Chapter 23
CHAPTER
TWENTY-THREE
Camden
“What’s wrong?”
I look up at my best friend. “Nothing.”
He laughs and shakes his head. “Wanna try again?”
I don’t reply right away, just continue to tinker on my old truck. “How’s my Junie?”
I don’t have to look at his face to know he’s smiling. “She’s amazing,” Quinn replies. “Charli was wanting some ice cream, so I’m on my way to the diner for sundaes.”
“And you thought you’d just drop by and bother me on a Monday evening?” I ask, goodheartedly, glancing up and meeting his humored gaze.
“I’ve always got time to bug the shit out of you, my friend,” he announces.
I shake my head and return my attention to the carburetor. He doesn’t say anything, and I know he’s just waiting me out. No one can sit back and not say a word the way Quinn can. Well, maybe Collin, but he’s always quieter.
“I haven’t heard from Maren much.”
“Well, go next door. Simple.”
I sigh and lean against the front end of the truck. “It’s not that simple. Her mom showed up on Saturday right before we were going to have dinner. Some of the things she said to her mom left me…unsettled.”
“Like what?” he asks.
“Her mom told her about this condo that was available at her building and insisted she move back there, and she didn’t tell her no.”
“So?”
I just stare at him and blink. “What do you mean so?”
“There could be a very logical reason why, Cam. Why don’t you ask her?”
I exhale and shake my head, looking down at the carburetor I’ve been working on since I got home from work.
“She’s been busy. We’ve barely talked. Her mom ended up taking them to the aquarium in Sycamore yesterday, and they spent most of the day there.
Then today, I’ve only talked to her earlier this morning. ”
“Sounds like a lot of excuses, if you ask me,” he replies casually.
“You know what?” I huff out a deep breath and spin around, walking to the fridge and grabbing a bottle of water. I can’t help but glance at the juice boxes I stocked in there in hopes that Theo will come over soon and I’ll have something for him to drink.
Taking a long drink, I finally vocalize the words I’ve been thinking but have been terrified to say aloud. “What if she decides to leave again? What if I’ve fallen for her a second time and she up and leaves.”
“Have you?”
At first, I don’t understand his question, but as I replay what I said, I know what he’s asking. “Yes.” Swallowing hard, I confirm, “I’ve fallen for her. Hell, man, I’m pretty sure I never stopped loving her. I masked it with anger.”
He grins like the cocky fucker he is. “Knew it.”
“Fuck off,” I grumble, setting my bottle of water onto the counter and returning to the front end of my truck.
“You know, they have mechanic shops outside of Cooper Town, right? And houses with garages.”
I get instantly what he’s saying.
I could go with her.
Cooper Town has always been my home, and it would be damn hard to leave my family behind. We’re an incredibly close family, and while my brothers both went off to the military, other than that, we’ve all remained rooted. But would I do it? To follow the woman I love? Yeah, I think I probably would.
“I hear ya,” I tell him.
“You don’t have to decide today but think about it. If she were to come to you tomorrow and tell you she’s moving back to wherever she was at, you have a choice. Let her go, or…follow.”
“What would you do?” I ask quietly, already knowing in my heart the answer.
“If that were Charli? I’d follow her to the ends of the earth, my friend.”
I nod, understanding exactly what he means and knowing I’d do the same.
Will do the same.
If it comes to that, I will pack up my life and go.
For her.
“Well, my work here is done,” he says, offering a cocky grin.
“You didn’t do anything,” I counter, knowing it’s a lie.
He barks out a laugh and pushes off my workbench. “Just promise me one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Promise me you’ll name your first kid after me.”
I shake my head but can’t stop my smile. “Not happening.”
He approaches and levels me with a firm look. “Just promise me you’ll talk to her.”
“I promise.”
“Then my work here really is done.” When his phone chimes with a notification, he laughs.
“That’s your sister, looking for her ice cream,” he adds without even looking at the screen yet.
When he finally glances down, he laughs.
“Your sister says to quit yapping with the idiot and retrieve her treat.”
“You tell her you were my friend first,” I counter.
He types, a goofy grin on his face the entire time.
“She says she doesn’t give a shit and then says something about getting naked that you definitely don’t want me to read to you.”
I make a face and shake my head. “She just ruined the fun.”
He slips his phone into his pocket and whispers, “I promise, what she said is a lot more fun than standing here with you.” He barks out a laugh and turns to leave.
“I’m happy for you, Q.”
He pauses and glances over his shoulder. “Thanks. Relationships are a lot of work, but it’s worth it. Charli and Junie make the hard days better just by being there. Coming home to them is literally the best part of my day.”
“That’s how I knew it was always you, man,” I tell him. He was the only man for my sister, even if she wasn’t ready to see it at the time. Now, however, they’re all in, living together and raising their daughter. We’re still waiting on him to pop the question we all know is coming.
“You gonna invite her to Cade and Oaklee’s wedding?”
That makes me pause. It’s just over two months away from the big wedding, and while I haven’t thought about inviting Maren as of yet, I definitely want her there. Her and Theo both, since it’s a family affair.
Clearing my throat, I reply, “Yeah, I’ll ask her.”
“Good deal. Can’t wait to catch up with her more. I didn’t get to talk to her too much at the salon. Maybe we can do dinner all together soon. Charli’s feeling a lot better and feels cooped up at home. Maybe getting together at the diner or the pizzeria sometime in the next week or so would help.”
I nod. “I’ll say something to Maren when I see her.”
“All right, I better go get the ice cream and head home. Good to see you, man. You need anything, even just an ear to bend for a bit, holler.”
“I will,” I state as he throws me a wave and leaves my garage.
Leaving me alone, I return my attention to the front end of my old truck.
It won’t be long and I’ll be taking it out for a spin.
I wonder if Maren and Theo will be around for that drive.
I’d love to take them both, especially after seeing the excitement on Theo’s face as he helped me work on the ol’ girl.
I do my thing, trying not to wonder what’s going on next door.
When my stomach growls, I realize I haven’t eaten dinner, and it’s after nine, and while I could easily sit out here and tinker for another few hours, I’m hungry and I do have to work tomorrow.
Not that I’m not used to going to work on little sleep. It’s how I’ve operated for years.
Just as I place my tools back in my toolbox, I hear the outside door open. I turn to the left and find the most breathtaking vision standing there. However, as gorgeous as she is, a wave of panic sets in. “Theo? Is everything okay?” I ask, taking several steps until I’m directly in front of her.
“He’s fine,” she quickly insists, closing the door behind her. “He’s sleeping, and my dad is here.”
“Oh. Okay,” I reply, visibly relaxing. Not wanting to get too touchy feeling, I remain where I stand and ask, “What’s up?”
“My mom left around three and then my dad came over for a visit after he got off work. It’s been stressful these last few days,” she says, wringing her hands together nervously.
“I’m sure. Did everything go okay? With your mom?”
She nods. “Yeah, it did. We, uh, talked.”
“That’s good.” Again, I try to sound casual, like my rapidly beating heart isn’t trying to climb into my throat and choke me.
She steps forward and places her hands on my arms. “She wants me to move back, to live near her, but I’m not going anywhere.”
I crack a smile the moment I hear her words. “No?”
Shaking her head, she adds, “I’m where I want to be.
In fact, this is where I’ve always wanted to be.
I’ve made a lot of mistakes, Cam. I’ve caused pain and broken more hearts than just my own.
I shouldn’t have left, but I did. I can’t change that.
However, I can be myself and follow my heart moving forward. ”
“And what does your heart say?” I ask, wrapping a single hand around her waist and drawing her closer.”
“My heart is yours. It wants to be wherever you are,” she murmurs softly, tears filling those ocean-blue eyes.
“Thank Christ,” I blurt out, pressing my mouth to hers in a searing kiss. She tastes like pure heaven.
She feels like home.
“I would go with you,” I confess, leaning my forehead against hers. “I don’t want you to stay here because you feel obligated or anything. I can live anywhere, work anywhere. What I can’t live without anymore is you.”
She smiles sweetly and runs her fingers over my cheek, as if wiping off a smudge of dirt or grease. “I’m right where I want to be,” she repeats. “But I appreciate the offer. I don’t want to live in the city anymore. I’m home in Cooper Town.”
“And me? Where do I fit into this picture?” I ask, hope filling my chest as I wait for her answer.
“You fit in here,” she whispers, taking my hand and placing it over her heart. “It’s where you’ve been the whole time.”
I exhale, not even realizing I was holding my breath. It’s a combination of relief and eagerness, two feelings battling for the lead. “I love you, Shortcake. I’ve always loved you.”
“Same, Cam. Same,” she murmurs.
I kiss her soundly, letting my tongue explore her mouth and savoring the softness of her lips. “Say the words,” I request, needing to hear those four little words that used to make me feel so alive.
She grins against my lips as she replies, “I love you too.”
Reaching behind her, I flip the lock on the door. “How long is your dad staying at your place?”