Page 90 of Lock 'em Down

Tarek and Sam would both loan me their couches but my tears, my scattered thoughts, would cause them to worry.

Harper Henderson, Damien’s fiancée, is another option but I don’t want to alert Leif’s teammates to my spiral and shame. What he chooses to share with his team, with his friends, is his business. I shouldn’t take that choice away from him by appearing on any of their doorsteps and ugly crying.

That takes Maisy, Lola, and Bea out of the running as well.

I scurry into the house, pack a suitcase with necessities and some clothes, and grab another Uber.

Then, I call my brother.

“Cam?” He answers on the first ring, the way he always does when I call. Except I haven’t called recently because I didn’t want to face his ire, his hurt, that I would marry a stranger in Vegas and not tell him.

Although Jenna has mediated between us, and Mom’s approval of Leif has gotten Dad and Rhett on board, right now, I need my brother’s council. Jenna provides emotional support. Rhett springs into action.

“Rhett,” I say, tears forming a lump in my throat.

“What the fuck did he do?” my brother demands, reading my voice correctly. I’m hurt. But it’s a pain of my own making.

“I messed up,” I admit.

“What happened?” He gentles his tone. “Did he hurt you?”

“No, it’s worse. I hurt him.”

Rhett is silent for a long beat. Then, “What do you need, Cami?”

“I don’t know where to go. I don’t know what to do,” I say, before spilling the entire story of our time in Honey Harbor. About his friends’ reservations, the smoke show he dated, the solid group Leif keeps company with. “They’re the real deal, Rhett. Leif is the real deal.”

“So are you, Cam,” Rhett reminds me.

I snort. Drag my forearm across my face. “You have to say that; you’re my brother. But I can’t let him tie himself down to me. He’s trying to make this work and it’s a lost cause. I’m a lost cause.”

“Don’t talk about yourself like that,” Rhett growls.

“Levi messaged me.”

“Fuck,” my brother growls.

“And I didn’t tell Leif. I didn’t tell him even though Levi’s reached out twice. To make amends.”

“Fuck him and his amends.”

I stifle a chuckle. My brother can’t stand Levi Rousell.

“Where are you, Cam?” Rhett asks.

“Driving around in an Uber wondering where to go,” I admit.

My brother snorts. “Sit tight. I’ll call you back in five.” He disconnects the phone.

The Uber driver meets my eyes in the rearview mirror and gives me a soft smile. “If you love him, he’ll understand,” he offers.

“I don’t deserve him,” I try to explain.

He shakes his head, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Love doesn’t pick and choose. Love just loves.”

My phone rings again, and I answer. “Rhett.”

“There’s a room reservation for you at a hotel downtown. I’m texting you the details. You have three days, Cam. Three days to figure this out. If you haven’t made a plan by then, I’m coming to Knoxville.”

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