Page 56 of The Other Plan

This was our first time using this new company for fireworks. So far, the impressive show had outperformed the last company we’d used who’d recently closed up shop for retirement. A lot of our couples liked to give their guests this treat during the wedding celebrations, but of course, the Bronson’s had the dough for a show tonight as well as on the wedding night. At over ten grand a show, it wasn’t something everyone could afford at their weddings, much less twice, but everyone didn’t have the Bronson’s unlimited resources.

“I love it here,” Louie said as he peered around Cameron. His fashionable blonde hair blew a little in the soft breeze. “I’m so glad I moved here.”

Cameron kissed his forehead and hugged him tighter. “Me too, baby.”

My heart squeezed in my chest seeing the happiness on their faces. It caused me to glance over to Carter, who sat in the sand just a few yards away.

“Maybe he’d move here,” Cameron whispered, noticing my stare was no longer on the colors in the sky.

“I’m not asking him to move here. You’ve heard him. He’s really proud of the company he’s built. What kind of an asshole would ask him to give that up?”

“What are we talking about?” Louie whispered.

“We’re talking about Jenna and Carter hooking up,” Cameron whispered back.

Louie’s eyes widened as he bit his lip and nodded. “Oh, yeah! Cameron told me all about this. Is that the guy?” He jutted a chin at Carter.

“Yep,” I responded.

Louie lifted his eyebrows and blew out a puff of air. “I say go get some, girl. That man has a body meant to be climbed.”

Cameron gaped open his mouth and looked at Louie.

Louie shrunk a little, then bounced back with, “I mean, he’s not Cameron, obviously, but considering Cameron is mine and doesn’t swing your way, Carter is a good consolation prize.”

“Good boy.” Cameron booped his nose then pulled him in for a kiss.

“He’s hot. Yes. He’s great. Yes. He’s a whole lot of things, but he lives in New York.”

“I lived in Chicago, and I moved here for Cameron.” Louie shrugged.

“Yeah, but you hated your job there. Carter has this big company he built. It’s like mine. His baby. I can’t ask him to leave it.”

“And you don’t want New York, huh?” Louie frowned.

“No. I really don’t. I hate big cities. Makes me feel claustrophobic.” I waved a hand at the open air around us. “I need space. Sunshine. Fresh air. This.”

“I hear you, sister,” Louie agreed. “Now that I’ve lived up here, I don’t think I could ever live in Chicago again. The noise, the traffic, the rude people.”

“Exactly!” I blew out a puff of air. “I don’t want that. So, I’m going to shut this thing down with Carter right now so that one of us isn’t stuck giving up their lives. It’s just not smart. I’ll find someone else.”

Louie stuck out his lip but nodded. “I understand. You’re probably right. Why start something up that won’t be anything but trouble and heartache in the end?”

I tossed my hands up in the air. “Thank you! Exactly! That’s what I’ve been trying to say.”

“I still think you should go for it.” Cameron shrugged.

“Why would I want to torture myself?” I sighed.

“Because—” His gaze drifted to Louie. “Because you look at him the way I look at Louie, and he looks at you the way Louie looks at me. It hurts my heart to think that you could have what we have, and you guys are too chicken shit to try it. I can’t imagine how it would feel wanting Louie and not being able to have him.”

Louie pressed a hand to his chest, and his chin tightened. “Oh, my God.” He reached forward and slid his hands along Cameron’s face, pulling him in for a kiss that made my heart melt. “That is without a doubt the sweetest, most incredible thing anyone has ever said. Ever. In the history of the whole world. I love you, Cameron.”

“I love you too. Always.”

Louie turned his attention to me. “Okay. I changed my mind. I’m on Cameron’s side. Go get that man.”

I glanced over at Carter, and when my eyes met his, my stupid heart pounded against my ribcage like it was a caged animal trapped inside and desperate to get out.