by L. P. Dover
My phone vibrated in my pocket and I groaned, pulling it out. It was my parents. Fuck that. They were the last people I wanted to talk to.
“Do you need to answer it?” he asked.
I slid the phone back into my pocket. “Definitely not. It’s my parents. I don’t really get along with them right now.” That was a story for another day. “So, what were you going to ask?”
He rubbed the back of his neck, glancing down at his food. Was he embarrassed? I don’t think I’d ever seen this emotion on his face. “Do you know where the nearest grocery store is?”
Memories flooded my mind and I burst out laughing, cupping a hand over my mouth. Camden looked at me like I’d lost my mind. “I’m sorry,” I chuckled. “That wasn’t exactly what I thought you were going to ask. I don’t know why I thought it was funny.”
The first week we were at the beach, I watched him in the grocery store and I’d never seen anyone so lost in my life. I almost wanted to do his shopping for him. It was apparent he’d never had to go to the grocery store. I guess that was what having maids and housekeepers did for you.
“I tell you what,” I began. “I’ll take you to the store. I need to get some things anyway.”
The waitress came over and set our plates of food down in front of us, garnished with colorful fruits on a white doily. As soon as the waitress left, he looked down at our food and sighed. “If anyone back home could see me now, they’d never let me live it down.”
“Yeah, I can imagine. Usually, the men who come in here are a little feminine.” I looked at his arms snug in his tight black T-shirt. “And they definitely aren’t built and tattooed like you.” He flexed his arms and smirked. “So where’s home?” I asked.
Picking up a grape, he popped it into his mouth. “California.”
“What made you come out here?”
His reply was quick. “It wasn’t by choice.”
“Is your family out in California, or do you have some around here?” I was curious to see what he would say, but he stiffened and averted his gaze.
“I don’t have a family, not anymore.”
And just like that, I lost him. Camden wasn’t the most likable guy around, and adding his damaged past to the mix didn’t help. He had triggers and I just confirmed his family was one of them. Maybe Mason was right; we did have something in common.
CAMDEN ENDED UP paying for breakfast even though I offered. He was making it impossible to pay him back for helping me last night. Before going to the store, we took a tour of the Bank of America stadium and drove around so he could sightsee. We spent all afternoon together. Since Mason wanted me to befriend him, I offered to cook him dinner this week. The stuff he was putting in his grocery cart had me worried. There was nothing but macaroni and cheese and frozen pizzas. I felt like I had no choice.
Now that we were back at our building, we separated so he could put his groceries away and I could do mine. A knock came moments later. He must have put his bags in the refrigerator and called it good.
“Come in,” I hollered. When he walked in, I continued, “That was fast. I’m not even done putting mine away.”
“I have no clue what you’re talking about, but okay.”
Gasping, I turned around as Jason sat down on one of the bar stools. “Wow, I wasn’t expecting you.” I could tell something was wrong and I didn’t like it. “Why do you look like that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the fact Mason’s putting you in the line of fire by getting you more involved with Jameson? It’s dangerous, B. We all know what the guy’s like. Not to mention someone’s trying to fucking kill him.”
I turned back to my groceries and huffed. “I’ll be fine, Jase. Seriously, I know what I’m doing. He’s not going to hurt me.”
“Either you’re delusional or completely blind. I’ve read his file. He’s violent, short-tempered, and narcissistic.”
The thought made me laugh. “He sounds just like me. Well, minus the narcissism.”
“It’s not funny, Brooklyn.”
“Look,” I snapped, placing my hands down on the counter. “He may have been like that in the past, but I’m the one who’s been watching him for four months. He’s changing. I see it every day.”
Frustrated, he ran his hands over his face. “Just don’t fall for the guy. All he wants is a piece of ass.”
“And he’s not going to get it.” I smiled and ruffled his hair. “Now cheer up. Is that the only reason you stopped by?”
“I wish,” he said. “Have you by any chance gotten a phone call from our mother?”
Eyes wide, I felt my stomach clench. “Why?”
“Well,” he said, getting up from the stool, “they called me when you didn’t answer. They’re in town and they want to see you tonight.”
The only reason they wanted to see me was because I looked like Braylen. “I can’t, I have plans. Besides, all they’re going to do is talk shit about you. I’d rather go out with Blake than deal with them.”
Averting his gaze, he nodded and walked toward the living room. “Do you think they’ll ever stop blaming me? I keep thinking with time they’ll understand why I did what I did.”
I came up behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist, hugging him tight. “I don’t know, Jase. It’s not like we came out of this unscathed.” With my cheek against his back, I could feel the uneven skin where it’d melted. His scars were worse than mine because he’d shielded me from the fire.
I squeezed him one more time and let go. “I’m sorry, but I don’t want to see them. I have a job to do.”
He sighed. “Fine. I’ll tell them that if they call back. And just so you know, I’m going to be the one on watch tomorrow morning.”
“Who all is taking shifts?”
“Hmm, let’s see. It’s between you, me, Blake, Wyatt, and Gabe. So what are you and Jameson doing tonight?”
“We’re going to the Carolina Tavern. Mason told him about it and he wants to go. I’m paying him back.”
“For what?”
Camden knocked on the door. “It’s a long story, but it involves rescuing me from Blake.”
“I see. Speaking of which, you’re all he’s been talking about. When he finds out about you and fighter boy I think you’re going to have some problems.”
“Fuck me,” I growled. “Why can’t he leave me alone?”
“It’s not just him. Some of the other guys are talking about how you’ve changed since you’ve been gone. It’s like you left and miraculously came back with tits or something. It’s pissing me off.”
I laughed and started for the door. “First of all, I’ve always had tits. Second, I told you people can change. Things were different at the beach. I had a lot of time to myself, to think and separate from everyone. I needed it.”
“I know you did, sis. Now answer the door. I think it’s time I met the infamous Camden ‘The Bone Crusher’ Jameson.”
When I opened the door, my mouth dropped to the floor. Camden had only been gone about thirty minutes and he did a complete transformation. Holy fuck, he was hot. His blond hair was gelled in messy spikes and he was dressed in a pair of khaki slacks and a blue button down shirt that matched his eyes.
“Wow, I didn’t know you could clean up so nicely,” I muttered. He almost didn’t look like himself.
Camden chuckled and looked down at his clothes. “Yeah, it’s been awhile since I broke out the nice clothes, but I think I can still pull it off.”
That’s for damn sure. “I think you look great,” I said, opening the door wider. “Come on in. There’s someone I want you to meet.”
He walked in and as his arm brushed up against mine, my skin broke out in chills. He also smelled good too. Shit, why does this have to happen now? I thought I was immune to men, especially after Blake cheated on me. Shutting the door, I chanted over and over in my mind . . . I can do this.
Jason’s gaze narrowed as he studied Camden, and I was so afraid the testosterone overload in t
he room was going to make me choke. Luckily, it didn’t last long because I glared hard at him, demanding for him to stop. Taking a deep breath, he held out his hand. “Cameron James, right? B was telling me about you. I’m her brother, Jason Avery.”
Camden took his hand. “You can call me Cam. It’s nice to meet you.”
Jason almost seemed shocked by his greeting. He was polite, with no hint of arrogance. Even I was a little flabbergasted. Jason let go of Camden’s hand and turned to me. “Now that you’re back in town, are we still on for the mornings?”
Jason and I used to work out together every morning before work. I’d gotten so used to doing things on my own the past few months, I almost forgot. I’d spent my last few months running on the beach just like Camden.
“Yeah, sure. Hopefully, I can keep up. It’s been a while since I’ve been to the gym.”
“You’re welcome to come too,” he said to Camden.
Camden glanced over at me and I nodded. “All right then, I’m in. What time?”
“Six o’clock,” Jason said, turning a glare to me. “Which means not to stay up all hours of the night. You hear me?”
“Oh, my God,” I grumbled. Taking his arm, I pulled him to the door and pushed him out. “Can you seriously be more of a pain in my ass? I can’t believe you just said that.” Camden snickered in the background and I could feel the blood rushing to my face. Thankfully, the door was hiding me from view.
Jason winked and lowered his voice. “What kind of big brother would I be if I didn’t protect you? See you in the morning. And for real, don’t do anything stupid.”
“Goodbye, Jason,” I growled, shutting the door. Leaning against the closed door, I could feel my cheeks burning.
With a smile on his face, Camden sat down on the couch, watching me. “I get it,” he said. “He’s just being protective of his little sister. And he has a right to be. I’m not the type of guy I’d want my sister dating.”
“Still, he takes it too far. And just so you know, we’re not dating.”
“I got that loud and clear at breakfast, buttercup. Lucky for you I don’t date.”
I already knew that. “So what exactly do you do?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.
He cleared his throat and looked straight at me. “Do you want the truth?”
I nodded. “Honesty is important between friends. Tell me.”
Getting to his feet, he put his hands in his pockets and walked over to me. “Where I come from, before I got my scar, the women would line up to be with me. I could have a different one every night. Hell, sometimes two and three. It’s all I’ve ever been used to. I’ve never been around anyone who was . . . real. I never even cared until now.”
“Then what are you doing with me?”
Shrugging, he pulled a hand out of his pocket and brought it up to my face. Only he didn’t touch me, he let it fall to his side. “I don’t know. But that’s what I’m hoping to find out.”
My breath hitched and I stepped back. The look on his face stiffened and I wanted to kick myself in the ass. I didn’t move back because I was repulsed. On the contrary, I had never felt my heart beat so hard in my life. “I tell you what,” I said. “Why don’t I go get changed and then we can head to the restaurant. I’m starving. Next time we go sightseeing, we need to make sure we have snacks.”
“So there’ll be a next time?” he asked mischievously.
“That all depends on you.”
WHAT THE FUCK was wrong with me? Why did I give a shit about this girl? I never cared about anyone before and I didn’t want to start now. But there was something about her that drew me in. She wasn’t like all of the other girls I’d fucked. She was smart, beautiful, and strong. I liked how she didn’t know who I was, or that I had a ton of money, a house in Malibu, and a collection of sports cars. She also didn’t know of my past—what I’d done. This place could be a new start for me, a new beginning.
“All right, I’m ready to go,” Brooklyn called from down the hall. I got to my feet and as soon as I saw her, I wanted to take her back to her bedroom and spread her out on the bed. She was so fucking hot. Her golden hair was in waves down her shoulders and she was dressed in a short denim skirt.
“You look . . .” I don’t think I’d ever complimented anyone before. I couldn’t even get the words out of my fucking mouth.
She smiled and grabbed her purse. “Thanks. I’ll take that as a compliment.”
I opened the door for her and we started down the hall, side by side. I wanted to put my arm around her, so every cocksucker who looked her way would think she was mine. Brooklyn wasn’t just any normal woman. I could see her fighting me if I tried to stake a claim. I was almost tempted to try it. But it was too soon.
Once the elevator door closed, I smiled when she lowered her head and licked her lips. One day soon, I was going to have those lips between my teeth. Testing her was going to be fun. She may just want to be friends, but I heard her breath hitch when I’d moved closer. She wanted me, even if she was too afraid to admit it. I hadn’t felt that attraction from anyone in months.
“Are you driving or do you want me to?” she asked.
I pulled out my keys. “I’ll drive. I need to get used to driving around the city if I’m going to live here.”
“I thought you weren’t going to stay for long.”
I shrugged. “I haven’t decided yet.”
The restaurant was twenty minutes away and it took all I had not to look over at her; at the smooth skin of her thighs. Fuck, it’d been way too long.
“Are you okay?” she asked. “You look tense.”
I chuckled. “You have no idea. Is that it up there?” I asked, nodding toward a building we were slowly approaching.
“Yep. It’s not crowded yet, but it will be soon. A lot of our football players like to eat there.”
“What, like Cooper Davis?” Cooper used to play for one of the California teams but got traded to the Carolina Cougars. He and Mason didn’t exactly get along since Mason’s wife used to date him. He was one hell of a football player though.
“Yeah, he’s in there a lot with the guys and his wife. They’re good friends with the owner.”
I parked the Jeep and we got out. The owner was also good friends with Mason. “Do you know a guy named Mason Bradley?”
She stopped at the door and her hand froze on the handle. “No, but I heard of him. I know he’s from around here. Wasn’t he an MMA fighter turned detective?”
I placed my hand on hers and opened the door. “That’s him. He’s the one who told me to come here. I just thought you might know him since you all seem to know the same people.”
“Very interesting,” she said.
When we walked in, there was a young hostess who looked up from her notebook and smiled. “Good evening. Just two tonight?”
“Yes, please,” Brooklyn replied
“All right, you can follow me.” The young girl fetched two menus and we followed her to the back to a secluded corner. “Will this do?”
Brooklyn lifted her brows and I nodded. About a minute later, another woman walked by and stopped when she noticed us. “Well, if it isn’t Brooklyn Avery. I haven’t seen you in forever. How you holding up?”
Brooklyn looked up and grinned wide. “Oh my God, Becca. It’s so good to see you. I got away for a while, but I’m back now. Things are slowly getting back to normal.” Becca glanced down at me and then back to Brooklyn. “Where are my manners? Becca, I’d like you to meet my friend, Cam. Cam this is Becca.”
Becca held out her hand and smiled. “Hi, Cam. I was a friend of Brooklyn’s sister. We all grew up together.”
“Was a friend?” I asked curiously. In that moment, everything shifted. Becca’s smile faded and so did Brooklyn’s.
Sheepishly, Becca glanced down at Brooklyn. “I take it your friend doesn’t know about Braylen?”
I could see the pain in Brooklyn’s eyes. It was something she didn’t want me to know. B
rooklyn bit her lip to keep it from trembling but it didn’t help.
“I am so sorry,” Becca apologized. “I shouldn’t have opened my big mouth.”
Brooklyn shook her head. “No, it’s okay.” She addressed me, “Will you excuse me for a minute?” She shot up from the table and rushed off through the restaurant.
I started to get up and go after her, but Becca stopped me with a hand to my shoulder. “Let me go. If she hasn’t told you yet, this isn’t the right time or place. Just give me a minute.”
I sat back down and nodded. It appeared I wasn’t the only one with a troubled past.
I KNEW THERE was a chance I’d run into someone I knew, but I didn’t think it would be Becca, my sister’s best friend. Growing up, we were always together until college when I went my separate way. Now Camden knew something was wrong. It was strange how I knew so much about him and yet he knew nothing about me. It felt like the scale was tipping and I didn’t like it. The door to the bathroom opened and I saw a flash of red hair.
“B, you okay?” she asked softly.
Taking a deep breath, I swiped a finger underneath my eyes and turned around. “I’m fine. Today’s just been trying my nerves. My parents are in town, I’m working to keep my friend from being murdered, and I have a feeling my ex is going to be a problem.”
“Whoa, what? Are you on a mission right now?”
I nodded. “I am. My friend out there has a price on his head. And he’s not exactly the type of guy who wants to stay hidden.”
“He’s cute. I think he likes you.”
I snorted. “He likes anyone. He’s known for being a womanizer.”
“Maybe, but when you ran off, he was worried about you. Besides, not everyone’s like your ex.” Opening her arms, she folded them around me and squeezed. “Now come on, your date’s waiting for you. You know, talking about her always helps me. It makes me feel like she’s close.”
With her arm around my shoulder, we walked out of the bathroom. “Thanks, Becca. I try to talk about her, but it’s hard. My brother hurts just as bad as I do and he’s all I have. He’s the only one I can talk to.”