Chapter 33

Callie

“I’m so sorry, Callie,” Mary said, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I can’t imagine what you’ve been going through.”

I hugged her back while everyone else in the hall tried not to watch. I’d never felt more exposed or embarrassed in all my life. “I’m fine. I promise,” I assured her, letting her go.

She nodded. “If you need anything, just let me know.”

Before anyone else could stop me, I hurried to the locker room. I wanted to disappear for the next ten weeks until the show was over. Until then, I had no choice. There was no one in the room so I kicked off my shoes and sat down on the floor by my locker. All I wanted was peace.

Slowly, I breathed in and out, concentrating on my breaths; at least, until the door opened and footsteps pounded my way. Closing my eyes, I clenched my teeth tight. Was it not possible to get a few minutes alone?

“Damn, Callie, you look like you’re about to break,” Hannah murmured, concern etched in her voice.

Opening my eyes, I breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m on the brink. It was a mistake to come in today.” Tears fell down my cheeks. “This morning wasn’t bad being in surgery, but now that I’m out in the open, I can’t ignore everyone staring at me. All I want to do is tell them to fuck off and leave me alone.”

Hannah sat down beside me, bumping me playfully with her shoulder. “Then tell them. Honestly, I thought being here would get your mind off of things.”

“It has when I’m busy, but when break time comes, I can’t stop thinking about everything.” I glanced down at my watch. “The show starts in ten minutes.”

She grabbed my hand. “Come on, let’s get something to eat. We have two more hours and then I’ll take you home. The show will be over and you can relax.”

“I’m glad you’re so optimistic,” I grumbled as she pulled me up. “But thank you for driving me here this morning.”

She winked. “That’s what best friends are for.”

We walked to the break room and I knew we wouldn’t be alone. It was dinnertime and there were already a couple of nurses waiting in line to use the microwave. Dr. Sands sat alone at his table so I joined him while Hannah grabbed our salads out of the refrigerator.

“Working late today?” Dr. Sands asked.

I poured my homemade ranch dressing onto my salad. “Yep. Figured I’d make up the time I lost.”

He nodded, but I could tell he wanted to say more. “I thought so. You didn’t say much this morning during surgery.”

My eyes burned. “I’ve had a lot on my mind.”

“I know. You don’t have to talk about it.” He slid a bowl of chicken salad my way. “Add this to your salad. My wife made it last night.”

It smelled amazing and my mouth watered just looking at it. “Tell your wife she’s awesome. Thank you.” I scooped a large spoonful of it onto my salad and Hannah did the same.

He smiled. “I will. I also wanted to tell you I talked to Ella’s mother tonight. She’s doing really well. All she talks about is how much she misses you.”

“I miss her, too. It’s not the same here without her.”

“I know,” he said, chuckling. “She has a way of brightening up the room. So full of life.”

More people entered the break room, and luckily we were in the corner and I had my back to the door. That way, no one would see me as soon as they walked in. However, it didn’t stop them from turning on the TV.

“Turn it to channel six. I want to watch Rich and Single,” one of the nurses announced excitedly.

Closing my eyes, I tried to block everything out, but I couldn’t. I heard the music and then the host of the show’s voice as he introduced Dallas. The second Dallas spoke, I jumped to my feet, my chair tipping over onto the floor. The others in the room glanced over their shoulders, and when they realized it was me, the TV shut off immediately.

Hannah grabbed my wrist, but I shook her off. “I’m okay,” I huffed, barreling to the door. Everyone stared at me, their eyes wide in shock. I’d finally reached my breaking point. I snapped a hand toward the TV. “By all means, keep watching the show. Don’t let me stop you.”

Taking off into the hall, I didn’t know where to go. All I knew was that I needed to get away. There was an empty room down the hall and I ran inside, shutting the door behind me. My breaths came out in rapid pants and I collapsed onto the chair beside the bed. It felt like my insides were being ripped out, especially my heart.

Grabbing the remote, I turned on the TV. I had to see him. Dressed to perfection in a dark navy suit and tousled brown hair, Dallas stood there at the front of the house.

“Are you ready to meet your housemates?” the host asked. The host was Ryan Chamberlain, a former soap opera star who now hosted other shows.

With a wide grin, Dallas nodded. “I am.”

The door burst open and Hannah charged inside. “There you are. I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

She stood in front of me, blocking my view of the television. “I couldn’t help it,” I confessed. “Maybe I just like being tortured, I don’t know. Madison told me he had no choice but to do the show, but it seems like he’s enjoying it.”

I looked around her at the TV and one of the limos pulled up to the house. A tall, sexy blonde stepped out and walked up to Dallas, kissing him on the cheek. “It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Andrea,” she said sweetly.

Rolling my eyes, I couldn’t stop the jealousy from plaguing me. “This is going to make me sick.”

“Then stop watching it,” Hannah argued. “We have to get back to work soon anyway.”

One by one, I watched each girl get out of the limos and smile their perfect smiles and show off their sleek bodies. They all looked like fashion models, something I definitely wasn’t. Once they were all introduced, Dallas and the host walked inside the house. The ladies gathered around him while the host explained the rules of the show. It was like a herd of animals, ready to pounce on their prize.

Swallowing hard, I turned away from the screen. “I’m done. I can’t watch anymore.” I hurried to the door, but stopped when I heard Dallas’s voice. It was like I was in a trance; I couldn’t walk away. Gripping the door handle, I leaned my head against the wood.

“Good evening, ladies. I have to say, I should feel like a lucky man being here today,” Dallas began. I squeezed my eyes shut as I listened to the women giggle. “Unfortunately, I don’t feel like that. The one woman who makes me feel lucky isn’t standing in this room tonight.” Everyone grew silent and I turned back to the TV. Hannah smiled and put her arm around my shoulders.

“What’s going on?” I demanded.

“Keep watching.”

The women looked around at each other, clearly confused, while Dallas smiled directly at the camera. It felt like he was staring straight at me. He shook the host’s hand, and turned to the women. “I’m sorry, ladies, but I don’t belong here. Excuse me.”

He walked out the door and all hell broke loose. The ladies went crazy, throwing their arms in the air while Ryan followed after Dallas. “Where are you going?” he shouted.

The cameramen charged after them. Dallas opened his car door and chuckled. “I’m going to find the woman I love and tell her I’m sorry. You’re welcome to come along.”

Ryan looked at the camera men and nodded. “Let’s go.” Then he pointed at someone in the background. “Follow us.”

Ryan and the camera guy hopped into Dallas’s car and he sped down the road, all while the camera was still rolling. It was surreal. Clapping a hand over my mouth, I watched through my tears. “He doesn’t know where I’m at,” I cried.

Hannah squeezed my shoulders. “Yes, he does.”

Confused, I faced her. “How do you know?”

She bit her lip, regarding me sheepishly. “I might have kept a secret from you.” Looking up at the TV, she grinned. “Dallas came to see me. He wanted you here and not at home, so that’s why I asked you to take a late shift with me.”

“You knew he was going to do this and you didn’t tell me?”

Shaking her head, she met my gaze. “He didn’t tell me exactly what he was going to do, but he said it’d be a grand gesture to get you back. At first I wasn’t going to ask you to stay tonight with me, but then I thought I’d give him the benefit of the doubt.” Her smile faded. “When he came here, he was so upset. I could see how much he cared for you.” Heart racing, I stared up at the TV. He was on the interstate, heading straight for the hospital. “He’s willing to give up everything to be with you, Callie. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.” She walked to the door and the light from the hallway shone in. “He’ll be here soon. Might want to figure out what you’re going to do.”

She shut the door and I grabbed the box of tissues, wiping my eyes frantically. The only problem was more tears flowed down. What was I going to say to him? I’d ignored him for days, never giving him a chance to explain.

I looked back up at the TV and saw Dallas pulling into the parking lot. The cameras recorded him from behind as he rushed into the hospital. It felt like my heart was going to explode from beating so fast. Once he got out of the elevator and onto my floor, I saw everyone gasp. I could hear them all the way from down the hall.

He stopped at the desk and Sandra shot to her feet, gawking at the camera and then back to him. She ran a hand over her short brown hair, fidgeting nervously. Then it hit me: I was about to be on live TV, looking like complete and utter shit.

“Where’s Callie?” he asked her.

“I—I don’t know,” she stuttered. “You can look in the break room.”

Without another word, he marched into the break room, cameras following, and everyone was ready for him, their phones out and taking videos. He searched around frantically and found Hannah, grinning slyly. She walked up to him and whispered something in his ear. A smile lit up his face and he squeezed her shoulder.

“Thanks. I owe you for this.”

She snorted. “Damn right you do.” Then she slapped a hand over her mouth. “Sorry, didn’t mean to say that on live television.”

The camera turned to Ryan, the host, who chuckled and nodded toward the door. “Go find her.”

As he bolted out the door, I knew it was only a matter of seconds before he charged into my room. Was I ready to face him? I was about to find out. Turning to the window, I peered out at the city lights, keeping my back to the door. I heard him getting closer and held my breath. When the door opened and I saw his reflection in the window, I froze.

“Callie,” he whispered, taking slow steps toward me. More people flooded into the room, including the cameramen, and I could feel the panic rising in my chest. I didn’t know what to do or what to say. He’d given up so much to be with me.

Taking my hand, he pulled me back from the window and stood in front of me. When I looked up into his crystal blue eyes, every emotion I kept locked up inside of me burst free. “I’m so sorry,” I cried, squeezing his hand. “I should’ve given you a chance to explain.”

“I’m the one who’s sorry, angel,” he murmured, sliding his hands up to my face. “I know it hurt you to see that I was still doing the show. I was told a grand gesture was the way to get you back. I hope it was enough.”

Tears streaming down my cheeks, I fell into his arms. He held me tight and I’d never felt so complete in my life. “I can’t let you do this. I heard about the trouble you’d be in if you canceled the show.”

He pulled me away and kissed me, his lips urgent and full of heat. Taking my face in his hands, he looked right into my eyes. “I don’t care about any of that. I just want to be with you.” He kissed me again. “I love you, Callie Davis.”

Resting my forehead to his, I smiled for the first time in days. “I love you, too.” Cameras flashed and everyone cheered.

“And there you have it, ladies and gentleman,” Ryan announced to the camera. “It appears we’re out of time for the night. I’m sure there’ll be more on this story soon. Thank you for joining us tonight.”

The red light on the camera shut off and the crew headed out the door. Ryan’s phone rang and he looked down at it, sighing. “It’s the producers.” He looked up at Dallas. “Meet me outside in a few minutes. I have no clue what they’re going to say about this.”

He hurried out the door and so did everyone else. It was all surreal. Dallas held me in his arms and I didn’t want him to let me go. “Did you mean what you said?” he murmured.

“Which part?”

With a heavy sigh, he ran his fingers up and down my back. “The part where you said you loved me.”

I gazed up at him and he wiped my tears away. “With all my heart.”

His eyes glistened. “I’ve been dying to tell you, but I never got the chance.”

“I know now,” I whispered softly. “But what’s going to happen with the show?”

“I don’t know, but whatever happens, I’ll be fine. There’s so much I need to tell you, but I know you have to get back to work. Can I pick you up when you get off? I have a feeling there’ll be reporters waiting on you.”

I figured there would be after what happened. “I’d like that. Besides, we have to make up for lost time.”

I winked and he bit his lip. “That’s for damn sure.” He kissed me again. “See you soon.”