Who’s ready for some fun?”

Evan closed the door. “What are we doing?”

“Ugh. You sound so much like your dad. Trust me.”

“Where is he?” Hannah asked. “I have his clothes.” She lifted a plastic bag.

“He’s showering at my place. I’ll take them over and tell him to hurry.” Callie took the bag.

Evan plopped on the couch and stared at his phone. Hannah went to the bathroom to see the progress. “It’s almost done,” she said.

“Yep. Your dad is fast. I’ll be back in a minute.” She moved through the house and out the back door. In her house, as she neared her bathroom, the water shut off.

Callie froze. She had a sudden image of Trevor buck naked and dripping wet. She shook her head. Her thoughts were so many levels of inappropriate. She needed to get it under control. She tapped on the door.

It swung open, and Trevor stood in front of her with a towel wrapped around his waist.

She smiled. “We need to stop meeting like this.” She thrust the bag at him. “Hurry up. We’re all ready to go.”

“Bossy.”

“You know it.” Then she spun and went back to the kids before her mind had the chance to do any more indecent wandering.

Trevor had no idea why he’d let Callie talk him into this. He had a lot of work to do. And a night at a bowling alley where there would surely be a group getting drunk was not how he wanted to spend time.

But there he was, driving all of them to the bowling alley in Evan’s beat-up old car that Trevor had just bought. Although they would all fit in the truck, he had it filled with tools and didn’t want to take it where someone might be tempted to break into it. The directions Callie had given him put them driving a lot farther than necessary. He could’ve found three closer alleys. But she seemed to have her heart set on this one.

Hannah chatted with Callie about her day at school, and Trevor realized he never got that kind of rundown from her. How does Callie manage to do that?

He parked the car and checked out the parking lot. The building looked newish. Not quite the dive he’d expected. They all stepped from the car, and Callie stopped in front of him and Evan.

Holding out her hand she said, “Phones.”

“Huh?”

“Give me your phones. We’re spending the night together. No phones.”

“You’re not taking Hannah’s phone,” Evan said. “Because her nose isn’t constantly in it.”

“Here, Callie,” Hannah said with a bright smile and handed over her phone.

“Suck-up.”

Hannah simply stuck her tongue out at her brother. Evan gave Callie his phone, and she dropped it in her purse. Then she wiggled her fingers at Trevor.

“I’m not a kid.”

“I know that. But the most important people in your life are right here. Who else might call who is more important?”

She had him there. He slapped his phone in her palm. She gave him a huge smile in return. Her grin was bright and shot straight through him, making him feel light.

“Let’s go.” She spun on her heel and put an arm around Hannah. “We should play girls against guys. I think we can kick their butts.”

Trevor’s long stride easily caught up to them. “Care to place a wager on that?”

Callie shot him a look from the corner of her eye. “Like what?”

“Losers have to cook dinner for a week,” Hannah announced.

“That’s bogus,” Evan said. “That’s not punishment for you. You cook anyway.”

“Fine, if we win, you guys have to cook dinner. What do you want if you win?”

Callie held up a hand. “Hold on. Are you sure it’s not punishment for us to have to eat food they cook?”

Hannah burst out laughing.

Trevor nudged Callie’s shoulder. “Funny. I’m not totally inept in the kitchen.”

Evan reached the door first and held it open for all of them. “Can I make her do my homework if we win?” he asked as Trevor passed.

“Nope. Nice try, though.”

“You’ll have to do our laundry,” Trevor suggested. “For a month.”

Hannah wrinkled her nose. “Your clothes are gross.”

He lifted a shoulder. “Then I guess you better win.”

His daughter gave him a look that was so much like her mother that he almost tripped on his own feet. Her eyes lit with the idea of taking his challenge.

“You’ll be sorry,” she said.

They got shoes and were assigned two lanes. The room was dark, black lights glowing. Many lanes were filled with families, and the crack of bowling balls against pins filled the air, quickly followed by cheering.

Trevor looked around as Callie led them to their lanes, carrying their shoes. He saw a counter for food but didn’t see any pitchers of beer. Although he’d never been a bowler, he’d been bowling enough in his life that he knew it was one of those activities that drew drinkers. Like any other sport.

They sat on plastic chairs and changed their shoes.

“You guys go pick out your balls. I’ll order pizza,” Callie said.

“I’ll get that,” Trevor said, standing awkwardly in the funny-looking shoes.

“I got it. You set up the computer.” She smiled and pointed at the screen.

The kids took off to go find the right-size balls. Trevor entered their names in the computer and tried not to be irritated that Callie didn’t trust him to order pizza. What did she think, that he’d sneak in a beer or two while waiting?

When the computer was ready, he grabbed a ball, and the kids returned. Callie sat on a chair next to him while Hannah and Evan took their first turns.

“I could’ve gotten the pizza,” he said, more sharply than he’d intended.

“I know. I thought it would be more efficient to each take a job. And that” —she pointed to the screen— “is a task I always screw up. I don’t have the patience for pressing the buttons to get the names in.”

“Oh.”

“What’s going on?”

“Nothing.” He watched as Evan’s ball dragged in the gutter. He turned to face Callie. “I thought you didn’t want me near the bar because you thought I’d drink.” He paused and then added, “I can be around alcohol without drinking.”

She smiled at him, her teeth glowing eerily in the black light. “Well, there’s no worry about that here. They don’t sell alcohol.”

“What?”

“It’s a dry bowling alley.”

Trevor blinked and processed her words. He wasn’t sure how to feel about it. Did she think he was that much of a risk, or was she being considerate? He had no idea how to handle this woman. She was infuriating one minute and amusing the next.

Hannah yelped as she knocked pins down.

Callie pointed down the lane. “Looks like you’re in trouble.”

She winked at him with a smirk, and Trevor knew that he was indeed in trouble.

For the next two hours, they laughed and bowled horribly. Callie danced and cheered like she was in a championship game. She did nothing halfway. She was all in, all the time. No matter what it was—something vital or inconsequential. Callie loved it all.

Her spirit was infectious. He found himself laughing and teasing while they played. After the first game—where the guys won—they decided to switch it up and play adults against kids, with no stakes. Callie had tried for double or nothing, but he knew enough to get out while ahead.

By the time they were leaving, Trevor felt about a million pounds lighter. After he changed, he took everyone’s shoes to return to the counter. The old-timer manning the register took the shoes.

“You have a lovely family there.”

Trevor looked over his shoulder to where Callie and the kids were still rehashing the finer points of their games. “Yeah, I do. Thanks.”

Callie sat in Evan’s car beside Trevor on the ride back to her house. Her cheeks and stomach hurt from so much laughing. Based on the constant chattering between Evan and Hannah, and the fact that although she’d returned their phones, they weren’t using them, the night had been the success she’d hoped for. Lisa might not have done a regular family night out, but she’d had a daily routine that Callie could count on. She missed dropping in on them whenever she felt lonely.

With Trevor working so many hours, she knew he wasn’t spending much time with the kids. Accusing him of avoiding them wasn’t very nice, but his actions still felt like it. Pushing him to do this had been good for all of them.

Especially her. She loved being part of a family.

Trevor pulled up in front of the house. Turning in his seat, he said to Evan, “Take your sister straight home. Finish homework. I’ll be there soon.”

Evan nodded and pushed out of the back door. Callie opened her door and stepped out. Before Evan moved to the driver’s side, she snagged him for a hug. “I’m glad you came out with us.”

He returned her hug with a muffled, “I didn’t think I had a choice.”

She laughed. “You didn’t really, but you could’ve been an ass about it.”

“It was fun. Thanks, Callie.” He went around and climbed in behind the wheel, readjusting the seat to accommodate his shorter legs.

Hannah came to her side and hugged her. “We should do this again. We need a rematch. I can’t believe they beat us.”

“Next time we’ll have to pick something they suck at.”

“Good luck with that,” Trevor said from behind her. “I’m good at everything.”

Hannah sat in the car and waved to her dad.

Callie and Trevor silently watched the car pull away. The air between them was charged, but she didn’t understand what was causing the tension. It had been a good night.

“Thanks for making me go out with them.”

“They needed it,” she said, then added quietly, “So did I.” She turned to walk up the gangway toward the backyard.

Trevor followed.

“Where are you going?” she asked, afraid that he planned to do more work on the house instead of going home.

“I’m walking you to your door. Making sure you get home safely.”

She chuckled. “It’s not like this is a dangerous neighborhood.”

He shrugged. He obviously had something else on his mind, so she let him walk beside her to figure out what he wanted to say. At her door, she slowly took out her keys. He still said nothing.

“So, this is me,” she said, cheerfully jingling her keys.

He stood close and then leaned against the doorjamb. “Why did you pick that bowling alley?”

She could’ve played it off, but she knew what he was asking. “I had to search around to find a place that doesn’t serve alcohol. That was the only alley in the area.”

“I’m capable of being around alcohol.” His voice was tight, his shoulders tense.

She patted his chest. “I wasn’t worried about you going on a bender with your kids. But I have no idea how difficult it is for you. You have this immense wall up, and you let nothing through. I chose to play it safe. I wanted tonight to be fun, not stressful.”

She let her hand slide away from him. He released a slow breath. His eyes softened and darkened simultaneously.

He licked his lips and stared at her. This suddenly felt like a date—an awkward first date between two virgin teenagers. “This is weird,” he whispered.

She smiled. “I was just thinking the same thing. Why?”

“Why, what?”

“Why is it so weird all of a sudden?”

“I don’t know. Maybe because everything is so different. We used to be friends. But that was before. With Lisa. Now Lisa’s gone, and I have the kids.”

She nodded at the accurate assessment. “Life changes. Doesn’t explain the weird, though, does it?”

She wondered if he felt the same buzz of attraction that she did. The force that made her want to lean closer, put her hand on his chest again, absorb whatever comfort he offered.

“I think we need to learn how to be friends now, not the friends we used to be,” he offered. “It’s a weird position to be in.”

That certainly cleared up her blurred ideas. While she’d been inappropriately ogling him, he’d been trying to figure out how to friend-zone her.

“I think we’re doing a pretty good job, Trevor. I’m glad you want to be friends. I like being part of this.” She pointed toward the house. “With the kids.”

“You’ll always have a place with the kids, Callie.” He shoved his hands into the front pockets of his worn jeans. “With all of us. You’re family.”

Her throat tightened, but she smiled. “Thanks.”

“I wouldn’t have made it these last few weeks without you.”

“Sure you would’ve. You’ve got your friends. They seemed very protective and helpful when I met them.”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “Yeah, but they have their own lives.”

“Are you implying that I don’t have a life?” She gave his shoulder a little shove.

“That’s not what I meant. Man, you make it hard.”

She giggled. “That’s what he said.”

His eyes widened and he stared at her. “Did you just make a that’s what he said joke?”

“I’m sorry, did I offend the frail sensibilities of a construction worker?”

A slow smile crept across his face. “You’re definitely full of surprises.” He pushed away from the wall. “Good night, Callie.”

She unlocked the door and went inside, still feeling confused about her feelings for Trevor.

Trevor spent the next week killing himself working around the clock to finish the bathrooms so the kids could move home. He spent every waking hour on the job or on the house.

He did his best to convince himself it wasn’t because he was avoiding Callie. He’d almost kissed her after bowling. She’d been honest and straight with him. She pushed him to be better, but she didn’t ignore his problems, either.

And she made sex jokes to keep things light.

Now the house was done and all he needed to do was pack everything he owned, move in, and then sell his house. Piece of cake.

Yeah, right.

Lucky for him, he had great friends. Nina was coming over to help him pack. Then Owen was bringing a bunch of firefighters over this weekend to move him. All it would cost him was some pizza and beer.

He stood in the middle of the living room with a stack of empty boxes, unsure where to start. At least he didn’t own a lot of crap. A knock sounded on the open front door.

“Hey,” Nina called. She came in.

Trevor did a double-take. She wore jeans and a snug T-shirt with gym shoes. Her usually perfectly styled hair was up in a ponytail.

Her eyes widened. “Something wrong?”

“Uh, no. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wear jeans.”

In fact, Nina was always dressed to impress. She was an event planner who worked with high-end clients. Her wardrobe probably cost as much as his truck.

“Did you think I would wear my Jimmy Choos to pack boxes?”

He only knew she was referring to shoes because he’d suffered through an entire breakfast listening to Nina and Evelyn discuss designer footwear.

She clapped her hands. “Where do you want me to start?”

“This is gonna sound stupid, but I don’t even know. Lisa’s house is full.”

Nina stepped closer and touched his hand. “If you’re going to live there, you need to start thinking about it as your house, not Lisa’s.”

He nodded. She was right, but he had no idea how to start.

“Let’s make two piles: one to move, one to donate.” She turned in a circle. “You probably want your books. And obviously clothes. Why don’t I start there? You can go around and put a sticky note or something on the things that you want.”

Trevor couldn’t stop the smile. He’d never seen Nina at work, but here she was, completely in her element. Over the last year or so, he’d seen her become bolder, less of the mousy companion they were used to. The bossiness suited her.

She grabbed a box and began packing books. The kids were upstairs packing their things. Tonight they’d be back home for good. He’d get his clothes there today and move the rest this weekend. After rummaging around, he found a pad of sticky notes. He put one on his recliner. He eyed the couch. Nah, Lisa’s was better. His lamp? Maybe.

As he worked his way around the room, Hannah came thudding down the stairs.

“You can’t be done already,” he said.

“Nope. Need another box.” She stared at Nina. “Hi.”

“Hannah, you remember Nina, don’t you?”

“Sure.” She turned to Trevor. “Is Callie coming?”

“No. Why?”

Hannah lifted a shoulder. “Just figured she’d be here. She’s with us all the time.” Picking up an empty box, she asked, “Do you want me to call her? You have a lot to do here.”

“Nah, we got this. I’m going to donate a bunch since we won’t need two of everything at the other house.” Other house was better than Lisa’s house . A step in the right direction.

“Okay.” Then she sprinted back up the stairs.

Trevor surveyed the room. He thought he had everything marked. He felt Nina staring at him. “What? Did I manage to screw up your sticky note system?”

“What’s up with Callie?”

“What do you mean?”

She abandoned the box of books and stepped close. Lowering her voice, she said, “Did you not get the distinct impression that Hannah was…protective?”

Trevor stared at her. Sometimes she was harder to understand than his teenage daughter.

Nina continued, “She doesn’t want me here. That’s why she wants to call Callie.”

“Callie’s important to them, especially Hannah. She’s been a huge help.” He took his pad of notes and walked to his bedroom. He didn’t want to think about what Nina was implying.

Nina followed with an empty box. “So there’s nothing between you and Callie?” she asked as she began opening his dresser drawers and stacking clothes in the box.

“We’re friends.”

Nina pinned him with a look and an arched brow. “What kind of friends?”

“No benefits involved.” Even if the thought had crossed his mind on more than one occasion.

“So she’s just not into you, huh?” Nina teased.

“Women find me irresistible. Alcoholic single dad with two teenagers. Every woman’s dream.”

Nina tossed T-shirts on the pile. “You’re a catch.” She sighed. “All joking aside, any drinking issues?”

“I’m good. There have been days, you know, but I haven’t gotten as far as walking into a liquor store or bar, so that’s good.”

“If you ever need someone to go to a meeting with you, you know where to find me.”

“Thanks. I’ve been talking to my sponsor a few times a week.”

“Meetings?”

“No time. Between figuring things out with the kids and fixing up the house, I’ve been exhausted.”

“Tiring yourself out shouldn’t take the place of the program.”

“I don’t need the lecture.”

“No lecture. I worry about you.”

He filled a box with the junk that had collected on his dresser. He stuck a note on the furniture. “I appreciate your concern but I’m okay.”

Hannah appeared in the doorway again. “I’m done. What’s with the sticky notes?”

“Nina suggested I mark what’s coming with me so the rest can be donated.” He moved to the closet and pulled out his guitar.

“You still have that?” Hannah asked.

“Of course.”

She sat on the corner of the bed.

“I have a picture of us that Mom gave me. It’s me sitting on your lap while you played.”

She used to do that all the time when she was little. “Can you teach me?”

He smiled. “I don’t think you can sit on my lap for lessons. I haven’t played in years. We can get you lessons if you want.”

Her face fell a little, and he knew he’d screwed up again. “I can try. I don’t know much about teaching it. That’s all.”

“Okay,” she said. “You need help here?”

“No, we have it. There’s not much.”

She looked to Nina and back to him.

Evan stuck his head in the room. “I’m gonna head home, okay?”

“Did you load your boxes in your car?” Evan sighed. “I will.”

“Take anything Hannah needs, too. You guys can head home if you want. I’m going to finish this.”

“I can’t haul all of her stuff. I don’t drive a moving van.”

“Ha ha,” Hannah said as she shoved past him. “See you at home.”

Home . Huh. He hadn’t had a real home with his kids in a long time.

Right after they left, his phone buzzed. He fished it from his pocket. A text from Callie.

Need help?

No. Kids are on their way home with some of their stuff. Dinner?

Sounds good.

He looked over his shoulder at Nina. “You want to come to the house for dinner with us? Callie’s cooking or ordering.”

“As much as I’d love to watch the friends with no benefits in action, I have some work to do at home.”

“I’m never going to hear the end of it, am I?”

“Not until I get some good details.”

“No details to give.”

“Not yet.”

He shook his head and went back to his phone, which had continued buzzing in his hand. Callie had fired off text after text asking about dinner choices and what time he’d be there.

And what about dessert?

He smiled and looked over the mess of his room.

Get whatever you want. I’ll be there within an hour.

“Do you need some privacy with your phone?”

“No.” He scooped the few items from his closet and shoved them, hangers and all, into the box on the bed. “We can donate everything in the kitchen.”

“Do you want me to call someone to come do a pickup?”

“I can handle it. If you have a specific charity you like, give me the information.”

“Sure.” She taped up a box and marked the side.

As if he couldn’t figure out that all of his boxes would be going to his bedroom.

His bedroom. His house. His family. He was really doing this.

And this time, he’d get it right.