Chapter 14 Camden
FOURTEEN
CAMDEN
“Thanks for tonight.” Gemma waltzes past me, winking as she goes.
One by one, women in thin camisoles or bralettes and the shortest shorts ever created head for my front door.
I did not expect to be greeted by a house full of half-naked women when I got home, but I shouldn’t be surprised.
“I thought your class was last night,” I say to Cora as another of her friends appears at the top of the basement stairs.
I don’t know her name, but there’s no forgetting her face. She’s the dancer from my party last week.
“Yeah,” my sister says, “but it was so good we decided to have one more before I head back to Vegas.” She tips her water bottle back and takes a long gulp.
Her friend stops in front of me, her expression curious. “Hey, Cam, your girlfriend here?”
Behind her, my sister nearly spits out a mouthful of water.
Can’t blame her, I guess, since I haven’t had a girlfriend in close to thirty years.
“Not tonight,” I say, though I’m hoping to change that once this parade of women disappears.
The brunette who’s wearing little more than she was the other night pouts. “Would you ask her to come to one of your sister’s classes? I’d love to see her dance.”
The thought is enticing, that’s for sure. But while the memory of the other night is one I never want to forget, I’m not sure I want to share Savannah. At least not for a while.
I’m still irritated that she left while I was sleeping, though I guess it was just as well, considering my sister called while I was still blinking my eyes open. I was out of bed and on a plane within the hour, and I haven’t stopped since.
“I don’t even want to know,” Cora mutters as her friend closes the front door behind her.
There’s no fighting my smirk. “No, you don’t.”
Laughing, she drops her head back, her long blond hair swaying.
The sound is like a bolt of joy straight to my heart. Until a few years ago, I thought she’d lost the ability to laugh like that for good. We’ve come a long way since then, though.
“You have time for dinner?” she asks. “My plane doesn’t leave until ten.”
This is what I hate most about this arrangement. I fly home and she has to fly back.
My twin and I are finally on speaking terms after years of no communication, yet we can’t have a true relationship because one of us always has to be in Vegas.
Fortunately for me, at least, Cora is willing to be there most of the time.
Still, I’m exhausted from my week there. The travel and less than desirable sleeping arrangements are nothing compared to the mental toll these weeks inflict.
“Yeah, but let me hop in the shower first.”
An hour later, we step into a restaurant that’s right around the corner from the arena.
“Camden,” the hostess says when she spots me. “Want your usual table?”
She assesses my sister, probably trying to figure out whether this is a work thing or something a little more personal. I rarely come here without the guys, so her reaction isn’t surprising.
“Sure. Thanks, Ry.” I rest a hand on Cora’s back and guide her toward the hostess stand. “This is my sister Cora.”
As Ryanne leads us to our table, we pass person after person dressed in business attire. Most have probably just gotten off work and are starting their weekend off by letting loose a little. I, on the other hand, can’t wait to get home to bed.
After some much needed rest, I’ll call Savannah and make plans to see her again. Hopefully tomorrow night.
“A bunch of the guys are here, though I haven’t seen any of the coaches tonight,” Ry says as she guides us past the bar. I’m too tired to put on a smile and talk business anyway, so I keep my focus ahead, hoping like hell no one spots me.
“Oh,” Cora whispers, her tone full of mirth. “Any players you can introduce me to? Wouldn’t mind having a boy toy lined up for my next visit.”
With a sharp exhale, I glare at my sister.
Being a sex therapist means she’s got zero filter, and she’s a huge proponent of an age gap.
I can only imagine what she’ll have to say when she finally meets Savannah.
It’ll probably include a diatribe about how I’m working out some of my own daddy issues.
Dammit. I really don’t want to have my sister’s commentary in my head next time Savannah moans that name.
I’ve thought about it every night this week, while lying in bed alone. Before her, I’d never asked a woman to call me Daddy, but fuck if the moment she said it, my dick didn’t grow a size.
“Cam,” a deep voice calls from my left.
Since I’ve already been spotted, I force a smile and search for the source of the voice.
My expression turns genuine when I discover Finn Langfield walking my way.
I’ve known him since he was a kid. Back when he came to Bolts games to support his uncles, Aiden and Brooks.
His mom married their brother Beckett, the CEO of the entire Langfield enterprise, when he was little.
Kid is huge now, but he’s still got the same affable personality.
“Finn, hey.”
As he shakes my hand, he eyes my sister just like the hostess did. Yeah, it’s rare I show up anywhere with a woman, and very few people know much about my personal life, including my twin’s existence, so I understand the confusion.
“This is my sister Cora,” I say. “Cora, this is Finn Langfield, catcher for the Boston Revs.”
As she slips her hand into his, she smirks. “Large hands,” she murmurs with a wink in my direction.
Fucking A.
“It’s nice to meet you. I had no idea Cam had a sister,” Finn says with a smile. “You want to join us? JJ’s here, though I’m sure he’ll bounce soon, and Bray just arrived with Bobby and Royal, and Ollie’s on the way.”
“Don’t forget me,” a female voice says from behind him.
When Josie peeks around his large frame, my first thought is of Savannah. Is she here too? My heart jumps as I covertly scan our surroundings.
“Hey, Uncle Cam,” Josie says, leaning in and giving me a hug.
As I release her, she scrutinizes Cora, and I once again introduce her.
“Just you tonight?” I ask, hoping like hell no one catches on to my eagerness.
“Savvy was with us,” Finn grumbles, “but Theo stole her away.”
My damn heart drops. “Theo?” I scan the restaurant more thoroughly, searching for the redheaded vixen. What kind of game is she playing?
Josie grins. “Yup.” She points to the bar. “Right over there. Aw, they look so cozy together. They’d make beautiful babies, don’t you think?”
I whip back around, frowning at the sarcasm, only to find her smiling innocently. She was a lot fucking nicer when she was a kid.
Then, because I can’t help myself, I turn back to the bar. And what I see has my blood running cold. Why the fuck does another man have his hands on my girl?