Page 61 of Let Me Be the One
“I need to talk to her.”
Callie got out her phone and sent Glory a quick message, unsure if she’d even see it while editing the video.
Seconds later, the back door opened and Glory, wide-eyed, stepped out. Cautiously, she looked at each of them, and then Sutter. “What are you doing here?”
“They want to see you. In person.” He barely looked at Glory as he turned to go. “I’ll wait five minutes and then I’m leaving.”
“Five…” Glory turned to stare at Callie, shocked and unsure.
Her heart broke for her cousin. Far too many timesher parents had done this to her, acted as if she somehow owed them total obedience because they’d taken her in. “Ten minutes, and if you leave before that then you can explain to my parents.”
Jaw tight, Sutter nodded.
Glory looked off to the side, breathing hard, then she ran back inside.
Furious with the situation, Callie looked up at Tanner. She touched his jaw. “Thank you for being amazing.”
His eyes narrowed.
Hating to impose even more, but knowing it was necessary, Callie asked, “Could I be an even bigger burden and take a few minutes to help Glory? I promise I’ll be right back.”
Taking her off guard, he held her face and bent to give her a very soft kiss. “I’ll show Liam the car. We’ll be right here.”
Yup. Amazing. She smiled at him, then headed in. Unlike Glory, she didn’t race, but she did use long strides.
Glory was in the living room, perched on the edge of the seat, her laptop and purse beside her, but not her suitcase or toiletry bag. The second she spotted Callie, she shot to her feet. “I want to come back. Is that okay?”
Until Glory said it, Callie hadn’t realized how much she was dreading being alone. “Yes!” She hugged her hard. “Yes, of course. I told you, you’re always welcome to be with me.”
Glory caught her shoulders. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”
“You first.”
After sharing a laugh, they hugged again, and Gloryfaced her with new optimism. “I need to get my car anyway, right? And more clothes. Other…stuff. I’ll talk to your parents and I’ll try to make it clear that I can’t be the go-between.”
“You don’t have to do that.” Callie knew the pressure they put on her. “I don’t care if you update them. With Sutter showing up here, I plan to talk to them anyway.”
“I’ll tell them I support your decision.” Glancing toward the window to ensure Sutter was still there, she added, “It’s past time I broke those chains. It’s just… I’ve gotten so dependent on them.”
Very true. Callie’s parents, her mother especially, had always made Glory feel beholden, as if they’d rescued her instead of simply loving her. They set conditions on everything they gave, including their approval.
In turn, Glory had worked endlessly to show them how much she appreciated being part of their lives. So often, she’d seemed to feel that she didn’t have a choice. “We both know how they’ll react. If you truly feel that way—and I’ll love you regardless—it’d be better if you slowly and gently break away. It doesn’t have to be a big, bold statement.”
“Do you think so?”
“Yes. Do what you’re comfortable doing. I can hold my own, and as soon as you’re ready, come back.”
“It’ll probably only be a few days.”
“I’m already missing you.”
CHAPTER NINE
AFTERGLORY ANDSutter drove off, a very bad mood descended on Tanner. He hid it, knowing Liam needed his positive influence, not his distraction with one very beautiful, determined and fascinating woman. Seeing what Callie was up against though… It had taken greater restraint than he knew he had to keep from flattening Sutter.
After the summons given to Glory, more pressure would be on the way.
Would Callie give in and resign herself to a life with that prick? God, Tanner hoped not.
