Chapter 33 Camden
THIRTY-THREE
CAMDEN
“Yes, right in the fucking net!” I punch the air as Maverick takes a victory lap. “He looks good, man. Really fucking good.”
Beside me, Daniel’s wearing a matching celebratory smile. “Yeah, he does. Kid doesn’t rest. Even sleeps with the damn stick at night.”
Affection for my godson overflows from me. “I remember those days.”
“Please, my husband still has those days,” Hannah says as she walks away. “I’m on raffle duty. Have to go make the money.”
She sways her hips suggestively, without a doubt knowing that he’s still looking, and Daniel hums in appreciation.
When she’s out of sight, he shakes himself from his stupor. “Okay, now that she’s gone.”
I whip my head in his direction. My best friend does not keep secrets from his wife. Where is he going with this?
“When the fuck were you going to tell me that Savannah is Calliope?”
The air escapes from my lungs, and for a second, all I can do is stare at him. Then I burst into laughter. Definitely didn’t expect him to say that.
He grabs my arm, expression serious. “Did you not look at the article Noah sent you?”
I roll my eyes, unable to wipe the smile from my face. “Of course I did.”
“And? Aren’t you freaking the fuck out? She was pulling one over on you the whole time.”
I breathe in through my nose to keep from laughing again. “Yeah, she definitely was.”
“Why are you still smiling?”
Amusement rolls through me, along with affection for my best friend. “Because she’s cool as shit and I’m happy.”
He grimaces. “And you aren’t worried she’s taking advantage of you?”
Head tilted, I pin him with a look. “She’s not Tara. Hell, she’s not like any woman I’ve ever met. And if you read the articles, then you know her feelings for me are real. She didn’t want to like me, but she does.” I grin. “I’m just that charming.”
He smacks my chest. “No, you’re just that full of yourself.” He blows out a breath and shakes his head. “Jesus, here I was worried you’d be spiraling. Instead you’re fucking laughing your ass off. What did she say when you told her you knew?”
I press my lips together. “I didn’t, exactly.”
His dark eyes go wide. “What?”
“I asked her to move in with me instead.”
And his jaw practically unhinges. “What?”
To be fair, I only intended to give her a key.
Figured it would freak her out a little.
Lighthearted payback and all that. Because it’s way too soon to give a woman unfettered access to my place.
My end goal, really, was to give her content for her articles.
But I don’t know what the fuck came over me when I was down on my knees and looking into her eyes, but I told her to move in with me, and then she said yes, and nothing has ever felt so right.
I’m getting anxious, though, that it might not really happen. I’ve been traveling so much for work that we haven’t had time.
“I don’t know what came over me,” I admit to him. “I was thinking I could give her a taste of her own medicine. Do the opposite of what she expects, then laugh about it later.”
“But instead you went all in?”
I scrub a hand over my face. “Yeah, I guess.”
“So now what?”
My lips twitch as I think about the plan I concocted. It’ll give her another good story to write about.
“Oh no,” Daniel mutters. “What’s that face for? You’re up to something.”
I shrug. “Just thinking I could make her articles even better now that I know what’s happening.”
“Oh fuck.”
Another laugh. I think I’ve laughed more today than I have in years. Yeah, oh fuck is right. Baby girl played some games, and now Daddy’s gonna teach her a lesson. And it’s going to be enjoyable as fuck.
“But I’m going to need your help.”