“The guys can keep busy and will only have CJ since the girls will be with us. Be prepared for Disney movies until they nap.” Kayleigh laughs at this statement.
“Uh, don’t forget, Mitch will have Lukas,” she reminds me. Shit, I have a nephew. I can’t help the tears that form. She must get it because she just hugs both Addy and I.
“Welcome to the family . . . really this time, not just not honorary,” Addison tells her.
Everyone finally leaves, and I haven’t seen Cambree or Max since they left. Climbing into bed right into Colby’s arm never felt so good.
“What is it, pretty girl?”
“Everything. I have an older brother I didn’t know about, another sister I will never get to meet, Cambree is reeling with this news, and I don’t know what she will do. She is so smart and so naïve at the same time. On top of that, Brent is still very prominent in our lives and manages to keep damaging everything he touches. Don’t get me started on my parents, and then I look like my sister, who is dead. How is that going to play out?”
“One day at a time. Cambree is strong, but she needs to find that strength. You and Addison instilled that in her, and she will find it. There may be some bumps in that road, but she will get there. I promise.” He kisses me on the forehead. “You are taking on the blame for Hope, aren’t you?”
How he is that perceptive I will never know. “When Mitch told me how much I resemble her looks and personality, then told me about Brent, I did start to feel responsible. I feel like because he didn’t destroy me, or finish what he wanted to do with me, he did it to Hope.”
“God forgive me for saying this, but I am glad it wasn’t you. That may sound bad, especially after tonight, but you are my life. I couldn’t imagine one without you. So while you feel guilty, please don’t. None of this is on you or your sisters. This was all because of one sick bastard and your parents. I swear. I don’t know what else they can do.”
“Please don’t ever question the depths they will stoop to.”
“It will work out. One step at a time. Now do you want to tell me about tonight?”
Really, I couldn’t have gotten out of that. I tell him from beginning to end, and he is laughing by the time I get to the part where they arrived. I can’t help it, but I fall into a fit of giggles remembering it all. “I swear, one day I am going to lock your crazy ass up, Belle. So do you have payback planned?”
“Oh yeah, and I am thinking Mitch is getting initiated in this scheme,” I tell him honestly. I don’t have to hold anything back; he loves my crazy. Sleep finally takes both of us.
Chapter 32
Max
I am trying to understand how she is feeling . . . trying to not be upset with the lack of support she gave me. I needed her back there. Hell, she is who I wanted next to me. Everyone in that room had a support system next to them, but me. She made no move to come to me. I know she must be confused, angry, and hurt, but that is when she should turn to me, not away from me.
When I reach the farmhouse, she hasn’t even gone inside. She is sitting on the steps, and this is the first time I can’t tell what she is thinking.
“Go away,” she whispers in the dark.
“No, you don’t get to hide from me, from this. Why couldn’t you be there for me back there? I thought we were a team; we were going to support each other. What are we doing?”
“How could I be there for you when I am not who you want?”
What the fuck? Who do I want? “Camy, I am not following you here.” I step towards her, and she turns towards me. The doubt and loathing burning in her eyes, makes me stop.
“You kept so much from me, and I thought I could understand it all. That was a huge part of my life, and I don’t understand. I could get over it, maybe, if you didn’t admit that I remind you of Hope. You projected all that on me. It isn’t me you are trying to save, it is her. Do you know how that feels? Do you realize what an awful bitch I feel like because I am jealous and spiteful over a dead person? My own sister?”
She doesn’t get it. She took everything back there in the worst way. Maybe some of it is my fault and Mitch’s. The way we shared everything and pointed out similarities between them . . . that was to make them feel closer to Hope, not doubt their worth to us. We both knew it would be hard on us, but harder on them . . . we had the time to love Hope, to be with her and there for her, they will never get that. I realize we went about it the wrong way for her soft heart. My pain and hurt fade away, and I just want to make her understand. I don’t know if I have the words.
“Camy, listen to me. None of what I feel for you is because of Hope. None of it. No, we probably wouldn’t have met if not for what she endured. But, it is you I fell for, it is you I dream of, you I picture having a future with. All you. Don’t minimize that or try and take that away from me. Yes, there are similarities, but you were each your own person. While Hope was strong, she was so damn weak at the end. That kills me to say, but it is the truth. You, my beautiful girl, you are strong. You just need to find your strength. What I have seen you overcome and endure in your life, it amazes me. Your love of life and family, your carefree attitude, and the way you always put others first is uniquely you. I wish you could see what everyone else sees . . . how we love you and admire you. Camy, you are one of a kind, not a replacement.”
She doesn’t say anything, and I know she is trying to process it. I go to her and kneel down in front of her and take her face in my hands. “All the secrets are out, you know it all, and finally I can give you all of me, if you still want it. I can tell you what I have felt for months, but haven’t been able to say. I love you, Cambree Nikole Parker.”
I see her suck in a breath and the tears come flowing. I wrap her in my arms and try and calm her down. Not the reaction I was hoping for, but it has been a rough night. She is on emotional overload.
“Not how I pictured you telling me you loved me for the first time,” she says into my neck.
“No? How did you picture it?”
“I figured it would involve a bed, and in between you begging for mercy, you would profess your undying love.” She giggles.
Before I respond, I hear a throat clearing behind me. We both look and there is Mitch, and he looks slightly amused and pissed off at the same time. “Not gonna get used to hearing that shit,” he mumbles. He looks between us and asks, “Can I talk to her for a minute?” I look at her face and see she really wants to but is afraid.
I don’t want to hurt my brother, and I know he needs this, but she comes first. “If you don’t want to do this now, that is fine. If you do, I can stay with you or leave if you want privacy.”
She nods her head. “Stay, please.” I don’t answer her but take her hand in mine and pull her close. She needs this as much as he does, maybe more. I am glad he came looking for her, because to let her sit with her doubts would have hurt her more.
“I am so sorry you found out this way. I never wanted to hurt any of you, but especially you. You have become one of the most important people in my life, and even though I didn’t see you grow up, I am so proud of the young woman you have become. It sucks because I can’t take credit for it and what sucks more is I can’t beat up your boyfriend because he happens to be the perfect guy for you. I am happy for you both,” Mitch tells her. His eyes never leave her. He is trying to make sure she understands his words. I am glad he is treading carefully with her.
It takes her a few moments to respond. “You would have been a great big brother when I was growing up, maybe I could have had some aspect of sanity in my life.” She smiles at him. “But, no matter what, I already kind of thought of you as a big brother. Hearing it confirmed meant the world. I am having trouble separating your feelings about me with your feelings about Hope,” she tells him honestly.
“I love Hope . . . that will never be past tense. But I love you, too. I had eighteen years with Hope, she was my other half, my twin, and nothing can replace that. I hope to have more than eighteen years w
ith you, and I can tell you that I love you just as much as I love her. You are so special, sweet girl. In a way, yes, I feel like I have been given another opportunity with all of you, but I also know each opportunity will be different and unique. Don’t doubt that I love you for you, and I will kick Max’s ass if he gets out of line.”
She half-ass laughs at this comment, and steps towards him, and he immediately engulfs her in his arms. “I am supposed to tell you tomorrow is girl’s day . . . all day.” He looks to me. “And guys have CJ and Lukas to do what we want, but we aren’t to disturb.”
I am not happy about this, and about to let them know, when Cambree lets out a squeal of happiness. I can’t take that away from her, and I am sure she has some stuff she needs to process with the girls. I sigh and agree reluctantly.
Mitch lets her go and before leaving says, “Oh and Brielle asked me to meet her for initiation after your girl’s day. What is that?”
Cambree starts laughing. “I have not a clue, but be afraid . . . very afraid. You never know what will happen with B. You can’t back out; it won’t work. Just go with it, and hope you don’t get arrested. That would kind of hurt your reputation as a good cop.”
He mumbles about the dysfunction he is walking into, and I know he is happier than a pig in shit that Brielle is up to something and included him. He can bitch and moan about it, but he loves it. I pull Cambree back to my side, “We staying here tonight? Or my house?”
She looks at me skeptically, “Uh, I have to be at Brielle’s tomorrow, and it is all day thing, so I figured we would sleep at our own places tonight.” She thought wrong.
“After everything that happened tonight, including me telling you I loved you for the first time, you think you are not going to be in my arms all night?” I can see she is getting my intentions. “Besides, I want to try out the scenario you had for the first time I professed my love.” That gets her ass in gear. She pulls me through the house and up to her room. Thank God Amelia is a sound sleeper because with her mouth around my dick, I professed my love over and over. Her mouth is fucking magic. Her heart is an even better gift.
Chapter 33
Cambree
Girls day in was just what the doctor ordered. Copious amounts of ravioli and ice cream were consumed by all, while they drilled me about my love life, my feelings, my plans, and yes, even my menstrual cycle. I am appreciative for Disney movies that kept Riley, Shiloh, and Cheyenne busy . . . I am even more appreciative their daddies are around so they have somewhat of a chance to be normal.
Addison and Kayleigh asked about my sex life and Brielle about lost it. I don’t know what her aversion is to talking about me and sex. Does she forget I am an adult and I know how her two kids came about, and it wasn’t the stork dropping them off one day? I have heard the conversations they have about book boyfriends, and after the bar last night and Addison’s ‘lipstick,’ I have no idea what her issue is. I decided to have a little fun with her.
“So last night Max told me he loved me.” She has a huge smile on her face, and her eyes are glassy.
“Oh, hon. We knew it, but we are so glad you finally know it.” Kayleigh is so damn sweet.
“How did he tell you?” Sometimes Addison is an answer to my prayers.
“Which time?” I ask them.
“How many times did he say it?” Brielle asks.
“Well, his stamina is amazing, so he goes for a while. Takes him forever to finish, even when I give him the world’s best head, his exact quote, so maybe twenty times . . .”
Addison and Kayleigh are cracking up and Brielle is not saying a word. I lose the battle and start laughing with the other two. “Brielle, quit praying. Sex is not a sin,” Addison tells her.
“I know that . . . I am not a prude and can make Colby say lots of things in the moment, but this is my baby sister . . . it isn’t right.”
“B, it’s cool. I am all grown up . . . besides he is the only guy I have ever had sex with . . . my vagina is like a Hallmark card, when you care enough to give the very best.”
She giggles. “Grease, much?” Falling into another fit of laughter we don’t notice the guys walking in. They all start talking at once about being hungry and tired. Fun time over!
We all eat together and joke around. Mitch is eager to learn all he can. We all missed so much time. Max is getting a kick out of learning, too. Some at my expense. I can’t believe what a pain in the ass I was . . . junk punches, throwing food, just a spoiled brat. To hear Addison, Brielle, Colby, and Tyler tell it though, they wouldn’t trade a second of it.
Before leaving, Brielle reminds Mitch quietly, “Don’t forget the morning. Let the games begin.” She already asked me to stay here the next few days, and that is fine, Max is agreeable to just about anything. I can’t wait for my house to be done I feel a bit weird with Amelia in the house, and Colby’s parents come down all the time, and they stay at the farmhouse too.
The next morning . . .
My phone is going off at an ungodly hour. I don’t even think the sun has risen. Max reaches for it, “Hello,” I see him pull it away from his ear, and all I can hear is shrieking on the other end . . . it is Addison screaming and Brielle laughing. What now?
I take the phone and hang it up. “Might as well get up, I don’t know what that was about, but it can’t be good.”
Max grumbles and makes an ordeal, but he gets out of bed. We walk out of the farmhouse and since it is centrally located between Addison’s and Brielle’s property, I see the dilemma. And the ensuing drama. We make our way over to Mitch, Brielle, and Addison. Colby and Tyler are standing off to the side, trying not to laugh. Max is dumbfounded and keeps looking at the front of Addison’s house.
Brielle has started a war of pranks. In front of Addison and Tyler’s house, she constructed, with Mitch’s help I am guessing, an enormous flag pole out of PVC pipe and attached a black flag with a skull and bones logo and the words, “Let your freak flag hang out” in bright red. If I am not mistaken, adorning the PVC pipe are different color vibrators. This shit means war, they will go back and forth . . . for days. Mitch looks happy, yet uncomfortable at the same time. He has no clue what he just walked into. Addison and Brielle are going at it, really. Addison is yelling, not really mad, and Brielle is laughing because she struck first. I shake my head at them, grab Max’s hand and go back to the farmhouse to make my man breakfast. He starts to open his mouth, but I stop him. “Don’t. Just embrace the crazy. No use trying to figure them out.” He wisely lets it go.
Two days later . . .
Another wake up call . . . I have been waiting on this one. Roles are reversed, and Addison’s laughter and Brielle’s shrieking is filling the phone. Max doesn’t say a word this time, and we make our way outside. Holy shit! Yet again, the three of them are facing off, but this time Mitch was in on Addison’s plan. He is smart; he plays both sides.
“I think Mitch is enjoying this shit,” Max says.
“Oh, he is. He drug Lukas and me with him this morning,” Kayleigh tells us.
Brielle and Colby’s entire yard is decorated, and not in the ‘oooh how pretty’ way. There is blue toilet paper hung on every tree and bush . . . I didn’t even know there was such a thing. There is a ‘For Sale’ sign in their front yard, a bird bath, what looks like coral, and a damn cow decoration which has a hose attached to its tail spraying water everywhere. Addison should really know better. This will not end well for her. I just shake my head, give baby Lukas a kiss, and grab Max’s hand and go back inside.
A week later . . .
I have been waiting on this call. I knew it was coming, Addison knew it was coming; Tyler knew it was going to be bad, and begged Addison to admit defeat. He even offered bribing Brielle. Nothing worked, and now we make our way outside yet again at the ass-crack of dawn to see the shenanigans. These moments make me miss Dustin the most; he was always involved in Brielle’s schemes, and he is missing all of this.
I was even shocked by what I saw
this morning. Addison and Tyler now have a yard full of roosters. I must be missing something here.
“What the fuck, Brielle? I don’t need eggs or poultry.” Addison is fuming.
“You won’t get eggs from roosters, dipshit. These are all cocks. You have a flair for liking fake cock so much. I wanted to give you even more of a variety,” Brielle tells her with a straight face. Poor Addy will never live down the vibrator incident. This is an epic stunt, though. Addison must agree because she can’t hold back her laughter.
“It isn’t funny, Addy. I told you this shit was going to get out of control. Now I have over a fucking dozen cocks running around my yard.” None of us can quit laughing at that. Tyler gives up and joins in.
“What in the fuck is wrong with your family, Camy?” Max asks me in disbelief.
“This isn’t normal?”
He stares at me trying to figure out if I am serious. “It is funny, I will give them that. But this is so far from fucking normal. Please tell me you don’t get involved in this? I don’t want to clean up our yard at the crack of dawn, and I hate to tell you this, it will last forever. I won’t cave to Brielle.”
“Yes, you will. Just admit that to yourself now, and it will really save us the drama. There is no way around it, she won’t stop, and she is like a damn Energizer bunny. She keeps going and going. Just don’t start shit with her, and we are golden.”
“Not fucking normal, at all,” is all he can mutter.
“Ready for breakfast?” I ask him. He just nods, so I wink at him. I cup my hands around my mouth, “Got any eggs?” I shout to them. All of them laugh, but the loudest laughter is from Mitch. He is now one of us, God help him.
“Thirty minutes, I will make breakfast for everyone!” Brielle shouts back.
Parker Sibling Series Box Set Page 49
