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“See you then, Molly. Enjoy your walk.”
“Thanks, we will, won’t we Sinatra?”
Sinatra and I walk side by side along the road under the yellow streetlamps. I want to turn around to see if Cam is watching, but I decide not to. I think about turning to wave in a neighborly way, but I don’t. He has probably turned around by now and has started walking home and wouldn’t see me anyway and I would be waving to the back of his head. I’d feel a fool.
Also. There’s no point. I’ve seen the signs. There’s nothing written in the stars, just as I thought. Cam Wickham wants to keep himself to himself. Keep his distance. Which is fine. The housewarming barbecue invitation, I know, is purely neighborly. That’s what we are now. Just neighbors. Fine.
Chapter 6
Cam
Iwatched Molly walk away with Sinatra and I so wanted to go along with them. I was torn. I thought about running after them and catching them up, saying, “Stop. Wait for me. I’ve changed my mind.” But I didn’t. I stood on the sidewalk hoping she would turn and wave. But she didn’t.
So, good. That makes things easier. No point starting anything romantic with anyone in Oak River. Especially not Molly, my neighbor, who clearly only invited me to join her on a walk because she was being neighborly; friendly because I’m new in town. We’re neighbors, next door.
And if I did join Molly on her walk, that would surely be the start of something: something that was never going to go anywhere because, hey, I’m leaving soon. It would be foolish to open myself up to an emotional attachment that would no doubt end up all messy when I move away, leaving me with a bruised or broken heart.
I laugh at myself and how I am being just a tad melodramatic. When did that happen?
I’ve always been on the cool side when it comes to dating and girlfriends. Dex and I had a kind of bro pact when we shared a city apartment with some other guys: bachelors forever!
But then, bam, Matthew Dexter, bachelor forever, met and fell in love with the lovely Meryl. And I don’t begrudge my friend the obvious happiness that he has found with the wonderful woman he married. No. Meryl is a rare and beautiful thing, for sure. I was honored to be the best man at their wedding, right here in Oak River, and I saw with my own eyes how love is meant to be. I still see it now, at their home, when I joined them for dinner. They are both so excited about becoming parents it’s like the love they had at the beginning has only grown, strengthened, and deepened. I’m happy for them.
So, now I’m a bachelor forever, alone. Well, that’s not entirely true. Back in the city, I have buddies who are solo and contentedly so. Although, thinking about it, numbers are dwindling as my single ‘bachelor forever’ buddies seem to be finding love and happiness in long-term relationships. However, there are still guys I know, and hang out with, who have casual girlfriends or regular hookups that fit within the structure of their lives. It’s easier. More convenient. Less complicated to not have a significant other to consider or be tied to. Being single has all the benefits for a guy like me.
But Molly is so pretty. And I can’t wait to see her on Saturday: something I won’t admit to anyone. And I can’t quite believe I can admit it to myself. But I feel like a prize chump. When I’m around Molly, she makes me feel… what exactly? Something. There’s something irresistible about her: the way she smiles; her sparkly blue eyes, so intelligent and challenging; her soft auburn hair that I want to bury my face in; the way she wrinkles her nose when she’s thinking; and the way she says my name. Goosebumps.
By the time I reach my house, I’m feeling more of a chump than ever by overthinking something as simple as walking a dog. What has got into you, Campbell Wickham? I shake it off and call Charlie at the fire station, to make sure I haven’t forgotten to invite anyone.
Saturday rolls around and I wake up early, mildly excited about my neighborhood social gathering. Before I get into it though, I pull on my track pants, sneakers, and t-shirt, and head off for my morning run.
In the city, my apartment is close to a gym and when I’m not working, that is where I tend to spend my downtime. Here, there isn’t a gym, as such. Just a bench press and a rowing machine at the fire station. No worries. I run, and I have my weights and a basketball. So, I have everything I need to stay active and fit. I am making the best of things.
Out of the door and up the street, I notice Molly walking on ahead. I catch up with her in a few minutes. Then slow down to match her speed, but then I think, she probably enjoys a peaceful walk to work without neighborly small talk. I don’t want to intrude. She looks around when she senses someone approaching.
“Good morning,” I say brightly as I step out on the road to pass her.
“Hey Cam.” Molly smiles.
I turn and jog backwards saying, “See you later? At the BBQ?”
“Yep. You will,” Molly smiles politely. She is reticent. Closed off. As if there’s something on her mind. Perhaps she’s not a morning person and needs her space. I understand. She walks away on the street that leads downtown and we part company.
Suddenly, I have the urge to sprint, so I turn down the next street and blast out a mile without stopping. My heart is galloping, my lungs feel like they’re going to explode, but it’s like I’m on air.
All I can think about is Molly coming to my place later. I don’t really care if no one else shows up. The thought of being alone with Molly makes me smile. A bolt of energy pulses through my arteries and without knowing it, I’m sprinting home like my feet are on fire.
Dex arrives to drop off the barbecue and some outdoor furniture. I give him a hand carrying it all from his truck, through the side gate, and around to the back of my house.
“How many people have you invited?” Dex asks as he lifts the lid of the barbecue and pours in some charcoal from a bag he has had the foresight to bring.
“A few. I’ve lost count. I don’t know how many will turn up, though. Obviously, there’s the on-call crew, so not everyone is coming from the station. And let’s hope there isn’t a major catastrophe this afternoon. That would be extremely inconvenient.”
“True.” Dex laughs and closes the lid. “Now, what do you need me to bring? Apart from the lovely Mrs Dexter, that is.”
“Nothing, buddy.” I mentally go through the food, snacks, and beverages that I bought: sausages; steak; burgers; burger buns; sliced bread; lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber for the salad; onions for the hotdogs; tubs of coleslaw; chips, times five large packs, assorted flavors; ketchup; hot sauce; BBQ sauce; mayo; mustard; beers; Coke; lemonade; OJ. “I think I’ve got everything covered. Just turn up hungry.”
Later, as the smells of grilled meat waft through the air, mingling with laughter, friendly chatter, shouts, and bounces at the basketball hoop, I feel a warm glow of accomplishment. Even the weather complied: chilly but not raining.
