Almost Just Friends (Wildstone #4)(85)

“You seem pretty perfect to me.”

CJ held his gaze, his own softer now as he shook his head. “You look at me with rose-colored glasses, you always have.”

“Maybe that’s because I have no idea what attracts you to me.” Gavin spread his arms. “I’ve got literally nothing to offer you. I feel like I get so much from you, and I can’t begin to return the favor.”

CJ stepped closer and took his hand. “For a long time, I’ve been nothing but the job. I need to be more than that. When I’m with you, I am. And I like that person. You asked why I never found the One. It was because it’s you, Gavin. It’s been you all along. You were right. You’ve done nothing wrong. I got scared, and I’m sorry. I’ve wanted to say this to you every day since, but I didn’t know how.”

Gavin felt a rush of something inside him, a mix of relief and hope. “Seems you said it just fine.”

“I love that you’re dedicated to being the best you that you can be. I’m in awe of that.”

“That’s not all I’m dedicated to,” Gavin said in a lighter, more playful tone.

CJ smiled. “The last time you were that dedicated was in my shower a few weeks back, and you bruised your knees.”

“My knees are as tough as the rest of me,” Gavin assured him. “And while I love where you’re going with this, it’s not what I meant.” He drew in a shaky breath. “I’m dedicated to you,” he said. “You once accused me of simply surviving and not really living, and you were right. When I came to Wildstone, I didn’t think I was good enough for the people I loved. That in fact, I hurt them just by being who I was. My parents. Arik. My sisters. You,” he said. “It made me keep myself emotionally distanced. And it’s an easy step from there to not feel connected enough to care. But there’s something about you that blasts away my walls and burrows in. I love you, CJ, I always have. It just took me longer than most to believe in myself enough for this. For us.” He tugged CJ in, intending to lay a long, soul-searching kiss on him that would hopefully lead to the rest of their lives, but CJ put a hand to his chest to stop him.

Gavin’s heart tripped. “What?”

“I brought food.”

Gavin nearly collapsed in relief. “The way to my heart.”

“It’s the makings for tacos.”

Gavin felt the last little pieces of himself fall into place. “A love story in five words.”





Chapter 27


“Well, that escalated quickly.”

A week after he’d left, Cam pulled back into his dad’s driveway starving, exhausted, and on edge. In the old days, that had meant he’d been looking for a fight or sex—he hadn’t been particularly picky. But with the dubious honor of getting older, he needed more than either of those things. He should’ve stayed away a few extra days to reacclimate, but he’d wanted to get back to Wildstone.

To Piper.

But her car was gone. Work, probably. So he walked into his dad’s kitchen, and then stopped short. His dad and Margaret were at the stove cooking salmon, broccoli, and quinoa.

“Okay,” Cam said. “Who are you and what have you done with my dad?”

The guy grinned wide. “I know, right? But Piper says the green shit’s good for circulation, which I translate to mean it’s good for bedroom activities, if you know what I mean. And if you don’t, it means—”

“Dad.” Cam pinched the bridge of his nose. “Let’s always assume I know what you mean.”

Emmitt studied him a beat and then put down the spatula before glancing at Margaret. “Darlin’, would you mind giving us a few minutes?”

Margaret winked. “Take your time. I’ll be in the hot tub.”

Emmitt watched her go, and then piled up a plate and handed it to Cam. “Rough mission?”

He shrugged as he dug in, grateful for the food. “Business as usual. I’m fine.”

“Camden, you’re a lot of things. Strong, smart, tough as hell, generous . . . and a shitty liar.”

Ignoring that, Cam kept eating.

“I bet it’s women troubles. It was only a matter of time with Piper.”

Cam stilled and looked at him. “What does that mean?”

“It means that along with being a shitty liar, you’re also determined as hell. Once you decide on something, there’s no changing your mind. You’ve decided on her, and you don’t understand why she didn’t enthusiastically jump on the bandwagon.”

Cam opened his mouth to refute that, and then realized he couldn’t.

Emmitt’s smile was understanding. “See, I get it because we’re alike in a lot of ways. The problem is, Piper doesn’t think like we do. She’s a careful, methodical planner, and slow to engage. Even slower to admit personal emotions. Did you know her own siblings call her the Fixer? It’s because she worries about everyone else over her own well-being. That started out of necessity, and I’m guessing it just became habit. And old habits die hard, especially with a woman like that, who’d give you the very shirt off her own back.”

Cam blew out a breath and shook his head. “She’s making changes for herself. She wants to go back to school, which is great.”