A Missing Heart(55)

“Were you two always this lame?” Ever interrupts, rolling her eyes, but holding onto her smile at the same time.

“Always,” I tell her.

I wrap my arms around Cammy and pull her into my chest, feeling the coldness escape her body against mine. I rest my chin on the top of her head and squeeze her tightly, feeling my throat tighten and my stomach flutter. Instantly, old memories wash over me like a warm spring downpour. Holding her feels just like it used to; it’s as if no time has passed. I forgot how flawlessly she always fit in my arms, our height difference making us like two perfect pieces of a puzzle. Cammy’s head rests against my chest, and her fingertips press into my back. Ever is snarling at us, and I snarl back at her. She looks a little surprised to see my reaction to her disapproval, but I won’t put up with her little attitude…mostly because she definitely gets that attitude from me. Giving it up, she steps in front of us, putting her back to our friendly display of affection. Affection. I know this isn’t right, but at the same time, it’s so damn right, and it’s exactly what I need after everything that has gone down today.

“I tried so hard to stop thinking about you,” Cammy whispers. “It took me years to get you out of my mind.”

“Why didn’t you ever come back for me then?” I ask her, knowing I would have happily run after her anywhere if she would only let me, but she wouldn’t answer my calls, and I eventually had to take the hint—the very blatant hint.

“I did,” she sighs. “Three times actually.”

“What?” I ask, pulling away and turning her toward me so I can look her in the eyes. “What are you talking about?”

“Each time I came back here, I went to your parents’ house first and asked what you were up to. Each time they told me you were in a relationship or married, and I begged them not to tell you I had stopped by. I didn’t want to show up in your life if you were already happy.” I want to be angry with Mom and Dad, but how can I be when I never let them know how hurt I had been over Cammy’s disappearance from my life?

“Happy?” I ask.

“I figured if you were in a relationship, you must have been happy,” she backs up her argument.

I can’t help the small chuckle that rumbles through my throat. “Cam, I’ve never actually been happy to the par of happiness I felt when I was with you, which is ridiculous since we were so young.”

She looks down between us. “It’s not ridiculous,” she mutters. “I have always felt the same way. When Ever showed up at my door, the second thought to run through my mind was that I finally had an excuse to see you, and possibly interrupt the happiness I thought you were living with. It was selfish but—”

“It wasn’t selfish. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you interrupted what you thought was my happiness.” She pulls back into me and replaces her head where I want it to be.

“Casper doesn’t want this,” she says quietly. “This wasn’t part of his plan.”

“I know. I just came from your hotel room. Has he ever hurt you?”

Cammy releases her arms from around me and crosses them back over her chest as she creates space between us. “No, he’s never hurt me, physically.” Meaning he’s just a plain old *, I assume.

“I know it’s late, and I don’t know what time a thirteen-year-old’s bedtime is supposed to be, but where were you planning on spending the night?”

“Um,” she sighs, wrapping a strand of hair behind her ear. “Honestly, I hadn’t figured it out yet. Not a great start to motherhood, I suppose.”

“You’re doing just fine,” I tell her.

“I don’t know about that,” she sighs through a smile.

“Ever, this woman is pretty insane.” My attention is pulled over to the violinist who is seriously killing it. I’ve never heard a violinist perform like this before. She’s playing modern music but with a very unique twist. Ever is entranced by her. “You know this woman?”

“That’s Lindsey Stirling,” she tells me without taking her eyes off of her. “She’s like the most talented violinist I’ve ever heard.”

“She’s a big deal?” I ask.

“Yeah, kinda. It’s kind of crazy that she’s playing here of all places. It’s such a small place.” Who would have thought I would have a cultured daughter? That part is all Cammy.

I place my hand on Ever’s shoulder and watch her while she watches the violinist. I notice that the musician and Ever seem to have a similar taste in clothes. If this is the current fashion, I must have missed out on this trend alert. I’ve only had a teenager for a day and already I feel old.

The three of us stand in silence, and I watch the happiness on Ever’s face for the next thirty-five minutes until the violinist ends her performance. The woman publicly thanks her friend for inviting her to this perfect little town and introducing her to Connecticut. I suppose that explains why a popular musician would be playing here of all places. Usually, our biggest excitement is when the high school band plays here.

“So ladies, I think we should find you a place to stay tonight. What do you think?” I ask as we walk toward the street.

“Where is your wife?” Ever asks me.

I unintentionally clear my throat, trying to find a way to avoid the question, while also realizing I can’t. I should technically be with Cammy—I mean, Tori, right now. She’s admitting herself to the hospital again, and I’m not sure what the protocol is for that. I know I should care more than I do right now, but I’m exhausted from caring. “AJ?” Cammy follows up Ever’s question. “Are you okay?”