Chapter 18 – Someone Different

 

I wake up to a buzzing sound, but it’s more like vibrating.  I open my eyes, and for the second day, I wake up in Cam’s bed.  I’m on my side with my back to him, but I know he’s there because he’s got a hand resting on my waist just above my hip. 

My phone vibrates again on his nightstand, and as I reach over to grab it, he squeezes my waist pulling me back.  I manage to get my phone before being hauled into his big body where his goatee tickles my neck and it feels so good, I’m forced to ignore my phone.

It’s a little after eight and I smile because boot camp is at eight, but I’m still in Cam’s bed with Cam.  Two reasons to be happy this morning.

He rolls me to him and takes my phone, tossing it to the end of the bed.  Bringing his big hand up to cup the side of my head, he asks, “How’s your head?”

“Good.”

“Your shoulder and arm?” he goes on, sliding his hand down the side of my body.

“Really, I’m good,” I give him a small smile.

His hand continues and my breath hitches when he cups me between my legs but over my panties.  His sleepy eyes turn intense when he keeps on, “How’s this?”

I run my hand up his arm, “I’m all good, Cam.”

He dips his hand in my panties, “You think you can go again tonight?”

I warm from his touch, barely tender from last night, “I think so.”

“Good,” he kisses me softly.  “I want you on top, riding my cock.  That way if you’re sore, you can do what feels good for you and I get to watch.  But that’s after I eat you and make you come in my mouth.  I’ve got to get you primed for me.”

My eyes go big and I can’t help it when my face warms, “You know, you don’t have to be so descriptive.  Feel free to surprise me with your plans.”

His goatee smiles and I feel his chest shaking against me with silent laughter. 

“Seriously,” I give his arm a shove.  “I have a lot to do and now I’m going to be thinking about that all day, worrying if I’m going to do it right.”

He rolls completely on top of me and keeps smiling, “There’s no right or wrong.”

“Maybe not,” I say, exasperated.  “But I’m sure there’s good and bad.  Sexy and awkward.  Hot and lackluster.”

“Lackluster?” he keeps smiling.

“Yes,” I glare at him.  “You know I don’t know what I’m doing.”

His amused smile turns soft and he leans down to kiss me even softer. 

When he pulls away he says in a low voice, “You run so hot for me, there’s no way you could be lackluster if you tried.  But baby, when we’re together, I want you to do what feels good.  If something doesn’t feel good, you say so and we’ll find something that does.  If there’s something you want to try, we’ll try it.  If there’s something I try and you don’t like it, you need to tell me because I plan on trying a lot with you, but it’ll all be for you.  What I can promise is that after last night, there’s no way it can be wrong, bad or awkward.  And it definitely will not be lackluster.”

“Really?” I ask.

He frowns, “Were you not here last night?”

I frown back but don’t say anything because that doesn’t warrant an answer.

“You’ll see,” he goes on.  “I want you thinking about it but not worried about it.  Nothing to worry about when it can’t be anything but perfect.”

“Whatever,” I relent because I really want to stop talking about it.  But now I’m going to think about it all day, no matter what I have to do, so I change the subject.  “I need to get up and brush my teeth.  I’ve decided you’re not good for my dental hygiene.”

Last night, after the police filed a report on my car, Cam arranged a wrecker to take it away—since you can’t tow a car with four slashed tires.  That’s right, all four.  Cam didn’t see anything by the time he got outside.  Who knows who did it.  It’s more of a pain in the ass than anything.  It turns out I have rental insurance, so at least I won’t be out of a car while mine is being spruced up. 

It was late when we went to bed the first time, so it was really late after dealing with my car.  Cam pulled me into his arms where I fell fast asleep, completely forgetting to brush my teeth.

Again.

“What do you have to do today?” he asks, not getting off me.

“I need to get to my apartment to work on advertising for my blog, return some calls to new clients about events coming up next month and do laundry.  The way my phone is buzzing, I have a feeling I’m going to have to hide under a rock to avoid my family.  And if Brian doesn’t answer my calls today, I’ll be forced to find him and kick his ass for avoiding me.  What are you doing?” I ask.

He instantly frowns, “Why do you need to talk to him?”

“Because of what happened Sunday.  I need to work things out,” I explain.

“What’s there to work out?  He wants you and you don’t want him.  It’s finished,” he says.

“Nothing is finished.  He’s my friend and even though I don’t want him the way he wants me, I need to make it okay between us.  We’ve been friends too long for me to let it go.”

“I don’t like it,” he keeps frowning.

“I’m sorry you don’t like it, but I’m still going to talk to him.”

His jaw hardens and he looks up over my head at the headboard. 

“Cam?” I call for him.

He looks back and sighs, “I’ll take you to your apartment, you can get your stuff, bring it back here.  We’ll pick up your rental on the way back and you can work here while I figure out what’s happening with Bekki.  I’ve got to call my attorney about getting sole custody.  I need to be close to the kids today, keep an eye on them after what happened last night.”

“I can work at my apartment,” I say.

“You can also work here,” he insists.

I guess it doesn’t matter where I work, but he really likes to have his way.

“Who’s your attorney?” I change the subject.

“I use my parents’ attorney.  He’s in Texas.  It can slow things down but it’s worked okay in the past.”

“Do you want me to call my dad?” I offer.  “He specializes in Family Law.”

“No.  I don’t need to be asking favors from your family.  I’m not sure what they think about you with me anyway,” he says narrowing his eyes.

“He wouldn’t do it for you.  He’d do it for me,” I insist, because it’s true.  If I asked, my dad would do it in a heartbeat.

“No,” he reiterates.

“But, he could get it done fast and you need it done fast.  Who knows what Bekki will do.  She’ll probably get out on bail today if she’s not already,” I plea my case.

He smiles but repeats, “No,” then kisses me fast before rolling off me to get up.  “As much as I’d like to hang out in bed all day, the kids will be up soon if they’re not already.”

Pulling myself out of bed, I feel stiff all over.  I’ve decided to blame it on two days of boot camp.  My phone vibrates on the end of the bed again.  Picking it up, I see I already have three voicemails and a handful of texts.  It’s mostly Sophia but she must have called in reinforcements.  They’re all butting in. 

I hit my voicemail button and put my phone to my ear while hauling on my jeans from yesterday.  Of course Sophia called first: “You spent the night with him? And Lanny said something happened with Cam’s ex and you had to wade in.  What the hell, Paige?  (No, no, Isabella, don’t touch that.)  Sorry, but call me.  I want to know what happened and Lanny told me about your car.  Mom and Dad are gonna have a fit, you know how they are about their cars.”

She’s right, my parents will have a fit about the car.  I’ve barely had it a few weeks.

The next message is from my mom:  “Sweetheart, this is your mother.  Sophia called this morning and told me what happened to your car.  Well, (sigh), your dad will be calling you about that to make sure you get it all sorted.  But, um…it happened at Cam Montgomery’s house?  And well…Soph said it happened in the middle of the night.  Is that right?  I guess that means you’re seeing him.  Romantically.  (sigh) I’ve always liked Cam. I mean, I guess I barely know him, which is fine.  But he’s, well, a bit older than you.  Do you think he’s a little too old – ”

Beep.

Surprise-surprise, the last message is from my mom again:  “I guess I ran out of time.  Expect a call from your dad and call me.”

Why does my family treat me like I’m a child?  I haven’t lived at home since I started college, I’ve always been gainfully employed (even if I did go from job to job there for a while) and now I manage a business that’s turned into two ventures.  I’m doing even better than I thought I would. 

Well, they can learn to mind their own business.  I have too much to do today.  Not to mention, I don’t need my dad sorting out my car issues.  Cam may have arranged the wrecker last night, but I can handle it myself.

I have texts from Leigh, Gabby and Charlotte.  Ignoring them all, I look for Brian’s name and start typing, asking if he can get away for coffee this morning.  Who knows if he’ll answer.

Making my way to the kitchen I hear little voices mingling with Cam’s. 

“Good morning,” I call as I walk into the kitchen to see Jordy and Cara eating cereal at the island. 

I get “Heys” from the kids, but it’s hard to concentrate on them when I look at their dad.  He’s leaning against the sink in nothing but his athletic shorts again with a cup of coffee in his hand.  His eyes are warm and I have to bite my lip to keep from smiling from the quiver I get from his look.  It’s all I can do not to run and throw myself at him in front of his kids. 

He grins and I force myself to look away.  I move to his coffee cups, knowing where most things are in his kitchen from cleaning it.  In fact, I learned half of his cabinets are bare.  Cam doesn’t seem to have a penchant for kitchen gadgets, that’s for sure.

“We get to stay home today,” Cara announces with a big smile. 

“That’s what I hear,” I smile back while doctoring up my coffee, thinking Cam needs real cream.  Coffee with milk ruins the experience. 

“How’s your head?” Jordy asks, his little boy face frowning.

I look to Cam quickly and his face goes tight with concern for his son.  I look at Jordy and say brightly, “You don’t need to worry about me, I’m as good as new.”  He nods, looking back to his cereal but I go on, “I’ll make you all dinner tonight.  What sounds good?”

“Chicken nuggets,” Cara says quickly.

“I like fish sticks,” Jordy adds.

I frown at both of them, “Pick something that doesn’t come from a packaged bag out of the freezer.”

They look at each other and I hear Cam grunt.  When I look over he’s biting back what looks to be a chuckle and I ask, “Do you only feed them processed foods?”

“They eat apples and bananas,” he grins.  “Sometimes carrots.”

I roll my eyes and look back to the kids who are making faces at the mention of carrots.

“How about this, I’ll make Rice Krispie chicken.  It’s like a big chicken nugget,” I look to Cam before finishing, “but homemade.”

“I don’t want salad,” Cara says, screwing up her face.

“What do you like that’s green?” I ask her.

“Nothing,” she says.

“I’ll make Double Broccoli,” I announce.  “You can try it.”

“No,” Jordy exclaims at the same time Cara whines, “Ew.”

“Darlin’,” Cam breaks in.  “None of us like broccoli.”

“Have you ever had Double Broccoli?” I ask.

“I don’t even know what that is, but my guess, it’s still broccoli but more of it.  So I’m assuming we really won’t like it,” he tips his head before lifting his mug to his lips.

“Everyone likes Double Broccoli,” I announce.  “That’s where it gets its name.  You have to make double because everyone likes it so much.  I’ll make sort-of-homemade macaroni and cheese, it has pepper jack in it.  But you have to promise to try my broccoli.”

“I like macaroni and cheese,” Jordy smiles for the first time.

“I do, too,” I grin.  “I promise you mine’s better than anything your dad has ever managed to make out of a box.”

“Cool,” Jordy grins.

I look at Cam and he’s smiling at his son.  I sigh and fall a little bit more as I stand in Cam’s kitchen on Athica Lane with him and his kids.

Cam breaks me out of my dadmire trance and says to me in a way he’s complaining, “I guess I’ll eat Double Broccoli if it means I get better than boxed mac-n-cheese.”

“You’ll see.  You’ll be begging for more,” I inform him arrogantly. 

His eyes are warm when he says in a way I don’t think he’s talking about broccoli, “I know I will.”

I have to lift my mug to my mouth to keep from smiling and I can’t help but fidget.  By the gleam in his eyes, I can tell Cam catches it and smiles as he announces to our group, “Everybody get ready.  We’re rolling out in fifteen minutes.”

*****

My phone rings again—it’s been ringing all morning.  But this time I can’t bring myself to send it to voicemail because it’s my dad and my dad’s different.  I’ll always answer a call from my dad. 

I barely get out a, “Hello,” before he interrupts me.

“What happened?” he demands over the phone.

I look down at my cappuccino as I wait in the coffee shop for Brian.  He finally texted back, although it was short and curt, agreeing he would meet me for coffee.  I’m fifteen minutes early, I wanted to get a quiet table in the corner so we could talk.  I have his favorite iced tea waiting on him since he doesn’t drink coffee.

“It’s not so bad.  The tires were slashed and a window was broken.  There wasn’t any body damage.  Other than my deductible, my insurance will cover it,” I explain, trying to make the vandalism sound not so bad.

“I don’t care about the car.  I’m talking about you.  Sophia said you pushed your way into something for her neighbor and got knocked around.  Are you okay?” he demands, not sounding happy.

“Oh.  I didn’t push my way into anything but I’m fine,” I defend myself.  “I thought you were talking about the car.”

“Your mom said you haven’t called her back.  Tell me what happened,” he says.

I sigh before going into detail about last night, giving him the truth about what went down with Cam’s kids, the creepy guys and Bekki.

“I’m really okay.  I know everyone’s worried but I’ve been busy and haven’t had time to call everyone under the sun.  Please don’t worry,” I say softly.

I hear my dad pause before he sighs, “Sweetheart, I’ll always worry about you.”

“I’m okay,” I insist.

“I’ll call in some favors to look into who was arrested and what’s happening.  Come to the house tonight, I want to see for myself that you’re okay.  If your mom’s not fixing dinner, we’ll take you out,” he says, planning my night.

“Sorry, I can’t.  I told Cam and the kids I’d make them dinner.  They’re still a little shaken from what happened last night.”

Then…silence.

I wait a few more beats and just when I think we got disconnected I call out, “Dad?”

He responds instantly, “I’ll come to you.”

“What?” I exclaim.

“I’ll come after dinner.  I won’t bring your mom, she’d make a spectacle.  But I need to see that you’re okay,” he says.

“I’m fine.  There’s nothing to see,” I insist.

“Listen to me,” he starts.  “You’ll never be a dad who has a baby girl who got herself tossed around by a group of thugs—you don’t get to make that call.”

“Has everyone forgotten that I’m an adult?” I ask sarcastically.

“You’ll always be the baby,” he spits back.  “I’ll stop by after dinner.  It’s done.  Now tell me, what’s Cam doing about his ex-wife?”

“Dad – ” I start.

“Enough,” he uses his dad voice on me before going on.  “What kind of custody arrangement does he have?”

I huff into the phone, “He has them all but two weekends a month.”

“She left his two young children unattended.  What’s he doing about that?” he pushes.

“He’s calling his attorney today.  He said sometimes it can hold things up because he’s in Texas,” I explain.

“I’ll ask him about it tonight,” he says when I look up to see Brian walking toward me wearing a frown.

“I’ve got to go,” I say.  “Thanks for checking on me.”

Brian gets to my table and roughly yanks out the chair across from me to sit. 

“I’ve got a meeting,” my dad says.  “See you tonight.”

“See ya,” I say before disconnecting as I look across at my angry friend.

Brian doesn’t offer a word.

“Thanks for meeting me,” I start.

“What do you want?” he asks coldly.

I lower my voice, “We need to get this out in the open, work through it so we can get back to where we were.”

“That other guy seemed to work through it well enough,” he bites back. 

“He shouldn’t have said what he said.  It wasn’t the time or place.  I’m sorry that happened,” I apologize.

Brian narrows his eyes before leaning back in his chair and folding his arms, “You’re with him.”

“Please,” I lean forward, putting my forearms on the table.  “I need to fix this.  I feel bad and I don’t want to lose your friendship.”

“I don’t want you as a friend,” he coldly bites. 

I instantly sit back in my seat, his words hitting me like a physical blow.

“I’m tired of having you as a friend,” he goes on with a menace to his voice.  He leans forward and levels his normally warm brown eyes on me, but today they’re anything but warm.  They’re cold and sharp.  I don’t like the way he looks when he seethes, “I’m tired of having something at my fingertips that I want but can’t grasp.  I’m tired of being with you, but not being with you.  I’m tired of waiting.  I’m tired of pretending I don’t want what I’ve wanted, for-fucking-ever.  You don’t show an interest in anyone and then all of a sudden you want this older guy with kids?  Fuck, I see it all over your face the two times I’ve seen you with him.  You know how I recognize it?  Because for years I’ve dreamed of you looking at me like that.  Well, I’m done pretending.  I can tell you’re in deep—but mark my words, he’ll hurt you.  I’ll be watching and waiting for it to happen.  And I promise it’ll happen.  I’ll know when it does, but from here on out, I have no desire to be your friend.  Don’t call me for coffee and don’t call me to chat.  I’ll be waiting, Paige, and I’ll come to you.”

With that, he pushes off the table, sloshing my cappuccino and the tea he didn’t touch.  People turn to stare when they hear the angry screech of his chair cut through the small coffee shop.  As I reach to settle our drinks, Brian stalks away, looking as angry as he proved he was with his words. 

Squeezing my eyes shut, I try to settle my pounding heart.  Avoiding the stares from around me, I take a deep breath trying to recover from Brian’s outburst.  That was not the way I hoped that would go.  He wasn’t the same person I’ve known since college, the close friend I’ve had for years. 

That was someone different. 

That was someone very different.