Trystan
SITTING AT THE bar in Simmer, nursing a gin and tonic, I replay what transpired a few short hours ago. I know today isn’t the day to push Camryn’s buttons, but I needed to be near her, like I needed my next breath. Seeing her keep it together in front of the crowds with a brave face and smile, I knew it was only a matter of time before she lost it. After I saw Hunter leave the viewing room, I knew it was my one chance. I have watched from afar since she came back, my heart breaking at what was happening with her grandmother, but today I needed to feel her in my arms. Jesus Christ, it has been so long and she felt good there. It’s where she belongs, but she is too stubborn to hear me out. She melted into my touch and for a few short minutes let her defenses down. Her body still reacts to mine, and if that is not enough to make my dick beg to be close to her, I don’t know what is. As much as my dick wants to be reacquainted with her, there is so much more to Camryn James. That girl owns my heart, always has and always will.
I feel like a creeper at the bar, watching her work the room. Shit, since she has been back, I have taken my level of weirdness up to a whole new level. I want to be close to her and make sure she is okay, so I have come to following her. It is pretty sad when a lead narcotics detective in the Savanah PD has taken to ‘stalking.’ I am not a scary stalker, but with her I need my fix, even if it is only visual for the time being. As I watch her, I am transfixed. She is a vision in a black lace dress that hugs her every curve. Scanning her from head to toe, I take in her long brown hair, begging to be wrapped around my hands. Her perfect curls wouldn’t be looking that flawless if I had my way with her. I could get lost in her eyes, the perfect blend of hazel and honey. Her perfectly plump, pouty lips are like a beacon for mine. A hint of cleavage peeks out, due to the cut of her dress, making my mouth water. Continuing my perusal of her, my eyes travel down to her toned and muscular calves. The black fuck-me heels she’s wearing have my thoughts going in places they shouldn’t be. What I wouldn’t give to have those legs wrapped around me while I got reacquainted with her pussy. Her heels digging into my back. Jesus fuck, I need to stop. Arousal has taken over me, just from watching her. This is not the time nor place for that. My dick has a mind of its own when it comes to Cam, and I don’t need to embarrass myself tonight. She has always been the most beautiful woman I have laid eyes on, and I can say without a doubt, the years have been kind to her. She owns my heart and she has for as long I can remember. Feeling her body pressed up against mine earlier was definitely better than the dreams I have had with her as the star of the show. Clearing my thoughts with a shake of my head is necessary.
Besides her grandmother and myself, this entire community is thrilled to have her back home. We all obviously wish it was under different circumstances, but having her back in Savanah has brought a lot of happiness to many people. My sister, Avery, who happens to be her best friend, is over the fucking moon. She is constantly talking my ear off about her, and how I fucked up by not being straight with Cam all those years ago. The thing is, my sister knows what happened, the whole goddamn story, but she has never told anyone. In her words, “It isn’t my story to tell.” That isn’t easy for her, since we are talking about the person she has been closest to for years, her bestie. Avery has stayed neutral while being supportive to both of us. I think her hope is now that so much time has passed, and Cam is home, we can at least clear the air and break some of the tension between us. Little does my baby sister know, there will be more than clearing the air happening. My intention is to make Cam listen, and then to own her heart again. I can only hope it works.
“Son, why do you look so deep in thought? You haven’t taken your eyes off of her since you parked your ass on this stool, a while ago. Are you okay?” my dad jokingly busts my balls.
“Pop, I had her in my arms. For a few minutes, everything was forgotten and she leaned on me. Cried her eyes out and just let me hold her. God, I sound like a fucking pussy but it felt right. It’s where she belongs. Where she always has.”
The look my dad gives me isn’t one of pity but one of absolute understanding. He and my mom have been in love for so long. They have the type of relationship those cheesy romance novels are written about. And If anyone knows my feelings for that girl, it is most definitely my parents.
With a firm hand on my shoulder, I get a reassuring squeeze from the man I look up to. “So make it right. Give her the goddamn explanation she was owed years ago. I know she wouldn’t listen to you back then, but it is time to make her listen. Get the girl and seal the deal. Fix it, T.” With that he leaves me to ponder his words and heads back to my mom. Watching them together brings a smile to my face. They dote on one another and the love they feel for each other is evident in all of their interactions. Relationship goals right there.
Feeling a vibration in my pocket, I pull out my phone and see a text I have been waiting for. As luck would have it, a big break I have been waiting on for a case has come to fruition, and I know I need to head out. As much as I was waiting for this information, today isn’t the day I wanted to get it. My hope was to get some more time to talk to Camryn. And if not, I wanted to get as much of my fill of her as I could just by being in the same space as her.
After saying my goodbyes to my parents, sister, and several people from town I know, my sights are set one person. Not wanting to push my luck with her today is one thing, but my need to speak to her once more overpowers my sensibility. As luck would have it, I spot her alone on the deck, with her back to the room, and know this time is as good as any. She probably needed a minute and some privacy, but that will have to wait.
Before I even get to her, I can smell her familiar scent. Strawberries and champagne. It has been her signature fragrance since junior high and the fact that it still is, brings a smile to my face. Understated. It has always been one of the things I loved about her. She has more money than she knows what to do with but settles for a twelve-dollar bottle of body spray. Walking up behind her, I cage her in my arms, our bodies not quite touching. Her hesitance to lean back into me is felt, but she hasn’t pulled away or turned around and smacked me yet, and for that I am thrilled. She shivers and I can see the goosebumps appear on her skin. Knowing I still affect her gives me a glimmer of hope that not all is lost between us.
“Sunshine, I have to leave to go deal with a case I have been working on, but couldn’t do that without saying goodbye to you. I meant what I said earlier. You are not alone and will never be. Those words may not be comforting in this moment, but the truth behind them still stands,” reassuringly I whisper.
Letting out a breath I didn’t realize she was holding, she turns and gazes up at me. Unshed tears are in her eyes, and it’s like a punch to my gut to see her hurting. She starts to talk several times and stops, like she is unsure of what to say or that if she speaks she will lose what little composure she has at the moment. Without a second thought, I pull her close to me and wrap my arms around her. For the second time today, she doesn’t fight me. Instead she clings to me like a lifeline. She just lets me hold her. My heart is pounding and I am fairly certain I can hear my own heartbeat and hers at the same time. Timing is a motherfucker, and in this moment, there is nothing else I want to do besides hold this woman.
“Cam, I hate I have to leave right now, because having you in my arms is about the best damn feeling in the world. The break on this case is one I have been waiting on for weeks.”
She pulls back and watching her face, I see the shift from pliable and willing to offended that I have my hands on her. She tries to push out of my arms, but I am struggling with letting her go. “You don’t owe me any explanations. God, I am stupid. Twice today I have lost my head with you. Thank you for coming and thank you for all you did for my Gigi, but beyond that we really have nothing to talk about,” she huffs out.
Oh, the bold and harsh Camryn is back. Her strong will and fierceness has always been something I was drawn to and even loved about her, but sometimes I think those traits will be what doesn’t allow me to ever explain myself. Her stubbornness will not stop me from my objectives.
“That’s where you are wrong, darlin’. We have a lot to talk about it. So much really. I have been waiting twelve years to talk to you, but you never give me the time. That will change. Twelve fucking years. I fucked up. I know I did, but it isn’t what you think. I wish you would give me some time to explain.”
“This isn’t the time or the place to have this conversation. People are starting to look at us, and that is the last thing I need right now.” She tries to push herself past me and I am not having it.
Lowering my voice to a whisper, I plead with her, “Sunshine, please. Give me some time. Just thirty minutes to explain a few things. Not today, obviously, but soon.”
“Trystan, what is there to explain really? We were together. Thought we would end up married. Kids. White picket fence and all that bullshit. You fucked another girl, got her pregnant. Seems pretty cut and dried to me. Nothing to explain. And for the last time, don’t fucking call me Sunshine. I haven’t been your Sunshine in years.”
With that, she barrels past me and I am left with a room full of people looking at me, judging me. Apparently, several have made their way to the doors and were watching us. As with any town or city, rumors and gossip fester. Many think they know the story behind our breakup, but the fact of the matter is, only very few people know the reality.
My gaze locks with my parents and then my sister. I can see the sympathy and understanding on their faces. Feeling a bit defeated, I decide to fight this battle another day. Work calls and this break that just came in may be the one that leads to locking up one of the biggest drug dealers in Georgia. And I am not talking heroin or cocaine, but Rohypnol. There has been a rash of women being drugged and sexually assaulted over the last several months. And it is my mission to bring the perpetrators down.
When I get to my truck, my path is blocked by the one and only Jackson Stone. I love this guy like a little brother, but am not in the mood for his arrogance tonight. Camryn lives next door to his family home. My parents’ house is further down the road, so even though we are all different ages, we grew up together and our families have done a lot of things together over the years.
“Still fucking it up with Cam, I see. How long has it been, T? If you need some lessons in love, I am here to serve. Just look at my track record and you will see how happy I make the ladies. They all leave with a smile, satisfied, and that is a motherfucking fact. I will give you the keys to a happy life,” he smugly says.
The fucker laughs like he is joking, but he is likely quite serious. Jackson is basically good at everything he does. Anything he touches turns to gold. He was a baseball prodigy, who retired early due to an injury, and came back home to be closer to his family. He and his twin brother, Jase, are quite the pair. Assholes, yes. Huge hearts, also yes. They have flocks of ladies vying for their attention.
“Listen, you little fucker,” I laugh, “I do not need advice or love tips from you. Fuck you very much. It’s a bump in the road, maybe a big bump, but a bump nonetheless. God, if she would just listen to me for five minutes, we could possibly move past all this.”
“Listen, man, it isn’t a good look. Do you really think she would forgive you after you cheated on her and got someone else pregnant? What could you possibly say that would change her mind and make her forgive you for that?”
“We would need some time and a fuckton of booze for that explanation, and sadly I need to get home, shower, change, and head to work. But trust me on this, Jackson, everything isn’t always as it seems. Before I get into the details with half the city of Savanah, I need her to listen. To understand me. No one else matters but her.”
“You got it bad, dude. I’ve been there before. Not sure I will ever go back there, but I certainly know about love and losing the one you love. It’s really none of my business or anyone else’s, but remember Camryn is family. She is like a sister to my brothers and me. If you hurt her again, we hurt you. Got it? Make it right, but there better be no more tears from her. Ya feel me?”
The threat has me a little bothered, but I can respect and appreciate the Stones looking out for her. I knew they would, and she needs all the love and family she can get.
“Hey, man, the last person I want shedding tears is her. I have loved her for as long as I can remember. I will say it again. Not everything is as it seems. Trust me on that.”
“Well, without having all the details I can’t speak to that. If you need help getting her somewhere you can talk, let me help you. You know I like some shenanigans every now and again. But my warning stands. Make it right or leave her alone.” A look of anger passes over his face.
“Listen, Jackson, I don’t need threats from you. You have known me a long time. That girl is all I have ever wanted. I appreciate the offer to help, but I need to do this on my own.”
“Go and do your work thing. And my offer to help is there. Oh, and have Caleb call me, so we can get some batting and pitching practice in. Your boy is damn good. Reminds me of me when I was his age.” He grins and pride is evident in his voice.
The satisfaction that comes along with that statement from Jackson is immense. Caleb is my pride and joy. Being a single father wasn’t in my plans, but I wouldn’t change a single thing that got me my boy. Well, actually, I take that back, and wish more than anything Camryn had not gotten hurt in the process. Shaking the thoughts from my head, I jump in my truck to head into work. It’s time to bring down some drug dealers.