Page 97 of A Simple Regret

But, right now, I need to deal with my mother. The one who’s apparently staying with me for the next two nights, sharing my bed.

Good times.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-THREE

Camden

“What’s wrong?”

I look up at my best friend. “Nothing.”

He laughs and shakes his head. “Wanna try again?”

I don’t reply right away, just continue to tinker on my old truck. “How’s my Junie?”

I don’t have to look at his face to know he’s smiling. “She’s amazing,” Quinn replies. “Charli was wanting some ice cream, so I’m on my way to the diner for sundaes.”

“And you thought you’d just drop by and bother me on a Monday evening?” I ask, goodheartedly, glancing up and meeting his humored gaze.

“I’ve always got time to bug the shit out of you, my friend,” he announces.

I shake my head and return my attention to the carburetor. He doesn’t say anything, and I know he’s just waiting me out. No one can sit back and not say a word the way Quinn can. Well, maybe Collin, but he’s always quieter.

“I haven’t heard from Maren much.”

“Well, go next door. Simple.”

I sigh and lean against the front end of the truck. “It’s not that simple. Her mom showed up on Saturday right before we were going to have dinner. Some of the things she said to her mom left me…unsettled.”

“Like what?” he asks.

“Her mom told her about this condo that was available at her building and insisted she move back there, and she didn’t tell her no.”

“So?”

I just stare at him and blink. “What do you mean so?”

“There could be a very logical reason why, Cam. Why don’t you ask her?”

I exhale and shake my head, looking down at the carburetor I’ve been working on since I got home from work. “She’s been busy. We’ve barely talked. Her mom ended up taking them to the aquarium in Sycamore yesterday, and they spent most of the day there. Then today, I’ve only talked to her earlier this morning.”

“Sounds like a lot of excuses, if you ask me,” he replies casually.

“You know what?” I huff out a deep breath and spin around, walking to the fridge and grabbing a bottle of water. I can’t help but glance at the juice boxes I stocked in there in hopes that Theo will come over soon and I’ll have something for him to drink.

Taking a long drink, I finally vocalize the words I’ve been thinking but have been terrified to say aloud. “What if she decides to leave again? What if I’ve fallen for her a second time and she up and leaves.”

“Have you?”

At first, I don’t understand his question, but as I replay what I said, I know what he’s asking. “Yes.” Swallowing hard, I confirm, “I’ve fallen for her. Hell, man, I’m pretty sure I never stopped loving her. I masked it with anger.”

He grins like the cocky fucker he is. “Knew it.”

“Fuck off,” I grumble, setting my bottle of water onto the counter and returning to the front end of my truck.

“You know, they have mechanic shops outside of Cooper Town, right? And houses with garages.”