She swatted at me like my mom swats at my dad.
“Let’s open this first.”
“Baby…I swear to God, it’s gonna fall off,” I joked.
She gave me that damn look she gives me when she wants her way. It’s those freaking hypnotizing halos that I get lost in. Never-ending little suckers. My two-month erection was going to have to wait another ten minutes.
“She gave this to you…for tonight?”
“Yep. Tear it open. Let’s get this show on the road.”
Camden ripped the paper as if it were angel wings. At this point, I was gritting my teeth. She lifted the top of the box off and her mouth fell open and a look of…I don’t know what…crossed her face. She lifted a piece of paper out. An envelope. Then another.
“What?” she asked.
“What is it?”
She shook her head at a loss for words. So I took the envelopes. One of them had my name on it and had been wet at one time. The other envelope, holy shit! It was mine. How did my mother get this? I’d written this to Camden one night when I was drunk while she was gone…during our hiatus or sorts.
“What is this?” I asked her, pointing to the envelope with my name on it.
She opened her mouth; nothing came out. She closed it, swallowed then spoke. “I wrote it to you before I left. Two years ago. During the Max thing.”
My jaw tightened simply hearing fuckface’s name.
“How did Mom get it? Why haven’t I seen it?”
She shrugged. “I put it next to Matty’s grave before I left town. I’d forgotten all about it.”
I opened the envelope and pulled the paper out, unfolding it.
“Wait, what’s this?” she asked, picking up a piece of stationary.
My mom’s handwriting decorated the page.
William & Camden—my loves. My cup truly runneth over with the love you have found in each other. You must read these out loud together so you can see what true soul mates you really are. There is no question in my heart or mind that you belong together and that your love will endure a lifetime.
Love love love you, Mom (2)
The two in parenthesis made me giggle. She told me I could call her mom nearly two years ago but said she could never measure up to my mom so she went with Momma two. I loved it too. She was my momma too and my momma two.
“You go first,” I said, nervous about what mine said.
Cam shook her head and unfolded the paper, took a deep breath and began:
Dear Matty~
Wow, I wasn’t expecting that. A lump immediately formed in my throat.
I am so sorry that I never got the chance to meet you. You have an extraordinary family with an infinite amount of love to share. I lost my mother when I was 9 and I knew she hated leaving me but the hurt was mine after she was gone. For a lot of reasons, I was alone until I met your older brother. He introduced me to a love I’d never known. Matty…your mother and father welcomed me into their home as much as your brother loved me. I felt his love in my soul. Truth be told, I thought I would marry your brother—I’d be Mrs. Drew Denton. But, I’m writing to you…silly, I know, to ask you to watch over him. I have to leave him…at least for a little while. He has a chance for a connection to you that I could never come in the way of. This will hurt him, I know. I love William…I love him so much that I have to give him this opportunity. Deep down I hope he comes for me but if not…there is no one I would rather meet my mom than you… Please Matty, find her, I have a feeling you need each other. I’ll take care of your mom if I have the opportunity, if you’ll take care of mine. Love, Camden
Tears streaked my face and though her voice cracked and she was choked up, I was embarrassed at my reaction to her eloquent and touching words.
“Camden,” I cried and wrapped her into my arms. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, baby,” she whispered. “I’d totally forgotten about that letter, and your mother had it the entire time. I’m sorry.”
I reared back and looked at her and she shivered. So, I yanked the quilt off the back of the sofa and wrapped her in it. She pointed at the paper in my hand. My boner respectfully took a short nap but it was ready again. I tossed the envelope behind me.
Camden whipped around glaring at me.
“No way. Read it! Or…you’re going one more night without this.” She flashed me from beneath the blanket.
After snagging the paper on the ground, I released an irritating breath then sat on the corner of the sofa; she curled up next to me.
“On a romantic note, I was hammered when I wrote this.”
She giggled, which to me was like a harp or bells to an angel.
Camden Landry Biggs—You’re gone. You left. There was no goodbye. I can’t breathe. I can’t eat. I thought you would become my wife. I thought we were forever. I know you love me. I know you do. But you thought I would pick him? Is that what you thought? I have Matty’s memory forever. After you told me about your mom, in my head, I pictured her taking care of Matty and that was soothing to me. That thought…along with you…helped heal that raw wound. I don’t need some guy to tell me something about him. Let alone that piece of shit, nut-muncher, fart-smelling, fuckhead.
Cam shook her head and covered her eyes.
“Yeah, that was mature,” I chuckled. “Can I stop now?”
After hitting my shoulder with her head, I continued.
You found me at a dark time and brought me eternal light. Darkness has now fallen again. I need you back Camden. Please come back. You’ve touched my soul and it sounds so lame to say you’re my soul mate. But you are the mate to my soul.
“OH MY GOD! I really switched that up, eh? This is the lamest letter ever. How much had I drank?”
Camden giggled. “I think it’s sweet.”
I rolled my eyes and tried to finish this agonizing crap.
Camden. I love you. I love you. I love you. I will give you one week to figure this out…then I’m coming after you. You’re mine baby. Sweetheart. Angel. Dear. Will*i*am
In a flash, I tossed the paper over my shoulder, whisked her up into my arms and slammed the bedroom door behind us. My drought was over.
Pure Will Page 21