Chapter Sixteen #2
After finishing the pizza, we stayed for a while longer, talking about the damage the storm did around Essex. When Nick announced that he needed to head to the club for a team meeting, Leo and I decided to leave too.
On the way home, my mom called, and I answered right away. I didn't often talk to her on the phone; since she traveled a lot, she was usually in different time zones and liked communicating through texts more.
I loved that she could travel to her heart’s content.
When we grew up, she'd lived very frugally, working two jobs and spending every penny on me and my brothers.
Now, it was our turn to look after her. She'd traveled the world twice over, and I was very happy for her. She deserved to have fun even though we didn’t see her often.
She'd visited us twice recently, but before that, we hadn't seen her in about a year.
"Hey, Mom," I said.
"Darling, how are you?"
"Just heading home. I was at the grandparents' house. There was a storm here in Boston."
"Oh, I know."
She did? That was surprising. Maybe she’d talked to Leo or Nick.
"Where are you now exactly?" I asked.
"In Bali. It's wonderful."
"I'm glad, Mom."
"So, how are you really?"
"What do you mean?"
"I've heard you're seeing someone."
"Did I step into an alternative universe? How would you even know about this?"
"I just spoke with Leo. He might have mentioned it."
I started to laugh. "Holy shit, I didn't realize he was such a gossip."
"Well, he's not. I mean… usually there's nothing to gossip about."
"Mom," I said because I could see where this was going, "don't make this into something it's not."
"Oh, I'm not. Far be it for me to do that. But it's difficult not to get excited. Now, I do love traveling the world, but one thing that would make me stay closer to home would be grandkids."
I was shocked. Mom had never mentioned that word at all. Frankly, I'd never even thought about marrying, let alone becoming a dad. "All right. You're officially getting ahead of yourself."
"You’re right. But I'm very excited."
"Where are you going next?"
"I'll probably spend a whole month in Indonesia. Now, I’ve got to go. My Pilates class starts soon."
"Have fun," I said.
"You too."
After hanging up, I couldn't help myself and texted Leo.
Maddox: You big gossip. Why did you tell Mom about Cami?
Leo: One thing led to another, and I just did. Wasn't intentional. I can't believe I've mocked Gabe every time he said he doesn't intend to run his mouth. I'm doing the same.
I laughed but didn’t reply. I wasn’t really mad at my brother. This was just unexpected.
Mom’s words rang in my ears as I parked in front of my house.
Grandkids.
That’s not going to happen, Mom. It’s not who I am.
Thankfully, my house wasn’t damaged at all by the storm. All my appliances were connected to an app on my phone, and it didn’t report any outages, which meant everything should be perfectly fine.
Once inside, I threw my jacket on the coat hanger near my front door.
The sound echoed throughout the house. I liked the place, but I couldn't wait for Leo to find me a new one.
I'd bought this because I wanted to move out of a condo.
I disliked having neighbors; someone was always making noise or throwing a party, and I wasn't exactly known for my ability to compromise.
So when Leo showed me this huge-ass house, I'd put an offer on it instantly.
But I'd never managed to make it into a home.
Probably because I didn't spend a lot of time here. If I wasn’t in the office, working, I was out about town or at one of Nick's gyms. This place felt like a hotel even though I'd lived here for a few years.
It was so huge that although there was a crap ton of furniture inside, it still seemed empty.
I chuckled, remembering Cami's cabin. It was so tiny that there was always a risk of bumping into something.
Still, I enjoyed being there. Hell, I enjoyed her.
I poured myself a glass of scotch, and after a sip, I snapped a picture and sent it to Cami.
Maddox: That mulled wine was much better. This seems boring in comparison.
She replied as I took the next sip, sending me a picture of a page from a recipe notebook.
Cami: This is the recipe. You should be able to do it with what you already have in the house. Even if you skip some of the ingredients, it's still going to be good.
Maddox: It's not just the mulled wine. The company was exquisite too.
I closed my eyes and could imagine her sitting cross-legged on her couch, a remote in one hand and phone in the other, blushing as she read my words.
My cock twitched. Damn it, my reaction to this woman was insane.
I’d been cooped up in that tiny cabin with her for the entire day, yet all I wanted was to go right back there and spend the evening with her, too, and maybe tomorrow as well.
It hadn’t been nearly enough time with her.
Cami: I liked the company too.
My cock twitched again. I made a split-second decision and called her.
"Maddox," she answered.
"Hey, Cami. How are you? Storm started again?"
"No, everything’s all right. I checked the outside. There was no damage, really, thank God. The rain brought a lot of mud around my house, and there's still snow because the snowplows didn’t get that close to the building, but I’ve already shoveled most of it.”
I set my glass down, straightening up. "I can stop by and shovel."
Why the hell didn’t I do that before I left?
There was a pause before she said, "You would drive forty minutes to shovel mud and snow?"
When she put it like that, it did sound ridiculous.
"Why?" she asked, her tone skeptical.
Because I want to spend time with you. The thought instantly popped into my head, but I didn't say it out loud.
"So you don't have to do it yourself," I said instead.
"I’m almost done anyway.”
Fuck, I should have hired someone to shovel her driveway. Why didn’t I think of it?
“How's your hand?”
“It’s pretty much healed. I’ll check with my GP tomorrow, but I think I can even take off the bandage. Was your drive back to the city okay? I read that the roads are a mess."
"They are, but it was all good. I went by Gran's place and checked to see if everything's okay."
"Is it?" she asked.
"Yes. There wasn't even any debris on the streets in their neighborhood. And there's virtually no snow in Boston. What are you doing tonight?" I asked her.
"Im going to walk to Dad's."
"Walk? Cami, that's not safe," I said, standing straight up.
She laughed.
“What’s so funny?” I was serious.
"The storm stopped, Maddox. What do you think is going to happen to me if I walk in snow?"
"You could catch a cold," I said.
"Right. I promise you I dressed appropriately."
"I need to see you." I didn’t want to beat around the bush or come up with excuses. I wasn't that kind of guy.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, clearly caught off guard.
I cleared my throat. "I can't stop thinking about these past couple days."
"Well, the storm was pretty memorable," she teased.
"So are you."
Her breath caught; I heard the sharp intake of air in the phone.
"Do you have anything planned tomorrow evening?" I went on.
"Just the usual, although I think that will turn out to be nothing because we keep getting cancellations at Essex Adventures. We always have a lull at this time of the year until it’s cold and snowy enough for the winter activities." She spoke extremely fast, as if she was nervous.
"I’d like to take you out."
"Here in Essex?"
"No, in Boston. I can make reservations for a restaurant and pick you up."
"I'll drive there," she countered.
"So that's a yes?"
"I'd love to."
"Fantastic. But what's the nonsense about the car? I'll have someone pick you up."
"No, I like driving myself. It keeps me flexible in case I need a quick getaway."
I rubbed my shoulders before taking another sip. "You expect to have to make a quick escape from me, Cami?"
She laughed, but it sounded a bit breathy. "That came out wrong. Of course not, but I do prefer to drive my own car."
"It doesn't feel like going on a date if you drive yourself, though, does it?"
"Oh, this is a date?" she asked, sounding incredulous.
"Yes, it fucking is," I replied.
"Well, I’ll still drive my car."
"All right.”
“What time should I be where?"
"I haven't made reservations yet, but I can text you the name of the place when I get it, right?" I said. "Six o'clock okay for you?"
"No, that might be a bit too early."
"Seven?"
"Sure."
I didn't like the idea of her driving back later after the date. I could have someone take her and then bring her car the next day. Or convince her to stay overnight. But I wasn't going to push the issue right now.
I was going to see Cami again.
Fuck yes.