ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟙𝟜
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I really didn't want to be here, but I had no choice. And also, who doesn't love free food? Hunter and Brody were on my neck about it. All three of us are seated on one side while Rachel is by herself on the other side.
She starts. "So, Cameron."
I close my eyes briefly before nudging Brody's arm, in hopes he'll talk to her for me. In response, he smacks my elbow, and I stomp his foot before finally turning to Rachel.
"Yeah?" I say, exhaling.
"Top of the department?" She says casually like I didn't mention it before. "That's an accomplishment."
Hunter clears his throat. "You know what else is an accomplishment for Cam Wam?"
Brody immediately turns to Hunter as they both say in unison, "Cam Wam, the fam jam!"
Rachel blinks slowly. "The fam jam?"
Hunter grins like a baby who got candy. "Yeah. Because he's always saving the fam, jam-packed with that big man energy."
Brody nods like this is undeniable science. "Facts. He's all for saving lives. Don't ask him why though, you'll get an emotional story."
I kinda want to get up out of my chair and strangle both of them. The emotional story Brody was referencing was because I told him the reason I wanted to start the whole firefighter thing- I couldn't save Jordyn.
Sometimes it makes me feel fulfilled when I see people reunited with their loved ones. Even when I wasn't united with mine.
I drag a hand down my face. "Please stop talking."
But Hunter is already leaning in, unstoppable. "Cam Wam doesn't just fight fire. He flame-scrams."
"What on earth could that mean?" Rachel squints her eyes at them.
Brody points at me. "Top of the department, broke a record response time, and still refused to celebrate. Who does that?"
Hunter immediately gasps. "And THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is why he's Cam Wam, chief of the fam jam."
Brody woops and claps once. "Say it louder for the rookies in the back."
I glare at both of them. "Oh gosh."
Rachel leans back, studying me in a way I don't feel comfortable with. "Okay... Cam Wam," she says slowly, testing the stupid nickname. "If you hate attention so much, why did you agree to come to lunch?"
Three heads turn toward me immediately. I wouldn't have gone if Rachel would leave me alone about it, and if Brody and Hunter weren't so demanding.
"Peer pressure," I say flatly.
Brody scoffs. "He's lying. We didn't force him to do anything."
Hunter leans in again. "So," he says, dropping his voice. "Rachel."
She looks up at him. "Yeah?"
"You seem curious."
I immediately sit up straighter. I knew where he was going with this, and I did not like it. "Don't."
Brody ignores me entirely. "Curious about Cam Wam."
"I mean, you're not wrong about that." She says, chuckling a bit before looking up at me.
I immediately go quiet. I guess everyone else notices because Rachel clears her throat before starting again.
"So how long have you been married?" She asks, glancing at my ring briefly.
"Seven years."
Her eyebrows lift. "Really?"
"Really." I say it flat, because I honestly don't have the time for stupid questions.
"Eight years is impressive."
I shrug. "It doesn't feel like eight years."
Somehow it feels like yesterday, and 100 years ago. Either way, it was worth it. Rachel swirls her drink calmly.
"So what was she like when you met her?" The second she asks that, my irritation softens- because now I'm thinking about Dixie. And unfortunately for everyone at this table, that's my favorite topic.
"Oh, now he's going to start blabbering about how perfect his wife is." Brody chuckles, gesturing with his hands to show a chatterbox.
I furrow my brows at him. "She is perfect."
I kick his shin before turning back to Rachel, clearing my throat. "She was mean."
"Mean?" She laughs.
"Very."
Hunter starts to laugh.
"See?" Hunter points at me. "I've been saying this."
"No. Not mean like that." I shake my head.
I stare down at the table for a moment. How do you explain someone like Dixie? Right there at that moment I couldn't form any other coherent thoughts than that beautiful face of hers.
"Dixie was..." I pause.
"She was this confident young lady I met at a business party. I remember the way she looked me up and down like I was something to inspect. Like a goddess."
That was the closest I could describe her. Actually- no. No words describe Dixie. She was truly one of a kind.
I snap out of my train of thoughts, realizing I've gotten carried away. Brody is ripping up a napkin and I look up to see Rachel admiring me.
"You really love her." The question catches me off guard. An easy answer to an easy question.
I nod. "More than anything."
Her smile drops for a second before she lifts it back up. "Thats sweet."
I glance at my watch.
2:17 PM.
I wonder what Dixie's doing. I wonder if she misses me. She was probably annoyed at somebody.
Maybe even me.
Probably me.
I smile at myself stupidly.
Rachel clears her throat. "Cameron?"
"Hm?" I look up.
She smiles deviously. I don't like where this is going. "You know..."
Her hand reaches across the table. It lands on my forearm.
"If you ever need someone to talk to about your...wife problems, I'm always here."
I slowly remove my arm. Was she being serious? Sure, we had problems here and there, but I don't even know Rachel. Why was she sticking her head in places where she doesn't belong?
"So when you're not working," she asks, "what does that look like for you?"
I shrug. " Recovery days at home. Nothing super exciting."
Brody mutters something about being trapped and a home husband.
I ignore him. "I don't really need extra things."
Rachel tilts her head. "Not even hobbies?"
"I do a lot, actually," I admit. "It's mostly just time at home. With Dixie."
I check my watch again before standing up from my chair. If Brody and Hunter were going to try and set me up with this woman, I'd better be out and gone. Three heads immediately turn toward me.
"I think I'll be taking my leave now."
Rachel's smile falls. "What?"
"I've gotta go."
"But we just got our food." Brody whispers, almost asking me, "Dude, what are you doing? You're messing this all up!"
I reach into my back pocket and grab my wallet before placing five hundred dollar bills flat on the table.
Rachel reaches out. "Cameron, stay."
I shake my head. "No."
"Just a little longer."
"No."
"Please?"
I offer her a small smile. "Rachel."
She raises her brows.
"I'm married."
"I know." Sh says.
"No," I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "I don't think you do."
The table grows quiet again. "I came because your daughter, Rosie, wanted to thank us."
I gesture toward Hunter and Brody. "And because these idiots wouldn't stop bothering me."
"Fair." Hunter exhales, Brody smacking his arm.
"But I should get home."
Rachel studies me for a moment before finally nodding. "...Okay."
I grab my keys.
"Traitor." Hunter points.
Brody grabs his cup like he's toasting my exit. "Cam Wam retreating to the home jam!"
I give them the finger as I walk out.
~