Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Rylee
I didn’t plan to accept when Dean offered me a ride home from the launch party that night, but since he was the designated driver for a few other friends, I decided to go with them.
Of course, he made sure I was the last person he dropped off.
“I’ve been hearing a lot about you and the cop online,” he said, pulling into a visitor parking spot in my lot. “Is it serious?”
“He’s a Sheriff,” I corrected, knowing full well Dean probably already knew that. “We haven’t known each other long. But I like him, a lot. And he seems to feel the same way.” I knew Cam felt the same way about me, but I didn’t want to take anything for granted where he was concerned.
“Yeah, but he lives there and you live here. Not to mention his career and yours. So, how serious can it get, right?” He smirked. “He’s not part of our world, Rylee.”
“Maybe he’s not part of the music world, but I do want him to be part of my world.
So, we’ll see how it goes. Like I said, we’re just getting to know each other.
We’ll have to see if we can make the long-distance thing work.
” I wanted it to, more than I’d wanted anything in a long time, but a lot would depend on how much Cam wanted it to work, and whether he could handle the travel my career demanded.
“Wouldn’t it just be easier,” he said, shifting in his seat to face me. “To be with someone who gets it? Someone who can travel with you, who loves all the same things you do—”
I raised my hand. “Uh Dean, if this is about us getting back together, that’s not going to happen. Even if Cam wasn’t in the picture, you and I ended things for a reason. And honestly, we’re better off as friends.”
I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but I’d always been blunt. And I was fearless when it came to shutting guys down.
“You keep saying that, but—”
My phone rang and when Eden’s name flashed across my screen, I knew I’d much rather talk to my boyfriend’s sister than my ex.
“I’m so sorry, I have to take this. Thanks for the ride, Dean.
See you around.” I didn’t even wait for him to object, before I jumped out of his SUV and swiped the screen to connect Eden.
“Hey, girl. Didn’t get enough of me tonight?” I teased.
We’d just seen each other at the party.
“I heard you were going home with Dean, and wanted to make sure you made it home safely.”
Since Eden had just been abducted by a guy in our industry, we all thought we could trust, I didn’t blame her for being extra cautious.
“You’re sweet to worry, but there’s no need.” I swiped my key fob to gain access to the inner lobby of my building before I said, “Dean’s persistent, but he’s not crazy.”
“Ugh, he is persistent, isn’t he? He told Austin tonight that he wouldn’t be surprised if y’all were back together by the time you hit the road again.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, that’s not happening. And I just made that crystal clear to him.” I punched the elevator button to take me to my top floor apartment. “But how are you doing, Eden? I know we got to chat tonight, but I didn’t want to get into anything too heavy with all those people around.”
If not for Austin and Cam coming to her rescue, I hated to think about what could have happened to my friend.
“I’m doing okay. I’m seeing a therapist to deal with the nightmares and all. It’ll take time, but thank God I have Austin. He makes me feel safe. I know he’d never let anything bad happen to me again.”
I envied what Eden had found with Austin.
They’d been high school sweethearts who lost their chance when she married someone else.
But after her husband’s death, she got her second chance with the guy who got away.
Her producer, her writing partner, and now her life partner.
In my mind, it didn’t get much better than that.
“Guys like that aren’t easy to find,” Eden said, slowly.
“You know, the kind that put you first, and make you feel secure and protected. I know, as strong women, we’re supposed to be able to look after ourselves, and we can, but there’s nothing better than doing life with someone who makes you feel like you don’t have to do it all alone. ”
Cam had already given me a small taste of that and I found myself craving more.
“If that’s your not-so-subtle way of telling me your brother would be that kind of guy, I’ve already figured that out.” I unlocked my door and dropped my clutch purse and keys on the entry table while kicking off my high heels.
Eden squealed. “I love you and my brother together! When I heard you were going home with Dean tonight, and he made it seem like y’all were getting back together, I was so bummed. That’s why I had to call. To check on you, of course, but to see if Dean was just blowing smoke.”
“Just wishful thinking on his part,” I assured her, sinking down on my sofa. “The only guy I’m interested in right now is Cam, I promise you.”
“I’m glad.” I could tell she was weighing her words carefully before she said, “I don’t know how much my brother has told you about his last relationship—”
“I know the bitch cheated on him.”
“Yeah, she did.” She sighed. “And she really did a number on him. It seriously messed him up.”
I hated that Cam had been so broken up over a woman who clearly didn’t deserve him. But if he’d taken it that hard he must have really loved her.
So, was he really over her, or just trying to convince me and himself that he was?
Was I his rebound girl?
“Has he dated much since the break-up?”
“Yeah, some. But you’d have to ask him about that.”
“I intend to,” I muttered. “Believe me.” I wouldn’t be the girl who helped him get over another woman.
“Well, I’ve probably said too much already. Cam’s gonna kill me.”
“Don’t worry, whatever you say to me is between us. You know that. We were friends long before I started dating your brother.” And since my friends were my family, they meant everything to me.
“I know, and I appreciate that. I think you guys could be really good for each other, so I hope it works out for y’all, Rylee.”
“Fingers crossed.” I refused to get too hopeful when my heart was on the line. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
As soon as we disconnected, I called Cam and he answered on the first ring.
“Hey, baby.”
His voice was laced with sleep, making him sound even sexier than he usually did, if that was even possible.
“Sorry for calling so late. I know you have to be up early. I just didn’t want you to think I blew you off.”
“No worries.” He cleared his throat. “I’m glad you called. How was the party?”
“Good.” I hesitated bringing it up, because I didn’t want to make a big deal of it, but I valued honesty and knew Cam did too. “Dean, um, drove me home.”
“Why?” His voice had a hard edge to it and I could tell me accepting a ride from my ex was a big deal to him. Noted.
“I was just going to get an Uber, but Dean was the designated driver for some friends tonight and offered me a lift too. I didn’t think it was a big deal, but…”
“But what?”
If he’d had a conversation with Kelly like I’d had with Dean, I’d want to hear about it, so I said, “He dropped me off last so we had a few minutes alone in the car together. He made some comments about us getting back together, and Eden told me he said something to Austin about it as well.”
I considered Austin one of my closest friends, but I knew he and Cam went way back, and I didn’t want my man to hear this from anyone else.
He sounded pissed when he asked, “Did you set him straight?”
“Of course, I did. I shut him down right away. And I also told your sister there was no chance that was happening because I’m so into you.”
He let out a low sound, almost like a growl before he said, “Look, I know I have no control over how many guys want to date you, or how many of your exes want you back. But this isn’t easy, Ry. Trying to start a relationship with you living so far away, and being a public figure, and all.”
I sensed a hesitancy from him I hadn’t heard before and it made me nervous.
“Where is this coming from all of a sudden? We knew it wouldn’t be easy, but we agreed we’re both capable of doing hard, if it’s worth it. Are you just questioning if it’s worth it? If I’m worth it?” It hurt to believe he could think that, but I’d rather know now, before I was in too deep.
“Damn it, no. I just…” He blew out a breath. “You were just tagged in all these pics tonight. With your ex, and a dozen other guys, half of whom are famous musicians. And it just made me wonder what the hell I’m doing, playing so far out of my league.”
“What are you talking about? Just because I’m a musician and I happen to know famous people doesn’t mean…
” I laughed at the absurdity of the situation, given the conversation we’d had earlier that day.
“Would you listen to us? I’m worried you’re out of my league because you have all these commendations and love from your community and you think you’re out of my league because I rub shoulders with famous musicians.
How ‘bout we just agree to create our own league… together?”
He chuckled. “I like the sound of that.”
“Good, now how was the dinner with your mayor friend?”
“It was good. Your party looked like fun.”
“It was, but I wish you could have come with me. I missed you.”
“I miss you too, baby. That dress you were wearing… killer. I swear those curves of yours should come with a warning label.”
I laughed, thinking of him scrolling the pics others had posted of me on social media tonight. So much for not having time to scroll, Sheriff. I thought it was adorable.
“My friend and stylist, Marissa, found this hot little number for me.” It was a black strapless bandage dress that fit me like a second skin. And she’d convinced me to wear it with red stilettos. “But with my au naturel size D’s I was pulling that damn dress up all night.”
He chuckled. “Hmm, I’d give anything to be peeling it off you right now.”
A long-distance relationship with this sexy man would be the death of me. I wanted him all the time.
“Do me a favour?”
“Anything.”
I loved that response. “Anytime you see me online wearing a dress like this, pictured with guys like that, just remember it’s you I’m thinking about, Sheriff. Always.”
“Not gonna lie, I got inside my own head tonight. Started questioning whether this could work, or whether we’re crazy to even try.”
My tummy did a backflip because the thought of losing him, when we were just getting started, was a fate I couldn’t contemplate.
“And now?”
“Now I know I’d be the crazy one, if I walked away now. I have to know where this can go, Ry. I know there’s a chance it won’t work, and that we’ll hurt each other. But it’s a chance I’m willing to take because I meant it when I said I’m falling for you.”
I felt like I could finally breathe again when I said, “I feel the same way.” But Eden’s comments about Cam’s past relationship, prompted me to dive a little deeper. “You weren’t the only one questioning things tonight, if I’m being honest.”
“What were you questioning?”
“Whether you’re really over your ex. The break-up was hard on you, wasn’t it?”
“Sure, like I said, I thought it could lead to…”
When he seemed hesitant, I asked, “You thought it could lead to what?”
“Marriage, babies, and I’m not gonna lie, I want that.” He didn’t give me a chance to comment before he said, “But honestly, Kelly probably hurt my ego more than anything. And the thought of starting all over with someone else, when I have obvious trust issues, isn’t easy.”
I was still hung up on the whole marriage and babies thing. I didn’t want to waste his time, but could I really see myself settling down? And how could that work when our lives were in two different states?
“Talk to me, Ry.”
“Um, my whole reason for bringing this up was to make sure I’m not your rebound girl. I need to know you’re really over Kelly—”
“Honey, I can assure you I didn’t really love her as much as I loved the idea of settling down with my person.”
His person. God, could I be Cam’s person?
I forced a laugh. “This conversation is freaking me out a little. As you love to point out, I’m still young, and didn’t think I’d have to make decisions about this stuff for another five or ten years.”
He was silent so long I thought he’d dropped the call, but he finally said, “That’s something you’ll need to think about, if things get serious. But right now, we’re just getting to know each other, right?”
“Yeah, but I don’t want to lead you on. So, I just want to be honest. My career demands a lot of me. In fact, it will probably have to be my top priority for the next five to ten years, until I’ve paid my dues.”
“So, what are you telling me, Rylee? That you don’t think this is worth pursuing?”
My heart was pounding so hard I feared he could hear it. “No, I’m not saying that at all. Spending time with you is worth any sacrifice.”
“But your career will be your top priority?”
I knew Cam wasn’t the kind of guy who was afraid to face the truth and have the tough conversations, and I admired that about him. But it scared me too, because I didn’t want to lose him before we’d explored where this could go.
“There are a lot of people in my business in committed relationships, and they find a way to make it work.”
“Yeah, but they probably live in the same house. Or the same city, at least.”
“Maybe you don’t think this is worth pursuing?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Then what are you saying?” I could feel and hear the panic creeping into my voice but I couldn’t help it. What started out as a great day was suddenly spiraling because I’d become so invested in this man.
He sighed and it sounded like he was releasing a pressure valve, reminding me of all the stress he had in his day-to-day. He didn’t need me adding to it.
“I’m still trying to make sense of what the hell is happening between us, Rylee. It’s not like I expected to meet you. I didn’t ask for any of this. But now I want it. So, am I ready to walk away just because it might feel impossible sometimes? No, I’m not.”
I was able to breathe a little easier when I said, “Good, because I’m not willing to walk away either. I’m a fighter, Cam. I’ve had to be. And I’ll fight for what I want.” I smiled. “Consider that fair warning.”
He chuckled. “I love that. Now that we’ve got that settled, I should let you get some sleep.”
“Busy day tomorrow?” I asked, suppressing a yawn.
“Always. Counting the sleeps ‘til I get to see you again, gorgeous.”
“Me too.” I was tempted to say more, but I bit my tongue, knowing it was too soon to tell him I loved him, even though I suspected I did. “Dream of me?”
“Count on it.”