“I hate that he’s going to take the job in L.A.,” Becca confided. “I was just getting used to having my whole family back again.”
Another stick for Mia to beat herself with. “I’m sorry.”
“Oh no, this isn’t your fault. It’s Cam’s. He didn’t have to leave, he chose to.” Becca shot Mia a sympathetic glance. “You know what? I’m going to say yes. This could be fun. And maybe a chance to get back at my big brothers. I could tell all their secrets in the narration.”
“Just remember, Gray’s the face of the whiskey. He’ll be going on talk shows and using lots of social media. He’ll easily get his own back, too.”
“Maybe I’ll leave him out. Start with Tanner and work my way up.” Becca shrugged. “I’ve got years of dirt on them. It could be fun.”
Mia’s attempt at a smile was more successful this time. “I bet it could.”
“I wish I could do something to make you feel better,” Becca said, her voice soft. “I hate to see you so down. Have you been eating?”
“Not as much as I should.” Mia shook her head. “But I will. I’ve been through heartache before. I know it’s only temporary.”
But it didn’t feel like it was. This separation from Cam felt like a tsunami of pain compared to the breakup of her marriage. It was illogical, but true. She hadn’t lost five pounds the week after Niall left. Or suffered from so many nights without sleep.
“I guess I should go. If I’m going to be an international superstar, I want to wear some makeup to this meeting. I’ll see you in the boardroom.”
Mia nodded. “See you there.”
Putting her cup on the desk, Becca leaned forward and hugged Mia tightly. “I’m so sorry my brother broke your heart.”
Mia squeezed Becca tight. “He didn’t,” she said, her voice muffled by Becca’s shoulder. “I broke my own heart.”
“Hurts just as much though, doesn’t it?”
Yeah, it really did.
Wrapping a towel around his neck, Cam walked out of his home gym and toward the intercom, pressing on the button to let Brian in. Two minutes later, his assistant was knocking on the door. Cam opened it and stood aside as Brian carried a cardboard tray with two coffees and two muffins inside.
“Come in.” Cam sighed. He’d been back in Boston for two days, having flown here straight after his meetings in L.A., and already he was bouncing against the walls.
“Man, you look terrible,” Brian said, wrinkling his nose. “And you stink, too.”
“If I’d have known you were coming over, I would have put on some makeup.” Cam gave him a sardonic smile. “And I can’t smell any worse than the Bobcats’ locker room.”
“Which is exactly why I avoid the locker room.” Brian took the coffees out of the holder, then walked around to Cam’s kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator. “Catch,” he called out, throwing it to Cam.
The bottle landed steadily in the middle of Cam’s outstretched palms. At least some things didn’t change.
This apartment felt less like home than ever. The kitchen was strewn with takeout boxes and dishes that Cam couldn’t find the energy to clean up. Maybe tomorrow he’d give a shit about the state of the place
“You need a cleaner,” Brian said, pointing at the sink. “Want me to call yours?”
“You don’t work for me anymore.”
“I remember.” Brian grinned. “But I’m still your friend, right?”
Cam swallowed. He felt like shit. “Yeah, of course. And I’m sorry. I’m feeling a little bitchy. I worked out hard.”
“I can tell that from the sweat. And by the way, if you answered your phone occasionally, I’d have arrived after your shower. Are you avoiding me or something?”
“Not you in particular.” Cam swallowed a mouthful of water. “I’m ignoring everybody.” The truth was, he’d put his phone in the hallway dresser drawer when he arrived, afraid that if he looked at it for too long he’d call or message her. He knew himself too well. He’d tell himself that one chance to hear her voice wouldn’t hurt, but then he’d be hooked again. He’d want more and more and it would kill him.
Who was he kidding? He was still hooked.
“Derek asked me to check on you. He’s worried about you.”
“Yeah, that’s because I’ve been avoiding him, too.”
Brian leaned on the counter, eyeing Cam carefully. “I know on the outside Derek’s a mean vampire of an agent, but I think he really likes you. He’s worried about you. Says you were only going through the motions in L.A. I thought you’d made up your mind it’s what you wanted.”
“I did.” Okay, so it wasn’t exactly what he wanted, but he couldn’t have that. L.A. would be second best.
“He’s working really hard at getting you a top rate package. But you need to speak with him. Meet him halfway.”
“I know.” Cam nodded. “I’ll call him.”
“Today?”
“If you want.”
“It’s not about what I want,” Brian said, giving him a tight smile. “It’s about you. You’re the talent. It’s always about you. If you don’t want to go to L.A., you need to tell Derek.” Brian tipped his head to the side, scrutinizing Cam carefully. “Are you sure you want to leave your family? You seemed happy when you were in Hartson’s Creek.” Brian gave a little laugh. “I mean, you didn’t call me much, because you’re an asshole of a boss, but when we did talk, you sounded good.”
“It was a good break,” Cam said, his chest tight. “That was all.”
Brian nodded. “Okay, man. So I’ll call the cleaner and have her come tomorrow. And arrange for some healthy meals in your refrigerator. Where’s your phone? Since you’ve been ignoring my calls, I imagine you’ve ignored everybody else’s. I’ll go through the messages and reply where I can.”
His simple kindness made Cam feel strange. “It’s in the hall dresser drawer.
