Page 113 of Floored By Love

“But it seems like I’ll have an extra helper this summer,” she said, looking over to Luke.

“Oh, a public kiss, and working with the boyfriend? Moving quickly, I see,” Erika teased.

“And he’s living with us!” I said, sitting up a little straighter. I’m sure my chest puffed out too. At least, it felt like it did.

I was thrilled he was coming to stay with us. A part of me wondered if it was because he had nowhere else, but I trusted him when he said it was what he wanted.

It was the same reason I believed him in the hospital. I could tell Luke was serious.

My phone buzzed. It was our group text. The original five.

Graham: Congratulations, Cam. That took massive balls.

Cam: Haha. Thanks.

Tyler: Did you hear me on TV?

Graham: Of course that was you!

Graham: I’m happy for you and Luke.

Luke: I’m happy too! It felt good.

Graham: Lol. I bet!

Cam: Let’s hang out after tomorrow’s events...if you’re free.

Graham: Sounds good.

“Phone’s away, boys. It’s rude, even if you did just declare your love in front of the entire world.”

“It was pretty romantic,” Erika added.

“How did you and your husband meet?” Luke asked. “Ow!”

I kicked him under the table.

“It’s okay, Cam. I should talk about him more.” She took a sip of water and cleared her throat. As she stared into the distance, her eyes lost focus, then she smiled and told us.

“I was supposed to meet a friend at a Baltimore Orioles game-”

“That’s a baseball team, Luke.”

“I know what sport the Orioles are!”

“-but she was a no-show, and the game had already started, so I went inside without her. When I got to my seat, there was a very attractive man in the seat next to mine, and he appeared to be alone as well. There was an empty seat next to him, too. It didn’t take long for us to start chatting. His name was Cal - short for Calvin - and his friend had also bailed on him. Watching the game together turned into a date. He asked me out to dinner afterwards, and then one thing led to another,” she trailed off.

“Was he already in the Army?” Luke asked.

“Yes, he was stationed at Fort Meade when we met. I was a college student in Baltimore.”

“So, your first date was a baseball game?” Erika asked. “And it wasn’t even planned.”

“We actually chose the name Camden because of that date.”

“I don’t see the connection,” Luke said.

“The Orioles finished building a new stadium the same year Cam was born. Camden Yards. We both liked the name, and it reminded us of how we met.”