“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.
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
