Chapter 2 #2
I catch movement out of my kitchen window above the sink and have a perfect view of the back of Camden’s property.
Camden is in the yard, spraying something onto a car part in his hand, like a lubricant or something.
He sprays a second stream of the liquid before returning to the garage and closing the door.
Our houses are practically identical, a mirror image of each other, with the exception of the back.
Camden has a small porch with concrete steps, a smallish backyard, and a massive garage.
Well, not necessarily massive, but much bigger than mine.
His has two garage door bays and what appears to be either storage or a workspace.
Mine is a single car garage with tons of yard, which is perfect for Theo and me.
We moved from the city, from a small apartment without a yard, so to be able to run and play and have the space contained by a chain-link fence is exactly what we need.
I don’t know how long I stand here, watching out the window, but it’s much longer than I should. I’m not exactly waiting for him to return, but I admit, I wouldn’t mind catching another eyeful of my neighbor.
Camden was always the most gorgeous guy I’d ever met, and that hasn’t changed in the seven years since I’ve seen him.
Now, adult Camden is all man. Lean, muscular, sexy man.
Under the outdoor security light near his garage, I can see his eyes are still piercingly blue, and his hair just long enough I can run my fingers through it.
He’s weathered, his hands stained from oil and grease, his skin kissed by the sun.
He looks amazing.
I work in my kitchen for the next hour, doing everything I can not to let my eyes stray toward the window.
The last thing I need is for him to catch me watching him or looking for him while he’s in and out of his own garage.
I’m sure he’s still processing, not only the fact I’m back in town, but also his new neighbor.
Pretty certain that wasn’t on either one of our bingo cards today…
While there’s more boxes of small appliances and pots and pans in the garage yet, I smile at the progress I’m making.
I tear down the boxes and gather them up to take to the garage.
I sneak a quick look at Theo once more, ensuring he’s sound asleep, before taking the boxes to the pile I’ve already started in the garage.
I slip outside quietly, not wanting the door to close and wake my son, and even though I tell myself not to, I steal a look across the driveway.
The lights are still on in his garage, and I can hear the sounds of an impact tool being used.
Memories assault me, threatening to take me back to a simpler time where it was only Camden and me. The two of us against the world, where our biggest problems involved math homework and where we were going to hang out on a Friday night.
The garage door is still up, so it’s easy to maneuver around the stacked boxes, totes, and miscellaneous household items until I reach the broken-down boxes in the front.
Tossing the new ones onto the pile, I dust off my hands and take another look around.
A shiver sweeps through me. It’s January, and I’m not wearing a coat.
The garage is a basic one-car with one lightbulb hanging in the middle, and while it provides shelter during the different seasons and some basic storage, it doesn’t have heat.
The only reason I left the door open, while we were moving in and out of here all afternoon, was for convenience, and I didn’t have to worry about heat or safety, since this is Cooper Town.
The safest little place on earth.
Walking across the large opening, I press the button to lower the door. When it’s securely in place, I start searching for a tote labeled linens. I made sure Theo’s bed and room was set up as best I could, but my own bedroom is lacking. In fact, I don’t even have bedding put on my mattress yet.
I find the tote easily and carry it to the door.
Then, I search for a second one, which contains bathroom towels and washcloths.
I shoved a couple of Theo’s towels in with his bedding, knowing I’d need both early in the evening, but if I want to shower with something bigger than a toddler-sized Bluey hooded towel, I need to take more bathroom stuff inside too.
Dad and I did everything we could to unload the trailer systematically and strategically, but when push came to shove, we just started stacking them in the garage, vowing to deal with the mess later.
We had certain items we needed to get in the house and set up first, mostly things for Theo, and everything else would fall into place later.
Now, it’s later, and there are a few things I need to situate for myself so I can crash. Theo’s an early riser, and if I don’t make my bed, shower, and get some sleep, morning Mom duties will be here before I’m ready.
I flip off the light and carefully pick up the two stacked totes. When I step outside, the cold wind practically blows through my sweatshirt and jeans, so I make quick work at setting the totes back down on the sidewalk and locking the door.
Finally, I grab the stacked totes and spin to return to the house. Just as I step up the back steps, I hear, “What are you doing here, Maren?”
I don’t startle. I’d know that voice anywhere.
I look over my shoulder, ignoring the temperature and the burning in my arms from carrying the totes, and reply, “Because I wanted to come home.”
His eyes burn with confusion and question, and while all I want to do is reach out and brush my hands across his wrinkled brow. He shakes his head, looking off into the distance over my shoulder. “You shouldn’t be here.”
My throat is dry and thick, and emotions threaten to erupt from my soul, but somehow, I push them aside.
Clearing my throat, I reply, “I didn’t know you lived next door when I signed my lease.
I can’t move, Cam. I…I need this place. Theo needs this.
” My words are low, my voice being washed away in the breeze.
He doesn’t say anything for what feels like a lifetime, but eventually, he nods and turns and walks away. This time, he doesn’t return to the garage and whatever it was he was fixing, but instead, heads toward the house. I try not to follow him with my eyes, but they have a mind of their own.
Always have.
Camden enters a code into the keypad on the door and steps inside without so much as a look back.
Not that I expected him to, but it doesn’t make the sting any less real.
Swallowing over the lump in my throat, I carefully make my way to my back door and, juggling the totes, enter my house.
Setting them on the floor, I lock the back door and lean against the cold glass.
Closing my eyes, I think about all that’s transpired and led me back to Cooper Town.
The strained relationship I have with my mom and the one I’m trying to rebuild with my dad.
My failed relationship with Theo’s dad. It’s all there, like individual weights on my shoulders, applying more pressure and stress.
Now, I get to add in the fact my new neighbor hates me.
I can see it in his ocean blue eyes and feel it in the sharpness of his words.
I’m the last person he wants right next door, running into each other on a regular basis both at home and around town.
Not only that, even with the looks of disdain he lobs at me, I can’t help but be pulled right back into a time when it was only the two of us and we were so damn happy.
Before I fucked it all up.
Before I left without a real explanation.
Living next to Camden Miller might just be my greatest challenge yet.