Almost Just Friends (Wildstone #4)(10)

“Hey,” Piper said softly, putting a hand on his arm. “You okay?”

Hell, no. His guard was lowered. Actually, it was completely down. And he couldn’t remember the last time that had happened outside of his unit. He met her gaze and decided he was just tired enough not to fight it. “If I say no, are we going to play doctor?”

She blinked. Paused. “You’re . . . messing with me again.”

“Am I?”

Still staring at him, she called back to the kitchen, “Emmitt? I’m leaving. Remember, I’ve got two generators and I’m right next door. Call or text me if you need anything.”

“How about me?” Cam asked, having no idea what he thought he was doing, other than being incredibly stupid. Didn’t stop him though. “What if I need anything?”

She bit her lower lip, like she was torn between panic and excitement at the thought of him needing something from her. “You’re a big boy,” she finally said. “You seem like you can handle yourself.”

“Yes, but don’t forget, I’m on your list of things to do now.”

That wrenched a laugh from her, and the air crackled with the storm—or maybe it was the tension between the two of them. Tension he hadn’t seen coming and now wanted to chase.

“I’m getting rid of that list,” she finally said.

He smiled. “That’s a big fib.”

“You don’t know me.”

“I know you break eye contact when you’re saying something that even you don’t buy. But if you don’t want to talk about your to-do list, then let’s talk about your secret secret bucket list. And that list of rules.” He leaned in a little. “It’s a naughty list, right? Tell me it’s naughty. Tell me slowly and in great detail.”

She gave him a shove, but not before he saw her shiver, as if she liked the idea. Then, shaking her head, no doubt at the both of them, she reached for the door before pausing to glance back. “Take care of him?”

He was surprised by her genuine tone, though he shouldn’t have been. She clearly truly cared about his dad, and that above anything else she could have said or done told him all he needed to know about her. “Copy that.”

She held his gaze for a beat and then she was gone, vanishing into the storm, which seemed to have doubled upon itself in the past few minutes. Crazy winds slammed sheets of rain against the roof and walls, making the house shudder.

Cam turned to the empty doorway leading to the kitchen. “You can stop eavesdropping and come out now.”

Emmitt poked his head out, looking only mildly sheepish. “Just making sure you two didn’t conspire against me.”

“You deserve no less. Stay inside. I’m going after her.”

“Is that because you’re special forces Coast Guard, Deployable Operations Group, aka DOG—”

“Dad, I told you to stop googling that shit. I’m a Reservist now, but even if I wasn’t, it’s not something any of us would say. Plus, it’s Deployable Special Forces these days, so DSF, not DOG.”

“Semantics, son. Once special forces, always special forces—”

“We’d never call ourselves that.”

“What would you call it? The elite? The best of the best? The—”

“Dad.”

“Oh, I know! Coasties, right? I saw that on a TV show once and—”

Cam drew in a deep breath. “I’m going to make sure Piper gets home in one piece. Just stay out of trouble until I get back.”

With his free hand, his dad held up what appeared to be the Vulcan sign. “Scout’s honor.”

“I’m serious.”

“No shit. You always are.” Emmitt’s smile faded. “But I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the diabetes. I didn’t want to worry you.”

Cam pinched the bridge of his nose. For years he’d been in command of a team of Coast Guardsmen who followed his every order without question. There’d been very little personal life, and when there had been any time at all, he’d done his best to spend it with his brother and dad. But it’d been mostly just Rowan because his dad had been busy trying to stay afloat financially. This meant they weren’t as close as he’d like. Cam didn’t feel animosity or anger toward either of his parents. He thought they’d each done the best they could. But he and his dad were still unfamiliar with each other, and a little awkward.

Cam was here because he had a few weeks off, his first leave since Rowan’s funeral three months ago, and he had a mission, a personal one. He hadn’t been able to get to it yet, but now he had to add to that mission—take care of his dad. “Just tell me you’ll stay inside and safe until I get back.”

“No problem, as I’m going to bed. See you in the morning.” Emmitt turned back. “Oh, and one more thing. She’s good people.”

“Who?

“Piper. She’s had a really rough go of things, all of it unfair, and it’s been a burden that no young woman should have to bear.”

“What do you mean?”

Emmitt slowly shook his head. “It’s her story to tell. Or not tell.”

“Then why are you mentioning it?”

“Because you tend to run roughshod over people to get them to bend to your will. You knew how to handle your mother, and I’m grateful, but I’m still learning how to handle you.”