Sometimes Moments (Sometimes Moments, #1)(83)

Peyton kissed him full on the lips once before she said, “I love you, too, Callum. Now come to bed.”

She stepped away from the window and watched him climb through it as easily as he had done many times before. Once Callum had closed the window, she didn’t give him the chance to stand properly before she crashed her lips into his and her fingers were in his hair.

“I’ve missed you,” she mumbled over his lips as she made quick work of the thick jacket he was wearing.

Callum broke their kiss as he dropped the jacket on the floor and pulled his shirt over his head, letting it join his jacket. Callum’s naked chest was a sight that left her breathless. His tattoos made him more beautiful since she knew they were for her and about her. Callum stepped towards her when he stopped. The framed pictures of his words caught his attention.

“You kept your promise,” he pointed out as he slipped off his shoes. Then his hands were on her waist, pushing his body close to Peyton’s.

She grinned. “This is why Jenny wanted to save it?”

“She caught me writing it when I first gave you the frame. Guess she wanted you to see them. I’d meant it then the same way as I meant it a few days ago.”

She kissed him once before she took his hand in hers and led him to the bed. “Hold me tonight?” she asked.

It was his turn to kiss her once. “Until my very last breath,” he promised.

Her heart ached at those five words, but his mouth on hers had her forgetting the ache and feeling relieved to have him in her arms again. The life and fire in her had returned the moment he had.





Almost a week after Callum had returned to her, Peyton stood outside the remains of her hotel. On Monday, they would start the rebuild. Today was June’s rehearsal album release party. After a day of setting up the stage and making sure the wiring and electricity were working, they were ready. Those in the town were welcome to stop by to see June. Peyton didn’t hate the town or the people. She wanted to be happy with her life and held no grudge on those who had played their part in the demise of The Spencer-Dayle.

Peyton sat on the bench in front of the stage with a smile. The rehearsal concert was perfect. She knew her hotel wasn’t the most picturesque place to have a release party, but it was what June wanted. Turning around, she noticed Graham and Callum talking. They looked defeated and worried as they talked. She put it down to their exhaustion over making June’s album release at the hotel perfect. In the week since his return, Callum had spent a lot of time with Graham. And in that week, undeniable happiness had been shared with him. The hesitation had still been in his eyes as they’d made love, but she was going to help him move past it. They would find a way.

She watched them hug before she walked over to them both, curious of their interaction. Then they stopped immediately once she approached them and Callum gave her a smile that quickly faded

“Hey,” Peyton greeted, stopping in front of them. “What you guys talking about?”

Callum let out a soft groan, so soft that she’d almost missed it. But she didn’t miss the way he clenched his fist so tight that his knuckles turned white.

“Nothing,” he finally let out in a breathless whisper.

“I’m going to go help Madilynne with the food. I’ll give you guys some time together,” Graham said, excusing himself.

For a second, she caught a flash of sadness in Graham’s eyes as he walked past her.

“Peyton, do you want to go for a walk?” Callum asked.

She nodded. “Okay.”

He took her hand, his grip on her not as strong as it had been a few days ago, and the cool touch of his skin almost had her jumping. He raised their joined hands and kissed the back of hers as he led her towards the pier.

Callum’s fingers were loosening, and every once in a while, he’d stop and try to hold her hand more firmly. And when he did he gave her a smile. Once they reached the pier, they walked across it to the sight of the setting sun. The sky filled with oranges, purples and reds, just like his photograph. Then Callum leant on the wooden railing as he looked out at the horizon as a sad look consumed his face.

When he let go of her hand and looked back at her, the honest fear in his eyes frightened her.

“Peyton,” he said breathlessly.

“Yes?” she asked, not taking her eyes off of him.

“You’ve always deserved better than me.”

She shook her head to object. “That’s not—”

He stopped her by taking her hands in his. “We don’t have a lot of time left, my love. You still promise to live a good and happy life once I leave?”

He’s still leaving…

“No,” she confessed, her eyes tearing.

He sighed. “Please don’t cry, Peyton. It makes this so hard for me to say.”

“Then don’t say it. Please don’t say it.”

Tears ran down his face. They weren’t like the ones she had seen him shed before.

“I love you. Don’t you ever forget that. I love you so damn much. I’ve fought hard to try to hold on long enough to grow old with you. I’ve tried so hard to breathe enough to make tomorrow with you. I’m sorry I’m failing you, Peyton. I’m sorry we don’t have a tomorrow within us.” He struggled to take a deep breath. “I’ve been trying to tell you all week. I just…don’t know how to tell you.”