Unwanted Stars (20 page)

My teeth clenched as I came, preventing myself from yelling out into the small office. Campbell pressed his forehead to mine as he found his release with a choked up grunt. He moved slowly inside of me, catching his breath, sweat running down his face, before he withdrew and tossed the condom into the trash bin.

He collapsed into his office chair, pulling me with him so that I was splayed across his naked lap. I'm sure we must have looked utterly ridiculous, but I didn't care. I was exhausted, spent, and completely satiated. And so was he.

We held each other in that chair for several minutes, Campbell stroking my hair as he hummed a simple song into my ear. It sounded familiar, but I couldn't place it.

"That's pretty. What is it?"

He froze beneath me, his muscles completely rigid. Like a child getting caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Taken aback, I pulled away slightly.

"What? What is it?"

"Nothing, just...it's a song that makes me think of you, that's all."

"Tell me," I insisted.

"It's by Sir Elton John."

"I don't know him that well...was that ‘Rocket Man?’"

"No, minx, it wasn't. It's called ‘Your Song.’ It's an old one. But whenever I hear it now, I think of you." He shrugged and his cheeks reddened. I planted a tiny kiss on his cheek and nestled back into his embrace.

"Sing it to me," I said.

"Trust me. You don't want me to do that. Terrible voice. I'm no Elton. Not by a long shot."

"Well, what makes you think of me? At least tell me that."

"Okay, okay. Well, the whole thing makes me think of you really. He's just professing how much this person means to him, ya know? It's like he wants the whole world to know how he feels. The whole damn world," he said with a sigh.

"That's really nice."

We sat in silence until Campbell returned to his humming. When he reached a certain part of the song, he sang just a few words.

"
How wonderful life is while you're in the world,
" he crooned, before placing a kiss on my forehead.

Tears welled in my eyes and I sat straight up in the chair, looking into his.

"I'm falling for you," I said, but I lost the nerve to say the three words I wanted to say. If he could sing his emotions to me and wear his heart on his sleeve, the least I could do was say the words. Because they were true. Absolutely true.
Damn it, Auden.

"I fell a long time ago," he said. My hands wove through his tousled hair, twisting and curling the ends around my fingers. He placed his hand on top of mine. "What is it?"

"I...I want to say more than that, but I—." I froze, mid-sentence, my eyes searching his for some sort of answer. Something to make it easier to say these godforsaken words that I'd never said to a man. Ever.

"Are you trying to say that you love me?" he asked, his words soft and non-threatening. And because of the way he said them, I knew he felt the same. I knew it in my gut. My eyes misted, but the words still wouldn't come. I simply nodded.

"Thank God," he said, stroking my hair down to the tips. "Because I'm so in love with you it's ridiculous."

A surprised laugh escaped my lips as he continued, "I've never felt like this before, Auden.” He rested his forehead against mine and lowered his voice to a whisper. “It's brilliant."

A satisfied smile crossed my face as one tear managed to slip down my cheek. He loved me. He
loved
me. And I loved him.

We kissed just once more before returning to our embrace in the leather chair, Campbell humming my song and me basking in his love for me.

Most. Romantic. Day. Ever.

"Put Hadley on the phone, you pain in the ass," I said to my brother who chuckled through the phone line. He'd had that laugh since we were kids, always ready to go when I was the most vulnerable and I hated it.

"What? I miss my baby sister. Tell me about the good doctor."

"Shut up," I said, rolling my eyes.

"I'm serious. I hear you're in lurrrrve," he taunted before making kissing noises into the phone.

"What are you, five years old? God, I want to punch you in the face."

"But you can't, because you're thousands of miles away."

I swear, I do love my older brother, but I have this weird feeling that we'll still be taunting each other when we each have one foot in the grave. I could picture him calling me from the old folk's home (I won't be in one, because ya know, no way), calling me names and teasing me as if we’re still kids running around in the back yard. Secretly I loved it, but don't tell Jase that. I didn’t want him getting a big head. Gotta keep him grounded.

"Ugh, whatever. Fine, if I'm forced to talk to you, tell me about my nephew. I miss him."

"He misses you, too. He says Audey a lot when we show him pictures."

"Seriously?" I asked, overwhelmed with my love for that little boy.

"Yeah, I tried to teach him to call you little shit. But he had trouble with the "sh" sound. And Haddie wasn't pleased either."

"You're such a nerd." I said, and he laughed.

"Guilty as charged."

"You didn't really do that, did you?" I asked, suddenly serious.

"Of course not, brat. I'm not going to teach my kid to swear."

As much hell as I gave my brother, I loved how much he loved Marty. Not his son by blood, but his son one hundred percent in his heart. The adoption would be official later this year, and after the wedding, Jason, Hadley, and Martin would all share the same last name. And that pleased me to no end. My best friend would become my sister. I couldn’t freaking wait. Luckily, Tucker, Marty's “birth father” or “sperm donor” as I liked to call him, had backed off completely, doing his own thing, allowing Hadley and Jase to be a real family. Tucker's a dick, but I had to give him credit for doing the best thing for Marty.

"Good. Then you're still in the running for father of the year."

"Thank God," he said. "Okay, brat, I'll let you off the hook. Here's Haddie."

"Sorry, he didn't tell me it was you. I was playing with the baby," she said.

"It's fine. He's family, I guess."

"You guess? Oh, Auden, what am I going to do with you two?"

"Eh, we're fine. We secretly love each other."

"I know," she said, her voice gentle.

"
But
," I said, emphasizing the word with grit, "I'm pissed at you for telling him about Campbell."

"Why? You're
happy
. I wanted him to know that. He worries about you."

"I'm never going to hear the end of it. You know that."

"Sorry, I can't help it. I'm so excited for you."

"I know, I know."

"So...tell me the latest."

I took a deep breath before spilling my experience in Campbell's office. When I got to the most important part (the exchange of I love yous, well kinda), she was silent.

"Had?" I asked. More silence. "Had, speak."

"I just, I—"

"Are you crying? Seriously?"

"I can't help it. This is so unlike you."

"Tell me about it," I said with a sigh. "But, it's nice. He's...well, he's pretty freaking amazing."

"He sounds like it. I'm dying to meet him."

"I might ask him to the wedding."

"Oooh, yes. You should." She paused before continuing, "Speaking of which, I ordered your dress. Thanks for picking the plum. I know you secretly wanted the red."

"I did. But, this isn't my wedding, it's
yours
."

"You're the best."

"Nah. I'll force you to wear red when I get married."

"Deal," she said with a laugh. "So, you think you'll really bring him? Are you ready for him to meet everyone?"

"Yeah, I guess. My parents are harmless and so is Jase. Maya's my only hurdle."

"You know, I think you give her way too hard a time. She loves you."

"She
resents
me. I stole her thunder just by being born."

"Maybe when you were a baby, but not anymore. She'd do just about anything for you. Remember that."

"That reminds me, I need to send Riley a birthday gift. I can't believe she'll be four! Craziness."

Maya and I might have a strained relationship, but her daughter and I are aces. I adored that little girl. She colored me pictures all the time. My lazy ass sister didn't bother to mail them, so my mom had sent them along. I'd written Riley a few letters since being in Europe, just a few sentences with a trinket or something small I'd found in a local shop. According to my mom, she loved everything I'd sent. Had my sister told me any of that? Nope. Not sure I'll ever figure that woman out.

"Last time she was here, she said something about wanting a beret. She wanted Auntie to bring her one."

"Done," I said. "I'll be in Paris next week. That's perfect."

"Sweet," Hadley said. "Okay, one more thing I have to tell you. Don't kill me, okay?"

"Oh, Lord. What is it?"

"Call your folks. They don't want to bother you, but I know they want you to call more often."

"I just called them last week," I said defensively.

"Don’t shoot the messenger! They miss you like crazy."

"Why don't they call me? You call all the time!"

"They're trying to give you space. They feel like this is your time. Like you're declaring your independence or something."

"Maybe they're right," I said softly, looking for a clock in my flat.

"Anyway, just call them."

"I will, I will."

"Can we get back to Campbell for a minute?"

I rolled my eyes, but secretly loved how much Hadley always wanted to know every detail of my love life. And finally I had something real to share. No ridiculously awkward first dates, no stalkerish guys who couldn't get a clue. I'd met someone who I cared about...immensely. And Hadley could feel it, even over an ocean. That was real friendship.

"Of course," I said. "What do you want to know?"

"Any talks of the future?"

"It's a little soon for that."

"I know, but—"

"But he did ask me to come to his parents' anniversary party in a few weeks."

"Are you going?"

"I think so. Luckily, I'll be on break from work that weekend. But I'm nervous, ya know? He has a big family."

"They'll love you."

"I'm not really nervous about that. I mean, I've never struggled with guys' parents. They love me."

Hadley snickered.

"What? They do!"

"Sure, whatever. Don't you remember Owen Schlagel's mom? She despised you."

"Oh, great. Thanks, Hadley. I'd forgotten all about her! Shiiiiiiit."

Hadley's laughter became maniacal on the other end of the line. She was enjoying my misery way too much. My idiot brother was starting to rub off on her, obviously.

"That was a special circumstance. Mrs. Schlagel hated every one of his girlfriends. Besides, didn't you hear?”

"What?"

"He's gay."

"No way! Is she freaking out?"

"Nope, she's all about it. He has a boyfriend and she
adores
him."

"Well, good for Owen. That's awesome."

"Agreed. So don't worry about Schlagel. Obviously, she knew her son better than he knew himself."

"True."

"And Campbell loves you," Hadley said. I could hear her smile through the phone.

"I know. And I feel the same about him. Isn't that crazy?"

"No," she said. "It's marvelous. Hey, what country are you in? I just realized, you must be on tour."

"Yeah, we're in Portugal. It's gorgeous."

"Didn't feel like going out with the group?"

"Not tonight, I'm freaking exhausted. This group is insane. Total spring breakers."

"Oh man."

"They're nuts. I can't keep up."

"That's saying something," she said with a laugh.

"I know!"

"Well, get some rest. I'm glad you called. I miss you."

"Me too," I said. "I love you, Had."

"Love you more."