Bo
Fourmonthslater.
“You just press it against the wall. Hold it flat.” Cam nods, placing the stud finder against the wall. “Now, press the button. Wait until it’s ready.” Cam does as Hunter tells him. “Now slide it against the wall.”
Cam slides the stud finder until it beeps. “Found it?”
“That’s it.” Hunter marks the spot. “Now look for the others.” Cam slides the tool along the wall, and Hunter marks them as he finds them. “Perfect. There you go.”
“Great.” Cam smiles at the wall. “Now what?”
Hunter sighs. “Let me just do it. We have to get to dinner soon.” Hunter stopped by to pick us up for Sunday dinner. While I sort of miss the restaurant, this house is perfect. Cam is finally putting up his figurines. We’ve been here for months and nearly have everything unpacked.
I quit the restaurant I lived above when we moved. My other job asked me to come on full time. We’re closer to it now anyway. It’s nice, because we both work Monday through Friday but different shifts. Cam goes in at seven in the morning until about four, and my shifts start at eleven and ends around seven. We have the nights during the week together and hours of alone time. I love Cam, but I do love my personal space as well.
I watch Hunter help my friend put up shelves in his office. I told him he could put them in the living room, but he insisted on having them here. Last month Sam promoted Cam to one of the managers, and when he got his first paycheck from the title change, he splurged and got these really cool LED shelves that glow.
“Perfect.” Cam smiles back at me. “Look, babe. Can fit so many of them.”Babe. The name still gets me sometimes. Finally getting everything you ask for is a weird and wonderful reality.
“Do you want me to help you organize them when we get home from dinner tonight?” His eyes widen.
“Why are you so perfect! I’ll make us snacks. Just remember you have to work on your audition at some point. Or is it an interview.”
"Kind of both."
"What are you doing?" Hunter asks.
"I'm interviewing at a private clinic downtown for music therapy. I'm kind of excited." No. I'm really excited, but I don't want to get my hopes up. Playing at the restaurant is fun, but I don't know. I want to do something more. I love playing the piano. It's brought me so much comfort and I want to help other people do the same. Cam had found the job and encouraged me to try. This is the final round of interviews and I'm so nervous.
Hunter checks each shelf and turns to me. “Come on, guys. We don't want to keep Lia waiting.”
“Camden, come here. How’s this?” I turn, watching Cam lean in to try the pasta sauce Lia is making. I know Cam gave her a gluten-free recipe for the pasta. I wasn’t going to even say anything. I’m used to accommodating myself.
“Ah, so good.” He smiles at her.
Since that day at the lake house, Cam and I have gone to every family dinner. I think Jamie’s mom has unofficially adopted him. My mother loves Cam deeply too, but having Jamie’s mother here spoiling him is fun to watch. Lia looks back at me. “Can you go find my son? Dinner’s almost ready.”
Noah is sitting on the couch talking with Mark, so where the hell is Jamie? “I’ll go find him.” Searching through the large house, I don’t find him anywhere. I don’t really want to overstep, but I go upstairs. Damn, these are steep as hell. I know the room on the right is Lia’s, and the door’s shut. I assume he’s not in there.
Ducking my head into Xavi’s room, he’s not there either. Maybe he’s in his old room in the attic, not that I want to go up there. It’s really nice, but still, attics creep me out. I don’t have to wonder a second longer as I poke my head into Luci’s old bedroom and see Jamie sitting on her bed. “Hey.”
He looks up, but it’s what’s in his hand that has my eyes widening. “Shit. Don’t say anything.” He closes the tiny box before I can look at it.
“I won’t say anything.” I can’t help but smiling. “I promise.”
He nods, opening the box again and looking at the white-gold band inside. “We’re not ready yet, but soon.” He swallows. “I’m keeping it in here, because no one comes in here.”
“Luci’s guarding it for you?” I joke, then bite my tongue. I know she’s a sensitive subject for many in this house, especially Jamie, but he smiles.
“Yeah, I guess she is.” He looks up at me. “What’s up?” I look at Jamie, his eyes clear. Honestly, I don’t notice him smoking much at all anymore. I know Cam said he’s improved a lot at the gym, and he’s going to physical therapy on top of working out with Cam. Those two have become inseparable. Kind of jealous.
“Dinner’s almost ready. Lia sent me to find you.” I look down at the box in Jamie’s tattooed hands. “Does Cam know?”
Jamie shakes his head. “Only Hunter does, and that’s because I needed help figuring out Noah’s ring size.” He laughs. “You know Cam can’t keep a secret like this.”
“You’re right.” I come further inside the room and sit on the other bed. “Do you know when you’re going to ask him?”
Insecurity hits Jamie’s dark eyes and he shakes his head. “Soon. I’m a little nervous. It’s stupid.”
