Only You (14 page)

Jack and Molly felt tears flood their eyes, as well, when they saw the scene before them. No wonder she had run again. Last time, she had been protecting her parents (or so she had thought), and this time, she thought she had been protecting Shane. As the puzzle pieces clicked, Jack became thrilled for his daughter’s future. Now they just had to beat the cancer, and all her dreams could come true.

“What the fuck?!?” Brody whispered, finally coming down from his soapbox to see his best friend weeping in his sister’s lap. Shane lifted his head and placed a palm flat against Camden’s stomach.

“I’m going to be a dad,” he whispered in awe. Suddenly, he was jerked from his seated position, and Shane’s head snapped back with the force of Brody’s right hook.

“You fucked my sister?!?!?!” he bellowed.

Blood gushed from Shane’s nose, but he couldn’t stop grinning. “I’m going to be a dad, Brody,” his said through his bloody smile.

“I heard, asshole.” He hit Shane again, bringing Shane to his knees. “Did you forget I found Stella in your bed when I came to get you this morning?”

Brody immediately regretted his words when he heard Camden’s sharp intake of breath. His gaze flashed to hers in an instant. Pain radiated from her eyes, and she tightened her body into a ball…a ball currently tucked into Eric’s side.

“You going to take care of my sister…even though she’s carrying another man’s child?” Brody looked Eric straight in the eyes. “Mad respect, man. That takes honor.” He spit out the last word and glared at Shane. Brody dropped Shane to the ground and stomped toward the foyer.

“I didn’t sleep with Stella, and you’re the asshole, Brody. Can’t even see what’s in front of you.” Brody spun so fast, wind whipped the items in his direct vicinity.

“I saw you and Stella in front of me. In your bed. Half-naked,” he emphasized the last word. “What else am I supposed to think?”

“She slept in my bed, yeah. But only because we were both too drunk to drive her home. All she did was sleep, ass-wipe.” Shane used his shirt to dab the blood from his face, now that it had finally quit gushing.

“Then why did she thank you for last night?” Brody accused, his self-satisfied smirk in place.

“To piss you off, idiot. You basically accused her of being a whore.”

Brody stiffened at the accusation. “What was I supposed to think?” He glared at Shane, but Shane didn’t care at this point. Brody was going to miss the best thing to ever happen to him if he continued to play dense.

“What do you care?” Shane argued. “You have a girlfriend.”

“Better a girlfriend of my own than a baby with a girl who is living with another guy,” Brody spat. He turned once again to exit the room.

Camden panicked. She had never seen Brody and Shane trade barbs like they just did, and there was no way she was letting their friendship get ruined over this baby.

“Brody, that isn’t the only news!” she yelled. He stopped and looked at her, defeated.

“Please sit back down,” she whispered.

Everyone returned to the vacant chairs in the living room. Shane’s hands twitched with impatience. He wanted to take Camden into his arms, but her look wasn’t very trusting at the moment. He’d have to explain what happened with Stella, and fast. Maybe he could even introduce the two girls. He had a feeling they would become fast friends.

"I AM pregnant. And yes, Brody. Shane is the father. You should be happy for us. I’m your sister, and he IS your best friend, after all.” She stared at Brody until he made eye contact. He grunted and nodded his head for her to continue.

“I am pregnant, but this pregnancy will not be an easy one. It is extremely high risk.”

Both Shane and Brody jerked to attention, fear evident in their gazes. Molly silently grabbed the scrapbook and slid it to Brody. Curious, Shane stood and crossed the room, standing behind the couch and looking over Brody’s shoulder.

“You had cancer?!?” Shane asked in shock. Brody stared silently at the album, and by the time he finished looking through it, silent tears streamed down his cheeks.

“Cami?” he whispered.

"It’s back,” she said simply. “I’m still going to start treatment, but the cancer is more aggressive this time, so there was already little hope of success. The baby complicates that. The doctor gave me two choices.” She looked at both men to ensure they were listening.

“The first choice is to let the chemo essentially abort the baby. I would have a better chance for survival, but the baby wouldn’t make it. The second choice is to adapt my treatment, which would make it safer for the baby, but also might make it less successful at treating my cancer.”

As both men started to speak, Camden raised her hand in a gesture intended to stop them. It worked, and both jaws closed tightly, allowing her to continue.

"Eric and I have already had this fight, and I don’t plan to do it again. I am KEEPING the baby.” She finished. Everyone in the room knew better than to suggest any other option. As usual, stubborn Camden would never change her mind.

“I hope that I survive the cancer.” Her voice cracked. “But if I don’t, I need everyone’s promise that you will care for my baby.”

“Our baby,” Shane grunted.

“What?” Camden scrunched her nose in confusion.

“You said ‘my baby’, but it’s ours,” he grumbled. Camden’s face softened and she held out her hand to Shane. He hurried across the room, intertwining their fingers and dropping yet again to his knees. He pressed a gentle kiss to her mouth.

“I love you, Sunshine, and I will never stop and I will never leave,” he promised.

“I love you, too, Shane Hunt,” she whispered, a small smile evident on her lips. Shane lifted Camden suddenly and turned to sit on the love seat, setting her in his lap.

The two became so lost in each other, neither noticed four curious pairs of eyes on them. Molly motioned for the other three men to follow her into the kitchen, leaving Shane and Camden time alone.

***

Chapter 17

“Camicake, if you don’t climb out that window right now, I’m going to take you over my knee,” Eric hissed.

“Well, excuse me if I don’t want to get caught sneaking out my first night home,” Camden argued. “Besides, I’m pregnant. It’s not safe for me to be gallivanting around, climbing out windows.” Camden dramatically motioned to her non-existent belly.

Eric growled and threw his hands into the air in frustration.

“We’re on the FIRST floor, Cam! The window sill is only as high as your freakin’ knee!” he whispered.

“Eric, my parents will flip out if they find out! I just dropped a HUGE bomb on them, and you know they’ll want me close to home right now.”

Eric sighed. “First,” he counted on his finger, “you are an adult. You don’t even live at home, so pardon me if I think you should be able to decide where you sleep at night.” Camden glared at Eric, but he continued counting. “Second, life is short, Cami, and you need to embrace it. And third, I said I would cover for you, and I meant it, Camden.”

"What if they check my room?” she whined.

“I’ll lock the door,” he stated impassively.

“How will I get back into my room then?” She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“I’ll pick the lock, Camden,” Eric groaned in frustration.

“What if my parents find out?”

“What are they going to do?” he retorted. “Ground you?”

“If they find out, they might worry,” she countered.

Eric rolled his eyes. “Camden you’re pregnant. How much trouble could you possibly get into? You can’t get knocked up again, and you won’t be drinking or doing drugs.” He chuckled. “You planning a bank heist I don’t know about?”

“What do I tell them in the morning?”

If he didn’t know better, Eric would think Camden really didn’t want to go; but the fact was, he could see the longing in her eyes, and she deserved a little happiness right now. He reached forward and grasped her hands gently.

“Babe, your parents love you, but so does Shane, and that poor boy thought he’d lost you forever.” Eric raised one hand and brushed her cheek gently. “I know I didn’t think too highly of him for hurting you so badly in the past, but after what I saw this morning, there is no doubt in my mind that he loves you. I’ve never seen someone look like the world had just been handed to him like that. To be honest, I’m a little jealous. Wish I had a guy who worshipped the ground I walked on.” He smirked at her.

“If you keep this up, you won’t be walking anywhere.”

Eric laughed at Camden’s empty threat. “Sweetie, I promise. I’ll take care of your parents. You just take care of Shane.”

“Who’s taking care of me?” Shane’s deep voice sent shivers down Camden’s spine. She turned to see him standing outside the open window.

“Camden.” Eric smiled evilly. “Camden will be taking very good care of you.”

Shane grinned and waggled his eyebrows at Camden in response, and her snarky retort died on her tongue. He looked so sexy when he was playful.

“I’m looking forward to it. It was taking you guys so long, I thought you might have forgotten I was out front…you know…waiting?”

Eric chuckled quietly, and Shane winked at Camden. “Everything okay, Sunshine?” he addressed her with concern when he saw her tense expression.    

“Yeah,” she answered demurely.

“She’s concerned her parents will feel abandoned in light of the news we shared today,” Eric interjected. “But I told her I got it covered.” Eric lifted Camden’s bag playfully and tossed it through the open window to Shane.

“Out you go, boo.” Camden squealed when Eric lifted her off the ground and passed her through the window to Shane. She was so taken by surprise, she didn’t even fight him, and as soon as she felt Shane’s warm embrace, she lost her will to fight completely. Eric was right. Camden was exactly where she wanted to be.

“You two behave yourself,” Eric whispered as loudly as possible. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” With that admonition, he closed the window to the library, leaving Camden alone with Shane for the first time in hours.

“You ready to see my humble abode?” Shane grinned as he carried Camden to his truck. It was the same one he had driven before she left home, an old, rust red Chevy that had been passed down to Shane from his father. Shane hadn’t ever received much from his dad, so he held onto the truck like a child would a favorite teddy bear.

“Lead the way, Hunt.”

Camden smiled as he opened the passenger door and set her inside. He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. As he walked around the truck, Camden could only stare at him, ogling him conspicuously. Soon, Shane settled into the driver’s seat and stared into her eyes. With a look of contentment, he reached over and pulled her into the center of the seat.

“That’s better,” he murmured.

Shane reversed the vehicle and pulled onto the street.  He placed an arm around Camden’s shoulders, and played absentmindedly with her hair.

The ride to the bar was filled with silence. On the one hand, Shane was ecstatic that he was taking Camden to his home. That she was finally where she had always belonged…with him. On the other, he was totally and completely terrified. When Shane had seen the pictures of a cancer-ridden Camden, he was panicked. To know that the cancer was inside her, attacking her right now, and there was nothing he could do about it made him feel utterly helpless. He wanted to be her hero, her white knight. How could he do that when he was powerless to protect her from the most dangerous thing in her life?

Shane was so lost in his thoughts, he drove to the bar on auto-pilot. He didn’t even realize that he had parked until Camden’s gasp startled him.

“Your bar is named ‘Cam’s’?” She turned to face him, and Shane was stricken by the tears pooling in her vibrant green eyes.

“You d-don’t like it?” he asked cautiously. The blinding smile that suddenly graced Camden’s face, in spite of her tears, removed all doubt of her feelings.

“I’ve been gone three years, thinking you never wanted me and forgot all about me! And you named a bar – your dream - after me! That makes me feel incredibly special….and incredibly stupid for believing you when you rejected me.”

She pouted for a moment, and then stepped into the protective cocoon of Shane’s arms. The day had been so overwhelming that Camden’s emotions were all over the place. She held Shane closely and inhaled his scent. It was so masculine and addicting. Just having his arms around her made her world feel right. Shane leaned forward and kissed Camden’s forehead.

“Let’s head up the back stairs,” he suggested. “I don’t want to deal with my staff tonight. I want to keep you all to myself.” He didn’t miss the naughty twinkle in Camden’s eyes.

“Can’t wait,” she whispered.

Shane eagerly grabbed Camden’s bag, and led her through the back door of the bar. They passed his office, and he began to lead her up the stairs to his apartment. As they neared the top of the stairs, Camden was shocked to see a voluptuous blonde exiting Shane’s apartment as if she belonged there. Camden froze in place and immediately removed her hand from Shane’s grasp.

“Stella?!” Shane’s voice conveyed his confusion. “How did you get into my apartment?” he demanded.