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“Watch me, watch me!”Grace giggles excitedly. Dan and I twist from our position on the decking to where she is swinging on a tyre at Dan’s holiday home in Cornwall. As soon as Grace finished school on Friday, we bundled into his car, and he drove us straight to the coast and far, far away from Richmond.
Finally, I can breathe. My chest isn’t tight with anxiety. My head isn't aching with tension. I'm relaxed. “Go higher!” I shout.
Grace grins. “Daddy, look!”
“I'm watching, Gracie,” Dan replies. “Well done, baby,” he mutters, rubbing his face tiredly.
I frown at him and notice for the first time how forlorn he looks. His mouth is turned down and he keeps staring off into the distance. “What’s going on?” I ask suddenly.
Throwing me an irritated glance, he looks away. “Nothing.”
“Bullshit. You’ve got a case of the feels. Who's the poor lady?” I joke, trying to get him to open up about what’s going on.
“I'm fine,” he mutters. “Brant messaged, by the way, says Kerry feels really bad about what Nadine said.”
I shrug, not letting it bother me. I'm here, miles away from all the drama, and I will keep it that way. “So, you hear from Rebecca again?”
“Not going to work out.” He clears his throat and gets up. “Another beer?” He hotfoots it inside. Something's off. I get up and follow him inside. He’s checking his phone. With a deep grumble, he slams it down on the side, muttering about women.
“So…there is someone!” I grin, making him jump.
“No. Fuck off!” he spits defensively. His phone dings and we both race for it. He’s millimetres away when I shoulder barge him and grasp the phone. I do a backwards roll over him, laughing as he grunts in pain, and I run off reading the message on the home screen.
My eyes widen, and I catch sight of Dan rushing towards me with a scowl on his face. I laugh and read it out loudly. “The other night was a mistake, but thank you for the hot sex and multiple orgasms.” I'm giggling like a fucking kid. “Who is this?” I question, diving out of his way, then jumping to the left when he tries to get his phone.
“None of your business.”
“So you won’t mind if I ring her then, or maybe it's a guy?” I wiggle my brows.
“Quit messing about, Cam.” He dives at my legs, knocking me sideways. I grip the phone and the unmistakable sound of the line ringing renders us both speechless. Dan’s eyes widen, and I copy him. “Cam, no. She’ll think I'm a right letch!”
“They have a vagina. Check.” I hold a finger up. “Do I know this woman?” I question, wiggling another finger to check off as Dan tries to grab the phone, but I lift my hand out of his reach.
“She’s not answering. Give me the phone.” Oh, poor baby, this is priceless. I wonder who’s got him by the balls?
“Hi, you’ve reached Emily’s voicemail. I can’t get to the phone right now because—” I gape at Dan, and he punches me in the ribs.
“Fuck,” I groan.
“Because she is busy with me,” a male voice murmurs down the phone. Dan snaps back, affronted.
“What the fuck?” Dan growls loudly.
“Wes, stop it. I can’t keep that now.” She giggles and screams happily before the line goes quiet and an automated voice tells us to leave a voicemail after the beat.
“Who the fuck is Wes, huh?” I shout.
“Cameron, you prick, give me the phone.” Dan argues and snatches at it, but I disconnect before he can delete the recording. “You’re walking home.”
“Emily, huh? Look at you with your pants in a twist.” I grin.
“Fuck off.”
He stalks away, lifting his phone. “It was a mistake.”
I give him a few moments outside to cool off because he is pissed that Emily isn't interested. Grabbing us both a beer, I wander out to find Grace curled up in his lap, drawing circles in his palm. I place his drink on the side and take my seat. “Don’t look.” She whines at him, then draws a heart shape. “What shape is that?”
“Love heart,” Dan whispers, eyes closed.
