Somebody Like You: A Small Town Single Mom Romance (The Heartbreak Brothers Book 4)

by Carrie Elks

  Becca grinned, her eyes sparkling as she ripped the paper open, then squealed when she saw what was inside. “I love it!” she said, wrapping the scarf around her neck. “I saw this in the window of Laura’s the other day and had scarf envy.”

  “I saw it and thought of you,” Mia said, smiling at her friend’s reaction.

  “You know me so well already.” Becca hugged her tight. “Let’s go and join the others.” She passed a fresh glass of prosecco to Mia and led her over to a huge cream leather sofa. “You know Courtney, of course.”

  Along with Courtney, there was Van, Tanner’s wife, as well as Courtney’s best friend, Lainey. As soon as Mia sat down with them, the conversation picked up, as they gossiped about work, Van and Tanner’s drive-in movie theater, and what movies they were planning to show that year. Then the talk turned to the brothers, as Maddie – who’d returned from the den – regaled them with a story of how Tanner wouldn’t accept that Gray had beaten him at the football game, and the two of them had ended up rolling on the floor, play fighting each other like kids.

  “If only Cam was here,” Becca said, shaking her head. “He’d whoop all their asses in an instant.”

  At the mention of Cam’s name, Mia found herself looking up. What would they think of her if they knew what was happening between them? Not that she’d ever say. Cam wasn’t planning on staying around for good, after all. Soon he’d be back at work, and she’d still be here.

  “Logan’s been on edge all weekend,” Courtney said. “He’s so worried that Cam might want to play again.”

  “Surely he wouldn’t do that.” Maddie frowned. “It could kill him.”

  Mia’s head snapped up. What?

  Courtney pressed her lips together. “I know. But Logan says that football is Cam’s life. He has no idea what to do when he’s off the field.”

  “What’s wrong with Cam?” Mia found herself asking. “I thought he was taking a break because of a bad tackle.”

  Becca sighed. “It’s a bit more than that.” She glanced around at the women sitting with them. “This goes no further than this house, okay?”

  They all nodded.

  “He has post concussion syndrome. Not just from the tackle he took a few weeks ago, but from the build up of brain trauma over the years. There are lesions on his brain that won’t ever heal, but he can still lead a normal life if he stops playing.” Becca’s voice was low.

  “The problem is, if he carries on playing, it could make things worse. Much worse.” Courtney bit her lip. “Have you heard of CTE?”

  Mia shook her head.

  “It’s a degenerative disease of the brain due to excessive trauma. It starts with headaches, which is what Cam has. The more concussions he gets, the worse it will get. CTE can cause personality changes and forgetfulness, as well as extreme aggression and depression. I hate the idea of Cam ending up like that,” Courtney told them.

  “Not to mention suicidal thoughts,” Maddie added, grimacing. “It’s all horrific. He needs to give up football now.”

  Cam had a brain injury? The words were still sinking into Mia’s own mind. He’d never mentioned it, not once. And he had time to mention it. When she was in his arms, telling him about her broken marriage and separation. He could have said something then.

  She was torn between sympathy and annoyance at him not telling her. Sure, they were casual, but she was a caring person. She could have helped or at least listened to his worries.

  “It’s okay,” Becca said, rubbing Mia’s arm. “He’s going to be all right.”

  “I’m the one who should be comforting you.” Mia shook her head at the whole situation. “You’re his sister, after all.”

  “We’ve had a bit of time to come to terms with things,” Becca said with a shrug.

  “So has Cam, but he’s still fighting it,” Maddie added.

  Mia shifted uncomfortably on her seat. She liked these women, and she hated that she was hiding something from them. But what was she supposed to do? Tell them that she and Cam had a secret fling going on?

  She wasn’t a solution to his problems. She had enough of her own. Not to mention Josh and Michael’s lives to consider. But it hurt to know he was hiding this every time they saw each other.

  “You know what?” Maddie said, clapping her hands together. “This is supposed to be a birthday party, not a wake for Cam’s career. We need more wine, and more music. What do you say?”

  “I think we should go get the guys and make them dance with us,” Courtney said, the corners of her eyes wrinkling up. “Before they end up giving each other black eyes.”

  “Good idea.” Van nodded, shifting one of Maddie’s twins on her knee. “I’ll tackle Tanner, you two take Gray and Logan. Becca and Mia, you put on some loud music. I really want to dance.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Mia smiled at them, happy the subject was changing. If they were dancing, they wouldn’t be talking which was a good thing. Because right now she had a lot to think about.

  Nobody was answering the front door. Cam rapped again, but all he could hear was loud music. He turned the doorknob, but it was locked.

  He could’ve called Gray or Logan and ask them to let him in, but instead he opted for hopping the high fence that separated Gray’s driveway from his backyard, landing steadily on his feet. He walked around to the back of the house where no doubt his family would be celebrating in the kitchen.

  He could hear them before he saw them, the sound of music mixing in with the laughter and low buzz of conversation. It made the corners of his lips curl up. Weird how much he’d wanted to fly home rather than stay in Boston and watch the game.

  Now that he knew his future wasn’t with the Bobcats, not for now at least, he wanted to be far away from the team he’d been a part of for so long. Yeah, last night he’d gone over to Dan Motion’s house and hung out with the quarterback and the rest of the team. But it felt more like a school reunion twenty years after he’d left. They had football in common, but little else.

  The official press release confirming his retirement would come out tomorrow, so it didn’t overshadow the Bobcat’s game today. But the rest of the players already knew – Coach Mayberry had informed them – and one by one they’d hugged Cam tightly and wished him well.

  And now he would have to build that kind of camaraderie all over again with a new team. Wherever that ended up being.

  “It’s a good offer,” Derek had said quietly about the L.A. team as they’d left Marty’s office on Friday. “I’ll put feelers out to find out more about their plans, but my gut tells me you should grab this by the balls.”

  Cam had nodded, but said nothing. Derek was right, it was a good offer. But L.A. felt so far away. Sure, he had friends there, the same way he had friends all over the country. It’s what happened when you were in the public eye.

  He didn’t know why he was in such a funk about it. He should feel relieved that his future was almost secured. He’d still be part of the game, part of something bigger. And sure it would take time to build up a new team like that, but he was never phased by challenges before.

  Maybe it was because he’d actually been enjoying spending time with his family for once. For the past decade, his brothers had been scattered all over. Gray in L.A., Tanner running his own business in New York, and Logan with him in Boston.

  One by one they came home. Found love and happiness in the same town they grew up in.

  There was a little part of him that envied them for that.

  Through the kitchen window, he could see his family doing what they always did – goofing around together and having fun. Tanner and Van were doing some kind of complicated twist that resulted in her stumbling against the breakfast counter as Tanner tumbled on top of her. Gray and Maddie were moving smoothly, their bodies so accustomed to music and rhythm that their grace was innate. And then there was Logan and Courtney, holding George in their arms as they boogied together, making their baby giggle and clap his hands with glee.<
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  Cam’s mouth dried when he saw her. Mia was dancing with Josh, her blonde hair flying out behind her as Josh held her hands and spun them round and round. Her eyes were sparkling, her head tipped back with a giggle that made Josh twist her faster.

  Even Michael was grinning, sitting at the breakfast bar with his phone held up as he videoed them all.

  Taking a deep breath, Cam rapped on the window, painting a smile on his face when they all looked over to see him in the backyard.

  “Cam!” Becca squealed, her voice audible through the closed windows. She ran to the sliding glass doors and yanked them open. “You came.”

  “Happy birthday.” He kissed her and squeezed her tight. “Your gift is in my car.”

  “It is? Can I come and see?”

  Over Becca’s shoulder he could see Mia looking at him. Seeing her made his muscles relax. He wanted to hold her. To touch her without sending the sirens off throughout Hartson’s Creek.

  He was sick of hiding this thing between them. Sure, the sex was amazing. But he wanted more than being a dirty secret.

  “Come on,” Becca said, tugging his hand. She practically dragged him around the house to the driveway, not letting go until they were at his car. The others had followed, and were standing by the house, watching with amusement.

  Including Mia. His gaze met hers, and damn if he didn’t feel it right down to his feet. That was the moment he knew he couldn’t go to L.A. Not when she was here in Hartson’s Creek. The thought of being without her made his chest ache.

  He wanted her.

  He wanted everything.

  Taking a deep breath, he opened the car and pulled out the oversized box that took up the entire passenger seat. With a huge grin on her face, Becca pulled off the wrapping, then gave a little scream when she saw what was inside.

  “You bought me a Kitchen Aid!” she said, her eyes wide. “I’ve wanted one of those for years.”

  “I know.”

  “Okay, you’re officially forgiven for almost missing my party.” Becca hugged him again. “Now, let’s go inside. It’s freezing.”

  He noticed Mia lingering at the back as the others rushed around the house. Cam locked his car and carried Becca’s gift to the porch. He’d walk around and bring it in later.

  Then he clambered down the steps to where Mia was still standing.

  “You okay?” he asked her. His fingers twitched with the need to touch her.

  “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” she said softly.

  “Yeah. I was supposed to watch the game at Freedom Field. But I couldn’t wait to get out of Boston.” Couldn’t wait to see her.

  “How was the meeting?”

  “It was okay. Lots to think about.” He hadn’t processed it all yet. Especially the thought about not going to L.A. He needed to be alone for that.

  “Your family told me about your head injury. I’m so sorry.” Her brow crinkled. “I didn’t know it was so bad. I can’t imagine how hard that must be for you.”

  Cam looked at her for a minute, running his tongue along his bottom lip. “It sucks. But it is what it is. Hopefully they caught it before it got bad. It means I can’t play again, but I can still live a normal life.” And right now that didn’t sound so bad. Yeah, football had been his life until now.

  But what if there was another life for him here?

  “Cam!” a voice called out. “You’re up on the Xbox. Come show these losers how it’s done.”

  “I guess we should go in,” she said softly.

  “Yeah, we should. You doing okay?”

  “I missed you this weekend.” Her smile was small, but damn did it hit him where he liked it.

  “I missed you, too. Next Saturday still free?”

  “Yep.” Her lips curled up.

  “Good.” He winked at her. Maybe then he’d tell her how he felt. Because he couldn’t keep fighting these feelings. Not when his heart felt like mush every time she was close.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The junior varsity league played on Wednesday evenings, using the same mini-stadium as the varsity team. It was a much more subdued atmosphere, though. The bleachers weren’t full the way they were on Fridays, and only one of the refreshment stand registers was open. The small crowd of spectators was mostly made up of families of the players, and those from the opposite team.

  Not that Mia minded. Michael was so excited about playing for JV that she was beaming with joy. Even the appearance of her almost-ex-husband and his girlfriend couldn’t dampen her happiness.

  Niall walked over to the sidelines and hugged Michael, who looked delighted that his father had arrived. Her heart clenched at how easy it was for him to walk back into their childrens’ lives without a care for how they’d been the past year.

  But if he hurt them again… he’d know about it. He got this one chance with them and that was it.

  “Mom, can I go see Dad?” Josh asked, his eyes wide with excitement. “Do you think he’ll want to sit with us?”

  Mia shook her head. “I don’t think he will, sweetheart. But of course you can go see him.”

  Josh ran down the metal steps, his feet clanging against the treads, and launched himself to the sidelines, where Niall and Michael were still talking. She looked around for Cam – he coached this team, too, after all. But there was no sign of him.

  Maybe that was a good thing. She didn’t need the two sides of her life clashing tonight. This was all supposed to be about Michael.

  “You okay?” a soft voice whispered in her ear. Mia jumped about two feet off the bleacher.

  “Dear lord, you shocked me.” She pressed her palm to her chest. “How the hell did you sneak up here without me seeing you?”

  Cam grinned. “It’s my svelte body. I’m like a ninja.”

  “A two hundred and fifty pound ninja.”

  “Two-twenty, thank you very much.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “I work hard to keep myself trim.”

  She found herself glancing down at his body. He was wearing his usual game night attire of sweats and a tight athletic shirt, his muscles bulging through the shiny fabric.

  “I’m not complaining,” Mia told him. “I get the benefit of it.”

  “Yeah you do.” He gave her an appraising look. “By the way, do you want me to go punch your ex?”

  His abrupt change of subject made her giggle. “I do want you to,” she told him. “But please don’t. Michael’s so excited he’s here, and Josh is, too. I’m just trying to be happy for them.”

  “You’re way too good, you know that?” Cam murmured, tipping his head to the side. “He deserves a hard punch after what he did to you.”

  It was weird, because a few weeks ago, she would have agreed. But now he seemed insignificant. The boys were happy, and so was she. Niall would always be part of her sons’ lives, but he wasn’t part of hers.

  He was just somebody she used to know.

  “How good?” she asked with a smile.

  Cam’s eyes dipped, taking in the open neck of her shirt, and the tight jeans she was wearing. His pupils darkened, as though he liked what he saw. “Too good,” he said softly.

  “Does that mean I’m nearly finished with rehab?”

  A smile pulled at the corner of his lips. “Not yet. I’ll need to do a full body assessment first. You should probably come over naked this weekend. That’ll save us some time.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “That’ll get the neighbors talking.”

  “You shouting my name multiple times will get the neighbors talking,” he said, his voice low. “The rest is just window dressing.”

  “Mom, can I sit with dad?” Josh asked, panting from running back up the steps.

  Cam immediately pulled back. Mia glanced at her son to see if he’d heard a word of their conversation. From the expression on his face, he had no idea what was going on.

  Thank the Lord it was Josh and not Michael who’d snuck up on them.

  “Of course, ho
ney.”

  “He’s here for a few days. He told us he and Gemma want to take us away for the weekend. There’s this hotel with a waterpark inside it. Can we go?”

  Mia blinked. Of course he’d want to spend more than an evening with them. He’d driven all the way from Wichita, after all.

  “Let me talk to your dad later. You’ll miss football practice if you’re not here on Saturday.”

  “I know, but I really want to go. Noah says the waterpark is amazing. There’s this giant bucket that empties water all over everybody.”

  She glanced at Cam. He was watching them with interest, a tic popping on his jaw.

  “I’m pretty sure you can go,” Mia told him. “I just need to hash out some details with your dad, okay?”

  “Okay!” Josh grinned widely. “Thank you, Mom.” He ran back down the steps, to the front bench, where Niall and his girlfriend had taken a seat. Josh sat beside his dad, talking rapidly to him. Niall turned his head and looked up at where Mia was sitting.

  She took a breath and raised her hand to wave at him. Niall blinked and waved back.

  There, that wasn’t so bad. Maybe he’d actually stick around long enough to spend some time with his kids.

  “So you’re free all weekend,” Cam murmured. “That’s interesting.”

  “It is?”

  “Yeah, it is. Forget about the naked rehab, let’s go away somewhere.”

  “Away?” Mia blinked. “Where?”

  “Somewhere that definitely doesn’t have a giant bucket that dumps water over everybody,” he told her, his face serious. “Though I can’t promise you won’t get wet.”

  “Why do I think this is a bad idea?” she murmured, shaking her head.

  “It’s the best idea.” His eyes softened. “Two whole days together. Naked.” He gave her a crooked grin. “If you prefer, you can stay at my place, though if your car’s parked in my driveway overnight people will definitely talk.”

  “What if I don’t come at all?”

  “Not an option. I promise I’ll always make you come.”

  She laughed softly. “You’re a goof, you know that?”