Page 85 of Caught in the Middle

A thought occurred to Cam. “If you knew from the beginning, why’d you go along with it?”

Henry made a sound like he was expecting that question. “I trust Emma,” he said plainly. “I wouldn’t mark it as her brightest plan, but she’s a grown woman. Knows how to make decisions for herself. Sometimes you have to step back and let it all play out, hoping they know you’re there for them no matter how it turns out.” The last part had sounded like it was said more to himself than to Cam.

Still, Cam frowned. “I’m still sorry for lying,” he said. “And for the way Friday morning turned out.” The way Henry had given him that unreadable expression when he left the breakfast table that day now made sense. He had known more than he’d let on.

“Friday morning wasn’t anyone’s fault in particular,” Henry said, followed by a long sigh. “I told you on that boat, sometimes a person has to accept that others will need to work out their issues and it means taking a step back, staying out of it, and letting them do just that.”

Cam felt like the man was frowning through the wise and sad tone. He hadn’t thought about what it must’ve been like for Henry to sit there and watch the fallout of his daughters, all three of them. “If there’s anything I can do to help,” Cam offered, “Let me know. I’ve already apologized to Lulu, but I wasn’t sure if reaching out to Lauren would do more harm or good.”

Henry laughed. “Don’t bother there. That turmoil is between her and Emma, not you.”

Cam nodded, but Henry wasn’t done.

“There is one thing though.”

“Yeah? What is it?” Cam would do anything to help mend these fences he helped to obliterate.

“Don’t hold it against her.”

His chest tightened. “What?”

“I saw the way you looked when Emma outed your ruse,” Henry said. “But I also saw the way you two had been looking at each other all week. It may not have started out real, but I’d bet my salary it turned out that way.” Cam didn’t have the heart to deny it. “I’m not saying you should ignore what she did, but try understanding the way she was feeling.” His voice turned solemn. “After she was done trying to push us away, I’m sure she did the same to you.”

It wasn’t said as a question, but rather a statement from someone who knew and loved Emma well. “I was mad about it, no doubt. But I’d also forgiven her the moment I made it to our room.” Cam blew out a breath. “Why?” he decided to ask. He didn’t have to explain the question. Henry knew what he was asking.

“I told you,” he responded. “I like you for her.” He was referencing their conversation when they went fishing.

Cam liked himself for her too. If only she’d have him. “Unfortunately, she made it clear that it was over.”

“Give her time,” he replied, reminding Cam of Lulu’s same advice. He shouldn’t let it give him hope, but it did. If anyone knew her, it was her family.

“She can have all the time in the world,” he admitted. “I just hope she’ll still think of me at the end of it.”

Henry chuckled. “Said like a man in love.” Cam didn’t bother with a response. If he was going to speak of love, it’d be to the woman who never let his thoughts rest. As if Henry knew he wasn’t going to respond, he changed subjects. “As far as us,” he said. “We’re fine. I won’t hold your scheming against you.” The words were harsh but the humor with which they were said was a relief.

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“You’re a good man, Cam. She’ll see it.”

He swallowed, not wanting to think about what life would be like if she didn’t. If he never got to see her again, hear that joyful laugh, watch her eyes dance with excitement, hold her in his arms. No, he couldn’t let himself think about that.

They ended up getting off the phone soon after that, and Cam sat there, staring at the now-dark screen. Did she know he didn’t hold it against her? Did he make his feelings clear enough? He tapped the side of his phone with his finger. Did he dare put himself out there again? Risk the pain that would no doubt lance through him at the repeated rejection.

Only one way to find out. He unlocked his phone and found her number. He swore he couldn’t breathe as the phone rang and rang until finally her voicemail picked up. He sighed.

“It’s me,” he said after the beep. “I was hoping to talk. You can call me back anytime.” He added a quick and weird feeling “Bye,” then hung up.

???

Three days later, and still no returned call or even a simple text. Time, Cam tried convincing himself. Maybe she was already busy with her new job. Or maybe that week in St. Croix was meant to be nothing more than the kind of memory that snuck up on a person, making them wonder about what could’ve been.

???

Emma held her phone to her ear as she waited at baggage claim, replaying that same voicemail from Monday night for the hundredth time. Cam’s voice washed over her like a hug she didn’t deserve. But she couldn’t get herself to call him back, or so much as send a text.

This was proving to be the longest week of her life. After her aunt left on Saturday, she’d felt a weight lifted, but it hadn’t been enough. She forced herself to keep barging forward, prep her apartment, pack another suitcase of clothes. By the time she was seated on a plane Sunday, her heart ached, head throbbed from the constant flow of thoughts she was trying to sort through, and she hadn’t spoken to anyone but her aunt still.

She had known she should’ve called them, apologized profusely. But she was holding onto her anger like it was the only thing that could keep her from crumpling under the shame and guilt she felt for what she’d said to the people she considered family and what she’d done to the man she couldn’t deny caring about.

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