by Bowie, Emily
We’re walking shoulder to shoulder before she takes hold of my hand. This is the first time she’s reached out to me. I’ve always been the one to initiate.
I lead her toward the football field in the back. “You ever play?” she asks me.
“I did at home with my brothers, but never here. I was the band geek who never took band. Our dad needed me more for the ranch than the other boys, and I was the oldest, making the responsibility mine. It broke my dad that I never wanted to take over what he did. But I’m happy Brax took a liking to it.”
“Yeah, I never did what my parents wanted either. I always had to learn the hard way before I could see the right path.”
“Camilla and Rhett.” I see a guy who I graduated with. I can’t quite place his name, but I recognize him. I’m sure it’ll come to me sooner or later.
“Hey, bud.” I often use the generic endearment so people don’t notice.
“I run the local paper. I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions.”
I begin to tell him no, but Camilla cuts me off.
“We can give you five minutes.” There she goes again, always putting herself last.
“I was wondering if you think Camilla’s nickname the Black Widow has shaped your relationship at all?”
I stare at him in disbelief. The whole town has been so cool seeing us around, but then this moron has the potential to ruin it.
“Yeah, it makes me want to beat down anyone who asks stupid questions like that. Camilla is the most honest, sweetest, and most thoughtful person there is. If people took a moment to get to know her they would see how ridiculous that nickname is.”
I can feel her tugging at my arm, trying to silently tell me to stop. I can’t though; people like him who assume they know her make me furious.
Camilla begins to answer, “Rhett and I knew each other before the nickname. It’s actions that shape relationships not gossip.”
I can’t take it, talking over her, “That nickname is nothing but slander. It never deterred me, I like to make my own opinion.”
I can keep going, but I see the pleading in her eyes for me to stop. She’s probably right, I’ll just make it worse.
“Sorry, man, I meant no disrespect. Camilla, I’m sorry it came across that way.” His hands are up in the air.
I’m not sorry for what I said. Someone had to; otherwise, everyone tries to take advantage.
“How about I get a picture of the two of you and that’s it. Only for our newspaper. I swear you won’t see it floating anywhere else.”
I grit my teeth, still uncomfortable with the idea, but I’m trying to play nice. “Sure, man.”
Camilla and I pose arm in arm before he walks away, thanking us for our time.
“You get all cute when you’re riled up.” Her sweet voice moves my attention from the guy back to her.
“I protect those who I care about.”
Her hand goes to my face, something she is starting to do quite often. “Thank you.”
I don’t have to say anything else on the matter. In silence, we walk around the field, enjoying the time together.
CHAPTER 32
Leaving the house with Shay, her husband Luke, and Rhett has me smiling. I’ve already become very fond of his family.
We all hop into Luke’s pickup truck and I can’t help but feel like I’m a teenager again. It’s like what I used to do back in the day. We would pile about ten people in the back, close the tailgate, and then pile more in the cab of the truck, heading to wherever the destination was.
Not safe, but fun as hell. We got away with a lot of stuff like that, with all of the back roads to remote locations.
“Tell me why we’re going to a bar for an eight-months-pregnant lady’s birthday. Shouldn’t she be at home resting?” Rhett asks, looking at me the whole time. “Brax’s girl isn’t as pregnant as her, and they’re headed into the city to get checked out for labor.”
I shake my head as he keeps trying to make his point, with no one joining his side.
“Sloan isn’t that type of gal,” Shay says over her shoulder, seeming unbothered by Rhett’s bad mood. “And I want to dance. Right, Camilla?”
“Right,” I affirm, pleased his family has chosen my side over his.
He takes my hand and brings it to his lips while leaning in. “Promise me, if this is too much, you won’t be a stubborn ass about it and we can go home.” His words and tone don’t match each other. The way he tenderly kisses the back of my hand with his worried expression has me squeezing his hand, knowing he means well.
I’m starting to realize Rhett cares about my wellbeing. This is his way of showing affection.
Coming up to Nelly’s, the parking lot is packed and I’m shocked. When I was in here last, I thought the place could be going out of business. Nighttime seems to be when everyone comes out to play in Three Rivers.
I recognize Kellen from the first day when I was introduced to him. I assume Sloan is the very pregnant woman who is dressed to the nines, looking fabulous as hell as she pulls off the whole “I’m pregnant and it’s my birthday, bitches” look.
As soon as she spots us, she starts rolling her hips, causing her whole basketball of a tummy to shake with her, making everyone laugh. “Let’s dance!” she hollers out, probably celebrating her last time out, I would imagine. She looks ready to pop.
Throwing his arm around my shoulders, Rhett is the first to start moving toward the entrance. “You ready to see my dance moves?” he whispers into my ear, loud enough to be heard over the music, but not for anyone else to hear. His facial hair rubs against my cheek, making me squirm from the sensation.
“You like that,” he states, rubbing his scratchy cheek against mine again as he rolls his hips against me.
“Not as much as you’re going to like dancing with me all night.” Taking his hand, I pull him to the dance floor that has a handful of people on it already.
His family stays on our heels, following our lead and going right to the dance floor.
Rhett shuffles his shoulders, his body moving along while his feet stay planted on the floor as I dance around him, enjoying being out and feeling like no one cares who I am.
Pressing my back to his chest, his hands go to my hips as he begins to mimic my movements to allow us to dance together. “Did they use a body double in your last music video, because I swore your feet moved,” I tease him, tilting my head back so I can get a good look at his face.
“I just wanted to make sure you aren’t with me for my dance moves,” he answers, nipping my shoulder. “But I’m all up for private lessons if that’s what you’re trying to offer.”
Turning, I wrap my arms around his neck, even though this isn’t a slow song. “I think you owe me the private dance, not the other way around.”
He places his thigh between my legs. “You tell me when. I’d be happy to go now. I’m only here for you tonight,” he confesses, staring me right in my eyes.
When Rhett uses his charm and that sexy smile of his, I have no doubt he gets everything he wants.
Leaning in, his voice is low but deep enough to be heard. “Nice shirt, but I know for certain it would look better on my floor.”
I have to laugh, because I think he’s trying to compliment me, all while flirting. My shirt is a white tank top, that says U-S, then below it, Eh—a play on words for my Canadian and American homes.
“The debate is still on for if it would look better on your floor or not.”
“You refuse to let me get away with anything, always having to keep me in place, and I think I’m starting to like it.”
“Don’t lie to yourself. You’ve always loved it,” I banter, liking this new realm we have entered. It’s soft, playful, and the chemistry between us is overwhelmingly alluring.
He chuckles, allowing the music to move us till the end of the song. A slow song comes on, causing the floor to empty, everyone heading over to the bar for a drink.
Shay and Sloan end up
beside me, Sloan placing her arms around each of us. “Thank you, girls, for coming out. There is no way I would have been able to convince Kellen to do this without backup. Especially now that Raya went into the hospital for what she thought was pre-labor.”
“Us girls have to stick together,” I reply, and I mean it too. I have always worked hard to keep my girlfriends close, trying to never allow men to get in the way.
I watch Rhett, Kellen, and Luke all relaxing at the bar. They all stand out for being good-looking guys. The other women in the bar can’t hide their eyes each time they glide over them. All I can think is, That’s right, girls. They’re with us.
Kellen is the first to turn around and gives Sloan a bottle of water, and then the other two do the same.
“Excuse me?” I refuse to take the bottle of water when they have a real drink in their hands.
Rhett tries to hold in his grin but fails. “I’m just messing with you.” He hands me the drink I asked for, a vodka soda.
“Always testing.”
“Only because you’re so much fun to bug.”
The words of a line dance song fill the air, and I swear the whole bar is up and starting on the moves. The sound of feet stomping, hands clamping, and drunken voices fills the air. My face hurts from smiling so much. This is the most fun I’ve had in years.
After five line dances in a row, I can feel the sweat dewing my skin. Rhett and I step out, needing some fresh air, and I would be lying if I didn’t like the idea of the two of us being alone.
The night’s air is cool this late in autumn, and it feels refreshing on my skin. “Thank you,” I tell Rhett as I lean my back against the pub’s outside wall.
“For what?” The smile on his face is contagious, and I know he’s eating this up right now, loving the fact that I’m thanking him.
“For everything. Bringing me here, introducing me to your family. Letting me regroup, and for honestly caring.”
He reaches out and takes my hand. “You make it hard not to care.”
I have a hard time figuring Rhett out. He’s like one of those crusty buns—hard on the outside but soft once you crack through his walls.
“Can I trust you?” I want to open up to him after all he’s done for me.
“Have I given you the impression you can’t?” He holds up his hand, seeing I’m about to list everything he’s ever done to me to lead me to think otherwise. “If we’re going to bring up that song, you told me you wrote some kick-ass stuff, which I recall you winning awards for. And when I first heard the song, I didn’t know it was yours till afterward. And I’m sorry. I wish all of that could have gone down differently.”
I search for any lies or humor on his handsome face, only to see none. He is telling me the truth. In all honesty, that song he stole wasn’t my style anyway.
“Pinky swear.” I hold out my pinky, waiting for him to connect it with his. He eyes my hand before swearing I can trust him. “I was donating stem cells for my daughter.”
The truth feels freeing. I have been keeping this all in, and it’s nice to confide in someone other than Kellie for a change.
“I got pregnant when I was sixteen then had her when I was seventeen. To be honest, I didn’t know the father. He was passing through town, so I decided to give her up for her to have a better life. One that would have stability with normal parents, not some teen mom who would just add to all the statistics. I wasn’t responsible then. I would have made a horrible mother. That was the hardest truth I have ever had to face.”
For once in his life, Rhett is speechless. I’m nervous, fidgeting and needing to keep talking to fill the space around us.
“No one can know. The adoptive parents and I decided to keep who I am a secret, not wanting to confuse her or hurt her in any way.”
“I thought you had cancer,” he admits low.
“Typically for donating stem cells, it’s a simple blood donation, but for my daughter’s unique case, I had to donate from my bone marrow. I hate needles, and the whole process was overwhelming.”
My heart is pounding in my chest, waiting for any type of judgment to flicker across his face, but I only see the concern.
“Have you been dealing with this all by yourself?” he asks, bringing me into his body. I shiver from the contact, wishing that it didn’t feel so good to be held in his arms.
“Kellie knows,” I say softly.
“If you ever need anything, I am here for you, no matter what. Honestly, even if we’re not doing this.” He gestures to the two of us, making me wonder what we are doing. It seems way more than just to help each other out. “Please tell me if you need any help. You can rely on me. Let me be that person.”
It’s hard not to give in to what he wants. Against what my mind is telling me, I do as my heart says. “Okay.”
We stand there, holding each other, my head resting on his hard chest and listening to his accelerated heartbeat. It’s nice to know I seem to be affecting him the same way he does me.
CHAPTER 33
“We should head back in before your family starts rumors about us,” I joke.
“Anything they’re thinking won’t not be true,” his husky voice says in a low tone, causing my insides to flutter.
The girls are dancing on the dance floor while the men watch. Rhett gives me a gentle push in that direction, knowing how much I love dancing. Joining the girls, I allow the music to once again take over, moving my body as it wills.
Midsong, I feel a tap and open my eyes, seeing Sloan is signaling she’s going to step out for a break. “I’ll be right back”, she mouths, and I nod, feeling Rhett step in behind me.
I can see the allure of Three Rivers for Rhett. No one tonight has stopped us asking for photos, our autograph, or to introduce themselves. They have treated us like any other person in this town, with a silent wave or pat on the back. It’s refreshing. I wouldn’t hesitate to come back here.
By our next break, my feet feel like they have been dancing all night. We head toward the bar for another drink. Rhett hands me another vodka soda, and as we step back into the crowd, I run right into the same biker as before.
This time, he’s all smiles, making me wonder how Rhett will react. His body stiffens next to me as he notices who’s standing in front of us.
“Thanks for the concert tickets, doll.” He winks at me before smiling wide for Rhett as he taps my ass with his hand and begins to walk by.
“What the hell is he talking about, and why did you let him touch your ass, Camilla?” he growls into my ear—the only way we can hear each other.
“I fixed the problem. He wanted concert tickets, remember? So I gave him some. Now he’s a happy customer who has a smile on his face.”
“And that gives him permission to touch your ass?”
Spinning around, I face him, seeing his eyes widen in anger. Bringing up my finger, I shake it at him before poking his cheek. “No. You do not get to do this,” I tell him, feeling all my frustrations come back at him.
I wanted a nice night out with him, no fighting. How is it he can barely do that?
Stepping away from him, I shake my head, needing the distance to try to clear my mind.
“Have you seen Sloan?” Kellen steps in between us, not realizing he’s stepping into a fight. Using this to my advantage, I sink into the crowd, falling away from Rhett’s eyes. I look for a place to hide that’s quiet, allowing me to think.
Going to the back of the pub, I see an exit door and take it. It closes behind me, leaving me in a dim area where there is a dumpster and some concrete steps. Walking toward the back of the overflow parking behind the building, I turn to see Sloan in the shadows with a man’s hand touching her stomach tenderly.
They haven’t noticed me, causing me to step lightly, not wanting to make myself known. I don’t need more problems on my plate.
I watch as he hugs her. I stand still as his head rises and meets my stare before I take off. It’s none of my business, I swear to myself.
I’m not here to cause family drama. I have enough of it in my own life.
Bringing my phone out, I call my best friend, needing to hear her voice. Her phone rings and won’t even let me leave a message, telling me her voicemail is full. “Kellie, pick up your damn phone,” I say, even though she will never hear it.
I keep walking in between the different cars, giving myself the silence I crave, hating that I probably overreacted at Rhett. I’m trying to see it from his side: I should have probably mentioned it. But a few days ago, we weren’t where we are today in terms of our relationship.
“Camilla?” The voice sounds eerily like my best friend’s. Turning, I look into the dark just as she steps foot into the light where I can see her. I’m confused seeing her here, unsure why she would be in Three Rivers.
“I’ve been calling you.”
At least she has the decency to look sheepish. She scratches at her head before her shoulders rise with no response. We stand there looking at each other, the music thumping its way under our feet.
Then she breaks the strained silence between us. “You look better.” Neither of us seems to know what to say to the other. This has never been the case with the two of us.
“What in the world are you doing here in the dark?” I ask.
Her hands gesture out as her lips twist before she rolls her eyes. “It’s some unfinished business I had from a while ago.” She rocks on her tiptoes as I finally pinpoint her emotions. She’s nervous.
“You okay?”
Sighing, she responds, “Yeah, I’m good. I got to go though….” Her voice trails off as I step to her for a hug. It looks like she may need it more than me. I watch her head into the darkness toward the vast number of cars and trucks in the parking lot. Kellie has always been a free spirit, but I can’t imagine what could be unfinished business in Three Rivers. Before Rhett, I didn’t even know this place existed.
My mind drifts from Kellie to Rhett before heading back in front of Nelly’s. Guilt swirls in my lower stomach as I start to think I’m acting like a spoiled celebrity. Before I can pull the door open, a Most Wanted sign catches my eye.
