Page 203 of Second Sets Omnibus

“It can!” she squeals, pulling me forward.

“Give me just a second, okay? Let me ask your mommy if this is okay, all right?” Lyric’s eyes whip to River and then back to me as she nods.

“Okay. I can’t wait to build the biggest castle with you, Daddy!” she shrieks with a grin, wrapping her arms around my neck again. “I can’t wait,” she whispers, kissing my bruised cheek with so much love I choke on it.

Climbing to my feet, I watch with stars in my eyes as she runs back to her creation near the water. Plopping down in the sand, she grins up at me as she fills a bucket, continuing to build up the castle.

“Hey,” I say, clearing my throat and dropping beside River.

“Hi,” she says softly, keeping her eyes on Lyric, who dances at the water’s edge with a grin.

“I–I didn’t know you guys would be here. I-um just wanted to take a swim and walk. But?—”

River snorts, waving a hand. “Thanks for asking permission. You’re more than allowed to hang out with her.” Her eyes cut to mine from beneath her lashes. My breath catches when she examines the tattoos lining my chest. More specifically, the one for her.

Ask me. Ask me about it, Little Star. Please.

Before she can utter a word, she rips her gaze away from the art etched into my flesh.

“Oh-oh, okay,” I stammer, reverting back to the mess I was when I first encountered River.

I’d like to think I’ve grown these past five years. Nerves no longer prickle at my skin when I’m in front of a crowd on stage, and meeting new people is a breeze. I’m no longer stumbling over my own two feet.

There’s something about River that makes my heart skip a damn beat and weighs down my tongue as if concrete encases it. She drives me back to the nervous boy I used to be. And a part of me clings to the old Callum resurfacing because that’s the man I want to be. Should be.

For her. For Lyric.

“Thanks. I’d really like that,” I say, clearing my throat.

“Daddy! Come on! Our castle needs lots of work!” Lyric shouts over the roar of the waves and light breeze blowing through the little paradise.

A small smile pulls at the edge of River’s lips. “You’d better get going. She’s a very persistent little girl.”

I snort. “I’ve noticed,” I quip, locking my eyes on the little girl excitedly jumping up and down in the sand, waving me over.

“Cal,” River whispers, resting a hand on my arm, stopping me from getting up.

My heart beats double time when the warmth of her hand seeps into my flesh, stopping my movements. Shit. The world swims in front of my eyes, swirling together in a mass of colors. My body weaves. All from one simple, electrifying touch. And I think I might pass out.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I stare at where we’re connected and get myself under control. “Y-yeah?” I croak when she gently squeezes my arm.

“Lyric likes to come out here every day after school. It’s the first thing she does when she throws her backpack in her room, she gets her suit on and plays in the waves and sand. Sometimes she likes to swim, but most times, she likes to sit right there and watch the waves or build a castle.” She squeezes one last time and drops her hand from my arm.

Immediately, I miss the way her hand felt on my skin. My vision clears, and my head returns to its usual messy self.

“Thank you,” I whisper, earning a nod in return.

“I’m not here to keep her from you. You know that, right?” She swallows hard, gazing at the blue horizon where the sea meets the skyline in the distance. Away from me and the noise bubbling in my throat.

“I-I don’t believe you’d keep her from us. That isn’t like you.” I shake my head, rolling my lips together as the anger from Asher’s betrayal stabs me in the back once again.

There are some wounds you never heal from. They cut deep—to the bone—flaying your soul open. This is one of them. Sure, it may superficially mend back together out of necessity, but deep down, the pain, anger, and pent-up rage will always be in the background, reminding me of what he did. There’s no getting away from Asher now. We’re in too deep unless we tuck tail and leave the band and go our separate ways.

After today’s session with Lucy, I’m thinking we might make it out of this alive. If we band together and really sink into our feelings, we’ll get through this and make it to the other side. We may have bruises and scrapes, but we’ll heal. Once and for all.

“That was Asher and Gloria’s fault that we’ve been apart for so long,” I say, watching Lyric closely as she dips her bucket into the water. “I’m just sorry I missed so much,” I whisper longingly, staring at the daughter whose childhood I missed out on. But no more.

Callum is here to stay. To make memories full of laughter and love. I’ll be here until the end. No matter what.