by Hadley Quinn
James got up too, but not as quick as usual. And he was holding his arm still to his body as Tim encouraged them to bump gloves and be done.
Camryn took a deep breath and slowly let it out with relief. Boys and their competitive egos… She was glad Teague came out on top and she was proud as hell of him, but she also couldn’t believe how natural he looked in an octagon. He hadn’t exactly bragged to her about how good he was.
Teague came around the cage a minute later to join her and he was expressionless as he tried to gauge her mood. Obviously he knew she was bugged with him for taking on the challenge. “You ready to go eat?” he asked.
She scowled at him, all sweaty and half-naked. It wasn’t a bad sight—in fact, being attracted to his chiseled body was the only thing that kept her eyes on the octagon. “Sure, if you prefer looking like that in a restaurant.”
“Good, I was hoping you wouldn’t mind,” he bantered. She only rolled her eyes and he had to smile. “Aw, come on, Cam. I was invited to play and now you’re mad at me for it.”
“I’m not mad.”
“You’re irritated. I’m sorry, but I really felt like doing something physical. After three hours on the road, I was ready to stretch a little.”
She barely hid a smile. “Stretch, huh? If you call accepting some stranger’s invitation for an ass-whooping ‘stretching’, then sure, okay.”
“I certainly did not get my ass kicked,” he scoffed with a light chuckle.
“I know you didn’t,” she replied with a sigh. “But I was surprised that you’d let him save face. I know he can be an ass, but thank you.”
He tilted his head with interest. “What do you mean?”
“He was too stubborn to tap, but you let him up anyways. You gave him a chance before really hurting him, but you let him get out of the embarrassment.”
Teague smiled. “How would you know that?”
“I know my stuff, Teague. I’ve been around this gym for a while now.”
He nodded his head slowly. “Well, letting him up—twice—was a kick in the face, as well. Anyways,” he said to change the subject. “Tim said I could use the locker room to shower and change, so I’m gonna get that done. In the meantime, you’ll sweeten up a little bit and stop being mad at me.”
He gave her a kiss on the cheek, and then winked as he walked away. Camryn wasn’t mad at him, but as soon as he disappeared, her uncle sauntered over with a huge grin on his face.
“I totally approve of him, Camryn. Teague has my blessing and then some.”
She glared at him for a second, but then she couldn’t help but laugh. It actually meant a lot to hear him say that.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Zachary Michael Ashford
February 11, 1990- December 10, 2010
“Beloved son, brother, and fiancé;
A soldier of the finest kind…”
Camryn sat in silence for a few minutes after Brandon left her alone. They’d spent a half an hour at Zach’s grave but she desired a few minutes by herself. It never felt good to be in this cemetery, but today held a different feel to it. Normally she’d be bawling before even stepping out of the car, but this time her emotions were on the calm side.
“I don’t hide any secrets from Brandon,” she whispered to Zach’s headstone. “I just wanted to talk to you alone.” She took another deep breath as she considered what to say to him this time. So much had changed, and instead of pining for him and crying about how much she missed him, her mood was more melancholy. “Happy twenty-third birthday,” she told him. “Things are a lot different now and…I hope you’re happy for me. I’m happy. I still miss you like crazy, though. Yesterday I dropped a sheet of cookies on the kitchen floor and it made me think of that time at Tim’s when I burned myself on the oven and dropped the enchiladas. I wanted to cry because I ruined dinner, but you ran my arm under cold water and made sure I was okay first, and then you scooped up the food onto a plate and ate it anyways.” She chuckled a little and shook her head. “I swear I fell in love with you that day. You were so sweet like that and made me feel like any of my screw ups or mistakes were okay.”
Camryn settled onto her bottom in the grass and crossed her legs Indian style. Her time with Zach had been happy and it made sense. She never imagined loving someone like she loved him. She was right. Her life with Teague was very different. She was happy and their relationship also made sense, but it felt like a completely different level. They’d connected from the very beginning, and maybe it was because Camryn was a little bit older now, or maybe because she’d gone through losing Zach and spent two years closed off from anyone else, but her relationship with Teague felt seasoned. He was the piece that fit her life just right, and she would never take it for granted.
“I’m with someone now. His name is Teague. He’s…amazing, Zach. I know you’d like him. There are a few things about him that remind me of you, but overall, he’s a lot different. I haven’t been the happiest person the last couple of years because I’ve missed you so much. But I met Teague and…he’s the right one. I know he is. If you were still here I would have never met him—I think—so it’s hard to accept that kind of thing. I know I don’t have control over who lives and dies, and I still don’t understand why you had to be taken from me, but I guess the only thing I can do is move on and do the best I can. It took me two years to even make a real attempt, but I finally did. I miss you, Zach. I always will.”
She wiped a tear that finally escaped and continued to share her thoughts. She told him everything from what Teague was like to how much she cared about Brandon. She talked about Melanie and her pregnancy, all of the dance work she’d done in the past few months and why she decided not to tour anymore. She’d visited Zach’s grave about eight times in the past two years, the last time being around Thanksgiving. It seemed like there was more to talk about this time that didn’t consist of lost hopes and dreams and a broken heart.
Camryn was so caught up in sharing that she didn’t even hear other cars pull into the parking lot. The shutting of car doors snapped her out of the comfortable conversation with Zach. There were other visitors at the cemetery and it reminded her that she’d better jet before the Ashfords got there. It was rude of her, but she didn’t want to face his parents.
She took the path and made it to the parking lot quickly. “I’m ready for breakfast,” she told Brandon with a smile.
So they climbed into Zach’s truck and headed for pancakes. Camryn’s visit to Fresno was going to be short, but she was glad she could spend it with just Brandon and not his parents.
When he dropped her off at his house to get her car after breakfast he said, “I miss you, kid. Keep in touch, okay? I love your smartass texts.”
“Good because I can’t help myself.”
“Okay,” he laughed. He kissed the top of her head and said, “Give Mel a hug from me. Tell Teague I’ll kick his ass if he’s not treating you right.”
“Uh huh,” she smiled.
“Okay, so I don’t prefer the violence, but I would do it if I had to.”
She laughed and kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks, Brandon. I love you.”
“Love you too, dancer girl.”
She climbed into her car and headed south for Camarillo. Melanie had a doctor’s appointment at three, and Camryn had promised she’d go with her. It was twelve-thirty when she parked in front of Teague’s house and didn’t see her sister’s car. She shot her a quick text as she walked up the driveway.
“Texting and walking could cause an accident,” a voice startled her.
Camryn turned her head to see Teague’s dad coming up the sidewalk behind her. Then she noticed a dark sedan with a driver parked across the street and she wondered if he’d just arrived or she hadn’t even noticed the car.
“Can we talk for a few minutes?” Craig asked her.
Camryn dropped her phone into her purse, and even though she was suspicious beyond measure, she kept a neutral face. “Sure. Out here
is fine.”
He took a few more steps toward her but looked around the neighborhood. “I understand taking precautions, but I’m a little more exposed out here than I’d like to be, if you know what I mean.”
She looked around, and although she knew what he meant, she didn’t care. “Well I don’t know what else you have in mind, but I know you’re not welcome in Teague’s house. I’m respecting his wishes first and foremost. Actually, I shouldn’t even be talking to you right now, so excuse me for being rude, but I have other things I need to be doing right now.”
She left him on the sidewalk but she could tell he followed after her. She was about to make a beeline for the front door, but his voice slowed her down.
“It’s actually Teague that I’d like to talk about. And yes, I’ll respect his wishes and we can stay outside.”
Camryn stopped on the porch and turned around to face him. He was waiting for her agreement. “Fine, how ‘bout you sit over there. It’s somewhat secluded.” She pointed to a slab of burl that had been made into a bench. It was in the corner of the front porch and there were shrubs next to it that provided some privacy.
“Thank you,” Craig replied with a nod.
He moved to the seat and sat down, but before he could offer her a section of the bench, Camryn sat down on the porch and leaned against the house. She waited for him to speak first.
“Well first of all,” he began, “I’m surprised that Teague has made some of the decisions that he’s made.”
“Like what?” she asked curtly. There was no reason to prolong this conversation.
Craig looked at her for a moment but apparently decided to be just as abrupt. “Like you, for starters. It was pretty quick.”
“And?”
He paused for a second. “And it makes me wonder.”
“Is that your place? To question Teague’s decisions?”
“When it comes to things that can ruin my family, yes.”
“Ruin your family? Do you see me as some sort of threat? I don’t give a damn about your family name, how much you’re worth, or how famous anyone is.”
“You’re not aware that Teague barely makes two hundred grand a year? That’s not much in my family, Camryn. If you think he’s worth more than that, then you’re mistaken.”
Her mouth dropped open at his audacity. “Are you kidding me? You think I want money?” She stood and said, “I love Teague for who he is. I don’t know how much he makes and I don’t even care. I have nothing more to say to you, Mr. McCallan.”
“Teague is a broken kid and he makes decisions on a whim. He doesn’t think about things in the long run. I’m just trying to warn you. I don’t want you to be in the middle of his mess. If it’s the industry you want, then I will do that for you. I think you’re beautiful and a very talented dancer—I’ve seen some of your work— and I can put you in the next film I’m producing.”
Camryn could only stare at him. A what? A movie? Craig McCallan wanted to cast her in a movie.
“You’d be a dancer, what you’re used to,” he continued. “You don’t even have to have lines unless you want them. I can make any of that happen, Miss Jacobs. You’d be incredible on the big screen. I think you’d absolutely love the cast you’d be working with. What do you think?”
Holy shit, he was asking her to be in a movie? She’d almost danced in one before, but after her dad died, there were too many changes happening already. She was lucky that Sonja had made other dance opportunities possible later on, which is how she got into music tours post graduation, but the idea of dancing in a movie had always intrigued her.
“Why are you offering me a spot in a movie?” she asked. “I don’t understand.” She motioned to him and said, “This is not standard. People like you don’t make personal visits to potential cast members.”
“Oh, but we do,” he replied. “When there’s someone that I really want for a role in a movie I’m in or producing, then I do whatever I can to let them know how much they’re desired. Generally they’re big stars already, but this time I’ll make an exception. You, Camryn, are a face that I want in my movie. I promise you will enjoy it. Please say yes.”
“No.”
“No?” He raised his eyebrows.
“No, I don’t want to be in your movie. I know how Teague feels about you and I would never do anything to make him unhappy.”
He studied her for a few seconds as he assessed her words. “You care about how Teague feels? Isn’t the industry what interests you instead?”
“What?” she scoffed. Then she thought back to his earlier words. If it’s the industry you want… And his mention of Teague’s income? “You honestly think I’m using Teague for his connections to you? You’ve got to be kidding. Get out of here. I have nothing more to say to you.”
“Then I’ll put Teague on the set, too. I can make that happen.”
“He won’t do a movie for you, so what makes you think you can make it happen?”
“If you do the movie, then Teague will do the movie. It’s as simple as that.”
“No, I won’t do the movie because he won’t do the movie. It’s as realistic as that.”
Craig smiled at her and shook his head. “God, I can see why he’s so smitten with you. Have you considered studying theatre? Honestly, Camryn.” He reached for his wallet and searched for a business card. “I think you’d be a natural. I have a friend you could work with if you—”
“No thank you,” she interrupted dryly. “I’m not interested. And using me to get Teague to work for you is pretty shitty.”
She turned for the door but Craig said, “I’m giving you a chance to make it on your own, Camryn. Because when Teague’s secrets come out, I’m sure you’ll be looking for a new place to live.”
Camryn slowly turned to face him again, her heart racing at the word “secrets.” She hated that word, especially when talking about relationships. “What secrets?”
Craig’s lips were a tight line as he took a moment to pause. Finally he said, “He has his own family, Camryn. A girlfriend and a son.”
The whole world came to a halt around her. Except for her heart pounding in her ears, she felt like time had stopped. Craig was still as a statue. So was the grave look on his face.
She swallowed the lump that was beginning to form.
“I was hoping he’d tell you but obviously he hasn’t,” he continued. “I just want you to be aware of it. I’m trying to give you something to fall back on. Please do the movie, Camryn. Give yourself a good paying job so you don’t have to keep drowning in other people’s problems. He needs to step up and be a father to the child he abandoned and you seem to be standing in the way. I know it hurts to hear it, but he’s already got a family waiting for him to get his head on straight.”
She couldn’t imagine Teague being with anyone else but her. She loved him. He loved her. They were in love. How could he possibly have that with someone else? It was incomprehensible, but being caught off-guard like that was a slap to the face. A bomb was being dropped on her life when she was finally happy. Suddenly things were beginning to make sense when she didn’t want them to. Teague was always dealing with “family” issues. But he never went into detail about what those issues were. He always talked about his dad and brother, his cousins or other relatives. But the situations were vague and he never revealed much.
Then there were his physical therapy appointments, and his time spent training at the gym or for a particular stunt. She’d actually witnessed him work, so maybe that wasn’t a lie, but it didn’t mean he was working every time he told her he was.
Oh good God, what was happening right now?
“I have to go,” she said, fumbling for the door again.
“Camryn, I’m sorry. I didn’t know how else to say it.”
“Leave me alone,” she mumbled. “I don’t even know if I can trust you, so it doesn’t matter.”
“You don’t trust me? Do you really think I want to waste my time playing tat
tle tale with the townspeople?”
She turned around and glared at him. “Townspeople? This is your son we’re talking about! How dare you stand there with that smug look on your face and expect me to jump all over information that you gave me! I don’t even know you!”
“You’re saying that you don’t believe me? Fine, Camryn, I’ll give you proof.” He pulled out his phone and scrolled through it for a few seconds until he flashed a picture at her. “How about that? Obviously that’s Teague, and that’s Kate and their son Chase.”
Chase. Oh, God. Chase. The presents in Teague’s closet. And right there if front of her face was a picture of Teague—her Teague—with his arm around a woman she’d never seen before. They were both smiling as they held a newborn baby together.
They were both fucking smiling.
“He’s on his way to see them right now if you want more proof,” Craig added. “Try Douglas Park in Santa Monica. They’re taking Chase to the playground today. He’s not an infant anymore; he’s over a year now. He loves the swing.”
He left, leaving Camryn on the porch speechless. She also didn’t move as she watched Craig walk across the street to the sedan and climb into the backseat. In her mind she was calculating the time it would take to Santa Monica and back, and if she wanted to waste the gas just for Craig to get his way.
She counted to ten after he left and then sprinted across the lawn to her own car. Today Teague was supposed to be in Burbank, getting some sort of special instructions on wirework. The next movie he was going to work on entailed more harnessing and wiring for one of the action sequences, so Teague was working with the stunt crew to test the stunts before they started filming in a month. Every time he went to work she begged him to be careful, and that morning especially she felt anxious about his job. Now she was wondering if he was even working today, and the thought of him lying to her made her stomach sick.
