Chapter 4 Decaf Betrayal #3
I return with their orders, topping off Cam’s mug with regular coffee now, with the kind of solicitous attention that would make any hospitality instructor proud—if that were even a thing.
“Look at you,” Lily says, leaning in to study Cam. “You look… rested already. Cedar Falls is agreeing with you.”
“Thanks to Levi forcing me at gunpoint.” Cam agrees solemnly. “Though I’m told the brain damage only makes me more attractive.”
The casual reference to brain damage hits me like a slap.Brain damage?
I study his face more closely, looking for signs I might have missed.
He seems perfectly normal—charming, articulate, those maple-brown eyes tracking everything around him with sharp intelligence.
But then I remember the faint bruising around his left temple.
The careful way he moves when he turns his head too quickly.
The phone on the table with what looks like a note-taking app open.
Oh.Oh, shit.
“Any more fainting spells lately?” Levi asks quietly, concern tucked inside his locker-room casual tone.
“No more fainting. Dizziness, sure—some days are better than others. The forgetfulness is what frustrates me most. I can’t control it,” Cam admits.
Lily reaches over to squeeze his hand. “Don’t rush it, Cam. The doctors are confident your brain will recover once you get enough rest. Give yourself some grace. And we’re here for you.”
“Yesterday was… strenuous. Driving from the airport wiped me out. But I slept hard, and this morning feels clearer.”
He smirks at me and adds, “Plus the coffee here is amazing. Best I’ve had in months.”
The decaf.
I poisoned a man with a brain injury with decaf coffee.
I am definitely going to hell.
His brain is injured. He literally might not be able to remember things properly. And I’ve been standing here, stewing, pissy over something that might not even be his fault.
The guilt sits in my stomach like a lead weight.
Wow, Tara. Not your finest moment.
I’m still busy drowning in guilt when Levi decides to turn the moment into open-mic night.
“You should get yourself some T-shirts,” Levi cuts in, eyes dancing. “‘Forget You.’ Front and back.”
Cam scoffs. Lily nearly snorts water.
“Oh Yes,” she grins. “Or: ‘Caution—may not remember your name, but definitely remembers your bra size.’”
Cam clutches his chest. “Rude. Accurate, but rude.”
“Fine, how about this one?” He fires back. “‘Concussed but Still Hung Like a Horse’? Or maybe—” he tilts his mug toward me—“‘Decaf is attempted murder.’”
Lily cackles, Levi snorts, and Cam is looking at me way too smugly.
Levi slaps the table. “Or: ‘Hi, I’m Cam. Please reintroduce yourself daily.’”
Lily is wiping tears from her eyes. “No, no, the winner is: ‘Warning: May Cause Pregnancy'.”
The booth dissolves into laughter while I stand there gripping the coffee pot like a shield. My cheeks burn, my pulse won’t steady. They’re laughing, piling on, basking in the joke.
All I hear is that word echoing in my head.
Brain damage.
"Let me get you both some coffee," I say quickly, needing to escape before I do something stupid like apologize or explain or make this situation somehow worse than it already is.
"Actually," Levi says, settling Linden more comfortably against his chest, "why don't you join us? It's not too busy, and you look like you could use a break."
I glance around the restaurant. He's right—the morning rush is winding down, and the only customers left are regulars who could probably serve themselves if needed.
"I shouldn't—"
"Please," Lily says, patting the seat beside her. "We never get to just chat anymore since Linden. And I want to hear all about what's been happening around town."
I hesitate, caught between wanting to flee and wanting to stay close enough to study Cam's face for signs of... what? Confusion? Recognition? Brain damage symptoms I'm not qualified to identify?
"Come on," Cam adds, and his smile is warm and uncomplicated. "I promise I'm reasonably entertaining company. And I've been told I'm excellent with babies."
As if summoned, Linden makes a soft cooing sound and waves one tiny fist in Cam's direction.
"See?" Cam grins. "Kid has excellent taste."
Despite everything, I find myself smiling back. There's something irresistible about his joy, the way he seems to find genuine delight in small moments. Even with a brain injury—especially with a brain injury—he's choosing happiness.
"Fine," I say, sliding into the booth next to Lily. "But only because Linden asked so nicely."
"So," Cam says, leaning forward slightly, “about your supernatural ability to remember everyone's order."
"It's not supernatural," I say carefully. "I just pay attention."
"Try her," Lily suggests mischievously, “with something challenging.”
"Okay." He pauses, considering. "Large coffee, but only filled three-quarters because I like to add half-and-half myself.
One sugar packet and one of those little vanilla creamers.
Wheat toast—not white, not sourdough—with butter but no jam.
And..." He grins. "A side of whatever the cook recommends, but only if it doesn't have mushrooms because they're slimy and wrong. "
Lily laughs. "Show-off."
"I'm comprehensive," he corrects. "Now, Tara—tomorrow morning, do I get my complicated order, or do you make me repeat myself like some kind of amateur?"
The challenge in his voice is playful, but there's something else underneath it. Something that looks almost like hope.
Like he wants me to remember him.
If only he knew.
"Large coffee, three-quarters full, one sugar, one vanilla creamer, half-and-half at your discretion." I recite. "Wheat toast with butter, no jam. Cook's choice on the side as long as it's mushroom-free because you have the palate of a seven-year-old."
Cam throws back his head with a guffaw—a rich, booming sound that fills the entire restaurant. "Perfect. Absolutely perfect."
Linden startles at the noise and lets out a small cry, and immediately calms down when Levi rubs gentle circles on his back.
"Sorry, buddy," Cam says softly, his voice soothing in a whisper. "Uncle Cam forgot to use his inside voice."
“Wow,” I mutter. “The NHL’s wrecking ball with an indoor setting. Alert the media.”
"Ha! I’ll have you know ALL babies love me," Cam says solemnly. "It's the face. Very trustworthy."
"It's the ego," Levi corrects. "They sense a kindred spirit."
"Harsh but fair," Cam agrees cheerfully.
I watch this easy exchange—the affection, the comfortable roasting, the way they include me without making me feel like an outsider—and something in my chest loosens slightly.
"So, what about you?" Cam asks, turning those big brown eyes on me. "What's your story, Tara? Cedar Falls native, or did you escape from somewhere more exciting?"
The question is casual, friendly—exactly the kind of small talk I've fielded hundreds of times. But coming from him, after last night, it feels loaded with significance.
"Transplant," I say carefully. "Moved here about two years ago for the charm and stayed for the coffee tips."
"And the people," Lily adds warmly. "Don't forget the people."
"The people aren't terrible," I agree, shooting her a fond look.
“Alright, troops. Time to show Cam around town properly. Shake off the hospital vibes,” Levi says, rubbing his non-existent tummy after breakfast.
He looks at Lily. “You good to head back with Linden? Or want to join the grand tour?”
Lily smiles, gently rocking her sweet baby. “You boys go ahead. This little prince and I have a date with his swing. Maybe I’ll even sneak in a nap if I’m lucky.” She leans over to kiss Levi. “Try not to get Cam into too much trouble.”
“No promises,” Levi grins, clapping Cam on the back. “Come on, LD. Let’s walk off those pancakes.”
Cam stands, pulling out his wallet. He leaves a tip far too generous for a small-town breakfast, then flashes me that easy, charming smile. “Thanks again, Tara. For everything.”
“Anytime,” I say, forcing a smile that feels like broken glass. “Enjoy the tour.”
They head for the door in a chaos of baby gear and affectionate bickering, leaving me planted beside the booth with a guilty conscience.
Through the window, I watch them pause on the sidewalk. Cam bends down to say something to Linden, and Lily’s laugh carries all the way to me. Then the men say their goodbyes and start down Main Street.
They stop at the corner, Levi gesturing down the block. And then they both head toward—
Oh no.Not there.Anywhere but there.
The alley.
My heart slams against my ribs. Of course. The one landmark in Cedar Falls I’d happily bulldoze, and they’re marching straight for it.
They stop.
Even from here, I see Cam’s stride falter. His shoulders stiffen. Slowly, he turns—back toward the bistro.
Back toward me.
I can’t see his face clearly, but I don’t need to.
I feel it—the exact second the lightbulb flicks on.
The exact moment he remembers.
Me. The alley. The kiss.
Congratulations, Tara. You’re officially the world’s worst tour stop.
By the time I spin away from the window, the bell over the door jingles. Too late. He’s already storming back inside, Levi trailing behind him looking half-concerned, half-curious.
“Hey—” Cam’s voice is low, urgent, nothing like the breezy charm from earlier. “Tara.”
I freeze mid-step, balancing a tray of clean mugs like a shield. “We’re kind of busy, Wilder. If you’re craving more decaf sabotage, I can pencil you in for never.”
Levi’s eyebrows shoot up. “Decaf sabotage?”
Cam groans. “Not helping, Johansen.” Then his gaze locks back on me, sharp and unguarded. “I’m sorry. About earlier. About… forgetting.”
Something in his tone makes Levi’s smirk fade.
Cam drags a hand through his hair, looking devastated in a way no NHL highlight reel ever shows.
“It’s not you. It’s me.” He grimaces. “Damn, that sounded like a bad breakup line. But it’s true. Since the hits, things slip—faces, moments. That alley…”
Then his voice dips. “I didn’t forget you. I lost it. And then out there, it slammed back. I saw you.”
My throat tightens. Which is so unfair, because I want to stay mad. Mad feels safe. Mad means I don’t have to admit how much it stung.
“Well,” I manage, setting the mugs down with a clatter, “congratulations. Your memory’s back. Would you like a prize? We’ve got blueberry muffins. Half-off for people who remember kissing me.”
Levi chokes on air. “Wait, what?!”
Cam huffs out a throaty laugh, though his eyes stay locked on mine. “I don’t need a prize. Just… another chance. To prove it wasn’t.”
“And for the record," his voice drawls, a velvet-wrapped threat that goes straight between my thighs, "I remember everything now."
The tray rattles under my hands, my heart doing its annoying gymnastics routine again. Levi’s still gaping between us like he’s waiting for someone to pass him popcorn.
Perfect. My humiliation is officially a team sport.