Taking a deep breath, Cam rapped on the window, painting a smile on his face when they all looked over to see him in the backyard.
“Cam!” Becca squealed, her voice audible through the closed windows. She ran to the sliding glass doors and yanked them open. “You came.”
“Happy birthday.” He kissed her and squeezed her tight. “Your gift is in my car.”
“It is? Can I come and see?”
Over Becca’s shoulder he could see Mia looking at him. Seeing her made his muscles relax. He wanted to hold her. To touch her without sending the sirens off throughout Hartson’s Creek.
He was sick of hiding this thing between them. Sure, the sex was amazing. But he wanted more than being a dirty secret.
“Come on,” Becca said, tugging his hand. She practically dragged him around the house to the driveway, not letting go until they were at his car. The others had followed, and were standing by the house, watching with amusement.
Including Mia. His gaze met hers, and damn if he didn’t feel it right down to his feet. That was the moment he knew he couldn’t go to L.A. Not when she was here in Hartson’s Creek. The thought of being without her made his chest ache.
He wanted her.
He wanted everything.
Taking a deep breath, he opened the car and pulled out the oversized box that took up the entire passenger seat. With a huge grin on her face, Becca pulled off the wrapping, then gave a little scream when she saw what was inside.
“You bought me a Kitchen Aid!” she said, her eyes wide. “I’ve wanted one of those for years.”
“I know.”
“Okay, you’re officially forgiven for almost missing my party.” Becca hugged him again. “Now, let’s go inside. It’s freezing.”
He noticed Mia lingering at the back as the others rushed around the house. Cam locked his car and carried Becca’s gift to the porch. He’d walk around and bring it in later.
Then he clambered down the steps to where Mia was still standing.
“You okay?” he asked her. His fingers twitched with the need to touch her.
“I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” she said softly.
“Yeah. I was supposed to watch the game at Freedom Field. But I couldn’t wait to get out of Boston.” Couldn’t wait to see her.
“How was the meeting?”
“It was okay. Lots to think about.” He hadn’t processed it all yet. Especially the thought about not going to L.A. He needed to be alone for that.
“Your family told me about your head injury. I’m so sorry.” Her brow crinkled. “I didn’t know it was so bad. I can’t imagine how hard that must be for you.”
Cam looked at her for a minute, running his tongue along his bottom lip. “It sucks. But it is what it is. Hopefully they caught it before it got bad. It means I can’t play again, but I can still live a normal life.” And right now that didn’t sound so bad. Yeah, football had been his life until now.
But what if there was another life for him here?
“Cam!” a voice called out. “You’re up on the Xbox. Come show these losers how it’s done.”
“I guess we should go in,” she said softly.
“Yeah, we should. You doing okay?”
“I missed you this weekend.” Her smile was small, but damn did it hit him where he liked it.
“I missed you, too. Next Saturday still free?”
“Yep.” Her lips curled up.