CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Dalton

 

I didn’t know what Cami might have said if I’d stuck around a few more minutes.  That wasn’t the point of telling her I loved her.  I didn’t need to immediately hear the words returned to me.  The point was erasing any doubt Cami might have about how I felt. 

Now she knew.  Now she could choose in her own time what she wanted to do about it. 

I took the freeway north and kept going until I hit Prescott.  I always enjoyed this place, enjoyed the quaint courthouse square and the surrounding green forest, such a contrast to the Sonoran desert in the southern part of the state.  This was one of my favorite places and if Cami had agreed to take off with me for a few days I would have brought her here.  Today I wouldn’t be staying long.  I stopped in town to grab a bite to eat and then headed out to the Granite Dells. 

In summertime the weather up here is always much less punishing than it was down in the valley.  There were families picnicking in the park, clusters of teens scattered around close to the edge of Watson Lake. I hiked for a while through the moonscape of rock formations and then settled down on a natural rock bench with a stunning view of the lake.  There was nothing more calming and inspiring than the sight of unspoiled nature.  The only thing that would have made the moment better is sharing it with the girl I was crazy about.  That’s what happens when you fall for someone; you can’t help but consider how much better the great moments would be with your lover at your side. 

After a while I pulled my phone out, expecting there wouldn’t be much of a signal out here.  I was wrong.  Then I expected there wouldn’t be an answer when I dialed a certain phone number but I was wrong about that too. 

My brother answered right away. 

“What’s happening, fuck face?” Hale greeted me. 

“You tell me.”

He laughed. 

“It’s good to hear your voice,” I said quietly and he stopped laughing. 

“What’s wrong, Dalton?” he asked seriously, sensing it was time to set aside our usual juvenile act.   

“Nothing’s wrong,” I said.  The sun glinted off the lake, hitting me right in the eyes.  “I just like talking to my only brother more than once a fiscal quarter.” 

“You could call more,” he said. 

“Says the guy who never calls.” 

He chuckled softly.  “Truth.  Maybe we can both do better.”   

“I think we can.” 

Hale was quiet for moment, then came the sound like he was cracking open a can.

“Funny that we should be having this conversation,” he said after he took a drink. 

“Why’s that?”

“Because I’ve been meaning to call you. I’ve got some business down in Phoenix and the thing is, I expect it might keep me there.  At least for a little while.” 

“Yeah?”  I felt a smile spreading across my face.  “What kind of business?” 

“Flower shop.”

“Really?”

“No.” 

I understood.  That was Hale’s way of telling me the subject was off the table. 

“I’d be thrilled if you were around,” I said. 

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.  It’s been way too long since we were in the same place for longer than a day or two.  It’d be nice to have a brother again.” 

“I’m always your brother, Dalton,” he said with rare solemnity.  “No matter where I am.” 

“Back at you,” I told him. 

We talked for a good half an hour.  I told Hale about Cami, about the prospects for the training facility, about the fact that last week someone forwarded me a celebrity blog containing the news that Alexa was splitting up with her husband. And strangely I didn’t even care. I couldn’t be smug about someone else’s misery no matter who they were.  I talked about how I’d finally learned to accept that our father would never change, something Hale had accepted years ago. Then I talked about Cami some more.  It was only fitting that the topic of Cami should take up so much of the conversation.  She’d become the most important thing in my life.  Just like that, in such a short period of time.  Quick as a lightning strike.  Anyone who said it couldn’t happen like that was one pessimistic fucker. 

After the call ended I hung around for a little while longer, enjoying the quiet and the scenery.  Next time I was up this way I would bring Cami with me.  She’d appreciate this, the strange shadows cast by the granite formations as the sun changed positions. There were so many things I wanted to share with her.   

When the shadows started to grow longer I left the Dells behind and drove back down to the valley.  I stopped at a department store and picked up a few packing supplies I expected to need very soon.  Then I headed to Wild Spring to find Griffin, hoping he’d be somewhere on the property. 

Half an hour later, Griffin joined me at the club like I had asked him to.  Aqua Room was still empty but in a few hours it would be pulsing with people and energy.  I didn’t mince words and Griffin wasn’t surprised when I told him I was quitting.  He asked me if I’d stay on until he found a replacement and I said sure.  However, I was giving up my suite as soon as possible and moving into an apartment. 

Griffin nodded over all the news but I could see his disappointment.  I tried to soften the blow. 

“Griff, I owe you a lot for this opportunity.  I won’t forget that you were a good friend to me when I needed one.”

He managed a grin and held out his hand.  “You don’t owe me a thing, buddy.  You did me a favor.” 

That may or may not be true but we shook on it. 

“I expect I’ll still be seeing you around now and then, right?” he asked and I could tell it was his way of asking whether we were still friends.  Or whether all the recent trouble had severed that connection irreparably. 

“You’ll see me around,” I assured him.  “Who the hell else is crazy enough to go mountain biking with me in the desert in the middle of summer?”

He snickered.  Then he lightly punched my arm.  “Say hello to Cami for me.  Tell her I’m sorry and I’m here for a reference if she needs one.” 

“Will do.” 

Griffin tilted his head and looked a little wistful.  “Seriously, man, I envy you.  In more ways than one.” 

I didn’t know if he was talking about Cami or about the fact that I could just walk away from here and he couldn’t.  Maybe he meant both.   

Griffin didn’t stay long and that was fine because I needed to head home and get ready for the club to open in a few hours.  I was glad Aqua Room wouldn’t be occupying my nights for much longer.  I wouldn’t miss it. 

Back at the luxury resort suite I planned to abandon soon I showered and then stood out on the back patio in my boxers, leisurely sipping a beer and watching the last traces of light disappear. 

“Camille,” I whispered as I stared into the darkness and thought of all the unseen night creatures of the desert that would soon be awakening beneath a canopy of stars.