Page 7 of A Simple Regret

The garage door is still up, so it’s easy to maneuver around the stacked boxes, totes, and miscellaneous household items until I reach the broken-down boxes in the front. Tossing the new ones onto the pile, I dust off my hands and take another look around. A shiver sweeps through me. It’s January, and I’m not wearing a coat. The garage is a basic one-car with one lightbulb hanging in the middle, and while it provides shelter during the different seasons and some basic storage, it doesn’t have heat. The only reason I left the door open, while we were moving in and out of here all afternoon, was for convenience, and I didn’t have to worry about heat or safety, since this is Cooper Town.

The safest little place on earth.

Walking across the large opening, I press the button to lower the door. When it’s securely in place, I start searching for a tote labeled linens. I made sure Theo’s bed and room was set up as best I could, but my own bedroom is lacking. In fact, I don’t even have bedding put on my mattress yet.

I find the tote easily and carry it to the door. Then, I search for a second one, which contains bathroom towels and washcloths. I shoved a couple of Theo’s towels in with his bedding, knowing I’d need both early in the evening, but if I want to shower with something bigger than a toddler-sized Bluey hooded towel, I need to take more bathroom stuff inside too.

Dad and I did everything we could to unload the trailer systematically and strategically, but when push came to shove, we just started stacking them in the garage, vowing to deal with the mess later. We had certain items we needed to get in the house and set up first, mostly things for Theo, and everything else would fall into place later.

Now, it’s later, and there are a few things I need to situate for myself so I can crash. Theo’s an early riser, and if I don’t make my bed, shower, and get some sleep, morning Mom duties will be here before I’m ready.

I flip off the light and carefully pick up the two stacked totes. When I step outside, the cold wind practically blows through my sweatshirt and jeans, so I make quick work at setting the totes back down on the sidewalk and locking the door.

Finally, I grab the stacked totes and spin to return to the house. Just as I step up the back steps, I hear, “What are you doing here, Maren?”

I don’t startle. I’d know that voice anywhere.

I look over my shoulder, ignoring the temperature and the burning in my arms from carrying the totes, and reply, “Because I wanted to come home.”

His eyes burn with confusion and question, and while all I want to do is reach out and brush my hands across his wrinkled brow. He shakes his head, looking off into the distance over my shoulder. “You shouldn’t be here.”

My throat is dry and thick, and emotions threaten to erupt from my soul, but somehow, I push them aside. Clearing my throat, I reply, “I didn’t know you lived next door when I signed my lease. I can’t move, Cam. I…I need this place. Theo needs this.” My words are low, my voice being washed away in the breeze.

He doesn’t say anything for what feels like a lifetime, but eventually, he nods and turns and walks away. This time, he doesn’t return to the garage and whatever it was he was fixing, but instead, heads toward the house. I try not to follow him with my eyes, but they have a mind of their own.

Always have.

Camden enters a code into the keypad on the door and steps inside without so much as a look back. Not that I expected him to, but it doesn’t make the sting any less real. Swallowing over the lump in my throat, I carefully make my way to my back door and, juggling the totes, enter my house. Setting them on the floor, I lock the back door and lean against the cold glass.

Closing my eyes, I think about all that’s transpired and led me back to Cooper Town. The strained relationship I have with my mom and the one I’m trying to rebuild with my dad. My failed relationship with Theo’s dad. It’s all there, like individual weights on my shoulders, applying more pressure and stress.

Now, I get to add in the fact my new neighbor hates me.

I can see it in his ocean blue eyes and feel it in the sharpness of his words. I’m the last person he wants right next door, running into each other on a regular basis both at home and around town. Not only that, even with the looks of disdain he lobs at me, I can’t help but be pulled right back into a time when it was only the two of us and we were so damn happy.

Before I fucked it all up.

Before I left without a real explanation.

Living next to Camden Miller might just be my greatest challenge yet.

CHAPTER

THREE

Camden

I throw the wrench, pissed off at the world.

At the simple tune-up that’s being difficult.

At the fact I barely got any sleep last night, thanks to my new neighbor.

Maren fucking Holm.

I run my hands through my hair, not even caring how filthy they are. My mind just keeps picturing…her. The one woman I’d loved more than anything in this world. How cruel is it fate would drop her practically right on my doorstep, seven years after she ripped my heart out with a rusty butterknife. And not only that, but she’s also living the life I once thought we’d have together.

Married. Kids.