Dreaming of a Hero (Heroes Series Book 2)

by Lyssa Layne

  I start to walk in the house like I’ve done so many times before, but I hesitate. I don’t live here anymore. This isn't my place to just barge in. I rap my knuckles against the door and wait… and wait… and wait. Peeking in the garage, I see Blake’s car is home so he’s not at the stadium yet. I slowly push open the door and let myself in.

  “Blake?”

  No answer. Slowly, I make my way through the kitchen and living room then finally spot him drinking a beer on the pool deck out back.

  “Hey, man. It’s game day. What are you doing drinking?”

  Blake glances up. “What are you, the police? Gonna report me?”

  I hold my hands up. “Chill, dude. I’ve just never seen you drink on game day before.”

  He shrugs and takes a long pull from his bottle. “Trying something new.”

  Frowning, I take a seat on the lounge chair beside him wondering if I should push the issue. Deciding it’s probably best to let it go, I stare at the pristine pool water, not sure where to begin.

  “So you and Molly Feiser, huh?”

  He sneers and downs the rest of his beer. “What about her? She’s a tease, worse than Camila Lemos.”

  Fire burns in my belly when he speaks of Camila that way. “What the hell does that mean?”

  Blake stands up, walking to the mini fridge behind the bar and grabs another beer. “It means, they’re both women who will do whatever it takes to get what they want.”

  “So you’re saying that you and Molly never dated?”

  Blake pops the top off his bottle. “She say we did?”

  I shrug. “Did you?”

  Half his bottle is emptied into his mouth before he answers. “Doesn’t matter, Ev. I think you have the right idea with the one-night stands. Maybe we can go out after the game.”

  I stand up, taking the bottle away from him and throwing it in the trash. “Yeah, whatever, Blake.” Thank god I told the cabbie to wait. As always my brother isn’t worried about anyone but himself. Let us get through the game tonight and then I need to get him help. Help that I never offered my mother.

  Camila

  The trees breeze past as I speed to Blake’s. Kickoff is only an hour away and he hasn’t reported to the stadium. The boy won’t answer his phone and I’m already a nervous wreck knowing that I’m going to have to face both Purser brothers. I hit the garage door opener to Blake’s house and see both his cars inside. Something’s not right and my stomach is flipping just wondering what I’m about to walk in to.

  My heels click on the tile as I walk through the foyer, calling out his name. I don’t have to look far before I see him passed out on the couch. Relieved, I walk around the furniture and crouch beside it. Blake is face down, beer bottles all around. I rub his back softly, lighting kissing his cheek.

  “Blake, come on, it’s time to wake up,” I whisper.

  It takes a few minutes before he starts to rouse, mumbling incoherently. His eyes adjusts and he looks at me surprised. “Cam, what are you doing here?”

  I bite my tongue, wanting to scream at him. “Kickoff is in less than an hour, everyone’s worried.” Blake sits up, moving his feet to the floor and I move between his knees. “You need to get to the stadium. You aren’t going to play but it’ll avoid a higher fine.” I rub his legs, trying to help him wake up. All the animosity toward him is gone. In this moment, he isn’t Blake that ruined my relationship with Evan. He’s Blake, my best friend that needs me.

  “She left me,” Blake says so quietly that I barely hear him.

  “I’m sure you two will get back together, you always do.” Molly and Blake are constantly breaking up and making up. It’s hard enough to watch their relationship, I can’t even imagine being in it. Still, Blake’s never reacted this way before so I’m slightly concerned.

  “No, Cami, she’s gone. She told me she couldn’t keep doing this. She’s serious this time.” Blake leans against my shoulder, crying softly.

  I pat his back and slowly stand up, making him do the same. “Come on, Blake. We have to get to the stadium. Tell me on the way there.”

  Other than the alcohol on his breath, he’s at least dressed and I can push him out the door. I hand him a few breath mints and listen to his story as I drive. When we reach the stadium, I park in the players’ lot and turn to him.

  Taking his face in both my hands, I assure him, “Blake, I’ll talk to her. I’ll fix it. Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”

  Blake nods, rubbing his bloodshot eyes. “Thank you, Camila. God, what would I do without you? Evan’s a lucky guy.”

  I shake my head as I open my door, walking around to his side of the vehicle. “Don’t start with me on Evan.”

  Blake kisses my forehead. “I fucked that up, didn’t I?”

  I shrug. “It’s fine.”

  “I’ll take care of it, Cam. I’m sorry.”

  I wrap my arms around his torso and bury my face in his chest, not wanting to let the tears escape. This is what Blake and I do. We take care of each other for better or worse and I’m not sure Evan will ever understand that.

  CHAPTER 27

  Evan

  The scoreboard shows we’re up by one touchdown. It’s a great feeling sticking it to my former team, letting them know who’s boss. The worst decision they ever made was getting rid of me and I’m showing it to them over and over today, sack after sack. Our defense is on the field so I’m pacing the sideline, waiting for our turn to try and score again.

  Glancing up in the stands, I notice Camila has finally arrived and is sitting in the section reserved for the Seawolves’ family. She sits nervously, chewing her fingernails. Across the field, Blake’s familiar number trots to the bench. Something’s going on and it’s not something good. Blake’s never late for a game, he doesn’t drink on game days, and Camila is always at the center of every group, not in the shadows like today.

  “Purser! Get on the field!” the offensive coach barks at me and I stride across the turf. As I take my position, I look up and see Blake across from me. The scent of peppermint retreats from under his helmet and now I know why Blake was late and Camila is so worried. Those two beers turned into a lot more after I left. Fuck, he’s just like our mom.

  The center snaps the ball and I keep my eyes on Blake who immediately tackles me, not even going for the quarterback. I easily shove him away, blocking another defender long enough for our team to get the throw off and gain ten yards. Turning around, I hold out my hand and help Blake up.

  Chest to chest with my brother, I crush his hand in mine. “Get off the field, Blake, before you get hurt.”

  “Fuck you, Evan. You might have got the girl but don’t think you can boss me around.” Blake tries to jerk his hand back but I don’t let up on my grasp.

  “This has nothing to do with the girl. It has to do with someone getting hurt.” I let go of his hand, but he takes his position, not listening to my advice.

  I shake my head as I squat down, waiting for the QB to call out the next play. Blake jumps the line and the tackle to my left drills him from the side. My brother falls to the ground screaming and clutching his knee. Forgetting about the game, I drop beside him and pull off his helmet.

  “Talk to me, bro. What hurts?”

  The team trainers are already on the field whispering about a torn ACL and I cringe at the thought. Blake’s already had that repaired twice so the chances of bouncing back from a third surgery are slim to none. I grasp his hand, letting him squeeze the pain onto mine.

  “I fucked up, little brother.” Tears stream down his face, he can’t stop them. “I love Molly and every time she breaks my heart, I take it out on someone else. That night I came to your apartment and told you about Camila and me, I was scared. You two were happy and I was alone. I’m so scared I’m going to end up like mom, Evan.”

  I nod, understanding his fear completely. “It’s fine, Blake. I needed to know the truth. Molly seems like a great girl. Don’t be an idiot and you won’t be alone.�
��

  He laughs. “Good point.” The medics have him on a stretcher and lift it up. “Take your own advice, Evan,” Blake says and the stretcher carries him off the field.

  I glance at the stands and Camila’s already gone. Fuck, I’m torn without a clue what to do. Taking a second, the answer is obvious. With a pat to the quarterback’s ass, I jog off the field. My coach screams at me to get back out there, but I turn around and tell him, “Family first, Coach.” Blake and Camila, they’re the only family I have left.

  Camila

  I hate hospitals. The antiseptic smell makes my stomach queasy and every alarm makes me think of death. Pacing back and forth in the hallway outside the waiting room helps me to take my mind off of Blake’s injury. It’s probably a career-ending injury and I blame myself. I shouldn’t have brought him to the stadium, just let him incur a fine, but instead, I dropped him off claiming he wasn’t feeling well. But then Mr. Macho went and told his coach he could play.

  Pivoting as I get to one end of the hallway, I turn around and run into a wall of muscle. Without looking up, I know exactly who it is. My hands are touching the chest that I’d memorized from the first time I felt it. Clutching his shirt in my hand, I lean forward and cry into Evan’s body. He doesn’t push me away or make me feel unwanted. No, he wraps his arms around me and holds me until I get control of myself. I take a deep breath and step back, looking up at him and wiping my eyes.

  “Any word from the doc?”

  I point down the hallway. “ACL and meniscus tears, depends on scar tissue if he’ll be able to fully recover.”

  Evan nods, taking my hand and walking us to a pair of chairs. We both take a seat and Evan drops my hand. Suddenly, I feel more lonely than ever. Evan moves his elbows to his knees, staring at the floor.

  “You knew he’d been drinking,” he states and I nod slowly. “He shouldn’t have been playing today.”

  “I kno—”

  Evan cuts me off, holding up his hand. “No, Cami, you don’t know. I dealt with my mom for years. It’s inevitable that Blake and I are going to end up the exact same way if we don’t do something about it. I stopped by his place and he was drinking by himself but I just left, didn’t do anything, just left him like I left our mom. How can you think you can be with either of us when all you do is cover things up? We don’t need that, we need someone who can call us out on our shit and help us be better men.”

  Tears fall and I shake my head. “Evan, I don’t want to be with Blake, I just want you.”

  Evan looks at me, pushing my hair out of my eyes. “Well, we’re a package deal, Camila. You don’t get to choose.”

  My stomach flips, he’s talking nonsense. “Wh-what do you mean?”

  “I mean that you, Blake, and I are family and we’re not going to be the fucked up family that we were with my mom. We’re going to support each other, make each other better, and not sweep shit under the rug.”

  I sit up a little taller. “So that’s it? That’s what we are?”

  Evan runs his hand over his scalp. “Camila, I don’t know. I want you, I want us, but I’m just still not convinced that you two are over each other.”

  “But—” I start to object and Evan puts his finger to my lips.

  “Give me time, Cami.” His hand slides down my arm and tugs at it. I stand and he pulls me in his lap. With his arms around me, I finally feel at home. Patience is a virtue that I’ll have to learn if I want any chance at all with Evan.

  CHAPTER 28

  Camila

  “Hey, Kip. Blake’s out of surgery. We won’t know more until he starts physical therapy.” Three hours after the blowout on the field and Blake’s resting in his hospital room. Evan sits in the corner of the room, keeping a watchful eye on his brother, but he hasn’t said a word to him. Both of them are sitting silently watching the highlights on Sportscenter so I stepped outside to give an update to the Seawolves and also my co-worker.

  “Evan with you?” Kip asks, cutting right to the chase.

  I sigh. “Yes, he refuses to leave his brother’s side. I’ll take care of it, Kip. Please don’t stress about it.”

  “What about you, Camila? How are you doing?” Kip asks, satisfied that I’ll pick up the pieces and now playing the friend card.

  “I’ll be fine. We’ll all be fine.” I bite my lip, recalling Evan’s words that we’re family.

  “Alright, well, call if you need anything and I’ll do what I can to keep the press away.”

  Telling him thanks, we end the call and I watch the Purser brothers inside the hospital room. The men are quietly talking which brings a smile to my face, the first of the day. Evan is right. Time, we all need time to figure things out. I would do anything in the world for either of these two men in front of me. Dare I say that I love them both, but in very different ways. The thought more than frightens me, but I know there’s truth to it.

  “Camila! Camila! Is he going to be okay?”

  I spin around to see who is yelling at me. My jaw drops when Molly Feiser runs into my arms, a blubbery mess.

  “Moll, what are you doing here?” I look up and down the hallway to see who’s around. “How did you get past the reporters outside?”

  Molly wipes her eyes and shrugs. “I don’t care anymore. When I saw that hit on T.V. I had to make sure he was alright.”

  I stroke her long hair and nod. “He’s going to be fine, not sure about football, but he’ll get through it.”

  She hugs me tightly and peeks in the room. I take her hand and lead us inside, closing the door behind us. Both men turn their attention away from Sportscenter and Blake shakes his head.

  “I thought you were done with me,” Blake says coldly, crossing his arms. I’m at least a head taller than Molly so from my position I narrow my eyes at Blake. We make eye contact and without saying a word at all, I know not to mention the state I found him in before the game while his shoulders relax and he drops the attitude.

  Molly runs to the bed, throwing herself over Blake’s chest and sobbing hysterically. She’s much more dramatic than anyone I know, but Blake thrives on being her hero. He holds her close, consoling her, trying to reassure this woman that loves him that he’s going to be alright.

  With tears in my eyes, I fold my arms, hugging myself as I watch the two of them, feeling a bit of melancholy myself. Then a set of thick, muscular linebacker arms are around me and Evan is pulling me to his chest. Nestling his chin on my shoulder, he whispers in my ear. “There’s nothing romantic between you two.”

  I shake my head, tears falling down my cheeks. “He loves her, Evan, just look at them.”

  He presses his lips beneath my ear. “I’m a fuckin’ idiot.”

  I nod and turn to face him. “But you’re my idiot.”

  Evan takes a second then slowly lets a smile take over his face. “That’s right. I’m your idiot, Cami.” His hand moves to my hair and he runs his fingers through it. “Forgive me?”

  I shrug. “Maybe…” I say playfully.

  Evan instantly moves his hands to either side of my face and smashes his lips to mine. Hungrily, I open my mouth, inviting him in, wanting him more than ever. His hands slip down my body until he firmly holds my waist and I moan.

  Then in true Blake fashion, he ruins the moment by yelling, “Hey, get a room!”

  Evan growls while I laugh and look over at the lovebirds. “Moll, you’re on duty. We’ll see you in the morning.”

  Evan doesn’t waste a second picking me up and carrying me away from anymore distractions.

  Evan

  Camila takes her time inspecting my old room at Blake’s place. She walks her fingertips across the wooden dresser, picking up a picture of my mother and me when I was in high school. Her lips turn up as she inspects every inch of it and sets it back down. Slowly, she turns to me.

  Lying naked in bed, I pat the mattress. “Get your ass over here,” I demand. I’ve already had her twice since we got back to the house, but I’m not finished with he
r yet.

  She takes her time, swaying her hips, licking her lips, and doing anything and everything to tease me as she sashays toward the bed. When she’s within reach, I grab her with one arm and pull her on top of me. Giggling, she collapses and rolls to her back after a quick kiss. I move to my side, tracing her curves with my index finger. She watches my finger work, not saying a word.

  Leaning down, I kiss her stomach. “Anymore secrets? Exes, kids, anything I should know about?”

  Camila’s hand caresses my scalp and she shakes her head no. “Only exes I still talk to regularly are Blake and Gregg. I’ve dated others and promise to point them out if we ever cross paths with them. Deal?”

  “Sounds fair enough, but please don’t make me point out every one night stand I’ve ever had.”

  Camila grins. “I’m sure I could guess—fake hair, fake boobs, and probably blonde.”

  Chuckling, I nod. “Looks like you proved my type wrong.”

  She leans up, sucking on my ear. “Good…”

  Gently, I push her back and move on top of her. Each of my legs on either side of hers, I slowly slip my hands down her arms, pinning them above her head. Camila wiggles under me, inhaling in anticipation. She pushes up, kissing my chest and I grin.

  “I love that I can take my time with you. Tease you, tickle you, and explore every inch of your body,” I say, taking a nipple in my mouth. My tongue rolls in a circular motion and I graze it with my teeth before lifting my head.

  Beneath me, Camila moans and mumbles, “I just love you.” It’s so soft that it’s barely audible, but the second the words are out, we both freeze. I lean back, resting on her thighs, most of my weight on my calves and my hands resting on her stomach.