Full Disclosure (Real Estate Relations Book 1)

by DJ Jamison

  “Screw sorry,” I said. “You better still have those cards, or … or …”

  Austin regained some of his composure as I fumbled for words. “Or what? You’ll sick your new boyfriend on me? You always did need a man to look out for you.”

  I lunged forward. Reid let me go, apparently not so overprotective that he’d hold me back when my ex-boyfriend insulted me to my face. Dimly, I registered Reid speaking.

  “Bad move, my man.”

  I pushed Austin again. And again. Until he hit the wall, eyes wide with shock.

  “I shot a man. Did you know that, Austin? You don’t want to mess with me. I can take care of myself just fine.”

  Austin’s gaze darted from me to Reid, who had followed us across the room but was keeping his distance. Close enough to intervene if needed, but far enough to let me handle the confrontation on my own.

  “I saw the news. There was a fire at that house and an unexplained shooting, but there were no details.” His eyes went to Reid again, and I realized he was looking at the sling holding his arm.

  “It’s true,” Reid said quietly. “Camden did shoot a man, but it was self-defense. He saved my life.”

  Austin swallowed. “That’s … frightening.”

  “It was,” I agreed. “So, you see? You don’t scare me anymore, Austin.”

  “I didn’t know I ever did.”

  “The baseball cards. Where are they?”

  “I have them. I’ll show you.”

  I stepped back, giving him room to move, and he turned and headed for his den. Reid and I followed him as he led the way into a richly appointed room with a large flat-screen, leather sofa and sleek, glass desk in one corner. It was a blend of office and entertainment room, with one corner devoted to a vintage record player and albums displayed on the wall. He might dress cowboy, but Austin liked classic rock, and the covers mostly reflected that: The Doors, Lynyrd Skynrd and Led Zeppelin graced the wall.

  He opened a drawer in the desk and took out a large leather-bound book — the type that might hold DVDs. He slid it across the desk, and I opened it to see my baseball cards all carefully placed in plastic sleeves with little labels showing how much each card was worth. The highest dollar value was $24.

  I glanced at him in confusion. “Why did you do this?”

  I’d expected him to rip up my cards in anger or throw them in the trash, or best-case scenario, stick them in a closet and forget about them. But he’d carefully organized and labeled them. This showed a level of care I hadn’t anticipated.

  He shrugged a shoulder, a hint of red in his face. “I guess I felt guilty for taking them, and I knew how much they meant to you. When I was doing this, I felt a little closer to you.”

  His eyes met mine, and I could see grief in them. He’d cared about me, despite doing a terrible job showing it. Austin was an alcoholic, and I knew a lot of his actions were a result of that, but it was difficult to separate where the man ended and the alcoholism began.

  “You’re pretty sober today.”

  He chewed on his cheek. “I’m trying to cut back.” He cleared his throat. “I realize that maybe I drank too much when we were together.” His gaze flicked to Reid, then to the carpet. “If you came back, I’d try harder. I’d drink less.”

  I glanced over my shoulder at Reid, but his expression was unreadable. I didn’t know if we had a future. He was probably going to leave Fields and me behind as soon as he recovered enough. Now that his case was over, he could sell Ivy Lane and move on. But my chapter with Austin closed before I ever met Reid.

  I picked up my book of baseball cards and hugged it to my chest. “I’m not coming back.”

  He nodded. “You’ve moved on. I figured.”

  His eyes sought out Reid once more, and I didn’t bother correcting him. My heart had moved on to Reid, whether or not I got to keep him. Even if Reid left, I’d never go back to Austin. I was ready to be my own man. It was time I finally stood on my own, without a man to look out for me, as my ex so eloquently put it.

  “Goodbye, Austin,” I said. “Thanks for taking care of my cards.”

  ***

  Reid

  I waited until we were outside, and then I kissed Camden hard. I was damn proud of him for sticking up for himself, but I was also relieved he hadn’t taken Austin up on his offer. They’d been together a long time, and he wouldn’t have been the first guy to give an ex a second chance, especially one willing to make changes for him.

  When I broke the kiss, Camden looked a little dazed.

  “So, what now?” he asked in a shaky voice.

  I figured he was looking for more than a suggestion to go back to my hotel room and fuck like bunnies. But how to answer?

  I’d burned out of personal security because following around celebs and officials and installing home security systems were not bringing me any joy. The work I’d done with Lee? That had always fulfilled me, but the office politics had never worked. There was no going back to the Marshals Service anyway, so that was a moot point.

  I looked in Camden’s deep blue eyes and thought about the time we'd spent getting to know each other over home improvement projects. I thought about the peace I'd felt working in the yard at Ivy Lane.

  And I knew ... it was time for a change.

  “Camden Lewis,” I said softly as I cupped his face with one hand. “It would be my honor to protect you for as long as you’ll have me right here in Fields, Kansas.”

  He gasped, a strangled sob breaking free. Then his lips crashed into mine and Camden kissed me thoroughly on his ex-boyfriend’s porch. We really were being tacky, putting on a show for the poor guy.

  “Karma, you’re not such a bitch after all,” he murmured.

  I pulled back. “What?”

  “Nothing,” he said. “Just thinking how you’re my lucky break.”

  I squeezed him to me, enjoying the feel of his body against my own and so damn grateful he was alive. The sight of a gun to his temple would haunt my dreams, and I knew that if I never handled a weapon again, I’d be okay with that.

  “Let’s get out of here,” I said, leading him to the car. He followed, taking the driver’s side. I’d conceded to let him drive until my arm was in better working order.

  “I can’t let you sell Ivy Lane,” I said regretfully once we were on the road.

  He laughed, confused. “What?”

  The house needed significant repair, but I’d always intended to offer Camden the listing again.

  “I also can’t buy another house with you.”

  He glanced at me, his forehead crinkling. “Okay?”

  “I want to bring life back to Ivy Lane, Cam. I learned a lot about the grief that’s gone on there. My great-uncle’s pain after Aaron died. And poor Sherrilyn—”

  “She burned down your house!”

  “She did. But she loved Aaron, I think. Anyway, the point is, I want a fresh start and I want Ivy Lane to have a fresh start too. What do you say?”

  “It’s your house.”

  True. It was my house, but I wanted it to be our house. I just wasn’t sure if Camden would want the same thing.

  “Right,” I said, clearing my throat. “The thing is, Camden, I’d like you to move in with me.” He didn’t answer right away, and I rushed on. “I know you might not want to live in Ivy Lane after what happened there. Maybe that’s asking too much. If that’s the case, then I’ll sell it so we can find another place—”

  “Wow, you’ve really put some thought into this,” he murmured.

  “Yeah. I figured I’d rent an apartment, and we could live there until we figure out the details of something permanent. I’d like to bring some happiness back to the Ivy Lane house, but if you want to get another place, or a newer house, or whatever … I’m game. As long as you’re there. So, um, what do you think?”

  Camden rolled to a stop at a stop sign, and turned to look at me. “You’re sure about this? I mean, near-death experiences sometimes inspire rash actions
. I wouldn’t want you to stay in Fields for the wrong reasons.”

  “I’m sure. I love you, Camden.”

  My heart beat fast, even though I was fairly certain Camden would take good care of my heart. I’d never felt like this about anyone. Hell, I’d never really dated. I was in the closet in high school, and I mostly had short-term arrangements and one-time hookups once I became sexually active.

  Camden had told me he loved me when I was shot, but that was in the heat of the moment. We hadn’t exchanged those words since.

  He bit down on his lower lip, which always drove me crazy. I immediately wanted to kiss him, but he was driving so I settled for squeezing his thigh with my good hand.

  “I love you too,” he said. “I really do.”

  “I sense a but here.”

  “But I have to say no,” he said.

  “To Ivy Lane or …”

  “Just no.”

  I couldn’t find the words to continue the conversation. We rode in silence the rest of the way back to my hotel room.

  He pulled the car into a parking spot and then turned to me, words rushing out in a way that told me he’d been thinking them all the way back to the lot.

  “Please understand, Reid. I love you, but I lived with my ex for five years. I became so dependent on him I almost couldn’t leave. Then with all the crap that happened with Sherrilyn, I landed on Miguel’s sofa. I need to stand on my own feet. I need to know, when we move in together, that I’ll be an equal partner. I don’t want you to leave Fields, and I’m terrified you will if I don’t say yes, but I have to think about what’s best for me.”

  It wasn’t the answer I wanted. I loved Camden, and I wanted us to jump into our life. I finally found my guy and now I was ready to get started on a future and a family. But I understood where he was coming from, especially after hearing Austin’s words to him about needing a man.

  “How about we make a deal?”

  He lifted a brow. “I’m listening.”

  “Stand on your own two feet while Ivy Lane is undergoing renovations. Date me, but keep your own place. Then move in with me when my uncle’s house is ready. Help me decorate it and turn it into a home, our home. That is, if you think you could see yourself living there after what happened?”

  He smiled. “Yeah, I think I could. It was a bit unnerving to return so soon after the shooting, but I have a lot of good memories there. And once we’re done with renovations, it will look like an entirely different place.”

  “It will, huh? That’s frightening.”

  He laughed. “Oh, yeah. With insurance footing the bill, you can bet that kitchen is getting an overhaul.”

  “So, we have a deal?”

  “Yes,” Camden said. “If you give me the time I need, then yes. I’d love to start a new life with you at Ivy Lane. You've got a deal.”

  I sealed it with a kiss.

  He felt warm and alive against me, and my heart swelled. I never expected to find my future in Fields, Kansas, but I felt more at home with Camden in my arms than I ever had in all those years on my own.

  Epilogue

  Three years later

  Camden

  Reid batted at my phone playfully, much like a cat who is jealous his owner’s attention is elsewhere. I was midway through a text that would seal the deal on a home sale. Once I finally got my first sale in real estate, things slowly came together. One sale turned into two and then three. The first six months were slow, but over time, I gained more momentum. Now, I averaged about three sales a month and was making more money than I ever had in my life. I also had fewer financial obligations, ironically.

  Reid owned our house, so there was no rent to pay. My money went to a car payment on a new, more reliable vehicle, a closet full of professional clothing and my share of the utilities and groceries, something I’d insisted on paying when we moved in together.

  “Put that thing down,” Reid said. “I feel second-rate when you’ve got that phone in your face.”

  I lowered it and pecked a kiss to his bristly cheek. “You’re never second-rate. I’m just finalizing an agreement on a house sale. Two seconds and I’ll put it down for the rest of the night, okay?”

  He growled in his throat and then nipped my ear. “Good, because I’ve got plans for you tonight.”

  I settled the phone on the coffee table, and Reid lunged for me. Grasping my hips, he pulled me down on the sofa. When he lowered himself over me, his strong body pressed me firmly into the cushions. Reid had given up bodyguard work, but thanks to the manual labor of the landscaping business he’d started, he was still hard-bodied.

  “So, what are these plans?” I teased. “You want to go see a movie?”

  He responded by taking my mouth in a rough kiss. I wrapped my arms and legs around him, happy to go along for the ride. His big hands squeezed my hips just enough to twinge. He moved his mouth to my ear.

  “No one will ever hurt you again.”

  “Yeah,” I breathed out.

  “No one but me,” he added, and my breath hitched as he wrapped his fingers in my hair and tugged my head back. He bit down on the tendon in my neck, and I moaned.

  Reid had perfected the art of adding that frisson of pain I needed with my pleasure without demeaning or using me. I wasn’t a hard-core masochist; I just wanted a touch of pain with my pleasure.

  “Yes,” I agreed. “Whatever you want, Reid.”

  “I want you, Cam. Always.”

  “Me too.”

  He kissed me, more gently this time. “Marry me.”

  “Huh?”

  He drew back, looking me in the eye. “Let’s get married. Make it official.”

  I blinked up at him, totally shocked. We’d never discussed marriage. We’d moved in together after the Ivy Lane house renovations, and I’d been happy with him ever since. He’d become the life partner I’d always wanted. In my heart, we already were married.

  “Are you really proposing while feeling me up on the sofa?” I asked.

  He drew back, sitting up. “Never mind. I, uh …”

  I climbed onto my knees and threw my arms around his shoulders from behind. “You ridiculous man. Yes, I’ll marry you,” I said. “I already married you.”

  He squinted at me. “What?”

  “It’s just paperwork, Reid. I already chose you. We’re living here in this house sharing our lives.”

  He grimaced. “You did that with Austin.”

  Ouch. Points for truth.

  I pulled away. He was right, of course. But it felt so different to me. Everything about my relationship with Reid was balanced, equal. We supported each other, encouraged each other and shared the burdens of our lives.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “I shouldn’t have brought up your ex.”

  I shook my head. “No, it’s true. I lived with Austin. But you’re missing one crucial difference. We didn’t share our lives, Reid. I was there at his pleasure. I thought you and I were so much more than that.”

  “We are, Cam,” he said. “That’s why I want to marry you. You’re everything to me.” He wrapped his arms around me. “I just want to celebrate that, you know. With a bit of tradition.”

  I sank into his embrace. I wasn’t really upset with him. He couldn’t understand just how dysfunctional my relationship with Austin had been, even after hearing my stories. I knew Reid and I had something special, something strong that could last a long time if we nurtured it.

  “I’m happy to marry you, Reid,” I murmured. “I’m surprised you care about tradition, but I like cake and presents and honeymoons.”

  He chuckled. “Spoken like a true bride.”

  I smacked his gut, and he grunted. “Okay, greedy groom,” he said.

  The doorbell rang — a single ding-dong chime for us, no ridiculous anthems in this household.

  “Saved by the bell,” I told him, as I walked to the door.

  We weren’t expecting anyone, but I wasn’t worried as I approached the door. This was Fields
, Kansas. At its core, it was a safe place to live. The memories of being held at gunpoint were always there, but it had been far from a random crime and had so little to do with me personally that I was able to consign it to the past and live a normal life. The year of therapy sessions after it happened had also helped me find ways to cope with the aftermath.

  I glanced through the window at the top of the door and did a double-take.

  “Uh, Reid?” I called. “You better come here.”

  “What is it?” he asked, approaching from behind as I opened the door.

  On our porch stood a familiar man, though he looked as if he’d lost weight. His hair was a bit longer, and the burgundy streak was gone. He looked older, more grown up and less kid.

  “Huy?” Reid said, his voice incredulous. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  “I still go by Lee,” he said, “and I’m here because I’m moving back to Fields. But I could use your help.”

  — Fin —

  Thank you for reading!

  Thank you for reading Full Disclosure. I hope you enjoyed the first in a new series. I’d be so thankful if you could leave a review; even just a few words help!

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  About the author

  DJ Jamison grew up in the Midwest, where she was the living embodiment of the phrase “red-headed stepchild.” Growing up in a working-class family, DJ was determined to create a more secure future by graduating from college and was the first in her immediate family to do so. As a bookworm, though, DJ secretly always wanted to be an author. She went on to work in the newspaper industry for more than a decade, which came in handy when she began her first m/m romance series centered on a small-town news staff and their love connections. When she’s not laboring over her works of fiction, she reads copious amounts of books on her phone. She’s married with two sons and three glow-in-the-dark fish that are miraculously still alive.