Chapter 53 #2
Addie’s mouth drops open, her eyes once again wide.
Maybe it’s the way he called her Coach, or maybe it’s the way he’s looking at her, but I could swear the air between them crackles with tension.
The moment is broken, though, when Winnie’s twins launch themselves at her, knocking her over, and the room erupts in laughter.
Warmth bubbles up inside me as her family members take turns pulling her into hugs and congratulating her. This family really is special.
As I watch them, I do my best to focus on how welcoming they’ve always been to me rather than on how I’ll never have that type of connection myself.
Family isn’t who a person is born into—not always—family can be chosen.
Josie squeezes my hand, likely knowing exactly what I’m thinking. But when her grip goes from easy to a little too tight, I glance at her. “What’s up?”
She searches my face. “The flirting with Theo thing. Does that mean you’re really over Camden?”
My heart trips at the sound of his name. It feels like I’m drowning as I say, “It’s over. You saw the article.”
For several seconds, she studies me, like she’s trying to read my mind, to access my real thoughts.
She’s better off not knowing. They wouldn’t comfort her at all.
I’m a mess, and moving on is going to be incredibly hard, but I don’t have much of a choice.
So I force my lips to turn up. “Theo will be a fun distraction.”
She lets out an unsteady breath. “So seeing Camden with another woman isn’t going to be an issue?” She peers over my shoulder, concern etched in the lines of her face.
The air shifts, my every cell going on high alert. Without my permission, my body angles itself toward the door.
Then my heart constricts painfully. It’s been months since I last saw him. I’d forgotten just how good he looks. How thick and strong and broad his body is. The guys around us are all good-looking, but they have nothing on Camden. He is all man.
Maybe it’s the age, or maybe he’s always been that way. All I know is that no one has ever made my blood heat the way he does.
And no one has ever broken my heart so completely. Because to his left is a gorgeous woman who’s probably close to his age. The two of them stand in the doorway, talking to Beckett and Gavin, all four of them at ease with the conversation.
I’m sick.
I’m letting you go.
Because of her? Because he met someone else?
“I cannot believe you guys didn’t tell me.”
I whip around and face Addie, silently admonishing myself. Tonight isn’t about Camden. Or me.
“Dad would have killed us,” Finn tells her.
Josie nods. “You know Beckett is my guy.”
“He trumps your best friend?” Addie huffs.
Josie shrugs. “Yup.”
The whole group breaks into laughter. Except me. I’m just trying to breathe. This continues for the next twenty or so minutes.
Josie nearly bores a hole in my head watching me so closely, but I try to keep a smile on my face. Try not to search the room for Camden and his mystery woman. Try to ignore the pain radiating through my every limb.
Just a few more minutes. Then I can sneak out. Feign a headache. Get out of here before I have to watch Camden leave with another woman.
Bile rises in my throat as I imagine it. Imagine him touching her. Imagine him kissing her.
I’m actually going to be sick.
“You haven’t touched your drink,” Theo says, sidling up beside me again.
I peer down at the glass in my hand. He’s right. The ice is melted and my hand is numb around it.
“I’m not feeling great,” I admit.
His whiskey eyes trace over my face. “Want to get some fresh air?”
I shake my head. I can’t lead him on. I’m not ready to move on. I don’t know if I ever will be.
“Uncle Cam,” Addie cheers.
Heart stopping, I dart a look at my friend.
There, beside her, Camden stands. He leans in and gives her a hug. “Congrats. You were amazing tonight, as always. You’ve had one hell of a career. You should be very proud.”
Addie’s eyes slide to me, though she quickly focuses back on Camden.
Dammit. I’m a train wreck, and they’re all watching the disaster unfold.
“I appreciate you coming.”
Camden surveys me. It’s the first time I’ve felt those blue eyes roll over me in far too long. They dip down to the large hand grasping my hip. Theo’s hand. Without so much as a flinch, he drags his focus back up to my face, his expression empty. Not an ounce of possessiveness or anger to be found.
My broken heart cracks into pieces and scatters around me on the hardwood floor. I guess that settles that.
“Hi, Savannah,” he says, like we barely know one another.
I nod. Forming words is impossible in this state.
Camden turns back to Addie, his lips tipping up.
“We’re excited to have you next year. You’re gonna do great things for the Bolts.
Proud of you.” His gaze flits to mine again, and for a second, the mask slips, and he offers me a small smile.
But just as quickly, he swallows and turns back to Addie.
“I’ll let you celebrate with your friends. ”
The air around us is charged with electricity, everyone looking from one person to another like they’re waiting for someone to speak.
Finally Addie does. “Thanks for coming.”
Camden nods, and then without another look my way, he turns and strides off. He passes Daniel, War, Beckett, and Noah. Not one of them stops him. Then he passes the woman he arrived with, but he doesn’t spare her a glance. He just keeps walking.
And I run.
I rush out of the bar, knowing the whole crowd is probably watching me chase him into the hall.
My heels clack loudly against the concrete floor of the underground hallway, but he doesn’t stop his steady pace to the door to the player and employee lot.
Like he’s determined to make it out of here without another word.
“Camden, wait!”
He whips around instantly. So quickly, in fact, that I run straight into his chest.
He clutches my arms to steady me, his eyes scouring me. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
“Did you mean it?” I rush out, ignoring the pulsing beat of my heart in my ears.
“Mean what?”
“What you said in the article.”
Head tilted, he assesses me. “That you’re the love of my life?”
I nod, my throat tight.
His eyes soften. “Of course I did, baby girl.”
“Who was she?” I squeak.
He frowns. “Who?”
“The woman back there.” I hook a thumb over my shoulder. “The one you came with.”
My lungs burn, making it hard to breathe, but I need to know.
“I didn’t come with anyone.” The frown is back, confusion swimming in his eyes.
After a couple of heartbeats, he inhales and straightens.
“Oh, Janelle? She’s one of Addie’s coaches.
We didn’t come in together. We just showed up at the same time.
” He shakes his head, and his voice goes low.
“Savannah, you have to know the last thing I’m thinking about is another woman. ”
I sniff, tears flooding my eyes.
His shoulders sag, his lips turning down. “Baby girl, please don’t cry. It kills me to see you sad.”
He reaches for me, but I step back and swipe my cheeks, tipping my chin up.
His eyes fall shut and he balls his fists at his sides.
“I fucked up. I own that,” he grits out.
“And you may be better off without me. I acknowledge that too. But I’ll never be better off without you.
You brought me back to life.” His tone is laced with passion, with pain.
“You gave me a purpose. Loving you will forever be the reason I was put on this earth. So if you know only one thing, please know that you are loved. Always.”
The tears are back. This time I don’t try to stop them. I’m frozen in place, wanting so desperately to launch myself into his arms but knowing I can’t.
I’m letting you go. I can’t reconcile that statement with what he’s saying now. Can’t decide if he should let me go or if I should fight to hold on.
Eyes falling shut, Camden takes a deep breath. When he looks at me again, he smiles. “Go inside and celebrate with your friends. Tonight isn’t about us. Tonight’s a good night.”
Without waiting for a response, he takes two steps back. Then he turns and strides out the door.