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“I’ll be right back.”
In the time it takes to order a scotch for me and a soda for Kass, her brother is on a break and standing with her in the same spot at the edge of the dance floor. She tells him something that provokes an embarrassed smile, and she reaches out to tug the side of his hair. I glance up to see his groupies shooting daggers at her with their eyes. I have no problem shutting down their jealousy.
Walking up to the pair, I touch Kass’s arm, and Cameron looks up at me with a carefree smile. It reminds me of his sister’s back in our early days, and I want to see her smile like that again.
“Logan?” he says, holding out a hand. “Damn, you’ve grown!”
I laugh and pass the soft drink to Kass before shaking his hand. “I was about to say the same to you.” My voice is noticeably deeper, more serious than his youthful one.
“But I grew up,” he says loudly. “You’re a fucking mountain!”
“Cameron,” Kass’s voice is quiet but scolding.
“Sorry, sis.” He throws an arm around her shoulder and drags her head to this lips for a quick kiss. “My language is fucking awful since you left. It’s why you need to move back here. Keep
me straight.”
She gives his side a gentle punch, and for a moment, her tension slips. I see the genuine love she feels for him warm her face. It slips away just as fast.
“I wish I could, but you know how my job is.”
Her words hit me like a freight train. I hadn’t considered she might be leaving. After last night I’d stopped thinking of her as someone who could disappear from my life as quickly as she’d reappeared in it.
Now I’m desperate to get out of here. We need to talk. I need to know what her timeline is, how much longer we have. How much time I have to change her mind.
Cam is still talking. “Just don’t do like you did last time. Disappear without a word. I was fucking frantic until you finally called and told me where you were.”
“I’m sorry,” she says, reaching out to touch his arm. “It seemed better that way. I didn’t mean to make you worry.”
I can’t take my eyes off her. Why didn’t I follow up when she mentioned her business outside her apartment? I’d been too enraptured by the mere sight of her. Now the emotions that keep bubbling up in her eyes are filtering through my chest. She’d better not fucking disappear…
“So you liked the set?” Cameron asks us, but I’m finding it difficult to concentrate on his words.
“You’re amazing,” she tells him, “And Logan says you have a little fan club. Did someone throw panties at you?”
“I thought you couldn’t see!” he cries, embarrassed again.
“Logan told me,” she answers, and his eyes fly to me
“Dude!” he cries. I shrug, trying my damndest not to bring down his happy mood. “They just like the music is all,” he says as if we don’t know better.
Kass leans in close and squeezes his arm. “Use protection. You can’t afford to be a father right now.”
“Jesus!” he hisses, and it reminds me how young he is. The other two guys are on the stage, and one of them calls to Cameron. “Saved by the bell,” he mutters, leaning down to kiss his sister’s cheek. “Thanks for coming out.”
He turns to me and holds out his hand for another shake. “Hey, thanks for stopping by, and Logan? Do me a favor…”
“What’s that?” I ask, holding his hand a beat longer.
Our hands release, and he scrubs it through his hair. “Convince her to move home.”
“I’m on it,” I say with the same level of conviction I used when I promised Rowan I’d protect his wife.
He’s back onstage and the trio starts in with a more lively song. They have a drum machine, and the girls start dancing, waving their arms and letting their skirts flip up for his benefit. It’s a great gig for a good looking kid his age.
Kass turns to me and pulls my arm. She has my complete attention as I lean down. “Can we go now?” The heaviness is back, and I’m ready to get to the bottom of it.
“Of course.” I take her glass and mine and place them on the edge of the bar.
