“We have a family. You’re all my family. And Cam, whether you like it or not, you’re part of our family. You and Bo.”
“Just let it be for now, okay? You’re high.”
Jamie slumps back into his chair. “One of these days I will talk to her.”
“She told you she wishes you were dead.”
Jamie levels a look at Hunter. “Yeah, well, it’s not right. I’m not saying it is, but I get it. Maybe someday, or year, I don’t know. I hate this feeling.”
“Guilt?” I ask.
“Grief,” he says softly. “She never should have been in that car.”
“Can I ask how it happened?”
“Some guy was drunk and barreled through a red light hitting us at near like, ninety I think the cops said. The guy was a fucking doctor. Like, what the fuck is wrong with you? You swore an oath to help people, and you killed three fucking kids.” Hunter slowly hands the bowl back to Jamie. “Thanks,” he says, taking a drag. “It’s a hell I wouldn’t wish on anyone.”
“How did you get through it?”
“He didn’t.” Hunter shakes his head. “For a while he was a real dick to us all.” Jamie grimaces, reaching out his hand and squeezing Hunter’s. “Slowly he’s come back to us.” Hunter smiles at him. “Noah’s making sure of it.”
Jamie giggles. “Got my assrealgood.”
“How are you both super insightful and so fuckin’ ridiculous at the same time?”
“Multitalented.” He grins. “Just ask Noah.”
“And you’ve had enough.”
“In all seriousness . . .” Jamie sighs. “I’d go through all the abuse, all the homes again, just to make it here to him.”
“Homes?”
“I was in foster care until I was sixteen. When I was eight I was taken from my home. My mom was abusive, and took it a bit too far.”
Looking down at my hands, I see Hunter slide the bowl to me from the corner of my eye. Fuck it. I take a drag, coughing violently.
“Oh, sorry.” Hunter chuckles, patting my back.
“I’m fine,” I wheeze. My lungs feel weird. “Bowen’s family took me in after my father was arrested for abuse.” If it weren’t for Bo’s parents I may have ended up like Jamie.
“Parents, man.” Jamie shakes his head. “Hunter’s father kicked him out when he was sixteen, after his mother died.”
“What! Why?”
Hunter’s brows rise. “Why do you think?” What a prick.
“He was just waiting for her to not be around so he didn’t have to tolerate it anymore.”
“See. You’re not alone. We want to talk to you.”
“I don’t really know you guys.”
“That’s usually how this works, huh? You meet someone, and you either click or you don’t. We’re trying to click with you and you’re being difficult.”
“I just don’t want to bother you.”
“You’re not bothering us.” Hunter jabs his finger at Jamie. “He’s bothering us.”
