Page 3 of Stolen Holidays (The Miller Brothers #5)

three

Callie

Eleven Days Until Christmas

My security guard, Big Mike, who is the size of an NFL lineman, stands out like a sore thumb. Even in plain clothes, he’s a noticeable figure keeping sentry. He politely opens the door for us ladies, to the infamous Blue Cantina restaurant, as his eyes scan the scene for anything precarious.

“Thanks, Mike.” I give him a warm smile. I’ve enjoyed getting to know him these past few months. He’s a lovely man.

“Any time, Miss Wright.” He nods, but his eyes never leave the surrounding scene. Even when I go out dressed incognito, I never leave home without him or Eli by my side. Maybe I will someday, but I’m content for now.

My feet ache, and I’m so ready to sit down.

I enter the restaurant behind the rest of the Miller women—Rylann, Emery, and Talia, and Rylann’s friend, Scarlett.

The smell of food that would normally make me drool has saliva pooling in my mouth for a different reason and a wave of nausea rolling through me.

What the hell?

I shake off the feeling as best I can, barely catching what the girls are talking about. I missed part of the conversation.

I’m saved when the hostess spots us and greets us with a bright smile. “Mrs. Miller!”

“Hi, Isabel,” Rylann greets her.

As the two chat briefly, I zone out and pray that our table is ready because all I really want is to sit down, drink some cold water, and push this sick feeling away.

The same thing happened to me yesterday while I was having lunch with my mom and Eli for my birthday, and I’m not sure what the heck is going on with me. I really hope I’m not coming down with the flu or something.

With my eyes closed, I suck in slow, steady breaths. My head itches from the stupid wig I’m wearing, and my skin feels clammy.

Talia lays her hand on my shoulder, bringing me out of my fog. Her smokey gray eyes search my face, and it brings a smile to my face. She’s much shorter than I am at five-two, but her personality and heart are almost as big as her fiancé, Cameron. “Callie, are you okay?”

“Yeah, just a little hot. I think I’m tired.

It’s been a long day.” I tug at the wig and make sure Mike isn’t within earshot.

The last thing I want is for him to hear and report back to Eli.

If Eli even catches a whiff of me not feeling well, he will be here, dragging me back to the hotel to rest. Even though I’m tired, I’m looking forward to some good old-fashioned girl talk and some food.

My stomach lurches again. Okay, maybe no food.

“Let’s get you some water.” Talia loops her arm through mine as we follow the rest of the group to a smaller, more private dining room at the back of the restaurant.

Mike follows us, does a quick room check, then exits the room and takes his station outside, leaving us girls alone to enjoy our meal and some private time.

We all take seats around the rectangular table, and Talia sticks by my side. Rylann sits at the head of the table while Scarlett and Emery sit opposite me and Talia.

I let out a sigh of relief as I take my seat.

It really has been a nonstop busy day, and my feet are killing me.

My day started with a flight from Los Angeles to Oregon before sunrise, followed by a birthday breakfast surprise party Eli and his family threw for me.

I completely lost it and bawled like a baby.

The Millers have embraced me as one of their own so seamlessly and with such love. It’s still a little overwhelming, but in the best way possible. I have the very large and loud family I’ve always wanted.

“Did you get everything on your list?” Talia asks, observing me.

“I think so. I haven’t done Christmas shopping in ages.”

We girls spent the afternoon in downtown Portland, doing last-minute holiday shopping without the guys and kids before we all leave for the small inn Eli rented out for the entire Miller family to spend the holidays together.

“Are you sure that’s it? You look a little tired.” Unable to turn off the nursing part of her brain, Talia almost blinds me with the rock on her finger as she presses the back of her hand to my forehead, taking my temperature.

Talia works in pediatrics, and it suits her.

She is the most compassionate and empathetic person I’ve ever known.

We met during the worst time of my life, but she put me at ease instantly with her warmth and understanding.

Since she also lives in Los Angeles, we’ve grown close these past couple of months, attending baseball games and family dinners together.

“I’m good,” I assure her.

“Oh, no. Is something wrong?” Rylann asks as she watches Talia fuss over me.

Waving Rylann off, I try to downplay my moment of weakness. “I’m fine, but Talia can’t help herself. I guess I’m just not used to all-day shopping trips.”

Talia hands me a glass of water, and I sip it. “Callie is a little warm, and she’s sweaty. She also looks tired, and her complexion is a little off. Am I missing anything?”

“Just a little nausea. Maybe I’m coming down with a bug or something. It’s been a long couple of months with the tour and all.” I shrug and take another sip of water. The cool liquid tastes so damn good I chug the entire glass.

“Hey now, we can’t have you getting sick on us, superstar. It’s been a long day. Maybe you’re just hungry.” Scarlett pushes the basket of chips my way.

I reach for the chips, but at the last second, I hesitate.

“Maybe…” Emery bites her lip and bumps Scarlett on the side with her elbow.

Scarlett’s eyes widen, and she turns to Rylann, and they have one of their freaky silent conversations.

The server arrives with a pitcher of margaritas and places it on the table, interrupting us. “Can I get you ladies anything else?”

“No, thank you. We will stick to the preordered menu I arranged with Isabel.” Rylann turns to us to confirm, and we all nod along.

When the server leaves, I finally take the ugly copper-brown wig off and rest it on my knee. I hate wearing it, but sometimes it’s nice to walk around and not get asked by fans to take a picture or sign autographs. I shake my hair out. “Oh goodness, that’s so much better.”

When I look up, I find four pairs of eyes on me.

“What?” I self-consciously pat my hair down.

Rylann places her hand on mine. “Callie, can you tell me about this nausea? Does it happen all day? In the morning? When did it start?”

I think about her questions. “It’s nothing. Really. The same thing happened to me at lunch yesterday, and then I was fine for the rest of the day.”

“Oh dear,” Talia mumbles.

“Has anything else felt off lately?” Emery asks. “Like sensitive nipples?”

I think about this morning and how, when Eli was sucking on them right before he went down on me, they felt more tender. “Maybe?”

“Maybe?” Scarlett questions me.

“Well, yeah. Eli spends a lot of time, you know, worshipping them.”

“Oh, I bet he does,” Scarlett teases.

The table erupts in laughter.

“Sorry. TMI, right?” My face heats as memories of him worshipping the rest of my body pop into my head. Let’s just say birthday sex may just be my favorite kind of sex. In total agreement, my clit pulses, and a rush of heat floods my panties.

Ugh, I wish Eli were here to fuck me.

“Are you kidding? We love a good dirty-sex talk. Especially when margaritas are involved.” Scarlett wiggles her eyebrows at me.

“Save it for later, Scarlett,” Rylann warns her.

“Oops, my bad. Carry on, Rice Cakes.” I love it when they call each other by silly nicknames. I even like it when Scarlett calls me superstar. It makes me feel like I’m truly a part of the group.

“Um, I’m getting the sense that I’m missing something here.” I fidget with my hair again and shift in my seat.

“Was yesterday the first day you felt like this?” Rylann pauses, waiting for me to answer.

I nod. “Hmm. I don’t know. This could be nothing. Why? What do you think?”

Talia tilts her head from side to side, mulling over my symptoms. “My gut tells me it’s something.”

Emery smirks behind her glass as she rubs her round belly. “I agree with Talia. Scarlett?”

“Girl, you’re pregnant,” Scarlett blurts.

My eyebrows jump towards the sky as I stare at her in shock.

Pregnant? My heart beats double time.

Preg-nant. Preg-nant.

“But I’m on the shot.”

“Not all birth control is effective, and depending on your last dose, it might have worn off by now,” Talia interjects.

My stomach flutters as I place my hands on my lower belly. Can I be pregnant already?

It’s not like you’ve been careful since you started getting busy with Eli on the daily, my brain snarks at me.

It’s so true. I smile at myself as pure, unfiltered joy rolls through me like cool California ocean waves. All the plans I have been making in my head are becoming my reality, and I couldn’t be happier.

“Callie?” Rylann’s sweet voice cuts through my thoughts.

Happy tears fill my eyes as I look at her and the rest of my new sisters sitting around the table. Everyone audibly gushes “aww”, and I can feel the water roll down my cheeks as a grin slides across my face.

“Ohmigod, is it really happening?” I ask.

Scarlett jumps up from her seat. “Hold that thought. I’ll run to the drugstore and grab a test. Then you’ll know for sure.”

“Wait!” Rylann grips Scarlett’s wrist, holding her in place. “Callie, do you want the test, or do you want to wait and talk to Eli first?”

“Party pooper,” Scarlett mumbles.

Rylann makes a good point, but there is a part of me that would love to know for sure before I bring up being pregnant to Eli. Surprise him for once. “No, I want the test. If it’s positive, then I have the best Christmas present to give him.”

“Yes!” Scarlett grabs her purse and rushes out of the dining room.

Once again, I rub my nonexistent bump, hoping for the best gift to be delivered this Christmas.