“I guess even the Hartson brothers can’t solve every problem.” Tanner blew out a mouthful of air. “It sucks.”
Wasn’t that the understatement of the year?
“Yeah it does.” Cam nodded. “It sucks like crazy.”
“Can I speak to Michael?”
Mia stared at Cam, her heart racing at his close proximity. He was the last person she’d expected to see standing on the front steps when the doorbell rang. It was unfair. She wasn’t prepared. All she wanted to do was roll onto her tiptoes and press her lips against his, as though that would make everything okay.
But it would only make things a hundred times worse.
“It’s not a good idea.” Her hands were shaking. “He’s still in a terrible mood, and isn’t coming out of his room.” She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. His gaze dipped to her mouth. “Give him some time.”
“I haven’t got any.” His words were simple, but they made her frown. “That’s what I wanted to talk to him about. I wanted to…” Cam shook his head. “I don’t know. Apologize, I guess. And tell him I won’t be coaching him anymore. Or anybody for that matter.”
“You’re not going to stay at Columbus High?” Her voice was thin. She knew she had bags under her eyes that matched his.
“I’m not staying in Hartson’s Creek. I can’t. I’m going to take the job in L.A. if I’m offered it. And if I’m not, I’ll stay in Boston for a while, work out my next move.”
She wasn’t surprised at the tears stinging her eyes. They felt like a constant companion since Monday. But she was shocked at how much her hands started shaking. Her body felt light, too spacey.
“You don’t need to leave,” she whispered.
“Yeah, I do. I can’t stay around here. Not with you here, too. It’s just too hard.”
The tears spilled over, running hot trails down her cheeks. “Oh Cam…”
“Please don’t cry, baby,” he said, swallowing hard. “It makes me want to hold you, and I can’t.”
Wiping the stubborn trails away with the heels of her hands, she nodded, her eyes captured by his. For a moment they stared at each other. Her chest felt painful, as though her heart might explode at any moment.
“I wish…”
“I know.” He nodded. “Believe me, I know.”
“Will you be okay?” Her eyelashes felt wet as she blinked.
“Eventually.” His smile was grim. “I’ll throw myself into football. It’s always worked before.” He didn’t sound too convinced.
“Maybe you’ll find somebody out there.” She attempted a smile. “Somebody with no kids to take on.”
“I told you, I love your kids.” He glanced down at the step. “I just wish they liked me.”
A tiny sob escaped her lips, despite her best effort to stop it. She wanted to beg him to stay. To ask him to wait. But it was a selfish impulse. Michael might take years to get over this. She couldn’t ask Cam to hang around, hoping her son grew up and got over himself.
Even if part of her wished he would.
“I’ll work out a payment plan for your car repairs,” she said. “Send it to you.”
Cam shook his head. “No. That’s my one request. Let me write it off. It’s paid. That damn car has caused more problems than its worth. Maybe next time I’ll get a minivan or something.”
The smallest of laughs escaped her lips. “I’m glad you had that car. It’s how I met you.”
He exhaled softly. “Yeah. And I don’t regret that. Not for a minute.”
“Me either.” She held his gaze. Was this the last time she’d see him? It was agony not to touch him. Not to reach for his hand and slide her fingers between his.
“I’m going to miss you.” He tried a smile, and failed miserably. “So damn much.”