40. Cam

CHAPTER 40

CAM

I wake up with a pounding headache. Wretched bright sunshine streams into the bedroom and I pull a pillow over my eyes to shield myself from the assault.

Fuck, I feel awful.

Then everything comes tumbling back: talking in the parking lot with Sloane, the hurt and distrust in her eyes. Drinking too much trying to numb the pain.

Stupid move because you always pay for it later.

Sending Sloane roses before I passed out in a whiskey coma.

I lift my cell, checking for messages. Nothing from her. Guess a secret sex video leaked on the internet calls for more than a bouquet from the neighborhood florist.

There is a message from my older sister, Jessica.

Jessica: You better call mom. She heard about your new contract

Jessica: She’s crushed you didn’t cal l

Oof. And now my mom’s upset too. Lately, I cannot win.

I dial my mom and she answers on the first ring.

“Camden Crawford. You signed with a new team and didn’t even call your mother. I thought I raised you better than that!”

“Sorry, Mom. I had meetings with the coaches and the GM, a helmet fitting. You know the drill. Then I caught a flight back to Thunder Creek to wrap things up and get ready for the move.”

“Mm-hmm. Excuses, excuses. I had to hear about the deal online, from the League Report! And then Sandra from pickleball asked me about it and I didn’t have any other details to give her.”

I stare up at the alabaster ceiling and curse the liquor, my mouth dry and fuzzier than bunny slippers.

“Yeah, sorry. You and Dad gonna make it down to Florida for a game?” I change the subject.

“I will, Cam!” my woo-woo sister, Ansley, shouts out in the background. “Since I’m single and ready to mingle and all.”

“Nana, do we have any more Lucky Charms?” my nephew interrupts my mom.

Must be a school break. My parents always help take care of Jessica’s kids during the school breaks.

“Hang on a sec, Justin. I’ll get them. Don’t climb up on the counter, honey. Here—” My mom’s off helping my nephew and there’s clattering in the background. Ansley comes on the line.

“Cammy-poo, how are you? Congrats on the new job. You made a vision board, didn’t you? I knew that would help.” The words gush out of her like whitewater in the rapids .

“No. I called my agent and he got me the tryout,” I say flatly.

She brushes over my lack of vision boarding, forging on. “Are you excited about Florida and the new team?”

“Yeah.”

“Whoa. Hold up. You don’t sound very excited.”

She’s real astute. Must be using her crystal freaking ball to figure that out.

“I’m fine, Ans. It’s a job.”

“Who are you and what have you done with my little brother? Football? A job? No way. That’s not the Cam I know and love.”

I huff out a sigh and dig deep to find my patience. “I’m tired is all. Long flight and lots to do in the next few days.”

“What are you doing about Sloane?” Her voice ticks up and I stiffen. How does she know about Sloane?

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, please, bro. Thunder Creek’s smaller than a postage stamp. Everybody knows you two are together.”

“But you’re in Colorado.” I state the obvious.

“With friends still in Thunder Creek. Rosie called me weeks ago when she saw the two of you at the movie theater with your hands all over each other, sharing popcorn. Then Theo texted me after Moonlight Picnic in the Park. You think you can keep anything a secret in that town?”

Acid shoots up my esophagus, burning the back of my throat and stinging my nose.

No, nothing’s a secret in Thunder Creek, that’s for certain.

“Well—is it serious? Is she going to Florida with you?” Ansley doesn’t let up, grilling me like a police sergeant in an interrogation .

“Check your sources, Ans. Because we broke up.” My voice is gruff, tension ticking at my jaw.

“Whoa. Since when? Last I heard, you were ring shopping.”

“Must have been some other guy.”

“Your brother’s ring shopping? Camden, what’s going on?” My mom’s voice tips up in the background and I regret making this call right about now.

“Ansley, please set the record straight. Or put me on speaker and I’ll do it myself.”

The ambient noise amplifies with a slight buzzing sound. I guess Ansley went with option number two, speaker phone.

“Camden Christopher Crawford, are you engaged?” My mom means business now, using my full given name. Not telling her about a new job is one thing; holding out on romantic relationship news? Unacceptable.

“No, Mom.” I rake my hand through my hair. “The exact opposite, actually. Sloane and I broke up.”

“Noooo!” Ansley cries. “I love her. She’s so cute. You’re cute together.”

“Thanks, Ans. But things didn’t work out.” A sharp pang stabs me in the chest and I fight against despair.

“Why not?” Ansley asks, pushing.

“It’s complicated.” That’s a true statement.

“You seem sad about it. I take it the breakup wasn’t your idea.”

“No, it wasn’t.”

“You should journal about getting back together. Hang on, let me check my calendar—” There’s a pause while my sister consults the astrological signs or the lunar eclipse or some other new-age bullshit. “Yes, it’s a triple seven coming up. ”

“I take it that’s good?”

“Very. Here’s what you do. Sit down and envision your future, then journal about it. Be very specific. Light a candle and be intentional about the process. Fold the sheet of paper and place it under a crystal and then manifest.”

“Should I spin in a circle three times too?” I grumble. Ansley can be a bit much.

“If you want to. But it’s not strictly necessary.”

Oh geez.

“I have to get going, long list of to-dos before the move. Sorry I didn’t call earlier, Mom.”

“It’s okay, honey. But I better not hear about an engagement through the grapevine,” she chirps.

“You don’t need to worry about that, Mom.”

Because Sloane’s not speaking to me. I seriously doubt we’re getting engaged.

“Don’t be so negative, Cam. Remember, it’s a triple seven day! Go manifest right now!” Ansley chides.

“Bye, guys.”

I disconnect and throw the pillow back over my face, hoping to drift back to sleep and at least dream about Sloane. That’s as close to manifesting as I’m getting.