“I promise I won’t let this get in the way of your friendship. I’ll do everything in my power to make him realize it was a mistake and not intentional to hurt him.” Camden’s eyes snap up to mine, his scrutiny making me feel tiny as his jaw ticks. “I—”
Camden interrupts me. “Maybe it was unplanned, but that night was not a mistake.” His tone is hard.
“Okay.” I let my one-word reply linger between us as I take a bite of my croissant.
“Sorry…”
I shake my head. “Don’t be. I should be more careful with my choice of words.”
Silence settles over us as we finish our breakfast. You could cut the tension with a knife, and it’s definitely not sexual tension.
Camden clears our plates when we’re done, probably to keep himself busy. “You can have your surprise now,” he says seriously, his back to me as he rinses soap from a plate.
I don’t know how to handle a situation like this. He isn’t my boyfriend, so it’s not exactly like I can walk up to him, hold him, and kiss his worries away. This is different, and while an attraction between us is clear, we haven’t fully crossed that line.
“Do you mind if I jump in the shower first?” I stand from my seat when Camden turns around, wiping his hands on the dishtowel.
His eyes burn into mine before they scan my body. Heat prickles my skin as I hold my breath and wait for him to say something. Once he clears his throat, he says, “Go for it.”
“I’ll be quick.”
“Take your time. I’m going to check my email.”
I nod and walk toward my room, grabbing what I need before heading into the bathroom. Under the warm spray, my mind wanders in different directions. Easton could take the news well, or all hell could break loose. For Camden’s sake and mine, I hope my brother is at least understanding and willing to hear us out.
Since Camden found out about the baby and showed up here, he’s done nothing but be present and caring. Easton just needs to see that. But I also know that he knows Camden in a different way—the man who dates a lot, never settling down.
I have the same image of him, yet this week I’ve gotten to know a different side of him. A side that I never expected from Camden but, if I’m being honest, I like a lot.
I turn off the shower and wrap my body in a towel, then wipe the mirror free of the steam. As I comb my hair and get dried off, I hear a ruckus somewhere in the apartment.
“What is he doing?” I murmur as I get dressed and walk out of the bathroom. I find Camden in the living room, moving furniture around.
“What’s going on?” I cross my arms and lean against the wall.
“Oh, shit, sorry. I’ll put everything back where it was. I took pictures beforehand, so I remember where it all goes.” My sofa is pushed back, the coffee table is nowhere to be found, and the television is on the other side of the small living room.
“What are you doing?” I repeat.
“Well, if you’re still going to live in this apartment when you have the baby, he’ll need somewhere for his crib and clothes. I thought that half of the living room can be converted into his room. A dresser here,” he points to one wall, “and the crib on this side.” He points to the middle of the space he opened up.
“We can even get those dividers to block off the space and keep it private.”
I bite down on my lip as I listen to him, watching the furrow between his eyes deepen and the tip of his tongue peek out of the corner of his mouth as thinks.
“Camden, take a break. You’re on overload. At first, the baby will sleep in my room in a bassinet. I’ll put his clothes in my dresser and armoire. I’m going to get rid of my desk in there and put in a changing table.” Anxiety begins to spike as I speak; this pregnancy is becoming more and more real by the minute.
Camden must notice because he walks over to me and grabs my hands. “Are you okay?” His eyes stare into mine as if he were reading me like his favorite book.
“Yeah,” I sigh. “It just shocks me at times. It’s like I’m on automatic and yet have not fully taken in the information.”
“I get that, but you’ll be okay. I’ll visit as much as I can.” He nods and rubs his thumbs over the tops of my hands. The soothing back and forth helps bring me down from my panic as I focus on deep breaths.
“Thank you.” I look up at him, rolling my lower lip between my teeth.
“I’ve got you.” He pulls me in for a hug, and I allow his warmth to blanket me and provide the comfort he is so keen on giving me.
When my arms go around his back, he sighs, his breath tickling my ear. Camden looks down at my face, one hand cupping my cheek as his thumb brushes across my lips. His eyes lock on mine, something passing through us that I’ve never felt before, and it makes me want to cry and smile at the same time.
Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and lean my face into his palm.
“Ally…” Camden whispers.
When his lips land on my forehead, I melt into him and bask in the sensation of his stubble against my skin. My fingers clutch his shirt, wanting to feel this new emotion for longer. I’m afraid when we break apart, it would’ve all been a momentary glimpse in time that will never repeat itself.
The buzzing of my phone cuts the moment too short, and Camden steps back with a boyish smile. He reminds me of the eighteen-year-old I first met when my brother brought him home one evening to do laundry. I was the annoying fourteen-year-old that stared at him over the top of my book while I pretended to read.
And now here we are, about to become parents to the same child, and he’s still that handsome boy, now a man.
“You should get that,” he says, clearing his throat.
“Yeah.” I step around him and the mess of furniture. My heart stops when I see Easton’s name on the screen. He’s calling way earlier than I expected. Although if I know him, he barely slept, curious about why I wanted to talk to him. That was my mistake, sending him a message yesterday to ask if he’d be free to talk today.
“It’s Easton.” I hold my phone up.
“Fuck,” Camden mumbles, running a hand through his hair. “Pick up. It’s now or never,” he says, sitting on the sofa.
I swipe my phone to answer the call, waiting for the video to come up.
“Hey, big bro.” I smile at his sleep-filled face.
“Hey,” his deep voice comes through gruff from waking up. “What’s going on? You said you wanted to talk.”
“Uh, yeah…” I feel like puking. My heart is racing, and my palms are sweating. I bite down my lips, tears coming to my eyes that I blink away before Easton can notice.
I take a seat on the sofa next to Camden and hold the phone far out enough that Easton can see him. “Um… Actually, we both wanted to talk to you about something.” My voice wavers.
“What’s going on?” Easton sits up straight, his eyebrows bunching together as he narrows his eyes.
“Hey.” Camden’s voice sounds small in comparison to a moment ago. I sneak a hand on his knee to help comfort him.
“Here’s the thing…” I begin talking.
“Are you two together?” Easton interrupts me, his jaw ticking.
“No… Well…not really,” I stutter over my words.
Camden takes over. “Listen, man, the night of your wedding, Allyson and I slept together.”
“The fuck?” Easton growls his interruption.
“Please let us talk,” I beg my brother.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Easton keeps going, shaking his head.
“Easton, I’m pregnant,” I spit out. That gets his attention because his eyes snap to mine, anger and confusion darkening his green gaze.
“You’re kidding,” he leans back on his couch.
“No,” I shake my head. “I found out about a week ago. I told Camden, and he flew over here so we could talk in person and figure this out.”
“You should’ve told me.” His glare is directed at Camden.
“I wante
d to, but I didn’t know how. Then, Ally told me this news, and I had to talk to her first.” Camden shrugs, his fingers blindly finding mine on his knee and linking with them, holding on to me.
“We just wanted you to know. I didn’t know how to bring it up, and I don’t want this to ruin your friendship with Camden. He’s your best friend, and it’d kill me that years of friendship would be destroyed because of me.” I look at my brother, hoping he’s listening.
“It wouldn’t be your fault if it was ruined,” he spits out. “That’s my fucking little sister,” he throws at Camden.
“I know, but… Fuck,” Camden runs a hand down his face. “It wasn’t planned. It just happened, and then I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Now, we’re here.”
“You’re gonna fuck her over.” He shakes his head.
“Easton, no, he won’t. It’s not like we’re getting married. We’re going to be parents, and we have to work together to be the best for this child.”
“So, what are you going to do? Date other people and warn them beforehand. I’m having a child with someone else, FYI?” He shakes his head as if he doesn’t understand.
“We’re figuring it out.”
“If it were up to me, neither of us would date other people,” Camden adds. I turn to look at him with wide eyes while Easton scoffs and chuckles humorlessly.
“Easton, stop being a jerk. We wanted to tell you, have you be a part of this. It’s not exactly easy for either of us, but damn it, we’re trying.” I blink back tears.
“I don’t know what to say.” Easton softens a bit when he sees me wipe my cheek.
“Just say you won’t stop being friends with Camden,” I tell him. The guilt of ruining years of friendship because of this is greater than anything I’ve felt before.
“I…I need to process,” my brother responds. “We’ll talk later, okay?” He looks at me, his jaw set straight.
“Okay,” I nod, saying goodbye and hanging up. I can’t help the tears that roll down my face, but Camden’s there to wipe them away before they free-fall down my chin.
“He’ll come around,” he says, although he doesn’t sound convinced.
“I’ll never forgive myself if you two are at odds because of this.”
“Hey.” Camden holds my face. “This isn’t your fault. I refuse for you to carry this weight. We made choices, and they have consequences.” He smiles sadly, and I nod. Camden may be putting on a brave face, but I see the worry marking his face.
“Let’s go for a walk.” He stands, reaching his hand out. “Fresh air will help break up this funk.”
“Okay.” I reach for his hand and stand. “Thank you,” I hug him quickly before heading to my room to put on my shoes.
When I get back, Camden is by the door, ready to head out. “Why don’t you show me that park Easton and Faith went to?” He talks about Parque de El Retiro.
“That’d be fun,” I smile up at him, locking up and heading down to the street. The mood is heavy as we walk, but with each breath I take, the more I begin to relax.
After a few minutes, I receive a text message from Faith. Opening it, I read it aloud.
Faith: HOLY MOLY! Your brother just told me the news. Congrats! I think. You are happy about this right? I can’t believe Camden is going to be a dad
“I feel like I should be offended by the amount of people that doubt my ability at fatherhood.”
“I mean, you are the most unlikely person. It’s kinda a shock,” I shrug.
“I can’t wait to prove everyone wrong,” he says, his shoulders squaring in determination.
“You’ve already started to prove me wrong,” I admit. That catches his attention, and the smile he gives me awakens the butterflies in my belly.
I write back to Faith, quickly letting her know I’m okay and getting used to the idea. I make sure to tell her Camden has been great so far, and we’re working through a plan.
I pocket my phone and continue walking in the direction of the park when Camden tugs my hand and drags me into a store.
“What the…” The rest of the phrase trails off when he holds up a onesie.
“Isn’t this the soccer team logo?” The Real Madrid logo with the initials in a circle and the crown on the top stares back at me.
“Yes.”
“I’m getting it. My boy is going to end up being a soccer fan if he’s raised here, but I’ll still teach him about American football.” Camden wears a proud smile as he reads the size and walks to the register to pay. I stand in awe, my eyes watering. When he turns around after he’s paid, his eyes soften as a smile paints his lips.
I get myself under control with a deep breath and a quick wipe of my fingers under my eyes. “If this baby is a girl, she’s going to be a sports fan no matter what,” I joke.
“It’s a boy,” he says with conviction.
He wraps his arm around my shoulder, and his other hand lands on my stomach. The feel of his touch makes my heart gallop like a wild horse in the Wyoming mountains. A sense of home comes over me as I smile at the thought of my hometown—a place I left behind years ago, yet lives inside of me.
“When will you start showing?” he asks, his hand moving in circles.
“I don’t know. I read on the internet that it would be after the first trimester, so I still have a few weeks, although I feel swollen.”
“You look beautiful to me.” Camden continues walking as if his comment were the most natural thing in the world, but to me, it’s still a shock to hear him talk to me in that way. It makes my heart leap.
I may be scared about having this baby and the uncertainty about my job and living situation if they ask me to move back to Richmond, but having Camden near me has made me feel like I can do this. It’s not so scary when you’ve got someone by your side, encouraging you. I have no idea what will happen when he returns back home, but I know that I’ll miss him.
chapter 17
Camden
Allyson has me wrapped around her pretty, little finger, keeping me hooked, and I doubt she’s even aware of it. Spending time alone with her has allowed me to get to know her on a different level, learn her quirks, what gets her fired up, and what makes her laugh. I’ve learned that she chews on the inside of her cheek when she’s watching TV and that she picks her nail polish without realizing it.
She may have been burning a hole in my memory since that fateful night, but this week that I’ve spent with her, she’s started to sear her name on my heart. I’ve known her for years, and I’ve never taken the time to truly get to know her, which is a shame because she’s one hell of a woman.
Allyson is strong, determined, and beautiful, but above all, she’s caring. The way she reached over to comfort me today when we told Easton what was going on—when she must’ve been as stressed if not more than me—spoke volumes. I didn’t expect Easton to jump for joy and send us a congratulatory gift basket, but I was optimistic, so I wouldn’t chicken out.
This isn’t something I can take back because he doesn’t want it to happen. And now that I’m here in my life, on the road to fatherhood, I don’t want to walk away. I’ve never been the kind of guy to visualize a wife, kid, and a whole happy family. I thought one day it could happen, but it wasn’t something I was searching for. I guess it’s true what they say; things come when you aren’t looking for them. Because Allyson and I just became an instant family without either one imagining this could happen.
“Are you okay?” Her quiet voice moves through my clouded thoughts like sunshine breaking through after the storm. Shit, she’s even got me being poetic and crap.
“Yeah,” I smirk. “Show me this park,” I add when I realize we’re already here.
Allyson guides us down the path, looking at the flowers holding on to their last breath of summer, and she points out a fountain and a building. When we get to the lake area, I rent a small rowboat without questioning it and guide her in.
She doesn’t fight it. She takes my hand and climbs in, sit
ting on one side and holding the oars. When I settle in, I take hold of them and begin rowing through the water, passing by ducks that are floating around us.
“This is nice,” I say as I look around, couples, families, and friends on other boats.
“Yeah.” Allyson smiles, holding the sides of the boat before tipping her head back and closing her eyes. The sun beams down on her despite the slight chill in the air, highlighting her face.
My jeans grow tighter, and I swallow down the lump forming in my throat. I want to lay her down on this boat and drive her wild, not a care in the world if we rock the boat hard enough to tip us over.
When she lowers her head and blinks her eyes open, a light blush covers her cheeks. “What?” she asks, scratching her chest.
I shake my head and continue rowing, taking a deep breath.
“Tell me,” she demands, narrowing her eyes in the cutest way that I can’t take her seriously.
“Nothing,” I smirk, which rewards me with an eye-roll. I still can’t get over being here with her. So many years knowing each other, and never once realizing how amazing she is.
Allyson’s eyebrows pop on her forehead. “What is so funny?”
“It was nothing, really.” I’m not about to tell her that I was admiring her beauty and wishing we were alone so I could have my way with her. We’re having a great day, and I want to keep it up, especially after the stress of telling Easton.
Without warning, I feel water land on my shoulder. My mouth drops open as Allyson laughs.
“You aren’t going to want to start this, Kiwi,” I warn.
She crosses her arms over her chest and smiles confidently. I dip my hand into the water and splash her, accidentally wetting her more than I planned.
Allyson gasps, and her eyes widen. “That was… Oh, my God.”
In between laughs, I apologize.
“You aren’t one bit sorry.” She pretends to be angry, but the smile on her face is proof she’s forgiven me.
“I really didn’t mean to—” My hands fly up to cover myself from the water she sends my way as if that would protect me.
The Right Kind of Wrong: A Brother's Best Friend Romance Page 11
