Camden's Redemption

by L. P. Dover

  Peter set out another shot glass and filled them all up with vodka. “Drink up, baby.”

  I tossed back the first one and then the second, letting them settle in my stomach for a while before I moved on to the next two. “So what all did you do while you were gone?” Gabe asked. “I was shocked Mason let you go.”

  “I am too, but he knew I needed it. The job keeps me focused.”

  Gabe put his arm around me and squeezed. “I know, kitten. We all know how hard it’s been on you and your brother. Did fighter boy ever catch on he was being followed?”

  “Nope. I’m good at my job. Tonight’s the first time he’s ever seen me.”

  “Uh-oh,” he teased, elbowing me in the side. “Make sure to stay away from him. We all know what he’s like.”

  “Like she’d ever be interested in a fucktard like him,” Blake spat.

  Picking up another shot, I held it in the air and turned to glare at him. “Right now, I’d be interested in anyone but you.” Downing the fiery liquid, I grabbed the other shot and tossed it back as well. “I think I need some fresh air.”

  I started to get up and so did Blake, but I held up my hand. “Alone,” I emphasized. “I’ll be right back.” My whole body felt warm and my head was fuzzy. Taking vodka shots on an empty stomach probably wasn’t such a good idea. Jason nodded at me as I walked past him and straight to the door. I used to love drinking but now I hated it. I was going to feel like shit in the morning.

  The night air was warm and slightly humid, typical for late May. I could feel the sweat dripping from my neck on down spine. I was ready to leave. Pulling out my phone, I texted my brother and told him I was heading back to the condo. Being angry and drunk wasn’t a good thing if I was stuck in a bar with Blake.

  Before Jason could stop me, I took off down the sidewalk. Blake hollered out my name in the distance, but I kept going, never once looking back. Please don’t follow me. I only had three blocks before getting to my building and then I could lock myself in the condo and not have to answer the door. Once inside, I rushed to the elevator and blew out a shaky breath, thankful I didn’t see Blake coming through the door after me. As it lifted to the top, the movement made my stomach nauseated.

  Putting a hand over my mouth, I breathed through my nose, praying to God I didn’t throw up in the elevator or the hallway. I would never be able to live that down. The keys were somewhere in my purse. I searched around for them while trying desperately to not think about throwing up. My hands were shaking so bad I couldn’t fit the key in the fucking hole.

  “Come on,” I growled, trying to jam them in.

  “Here, let me try,” a voice called out. When a hand closed over mine, I reacted quickly. Gripping his wrist, I twisted around as fast as I could and pushed my body into his, slamming him against the wall on the other side of the hall.

  “What the fuck?” he growled.

  Shit, it wasn’t Blake. Abruptly, I stepped back, stumbling into my door. “Oh my God. I am so sorry. I thought you were someone else.” Now I was on the verge of spewing every ounce of vodka and wine I’d ingested.

  Camden rolled his shoulder and approached cautiously, hands in the air. “Are you okay?”

  I slapped a hand over my mouth and shook my head. With my other hand, I turned the key and barged through the door.

  BROOKE. THAT WAS the name the guy at the bar shouted when she ran away. She wasn’t just a drunk vixen in a red dress; she was sharp and strong as hell. My arm hurt like a bitch. I’d never seen a girl move like she did, especially while intoxicated. She was the same girl I saw in the elevator earlier. There was something familiar about her, like I’d seen her before. Even in the way she looked at me there was familiarity there. Did she know who I was? I didn’t know but I was going to find out.

  One thing was for certain, the girl had power. Her intensity reminded me of Gabriella. I didn’t know if I should go in after her, but she dropped her purse at the door and left the keys in the lock. Not exactly the safest thing to do even if we were in a swank condo building. I was probably going to regret this, but I picked up her purse and took the keys out of the lock, shutting the door behind me. Setting her stuff on the counter, I found a glass in one of the cabinets and poured her some water.

  She groaned and coughed a few times from the bathroom and then her soft steps trudged down the hallway. When she turned the corner, she gasped and backed into the wall. “What the hell are you doing in here?”

  I held out the glass of water. “You left your purse on the floor and the keys in the door. I figured the last thing you’d want is the guy from the bar coming in here while you’re puking your guts out. You weren’t exactly running toward him.”

  “Or worse, a complete stranger could just walk in,” she snapped. “You can’t just go into someone’s home like this. It’s the perfect way to get shot.”

  I chuckled. “I think you can handle your own. You almost broke my arm back there. Where did you learn that move anyway? I’m impressed.”

  Before she could reply, a knock sounded on her door. “Brooke, it’s me. Open up.”

  “Fuck,” she hissed quietly. When I looked at her, she put a finger to her lips and shook her head.

  Another knock. “Brooke, I know you’re in there.” She stayed quiet and kept a stony gaze at the door, clenching her fists tight.

  “Do you need me to get rid of him?” I whispered.

  She shook her head. “No, he’ll leave in a minute. At least I hope he does.” She didn’t seem scared, just annoyed. After a few more minutes, the knocking ceased and she breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank God. I thought he’d never leave.”

  “Who is he?” I asked.

  “I think I should be asking who you are,” she countered. “If you try anything funny, I’m going to warn you. I have a gun strapped to the inside of my thigh and I have a black belt in jiu-jitsu. Now, who are you?”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Try me.”

  I was almost tempted to call her bluff, but I was the one in her condo without permission. “My name’s Camd . . . Cameron,” I said quickly. “Cameron James. And you’re Brooke?”

  She nodded. “Brooklyn, actually. Most people call me Brooke or B. Now if you don’t mind, I’d rather spend the rest of my humiliation alone. It’s not every day I upchuck my liquid dinner in front of the hot neighbor.”

  I liked this girl. She had fire. Also, she looked in my eyes and not at my scar. “So you think I’m hot?” I hadn’t heard that in a while.

  Rolling her eyes, she walked past me to the door and opened it. “Goodnight, Cameron James.”

  For the first time in months, I smiled. Strolling past her out into the hallway, I glanced back at her. “Goodnight, Brooklyn. Make sure you drink plenty of water and take something for a headache. You’re gonna need it.”

  “I’m sure I’ll be fine. Thanks anyway.” Her gaze never strayed from mine until the door shut. Having her as a neighbor was going to be interesting. Charlotte might not be a bad city after all.

  It was early morning and I was going to check out a café Mason had suggested. Dressed in a pair of jeans and a blue polo shirt, I ran my hands through my hair and started out the door. Brooklyn was either passed out to the world or suffering a major hangover. Either way, she wasn’t going to answer the door if I knocked.

  Once out of the building and onto the busy sidewalk, I found Macie’s Café sign just around the corner. Everything was all good until I walked through the door. Holy fucking shit, I had just stepped into my grandmother’s parlor. I was going to kill Mason for this. There were no men around, only blue haired, old ass ladies catching up on the gossip before heading to church.

  Before turning around to walk out the door, someone caught my attention. She wasn’t in a dress, or sitting with a group of women, so she stuck out like a sore thumb. Her golden hair laid in waves down her shoulders and she had on a pink T-shirt that looked sexy as hell on her tanned skin. She was by herself, drinking a
cup of coffee with the newspaper laid out in front of her. When she brought the cup up to her lips and lifted her gaze, she froze.

  I walked up to her table. “You’re looking much better this morning.”

  She set her cup down and batted her eyes in annoyance. It wasn’t often I noticed natural beauty, but she had it. Even with no makeup on her face, she was stunning. “Gee, thanks. I hope that’s not your idea of a compliment.” This girl really did have fire. I could see it in those bright green eyes of hers. Then, she focused back on her paper, dismissing me.

  “Actually, it was. Do you mind if I join you?” I asked, taking the seat across from her.

  She scoffed. “It doesn’t look like I have much choice now does it?”

  “I can always leave, but I figured after last night you owed me.”

  Eyes wide, her head snapped up. “Owe you? For what?”

  “For keeping your boyfriend away. If I left your door open and walked away, he would’ve gone inside. Judging by the way you acted last night, I’d say you didn’t want that.”

  The fight in her eyes subsided and her shoulders slumped. “You’re right. What do you want from me?”

  “A couple answers will suffice for now. But first . . .”

  “He’s not my boyfriend,” she said, with an annoyed smirk on her face.

  “How did you know I was going to ask?”

  “I had a feeling and I figured I’d save you the trouble.”

  “You two just break up?”

  She shook her head. “Damn, you’re nosy. But no, it’s been about six months now. Last night was just the first time I’ve seen him in a while. I’ve been away on business.”

  “Where do you work?”

  She laughed even though it didn’t touch her eyes, and then she folded up the newspaper. “I guess you can say I’m a babysitter. A traveling nanny of sorts.”

  She said it jokingly, which told me it wasn’t the truth. All it did was make me even more curious about her. “So where all have you traveled?”

  Noncommittally, she shrugged her shoulders. “Here and there. It’s been an adventure for sure.” Holding her cup, she blew the steam off her coffee and took a sip. “Why don’t you tell me a little bit about yourself, Cameron? Like what made you want to come here this morning. Not many men do.”

  “Yeah, I can see that,” I grumbled, glancing around the room. “I just moved here and my friend told me I should check it out.”

  “Is your friend a girl?”

  I shook my head. “Nope. In fact, I’m gonna kick his ass the next time I see him. Pretty sure he did this to humiliate me.”

  “Hmm . . . I see,” she said, setting her cup down.

  “Good morning, are you two ready to order?” the waitress asked, glancing at us both. She was a middle-aged woman wearing a pink apron. There was way too much fucking pink in this place. It was like dining in a giant vagina.

  Brooklyn looked up at her and smiled. “Actually, do you mind giving us a minute? I don’t think my friend here’s had a chance to look at the menu.”

  “Sure, take all the time you need.” The waitress smiled and walked off to another table.

  “So, I’m assuming this means you’re not running me off?” I inquired.

  She pushed her seat back and pulled out her phone. “Not at the moment. I do need to make a phone call though. Can you give me a few minutes?”

  “Sure.”

  She marched outside and stopped by the front door. I half expected her to run off, just like every woman had done for the past few months.

  I WAS GOING to kill Mason. He knew I was at Macie’s and he sent Camden down there. What was he trying to do? As soon as I was out of the café I dialed his number.

  “What’s up, B?” he answered.

  “Don’t what’s up me. What are you doing? I talked to you this morning and you didn’t say anything about sending Camden down to the café.”

  “You also didn’t tell me about getting drunk and having him rescue you. I heard about that through him.”

  I groaned. “It wasn’t one of my finest moments, but I got through it. What I want to know is, what do I do now? We’re getting ready to eat breakfast and my shift starts in an hour. How the hell am I supposed to do my job?”

  “Simple. Eat breakfast and take him for a tour of Charlotte. I think this will all be easier if you befriend him. I told him to get out and sightsee.”

  “This isn’t part of my job description, Mason. It’s dangerous to get involved like this.” I was already too invested in Camden’s life.

  “I know, but I need you in this. He needs this.”

  “What if things get complicated? Camden’s not going to want me as just a friend. I know what he’s like. He’s already flirting with me.”

  He chuckled. “I figured as much. I have no doubt you can handle him. Besides, he’s a ticking time bomb. He needs someone to keep him out of trouble.”

  “Why can’t my brother or one of the guys buddy up with him? Why does it have to be me?”

  “You may not like the guy, but you two have a lot more in common than you think. Trust me in this. There’s a reason I agreed to put you on this mission.”

  “Why?” She thought he was being awfully cryptic.

  “Get to know him and you’ll find out. If in the next couple of weeks you want out, then I won’t stop you. I’m just asking you stick this out until then.”

  I looked in the window and Camden was getting antsy. He probably thought I wasn’t coming back. It reminded me of the night I was supposed to meet Blake for dinner and he never showed. It was the night I went back to his place and found him with another woman. That was a horrible fucking night.

  “Fine, I’ll do what I have to do. Have fun explaining this to my brother when he sees me with Camden.”

  “It’s already been done. He’s not happy but he’ll have to get the fuck over it.”

  “Great,” I mumbled.

  “All right, get back to Camden. The guy has enough shit to deal with without being stood up.”

  “It’s not a date.”

  “Whatever you say, B. Now go.”

  Camden got up from the table so I hung up the phone and rushed back inside, stopping him. “Hey, I’m sorry it took so long. You weren’t leaving were you?”

  Thankfully, he sat back down, but his jaw clenched. “Yeah. I’m getting used to it by now.”

  It was in that moment when I saw a hint of his insecurities. When he first showed up to the café he was all confident, facing me head on. There were times in the past when I’d watched him turn his face to the side to talk to people, trying to draw attention away from his scar. He was doing that now. Little did he know, I had scars too, ones I was lucky enough to keep hidden.

  Sitting back down, I smiled and shook my head. “I wasn’t going to stand you up. Trust me, I’ve been stood up before and it’s not fun.”

  “Well, that guy was a fucking moron,” he muttered under his breath.

  Yes, he was. “Do you know what you want to eat?”

  Smirking, he glanced down at my lips and then to the menu, biting his lip. “I don’t think the menu has what I’m in the mood for. But let’s see . . .”

  Oh hell, this is going to be a nightmare. My lady bits were already clenching at the sight of him sucking his lip between his teeth. “Cam,” I warned, folding my hands on the table. The wolfish grin on his face made me tremble. I wish he would stop looking at me like that.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “For starters, we just met and we don’t know anything about each other. I don’t know what you’re used to but it’s obviously not what I am. My experience with men hasn’t been all that great. You helped me out and I’m paying you back. But if you’re looking for a piece of ass you’re not going to get it from me. We can be friends, that’s it. I’m not your type.”

  “How’s that?”

  I snorted. “Because I can spot an arrogant, rich boy from a mile away. You’re used to getti
ng what you want. I’m not that easy to get.”

  He sat back in his chair, studying me. “Noted. And just so you know, I don’t particularly like the easy ones. Sometimes it’s good to fight for what you want.”

  I held up my hands. “All I’m saying is, I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. The last thing I need is to get involved with someone.”

  Leaning on the pink lacquered table, he pinned me with his hypnotic eyes. “Buttercup, you have nothing to worry about. I never get involved.”

  Clearing my throat, I focused on the menu. My palms were sweaty and I really wanted to wipe them on my jeans, but I didn’t want him to know I was flustered. The bastard knew what he was doing. About that time, the waitress came over and we put in our orders. I had eaten at Macie’s over a hundred times and I always got my usual: scrambled eggs, bacon, and two pancakes. My stomach flip-flopped to the point I didn’t even know if I could eat or not.

  “So where were we?” I began. “You were telling me what I owed you. Does breakfast count as payback?”

  His lips twitched. “Maybe. But now I think you owe me more than that for keeping me waiting so long. I didn’t know you were the type to be rude.”

  “Rude?” I announced incredulously. “I wasn’t gone that long.”

  “Still, I think you need to make it up over dinner. My friend told me about another place I should check out. Hopefully, this one is less . . . horrific,” he said, glancing around the room.

  I laughed. Mason really tested his manhood with the whole Macie’s suggestion. “Okay, I agree. We can go out to dinner. What place are you talking about?”

  “Carolina Tavern. Have you heard of it?”

  I should’ve known Mason would say that place. It was his favorite and owned by one of his good friends, Summer Jacobs. She happened to be the widow of his former best friend who was murdered during an illegal MMA match.

  “It’s actually my favorite place,” I said. “Does dinner make up for everything?”

  “For now. But can I ask you one more question?”