CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Adalyn
The Green Warriors won a second time.
Cameron said it was because of the new uniforms. The girls had absolutely loved them, because, as María had pointed out, they slayed. They really did slay. The shirts were charcoal black and mint green, with every player’s name and number printed in pastel pink on the back, and the Miami Flames logo on the front. I’d ordered shorts and socks in green and black, so the girls could pick. And I’d gone as far as getting a skort that resembled a tutu for Chelsea. It hadn’t been easy to find but she’d been so excited and shocked that I thought she’d stopped breathing for a second. Even Diane had been touched. But I wasn’t responsible for the win. The girls were. They’d played a good game. And that wasn’t on me.
It was all because of Cameron.
Cameron, who at yesterday’s game had worn the matching tracksuit I’d ordered for him. And Cameron, who I was currently avoiding.
He’d built me an office. So I wouldn’t need to sit on the bleachers. He’d paid for it out of his own pocket, and worked on it with Robbie, in secret. So while I was on his couch, plopped there like some kind of… wounded damsel, he’d been sweating building shelves. María had spat out all the details.
So, for the last few days, ever since the office reveal, I’d been a little angry. At myself, not him, because that had been the nicest, most thoughtful thing anyone had done for me. Ever. The reason I was avoiding Cameron was because I couldn’t, for the life of me, think clearly when he came close. I melted away and all I could think of was that office. The scones he’d brought me this morning. The way his hand fell on my thigh. The beard he was so keen on keeping neat and trimmed. The urge to touch it, and him, again.
Ugh.
With a sigh, I scanned the stands before me, hoping—needing—to distract myself with the fall fest. There was an empty stage—which I hoped didn’t imply another boogie night—a few food stands, a crafts and arts booth… Josie’s Joint.
I walked up to Josie’s coffee stand and blinked at the colorful display in front of me. There were pumpkins at the foot of the booth, red apples hanging from strings, tiny bales of hay decorating the bottom and the roof. There was even what looked like a… scarecrow. Female, judging by the braids, thick lashes, rosy cheeks, and the sign hanging from her neck: CARVE THE PATRIARCHY, ONE PUMPKIN AT A TIME.
Without warning, Josie’s head popped up from underneath the kiosk, startling me.
“Oops,” she said with that characteristically big smile. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to… scarecrow you.” A wink was thrown my way. “How do you like my booth? I’ve decided to lean more into my feminist strike this year. You know, with my who-needs-men policy and all.”
“Men really are the last thing we need sometimes,” I agreed. “And I love the booth. The town looks incredibly festive, but this is definitely my favorite spot.”
She laughed, and it was bright and lighthearted and it made me wonder if I ever sounded that carefree. “As you can see,” she said, spreading her arms, “no one does a fall festival like us. It’s where the mountains meet southern charm.” Her hands dropped. “Anyway, what can I get you?”
“What do you recommend?”
Her smile widened, those light blue eyes twinkling. She pulled out a board with the drink specials and set it in front of me. “Josie’s Pumpkin Kick is my personal favorite. But if you’re in the mood for something real strong, then I suggest you go for the Campfire Fizz. And last but most certainly not least, the Cocoa Apple Heart if you’re not in the mood for caffeine.”
I stared at the board and the woman by its side, suddenly… happy to be here. In Green Oak. “I’ll have the Cocoa Apple Heart, it sounds amazing.”
“Whoa,” she said, her expression changing. “You’re smiling really big right now, and for some reason I feel like I should give you a hug. Do you want one?”
“Okay,” I heard myself whisper. Next thing I knew, Josie’s body was sticking out of the booth and squeezing me. I squeezed back. “I’m sorry,” I said when she released me. “I was feeling very grouchy today. And the idea of one of your drinks cheered me up. Even the scarecrow did, and I never liked them that much.”
Josie chuckled. “You know what?” Her eyes trailed behind me for a moment, and then she said, “I think I’m going to prepare a complimentary Campfire Fizz. There might be someone you want to gift it to?” That gave away what she was looking at in the distance. Who. “In the meantime, you can tell me what he did for you to be grouchy.”
I opened my mouth to shoot the conversation down, but— “He built me an office. Out of the shed by the practice field. He helped with, like, his hands and tools or whatever.”
Josie nodded slowly. “And that is…” She trailed off, pulling out a box filled with syrup bottles from underneath the bar.
“Good,” I answered. “It’s thoughtful. And sweet.” Her smile widened. “And it’s also really bad,” I added, to which she frowned. “I don’t know. I can’t decide. I’m not used to these things.”
“To things like… someone going out of their way for you? Slowly earning your trust? Taking care of you? Flirting? Wanting to bang the crap out of y—”
“Josie,” I whispered.
She smirked. “Just saying it like I see it.”
Was Cameron doing all those things? I thought he was, but then again, what did I even know?
“He really did a number on you, huh?” Josie said with a long exhale. “Cameron is not whoever hurt you so badly. He’s not a bad guy. He’s quite the opposite, in fact.” Josie shook her head. “The man’s like a nut. Tough to crack, but a softie at heart. Just like you. Maybe you should give him a chance.” She lifted her eyes from her work, meeting mine. “You should give yourself a chance.”
Give myself a chance.
I swallowed, trying to push down the sudden knot of emotion clogging my throat. I averted my eyes, feeling overwhelmed by Josie’s words.
María materialized in the distance. She was with some of the girls from the team, all of them carrying caramel apples on long sticks. She spotted me and waved at me very enthusiastically.
I waved back.
“That kid adores you, you know?” Josie said, recapturing my attention.
When I looked back at her, she was opening a carton of milk. “The feeling is mutual.”
Josie smiled. “That’s good to hear.” She grabbed one of those small metallic pitchers off a shelf. “I think she changed one of the baby goats’ names to Adalina.”
I huffed out a laugh. “I guess it could have been worse.”
“Not everyone in town gets the privilege of having one of the Vasquezes’ animals named after them.” She chuckled but sobered up quickly. “Jokes aside, I think she looks up to you. You must remind her of her mom.”
I didn’t understand how such a warm and happy child could find anything remotely motherly about me, but I did care for the kid. I cared about María. And hearing that made me feel immensely honored. “How long ago did she pass?”
“When María was about six,” Josie explained with a sad tilt to her lips. “The Vasquezes got here when Tony was little, bought a dying farmhouse and brought her back to life. They’ve done more for the community in a few years than most have in generations. And Robbie still offers to host every single activity or party in town. Most of them without any compensation in return. The landmark where we are right now, for example, belongs to the farm.”
“It must be a lot of work for Robbie. Taking care of his family and the farm and everything else on his own can’t be easy.”
“It’s not easy, that’s for sure,” Josie agreed, finishing up one of the drinks with whipped cream. “The farm struggled financially for a fair amount of time after losing María’s mom.” She lowered her voice. “And Robbie doesn’t like to talk about it, but he was—and maybe still is—in a lot of debt.” She sighed. “Luckily for all of us there’s some kind of guardian angel looking over Green Oak. I like to think of her as a modern fairy godmother. And yes, it’s a she, and she has Oprah’s face.” She grabbed a marker and began to write on a cup. “Nobody knows who it is, but when a local business struggles…” She waved the pen as if it was a wand. “Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo!”
I chuckled, caught off guard by the theatrics. “So, like, an angel investor?”
“Yes,” she agreed. “But we choose to believe in the magic and not the fancy names.” A shrug. “Anyways. The Vasquezes’ farm is marching at full steam now. We just need a new happily ever after for Robbie. But I’m working on it. I’m an excellent matchmaker.”
I looked over my shoulder, finding María in the crowd as she talked about something that required both her hands.
“She’ll be fine,” Josie said. “Both she and Tony. I was also raised by a single parent, and look at how well I turned out.”
“You were?” I asked.
“Yes, ma’am. Never even met my dad.” She placed a second cup in front of me. “I just know he chose not to be involved, and the money he sent every month was put into a savings account under my name by my mom.”
A dozen questions rose to the tip of my tongue, but Josie sidetracked me with a laugh.
I frowned. “What?”
She pushed the two very elaborate and colorful drinks in my direction. “Girl, you better move and go rescue that very antsy-looking man before he murders someone. Namely, the president of the PTA.”
I glanced back, finding a very tight-faced Cameron talking to Diane. Or rather, being talked at by Diane, if the supersonic speed at which her mouth was moving was anything to go by. Cameron’s face scrunched up. I knew that look.
“Oh God,” I mumbled, swiveling back to Josie. “I better go. How much do I owe you?”
“You can pay for these tomorrow, I have a serious favor to ask,” Josie said, still looking behind me. Her brows rose on her forehead. “Oh. Oh. I think… Diane might be hitting on Cameron?”
I snatched the drinks up and turned around, walking away as fast as I could, and ignoring the laughter rolling out from Josie’s booth. I knew why she laughed. She thought I was jealous. I wasn’t. Cameron and I were… a team, of sorts, I guessed. We were partners. Coworkers. I owed him. Yes, that was what was making me speed up. Not Diane’s flirting with him.
It took Cameron’s eyes a few seconds to find me in the short distance. He widened them. Hurry up, he seemed to silently beg.
Diane seemed totally oblivious to his visible discomfort. And as I neared them, all that urgency faded and gave way to… amusement.
I rolled my eyes at him. Grow up, I sent him through the invisible line we were communicating through.
Understanding crossed his face. Then a corner of his lips tilted up, Make me.
Smug, competitive man, I thought. And he seemed to catch that, too, because he smiled at me. And I blushed.
When I reached them, I was so distracted, I could hardly take in Diane’s words. Something about her divorce or a hose that needed checking at her house.
“There’s an emergency,” I announced. Diane’s voice came a stop. “And I need Cameron.” Cameron’s smile widened. “Most urgently.” Most urgently? God, Adalyn.
Cameron cleared his throat, but I knew it was to cover a snort.
Diane laughed awkwardly. “Can’t you grab someone else? I was about to explain to Cam how important it is for Chelsea to keep a balance between her ballet lessons and soccer practices.”
I frowned. Was she? I swore she’d said something about a hose and her ex-husband. Cameron’s eyes, still on me, widened in warning. “I’m afraid the emergency can’t wait.” I schooled my face into a stern expression. “There’s been an accident. By the cheese stand.” Diane’s expression turned skeptical. “They need Cameron. Specifically. Because of his knowledge of… soft cheeses. Particularly.”
“Soft cheeses?” Diane blinked.
“Mozzarella,” I said. “And… Brie. Ricotta, also maybe feta. You know, cheeses that are soft and/or crumble when—”
“I think we better go,” Cameron intervened. “To check on the, hmm, soft cheese emergency in person. It sounds important.” I nodded my head. “And I would hate for the cheeses that crumble, in particular, to crumble too hard.”
“But—” Diana started.
But Cameron’s arm was snaking around my shoulders, his paw-like hand falling on my side, and turning us around and away. He lowered his voice, his head coming down, so close to my ear that I felt the words fall on my skin. “Christ, darling.” He moved us along, away from Diane. “Soft cheeses? You couldn’t think of anything better?”
“That woman makes me nervous.” I shoved Josie’s take-out cup into his hands. “A Campfire Fizz, for you.”
He hummed deep in his throat, and I couldn’t help but notice how we were walking with his arm around my shoulders.
I didn’t complain. “It’s one of Josie’s seasonal drinks. I got a Cocoa Apple Heart for myself.” I lifted the whipped cream-topped cup and took a long swig. “Whoa.”
“Good?” he asked.
“It’s actually great,” I answered, the swirl of flavors bringing me unexpected comfort. I eyed Cameron’s drink and thought of Josie’s words. “Try yours. It better be good because it cost me a serious favor, whatever that meant.” I paused. “It’s a little token of appreciation. A thank-you. For the office. And for everything else, really.” I lifted my head, glancing at his profile. The corner of his lips was twitching. No. I couldn’t survive another grin. Not at the speed we were walking. I returned my eyes to the unpaved way ahead of us. “Don’t look so smug. You needed saving like a minute ago.” I felt myself frown. “Was she… really flirting with you?”
Cameron picked up the pace, his arm now secured around me, and his hand resting on my waist. “Are you jealous?”
I didn’t respond.
I could feel—sense, thanks to my Cameron Caldani sixth sense, which had now developed—that he was smiling. Big. Knowingly.
I was about to call him out on it when Diane called from behind us, “Hello? The cheese stand is right there! You’ve walked past it!”
“Oh God,” I muttered, stealing a glance back. “She’s chasing after us.”
“Your ankle okay or should I throw you over my shoulder?”
“Huh?”
“Fuck it,” he said. And in a quick maneuver I could have never anticipated, I was up in his arms. Drinks intact.
“Cameron—” I started, grabbing on to his jacket with one hand and holding my drink with the other. I spotted Diane over his shoulder. Her index finger was up in the air, her pace increasing. “Okay, I think it’s time to run.”
Cameron took off then, laughter rolling straight out of him, dark and rich and beautiful. Making his chest vibrate against my body with the sound. He made a sudden turn to the left, and honest to God, a giggle came out of me. The man who was now sprinting through the space between two stands rasped out something between a chuckle and a curse in response, and finally rounded a big truck that was parked a few yards away.
He came to a stop behind it, next to the truck’s bed, which was filled with hay and provided a good cover. He peeked his head out, probably checking to see if we were still being chased.
When he faced me, my chest was heaving with my breath. My heart pounded with adrenaline that had little to do with the sprint and everything to do with the man who still had me in his arms.
Time seemed to slow, thicken, as he lowered me to my feet, a wave of very different emotions crashing into me when my boots touched the ground.
“Hey,” Cameron said, his voice deep and as charged as I felt. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I thought I whispered. I looked into his eyes. Almost as green as the canopy of trees at his back. “I… I was a little jealous.” My words fell in the small space between our bodies. So small it could be breached in a single breath. “I was jealous of Diane. I didn’t like that she was flirting with you. But now I feel bad for running like that. Now—”
His free hand came to my jaw, his palm warm and fingers stretching to cup my face. “I know,” he said, chin dipped down. His jaw was clenched with an emotion I couldn’t read. “We’ll apologize later, if it makes you feel better.” A muscle jumped there. “I’ll tell her I’m not interested. That I asked you to come up with something stupid to avoid an awkward conversation.”
My throat dried at his words, the closeness, the awareness rushing up and down my body at the feel of his touch. “My excuse wasn’t that stupid.”
Cameron’s mouth twitched, but he didn’t smile. Instead, his lips parted and he expelled a soft gulp of air. The green in his eyes darkened and he moved closer, stepping into me until my back fell against the side of the truck.
My heart halted, and I was pretty sure a sound might have escaped at the sensation. The way his chest, hips, thighs, were now against mine. The way every point where our bodies touched tingled and burned. Every nerve ending turned into a live wire. I was ablaze.
Cameron hummed, that large hand that had been latched on to my face and neck climbing down my neck, shoulder, side, until reaching my waist. He squeezed. “It’s been driving me so mad.”
“What?” I whispered.
“Wondering if this was something you wanted,” he answered with a frown. I opened my mouth, as if to tell him of course, how could I not want this, you, it’s wanting it that makes me scared, but his hand moved. He clutched the fabric of my jacket. “That tiny whimper you’ve just made,” Cameron said, voice rocky. “You made it that first night. When I put you to bed.”
I closed my eyes. “I did?”
I felt him release my jacket. Then, his hand was at my back. His fingers splayed, climbing to my shoulder blades, reaching the nape of my neck. “You pulled me to bed, too, do you know that?”
I thought I managed a shake of my head. I couldn’t know. I was too distracted, overpowered, by the sensation of his fingers grazing the bottom of my scalp, tangling in my hair, pulling me to him, my body into his.
“You let out that exact sound and pulled me by the shirt,” he rasped out, the words right against my cheek. “And I had to settle with stroking your hair until you were asleep.”
My free hand shot up on its own and latched on to his forearm. I didn’t have words, I couldn’t even think. So I let myself be. I gave myself a chance. Just like Josie had said.
I pulled at his sleeve, hard, like I imagined I’d done that night. Cameron’s body came over me. Eyes still closed, I felt him, his weight, his warmth, the inside of his thighs coming over the sides of mine. I heard something drop to the ground. And then, both his hands on my face.
“Adalyn,” I heard, the word falling right on my lips. “Open your eyes, love.”
I opened them and for the first time I let myself really look at him. He was so devastatingly handsome, so fierce, so absolutely determined that I felt short of breath.
“I like your eyes on me,” he said, his thumb trailing along my jaw, gently, softly, leaving a trail of tingles behind. He grazed the corner of my lips, and I watched his tongue come out and wet his. “What do you want from me?”
I tightened the grip on his arm. “A chance.”
Cameron’s nostrils flared, but he seemed to hesitate.
“You make me feel,” I heard myself whisper. And I didn’t know if something coherent could come out of me, but God, I wanted to try. “You make me feel like I’ve never felt with anyone before, Cameron. You make me want things I never wanted.”
A groan left Cameron’s mouth. His grasp of my face turned desperate, softer, if that could ever happen at the same time. Hips pressed against mine, and twin sighs escaped our lips. He felt so… big, hard, all over me. And he looked in pain. His eyes dipped to my mouth, frantically, his thumb traveling to my bottom lip.
God, I wanted to feel him. Against my lips. I turned my head. Kissed the pad of his thumb.
“Fuck,” he grunted, something behind his eyes lighting up, breaking out, something powerful and dark.
I leaned forward, my patience done. Cameron did the same.
The sound of an engine coming to life sliced right through the moment.
We blinked at each other for an instant, chests heaving with heavy breaths, making sense of our surroundings.
“It’s the truck,” he finally whispered, his forehead falling against my shoulder. He groaned a curse.
Oh. Right. I’d forgotten all about that.
Cameron lifted his head and pulled me away from the side of the vehicle.
The sight of my hands in his made my heart skip a beat. It also reminded me of something. “I think we dropped both our drinks,” I said, looking at the ground and finding them there. I glanced back at Cameron. I flushed. “I… You’re smiling really big.” Something took flight in my chest, and I made myself ask. “Why?”
“Because you’ve just given me a reason.”
“A reason for what?”
“To play the longest game I ever have.”