26. Cameron
twenty-six
Cameron
Worry grips my gut like a vise, curdling my dinner in the pit of my stomach. I haven’t heard from Talia since this morning before her shift. It’s not like her to go without texting me during the middle of the day or after my game. For all I know, she could have been in an accident and is lying dead in a ditch somewhere.
I glance at a sleeping Nico beside me. He’s acting like his usual asshole self, so there is no way she’s hurt. From what Talia told me about him and their relationship, he would freak out if something was wrong with her. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself to stay calm.
I send Talia another text.
Big Guy: Baby, call me back. I’m getting worried.
I’m mid-flight, on my way home from a two-week away stretch on the East Coast, and I can’t do a damn thing besides sit here and wait. I want to rip my fucking hair out.
Talia’s supposed to meet me at my place tonight after her shift. We’ve been planning this for the last two weeks, and not hearing from her has me stressed out. Why isn’t she answering ?
Staring at my phone screen, I will Talia to text me back. When my last message stays unread after ten minutes, I slam my phone into the tray table in front of me in frustration.
“What the fuck, Miller? I’m trying to sleep.” Nico lifts his eye mask and gives me a death glare. I could probably take the look more seriously if he wasn’t wearing an eye mask at six o’clock in the evening. Who the fuck wears an eye mask in real life?
I can hear Anson’s voice in the back of my head telling me to play nice . After he caught me kissing Talia, he ripped me a new asshole. Something about breaking teammate code, this can fuck up the team, Nico’s going to kill me, blah blah blah. Like I didn’t know this already.
When Anson finished yelling, I couldn’t help being a bit of a smart-ass, so I thanked him for forcing me and Romero to room together. If it wasn’t for him, I never would have met Talia.
He didn’t appreciate my thanks. Now, he’s riding my ass to make amends with Nico before the guy finds out I’m dating his sister. I swear I’m trying, but Romero makes it difficult to like him.
The guy is a conceited dick. How he’s related to my girl, I will never understand. And after that brief confrontation he had with Rhys at the picnic, I haven’t been in a rush to go mending fences.
But I’m not a dick, so instead of talking shit, I mutter, “Sorry.”
“Whatever. Just don’t bother me,” Nico grumbles, replacing his eye mask.
Wouldn’t dream of it, princess.
I go back to staring at my phone, ignoring the huge douche-nozzle beside me.
“You’re bugging me.”
“What?” I turn to find Romero glaring at me.
“I said you’re bugging me. Can’t nap when I can hear you thinking, which I didn’t know you had enough brain cells to do.”
I picture Talia’s beautiful face and her sweet laugh, and I breathe through my frustration. Don’t punch him. He’s Talia’s brother, and she loves him, I chant in my head over and over. “Again, sorry. ”
“Sorry,” he mocks, rubbing his chin.
I can’t get a read on him.
He lifts the shade, quickly glances out the window, rears back from the light, then closes it. I’d find that interesting if I wasn’t worried about his sister. In a short amount of time, she’s become the center of my world.
Turning my attention back to my phone, I send Talia another message.
Big Guy: I land in an hour. I’ll call you when I get to my car. Please answer.
If she doesn’t answer me before I land, I’m driving straight to her mom’s house. I don’t give a flying fuck if it causes problems. There is no way I can go another minute without knowing what the hell is going on. I feel out of control, and I don’t like the unsettling thoughts ricocheting around in my head.
“You’re still bugging me.”
“What?” I ask Romero again. He points at my bouncing leg. “Oh.” I place my hand on my thigh, gripping it into submission, and go back to scrolling through my messages with Talia.
“Waiting for Daddy to text you goodnight?” Romero chuckles, interrupting my thoughts.
Fuck this shit. I am so damn tired of the insults. I’m on edge wondering why Talia isn’t getting back to me, and honestly, for the sake of our relationship, this needs to end.
“What’s your problem?” I ask.
Romero crosses his arms over his chest. “What do you mean?”
I lower my voice so the other guys on the plane can’t hear. “You know what I mean. For the life of me, I cannot figure out what I did to you. So please, tell me. What is. Your problem. With me?”
Nico’s icy gray eyes stare at me. He doesn’t believe me. It’s been so long that I wonder if he even knows why he hates me anymore.
“Of course you don’t, you entitled rich boy.” Nico scoffs, still not answering my question.
I shake my head, exhausted. I’m trying, but Nico is making no attempt to meet me halfway.
What would Talia say? She’d probably say Nico’s a good guy and I should try harder to get to know him.
“I would like to put all this … animosity … to bed.”
We stare at each other, the anger and hate rolling off Romero suffocating. I wait patiently, hoping he answers me. For the sake of the team and my girl, we need to work this out. We can’t hide away forever. I love her. I can’t imagine my life without her.
“You slept with my girlfriend,” he says, devoid of emotion.
What the fuck?
Before I can ask … anything, he puts on a pair of noise-canceling headphones, pushes his mask over his eyes, and turns away. No further explanation given.
I’m left spinning. His words haunt me. I know I’ve dated a lot and fucked around too much when I first started in the league, but when did I sleep with his girl? I wouldn’t knowingly do anything like that.
Of all the guys in the league, Romero is a bigger playboy than I am. To quote Talia, he’s a manwhore. It’s no secret he’s the “hit it and quit it” guy. He never dates. For two years, I watched him sleep his way around campus. His room had a revolving door of women coming and going. When did he have a girlfriend? And who is this woman he claims I slept with?
My gut says the only one who can answer this is the asshole beside me, and there is no chance in hell he wants to talk to me about it. I’m going to need Talia to help me, but I need to get ahold of her first.
Just like that, I’m focused back on my itty bitty, wondering what the hell happened to her and why she isn’t calling me back.
When I landed, I had a voicemail from Cliff, notifying me that there was a change in plans and that Talia requested to get dropped off at her home instead.
Something is wrong. I can feel it in my gut. She needs me.
Now, I’m halfway to her mom’s house, and she’s still not answering her cell.
The line rings and goes to voicemail again. I don’t bother waiting; I hang up and hit redial for the fifth time in a row. The sound of her voice fills the car as her greeting tells me to leave a message.
“Tals, I need you to call me back. I’m spiraling here, itty bitty. At least let me know you’re okay. I’m on my way to you.” Unable to hide my unease, my voice cracks as I leave another message.
Our secret relationship is about to end because I can’t live like this. I’m not sure how I’d handle her family keeping me away from her. Not being able to see her if something is wrong is out of the question.
I hang up and press down on the accelerator. Lights blur as I speed past, racing to get to Talia. The hands-free rings, and my shoulders ease as Talia’s name pops up.
“Baby, are you okay?” I shout as I answer.
“Umm, no. This is her cousin, Sofia,” a low, raspy voice whispers. “Listen, I only have a minute. You have to stop calling. Everyone is getting suspicious.”
“I don’t mean to be rude, but I don’t give a fuck. Just tell me… Is she okay?”
“Yes,” she sighs. “No. I don’t know. She came home from work crying. She’s locked herself in her room and won’t come out.”
“Fuck.” I knew something was wrong. I’m just glad she isn’t physically hurt. But if I know my girl, she’s upset about one of her patients. “Sofia, I need to see her.”
“Are you crazy? You can’t come here.”
“Too late. I’m already on my way. She needs me, and I need her. I can’t let her go through whatever she’s going through alone, so you can either help me or I’m breaking down the door.”
“You really care about her, don’t you?”
“I love her. Now, are you going to help me or not?”
“Yeah, I’ll help you. But don’t make me regret it. If you hurt her, you won’t have to worry about Nico. I’ll cut your balls off, cook them, and then feed them to you.”
I bark a laugh. “I know. Talia told me as much.”
“Really?”
I pull off the highway with a snort. I don’t know why she’s so shocked. I probably know them all better than they know each other. “No. But she said you were the best chef and I should be more worried about your mom.”
Sofia lets out a husky laugh. “Yeah. My mom can be vicious if pushed.”
“My GPS says I’m fifteen minutes out.”
“I don’t think I can sneak you inside the house with everyone here. But there is a way in if you’re willing to climb.”
“I am.”
Sofia explains her plan before we hang up. She suggested I park down the block, where she would meet me and lead me to the backyard. She doesn’t know me, but what she’s hinting at is overkill and, frankly, a little insulting.
Does she think all professional athletes are like her cousin? I’m nothing like Romero, who drives a loud-as-fuck, flashy sports car.
Okay, fine. A Mercedes G-Wagon is a little flashy, but it’s also practical.
When I pull up, Sofia—who I recognize from the family picnic and carries a striking resemblance to Talia—is standing on the sidewalk waiting for me. Per her suggestion, I step out and pull a hat over my head.
“Hi, Cameron. It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.” She holds her hand out for me, and we shake.
“I’m sure you have,” I mutter. I can only imagine the shit she’s heard from Nico .
She chuckles. “I know what you’re thinking. But I meant from Talia.”
“Oh.” I bite back my smile.
Knowing we’re not a complete secret to her family is a relief. Eli and Mason know about Talia, and knowing she talks about me to someone in her family solidifies where we are outside our bubble.
“Don’t get me wrong; I still think you two are crazy for being together. You have Nico and Cat to contend with, and that’s going to be a tremendous battle.”
“Yeah, I know.”
If my conversation with him was any sign, Romero is going to be a colossal pain in my ass. I need to figure out who the hell he was referring to when he said I slept with his girl. As much as I don’t want to, I’m going to have to tell Talia. There is no way I can hide this from her. I don’t want to.
“Listen, I don’t know what Nico’s said about me—I’m sure some not-so-great things—but just know that I really love Talia. I don’t want her to get hurt. If she hurts, I hurt.”
She stops on the sidewalk and looks at me, her eyes assessing every inch of my face, searching for a fraction of insincerity. She won’t find any. Talia is my everything, and everyone else is just going to have to accept it. Especially Nico.
“Hmm. I can see why she fell for you. You’re honest. And hot,” she says, continuing down the street.
I can’t help but chuckle at her bluntness. Talia was right; I like her.
“You know, since Lia met you, she’s been different. More confident. Happy. Keep doing what you’re doing, and you might win over the most important people in her life.”
“Thanks.” A warm sensation fills my chest. It looks like I have one out of six on my side, and while it might not be the best of odds, it’s a good start.
We step up to a house that stands out against the rest on the block. I knew Romero remodeled his childhood home for his mom, but Talia didn’t do it justice in her description.
Hidden behind lush, privacy shrubs and a custom-designed gate, the once single ranch house is now a spectacular two-story contemporary craftsman. Although newly renovated, anyone with eyes can see the Romero home still maintains a quiet charm. The whale-blue siding, beige accents, and large windows give the house a modern look. The second-story addition compliments the block without being ostentatious.
A newfound respect for the conceited catcher I know floats to the surface. It’s not that I didn’t believe Talia when she said he had a big heart, but seeing it is another story. Romero went all out for his mom and family. It’s something me and my brothers would have done for our parents if they needed it.
My parents aren’t rich, but we definitely never went without. Mom was a teacher until she retired a few years ago. She taught at the private elementary school we all attended—at a discount—while Dad was an accountant for a few family-run businesses in the area. Their careers made it possible for them to be involved in my and my brother’s lives. They attended all the games for whichever sport us boys were involved in, we had family dinners every weekend, and they also made sure we spent time together as a family, whether for vacations or just day trips around the state of California. I count myself lucky. I know not everyone’s family looks like mine.
What Talia told me about her childhood—and is documented here in the beautifully remodeled home—I can tell this family is full of love. I’ve never been curious about Romero, but standing here in front of the home he clearly put thought into fixing up, I can see what Talia has been saying about him.
Maybe he isn’t so bad.
Together, Sofia and I sneak along the far side of the fence that lines the driveway, leading to the carport. Sofia makes sure the coast is clear at the entrance of the backyard between the house and the two-door garage, before she waves me over .
I have to pick my jaw up off the floor as I step under the twined wisteria vines and honeysuckle-wrapped pergola attached to the house.
Okay, I take it back. Romero is still a flashy asshole.
Lit from top to bottom in white twinkling lights, the multi-tiered backyard is show-stopping and opulent. From the slate stone patio, the second-level deck, the outside firepit, and the upper pool level with the hot tub with a stunning waterfall, the backyard is a full-on oasis.
Is that a fucking she-shed and a koi pond?
“Holy shit!”
“Shh,” Sofia hisses. “I didn’t sneak you back here to get caught now.”
“Sorry,” I mumble, still floored by the sight before me. I’d love to see what this place looks like during the day.
“We all know it’s ridiculous back here. But … that’s Nico,” she whispers. “We don’t bother fighting with him.”
I grunt in response. With Romero, I also find the path of less resistance the one worth taking. I guess I’m more like his family than we all realize.
Sofia smacks my shoulder and points up. “That’s where you’re going. Time to climb on up, lover boy.”
“What the fuck, Sofia? When you said climb, I thought you meant a drainpipe or something. Not a fucking ten-foot pergola covered in vines. How do we know this thing is strong enough to hold me up?”
“Because Nico made sure it was earthquake-proof. Now, get going before we get caught,” she says. A light turns on behind the sheer curtains by us. “Shit, that’s Aunt Cat’s room. You need to hurry.”
“Fuck. Fine.” Bitching and complaining aside, I would do anything for Talia. If climbing this death trap to get to her is what I have to do, then so be it.
Looking up, I do a quick scan and notice a gap in the middle that’s not as covered in wisteria as the rest of the structure. Stepping onto the small wooden table between the blue Adirondack chairs, I jump, gripping the redwood beams overhead.
Earthquake-proof, my ass. The beams groan underneath my weight as I pull myself up through the slats. Balancing between the two-by-fours, I slowly stand. Only six slats separate me from Talia’s window. With a deep breath and ninja-like agility, I dash across the beams.
I curse under my breath, praying no one finds out I’m partaking in dangerous activities that could void my multimillion-dollar contract with the Evaders, as I clutch the exterior wall of the house. Reaching up, I knock on the window, the same way I did back in Arizona. Only, this time, I’m sneaking in instead of sneaking out.
I have to knock two more times before Talia’s tear-streaked and puffy face pulls back the curtain. Her eyes widen in surprise as she takes in the sight of me below her window, teetering on the wooden planks below. I watch her unlatch the lock and slide open the window.
“Cam? What are you doing here?” she whispers. Her voice is hoarse from crying.
I want nothing more than to wrap her up in my arms and hold her. Take away her pain.
“I came here for you. You had me so worried, itty bitty. You weren’t calling me back.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t come over. It’s just…” Talia’s eyes turn glassy as she clutches her chest.
“Can we please move this into your room? Standing on this hunk of wood isn’t the safest place to have a conversation.” I point at the pergola I’m standing on as my foot slips. I grip the edge of the windowsill, catching my balance.
“Cam!” Talia hisses, pressing her forehead to the screen.
“I’m okay, baby, but maybe hurry?” I plead. Sweat beads across my forehead as adrenaline buzzes through my veins .
What the fuck was I thinking climbing up here? I’m as good as dead if I plummet to the ground. And if the fall doesn’t kill me, Anson sure as fuck will.
“Yes. Just hold on. Please don’t fall.” I hear a click before Talia quietly removes the window screen and places it aside. “Wait. How are you going to get up here?”
“Doubting me already?”
She shakes her head, biting that luscious lip of hers. I love when she does that.
“Step back.”
Talia follows my instructions and moves aside. I grip the sill, press my left foot against the wall for leverage, and push off the wall. I swing my right leg up and through the window to straddle the frame before climbing in and closing the window. When I turn, I find Talia watching.
She’s wearing a baggy t-shirt and a pair of short-shorts that make her toned legs look sexy as fuck. Her hair is messy and mottled from sleep, and she’s still the most beautiful woman in the world.
“You’re here,” she whimpers as she throws her arms around me, burying her face in my chest.
“Nowhere else I’d rather be.” I wrap my arms around her small body and hold her tight, breathing in the sweet peach blossom scent of her long black hair. I missed her so fucking much. It’s been two weeks too long since I’ve held her in my arms.
In the middle of her childhood bedroom, I hold Talia as she cries into my chest until her tears soak my shirt.
“Baby, are you okay?” I rub my hands down her back and through her hair, checking her body for any injury.
Squeezing me harder, she shakes her head, sobbing. “No.”
My hat falls to the floor as I scoop Talia up in my arms and carry her to the queen-size bed in the middle of the room. Her blush-colored comforter appears crumpled and messy like she’s been lying in bed all day. Not wanting to let her go, I kick off my shoes and sit on the edge of the bed before falling back onto the pillows. I roll us onto our sides, keeping her face buried in my chest, and snuggle into her warmth. She feels fragile in my arms as she breaks down.
“Talk to me, Tals. I’ve been so worried.”
She sniffles. “I lost a patient today.”
“Oh, baby, I’m so sorry.” I rub her back, comforting her the best way I can as she cries.
My tenderhearted girl feels so deeply for others; it’s what makes her an amazing person and nurse. But she takes on other people’s pain as her own. Carrying that kind of hurt affects her mentally, draining her.
“Do you want to talk about what happened?”
Talia tilts her head back to look at me. Her gray eyes sparkle like moonstones with tears, taking my breath away. Even sad—her face red and swollen with grief—she’s the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I’d kiss her if she wasn’t a gorgeous, vulnerable mess in my arms.
“You really want to know?” she asks, her uncertainty clear.
She’s mentioned that her family doesn’t share her interest in medicine, and I might not either, but everything about Talia interests me. I’m utterly captivated by her. She could talk to me about anything, and she’d have my complete attention.
I brush a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Of course I do. I know I can’t make anything better, but if listening to you and holding you will make you feel better, then I’ve done my job.”
She places her small palm on my cheek as her eyes bounce between mine. If I was a cat, I’d totally purr at the way her nails gently scratch my scruff.
“Thank you. You don’t know how much that means to me.” She places a feather-light kiss on my lips. “Do you remember me telling you about Emma?”
I recall Talia telling me all about the young girl and her friends a couple of weeks ago when we had our dinner date at my house. I knew she was passionate about her work, but I really saw it that night. The love and care she puts into every young patient she works with is astounding. She is astounding. The way she talks about her patients is like they are her family. She gives her heart to every person she works with. Her compassion and empathy are limitless. I’m constantly in awe of her and her beautiful, tender heart.
“The girl with the bad heart, right?”
“You remember?”
“Baby, I remember everything you tell me,” I say.
She gives me a weak smile. I’ll take it for now.
“Keep going,” I urge her, hoping that opening up to me will be cathartic.
“Emma was on the transplant list, and for a while, she was good. She was getting stronger. But today, after her walk, she fainted. We did everything we could, but she went into cardiac arrest and—” Talia chokes back a sob. “We-we couldn’t save her. She was only sixteen. She had her whole life ahead of her, and now she’s just … gone. I don’t understand. I did everything by the book: watched every number, every heartbeat, read every scan, and triple-checked her medication. In the end, there was nothing I could do. Her heart was too weak. I know that logically. But in here …” Talia taps her chest. “I feel like I failed her. Like I didn’t do enough to get her the new heart she deserved. She was so young. Why her? Why did she have to die, Cam?”
Talia falls apart in my arms, and all I can do is hold her. No amount of pretty words or platitudes can take away her hurt.
My heart breaks. For the teen girl who doesn’t get to attend prom, grow up, get married, have babies, and have a life. For Talia, who is going to carry the weight of Emma’s loss with her forever and will probably question whether or not she’s doing everything for her patients.
I squeeze Talia tightly, breathe her in, and revel in her warm body pressed against mine. She’s going to be okay. With time, Talia will process her feelings, heal, and move on because she’s strong as fuck.
When her muffled cries fade and her breathing eases as she drifts off to sleep, my body relaxes. I’m not far behind her, falling asleep, and selfishly thanking the universe that she’s safe and here with me.