“So how are we doing this? You sticking them in your purse?” Casey asks.
“It’s not a purse. It’s meant to carry small animals.”
“So… a purse.”
“A pet carrier.”
“A pet purse.”
“Fine.”
Compromise. That’s how marriage works.
“So let’s shove those things in the pet purse…”
“There is no shoving when it comes to kittens!”
He rolls his eyes. “You know what I mean.”
“And there will be no shoving Frankie—ever.”
“Okay, poor word choice. I would never hurt an animal. I’m the one who rescued your spider from the hotel, remember?”
True. I soften a bit. Although he always looks kind of guilty when he talks about that spider for some reason.
“You ready?” he asks.
I nod and exit the car to move to the back with the large pet carrier. The kittens are legit the cutest things ever as I transfer them to my “pet purse.” Their little squeaks and rumbles and paws. Oh my gosh. I can’t.
Casey is shaking his head, unimpressed when I finally rejoin human world.
“Don’t lie. You think they’re adorable too.”
All three were rescues from a shelter and have a clean bill of health from a local vet. Yes, we researched that for them also. The place is just a few blocks away and has very flexible hours. I doubt Luke and the guys did this much legwork with their pranks. Then again, how hard is it to find and book an Ancient Roman dance troupe? There’s a question I never thought I’d have to consider.
“Alright. I’m ready. And you are too, right, little ones?” My voice gets all pitchy when I talk to animals. Casey makes fun of me, but I tell him he has the same expression when he’s looking at band equipment. He got more excited about his new kick pedal last week than I’ve ever been over anything.
We make our way toward the front entrance, and I do my best to act like my classy, well-disguised pet purse doesn’t have kittens inside. Casey rings the bell and gets crushed into a hug.
“Hey, man,” Luke says. He’s so relieved that I almost feel badly. He will definitely not be in a few minutes. “Callie.”
I adjust the purse so I can go in for a hug.
“Been too long,” he says quietly, and I squeeze him harder.
“Definitely.” We talk all the time but it’s not the same as seeing someone’s smile and squeezing affection out of them. I pull back and study his face. He looks younger than when we met. The lines in his face have relaxed, and there’s a light that warms my heart. I always sensed how special he was, that beneath the layers of pain was a man anyone would be honored to encounter. It’s deeply satisfying to be right. To see the evidence harden into fact.
“Well, come in. We were worried when we hadn’t heard from you,” he says, stepping back so we can enter.
“Sorry, man. We had some stops to make on the way.”
“Yeah?” he says.
Casey doesn’t elaborate, and I see the questions forming in Luke’s head. He knows us too well not to be suspicious.
“Where’s the birthday boy?” I ask before we blow our cover entirely. Plus, it’s getting hard to disguise the fact that my “purse” keeps moving on its own. At least the house is so loud that we can’t hear the kitten chirps.
“With Holland’s mom, I think. This way.”
Casey and I exchange a quick smile before following Luke through the house toward the main family room. It’s so sleek and clean and devoid of cat fur.
We’re not at all surprised to see Parker surrounded by fawning adults. The kid owns the room wherever he goes. He’s got his dad’s expressive eyes and his mom’s beautiful smile. Plus a mop of soft curls that’s not even fair.
“Yo, Park!” Casey shouts through the ruckus. The room quiets and the little guy searches for the cause. When his gaze lands on us, that devastating baby smile turns kitten-cute into a distant memory.
“Uhhhhhh!” he screeches, lurching toward us.
“That’s right, my man. Uncle Casey and Auntie Callie are here to spoil you rotten.”
“You already have,” Holland mutters behind us. Casey flashes her a grin, and I’m squirming with excitement. This couldn’t be more perfect. Everyone’s here. Everyone’s quiet. Parker is already fired up.
“We brought you a special present,” I say, bending down.
I don’t have to see our hosts’ faces to know their reactions. Casey’s glee reflects them perfectly.
I gently place my purse on the carpet, and Parker leans over to inspect, eyes wide.
“These are from your Daddy’s friend Marty Heilman.”
Parker starts clap-dancing, and I can’t resist a look back. Luke is as pale as I’ve ever seen him. Holland just looks stunned into silent horror. I open the purse and flinch at the shriek.
Parker already has his hands near the opening, and I grab them. “Just a second, little man.”
I pull out a kitten, loving the look on the baby’s face. He’s not even clapping anymore. All his energy must be in that grin. “See? We pet gently.” I take his hand and run it over the furry back of the kitten. His squeal is priceless. Casey looks triumphant and crouches to take the kitten so I can grab the other.
“Two?” Luke chokes out behind us.
Parker bounces in place, clapping and squealing.
“Gentle,” I remind him, guiding his hand over the other kitten. He looks past my shoulder and points at his parents, then back at the kitten. So much pointing. Casey and I snicker.
By Luke’s glare when he joins us on the floor, our plan worked beautifully. “You two are—”
“You mean, Marty?” Casey interrupts, raising a brow. He even shrugs to emphasize his innocent bystander status in all of this.
I actually see the moment when Luke swallows his irritation and forces a smile for his son. Yep, they’re so keeping these fur-balls. There’s nothing funnier, cuter, and hotter, than watching grown men cave to tiny-human dimples.
“Wow, Marty,” he mutters. “Thanks so much.”
Thing is, the only thing more heart-melting than a handful of kittens is Luke’s kid. Luke’s kid with a kitten? Yeah, even Holland’s frown has turned upside down into mild appreciation. Parker? Still pointing and flashing killer dimples.
“Guess we’ll be heading out to the pet store,” Luke says, scooping one of the kittens from the floor. Wait, is that a smile? He’s such a softy.
My own grin is so huge it’s starting to get painful.
“We brought supplies. Don’t worry,” I say.
“Really?”
“Of course. We’ll go grab them from the car.”
Luke nods and puts the kitten back on the carpet. “I’ll help. You good with Parker and the… cats?” he directs to Holland.
She seems eager to get rid of us so she can cuddle some kittens herself. “Fine.” We are waved away with one hand while the other locks in with babies and kittens.
Out at the car, Casey pops the trunk and Luke lets out a low whistle. “Wow. You weren’t kidding.”
“Should be everything you need,” I say. “Litterbox and supplies, food, scoop, toys, cat beds, cat tree. Oh and that’s for cleaning stains out of your carpet.” I add a smile to that.
“Great, thanks.” He reaches for the box of litter. “You guys staying over tonight?”
“We’re planning on it if it’s still okay,” Casey says.
“Of course. We’d love that. Just to warn you, the mother-in-law is staying too, apparently.”
“That’s fine. She can have our room if she wants.”
Luke almost looks offended. “No way. We keep that one for you. It’s got all your crap in it anyway. She can have the den. She’ll probably camp out in Parker’s room anyway.”
“Okay, that works,” Casey says.
“Oh hey,” I interject. “Would you mind if we added a bassinet to our room for next year’s visits?”
&n
bsp; Luke nods. “Sure. In fact I can just set up Park… wait…”
I grin. Casey beams. Luke drops a box of litter on the driveway.
“Are you… No… You’re…?”
His face, oh my gosh. Wish I had my camera.
“Think Parker would mind growing up with a virtual cousin?” I ask. It’s the last words out of my mouth before I’m crushed in a giant Luke Craven hug. I squeeze him back, laughing as he swings me around.
“Careful with her!” Casey shouts.
Instead, Luke grabs my husband and pulls him into the huddle.
“This is the best news ever. I’m…” Are those tears in his eyes? Maybe they’re just reflections through my own. I can’t help wrapping my arms around them again. This moment is everything. This bond that no one and nothing could break no matter how hard life tried. I’m beyond proud of Luke, of myself, of Casey. I used to picture myself as a hammer, responsible for breaking the glass of Luke’s lying mirror. Now, I see I’m more than that. We all are. We don’t just break down the lies, but reflect back the truth. We’re mirrors too. And torches. And explosive supernovas capable of rocking fate to its core. How else do you explain how one small act, the tiniest choice, can change the world?
We are human, and we are miracles.
EXPLORE THE NSB SERIES
It started with a chair. It ended in legend. Experience the entire NSB Series from the beginnings.
Continue reading for more on each book and the original lyrics that tell their own stories.
NIGHT SHIFTS BLACK
NSB #1 explores Callie, Luke, and Casey’s stories.
Synopsis:
His name is Luke. But nobody knows that. He was an iconic musician before he gave up music. But nobody knows that either. They also don’t know he’s twenty-seven, that he used to have an infectious laugh, and that he’s way too young to be widowed. They certainly don’t know the rest of his tragic story. All they know is that he comes into their café at the same time every morning and stares at the same chair at the same table. They know he’s strange. They know he interrupts their breakfast with a cold blast of air as he hovers in the doorway, mustering the courage to confront a piece of furniture.
No one asks why. No one cares. He’s fine with that. He’s done with life. This isn’t even his story anymore. It’s actually Callie’s, the young writer who sat in his chair one day.
“Greetings from the Inside”
(Also a recorded song.)
Mirror, mirror what do you see
When you were looking back at me
Mirror, mirror what are you thinking
I see those staring eyes
Mirror, mirror what are you saying
It’s always something I believe
Mirror, mirror you’re a liar
So why do you own me?
Hello! Hello! Greetings from the inside
Hello! Hello! Framed in all your lies
Hello! Hello! How you love to see me cry
Always so unkind
Mirror, mirror you’re shattering
There’s more than meets the eye with me
Mirror, mirror you’re a liar
So why do you own me?
Hello! Hello! Greetings from the inside
Hello! Hello! Framed in all your lies
Hello! Hello! How you love to see me cry
Always so unkind
Hello. Hello. Greetings from the inside.
Hello. Hello. Framed in all your lies.
Hello! Hello! Greetings from the inside
Hello! Hello! Framed in all your lies.
Hello! Hello! How you live to see me cry
Always so…
“Stay”
How was I supposed to know your smile was only a distraction?
How am I supposed to feel, stuck in veiled conversation?
Because you never let me in, now I have to watch you drowning.
Quiet suffering speak!
I’ll stay here, don’t look down.
There’s nothing waiting for you on the ground.
You’re stronger than you’re feeling now.
I’ll stay here.
I’ll stay.
How was I supposed to know you wore silence like some worn out fashion?
How are you supposed to heal, so afraid of our reaction?
Because you have to let me in, please stop all of this pretending.
Oh quiet suffering speak!
Quiet suffering, I hear it. Deafening.
Quiet suffering, I feel it. Pounding.
Stop these games, you don’t need it. They’re maddening.
Quiet suffering, I don’t believe it. I’m waiting.
I’ll stay here, don’t look down.
There’s nothing waiting for you on the ground.
You’re stronger than you’re feeling now.
I’ll stay.
“Unspoken”
I could have told you everything would be alright.
I could have told you it gets easier the harder you try.
But I couldn’t lie to you, even though I’d die for you.
And I could have told you instead of just holding you.
But what could I say that my eyes haven’t already said?
And what words could heal the wounds that bleed like this?
How many tears will it take to drown away the pain?
I don’t know, but I can hold you.
And I could have taken you far away from here.
But where would that leave you? It’d be the same even there.
I won’t hide you, even though I’d like to.
And I could have spoken instead of just loving you.
But what could I say that my eyes haven’t already said?
And what words can heal the wounds that break us?
How many tears will it take to drown away the pain?
I don’t know, but I can hold you. I can love you.
I can hold you.
“I’m Yours”
They say I’m a rock star, baby
But that’s just what they made me
Ignore my wall of Grammys, right now I’m only yours.
I’m a superstar or pathetic cover, it’s all in your power, lover
You’re everything I need to know, let me be yours
I’m no titan, hon, a liar, maybe
I’m no one else you need to know
You unravel my maze, the light in my haze
You’re everything I need to know
You may drive me crazy
But when I’m with you I’m just Casey, and that’s how I know, that’s all I need to know,
I’m yours
“Perfect Day”
It’s a perfect day for candlelight, let it cast its shadow.
It’s a perfect day for apathy.
It’s a perfect day for tragedy, eclipsed by a moment in time.
It’s a perfect day, why not today?
It’s a perfect day, don’t wait up for a tearful goodbye.
It’s a perfect day for illusion.
It’s a perfect day for solace, I’ll make this easy on you.
Don’t you worry, it’s a perfect day, why not today?
Can you hear me, screaming some lie, disguising the truth
Can you see me, bleeding, I’m unraveling
Shattering
Do you remember what you told me, ‘Everything has its place and time?’
Well, that’s fine, you can look away, you’re just proving it’s the perfect day.
“Laughing Stock”
It’s not funny how far you’ve strayed, I’ll say it one time
I can tell by your smile you know I’m right, still you hide behind the lie.
It’s not funny how far you’ve strayed, I’ll say it this time.
I can tell by your eyes you know what I mean, still you find a reason to fight, but you’ll never cry.
How can you believe it’s easier to be alone than feel loved?
You fe
ar the embrace of a friend, yet welcome your enemies’ hands as they beat down.
You listen for proof that no one understands you, but we do
And it’s killing me.
It’s not funny to see how well you ignore the signs.
By the pain in your eyes I can see you’re fading.
Still you try, you’re losing the fight.
You’re no better for falling apart
Being alone won’t make you stronger
You’ll fall harder the more space you put between us
But I’ll catch you, oh I’ll catch you.
How can you believe it’s easier to feel alone than feel loved?
You fear the embrace of a friend, yet welcome your enemies’ hands as they beat down.
You listen for proof that no one understands you, but I do
And it’s killing me. It’s killing me!
It’s not funny how far you’ve strayed, just listen this one time
Look in my eyes and see how I love you.
“Too Late”
Isn’t it obvious our feelings fade away
Isn’t it obvious it’s too late to make a change
So I wait for the innocent moment of truth
You want a sign, demanding your proof
It’s too late for answers
Too late for questions
Too late for telling lies
Too late for pleading
Too late for reason
You know it’s time, oh it’s time
Isn’t it obvious amidst our cold embrace
Isn’t it obvious there’s too much to erase
An NSB Wedding Page 17