Page 66 of Call It Home

He tipped his head at me. “I’m getting a mixed message, Macaron. You don’t exactly sound excited.”

He was right. I should have been more excited about Trey’s news. It was exactly the kind of thing we’d been wanting, but moving away from Sterling Mill held far less appeal than it once had. When I moved there, I didn’t have any attachments. I’d tried to keep it that way. But the town had a way of growing on you and making you one of their own. And then there were the Allens and the Dawsons. They treated you like family once they got to know you.

And most of all, there was Cameron.

I had no idea how, but she’d wormed her way through my tough skin, just as Reid had described. But instead of being an irritant, I enjoyed her company. Her infectious smile, her strong work ethic, her intelligence, and her genuine desire to help others all drew me to her. She wasn’t the entitled princess I initially thought her to be. She loved to bring people along with her instead of using them to get where she wanted to be.

“I’m just still tired, I think. Hell, man, I think I could sleep for a week and still be tired. I’ll look into it.”

“I can relate.” He ran a hand over his face. “I’m telling you, Macaron. Just the idea that there’s something waiting for me on the other side of this keeps me going. In fact, I’ve been taking a couple of business classes this year.”

“That’s great, man! That will be useful.”

“Thought it might be a way I can contribute. Maybe be good for more than just my muscles, you know?”

I stared at him. “You quit that talk, you fucking hear me? You’re the only reason I’m not dead in a ditch or wasn’t all by myself in a foster home that didn’t give a shit about me. And this situation? All because you tried to step up for me.” I had to shove the next words past the lump in my throat. “You’re my goddamn hero, Trey. Don’t ever doubt it.”

Trey closed his eyes and turned his head away. I watched him swallow hard a few times before he looked back at me. “Once this is over, the Caldwell boys are going to move forward and never look back. I think the universe owes us a little something at this point.”

“Damn straight, it does. Maybe it’s already paying up.”

When our visiting time was over, I promised I’d be back the next weekend. After I left, I sat in my new truck—one Bristol helped me pick out the first few days I was home—staring at nothing in particular. I couldn’t think past all that Trey had told me.

Fuck. His words were a reminder that I needed to stick to our plan. Taking away that plan would take away his spirit. Hell, he hadn’t even cared about getting his GED until he landed here. Now he was taking college classes?

I needed to stay focused on making his life the best possible one for him once he was out. I had no clue how to do that and keep Cam in my life. I was well-versed in following plans, but there was no blueprint for my current situation. Still, there had to be a way. I was good at making things fit and work out. Trey still had two more years in this place. A lot could happen in that time.

I pulled out my phone and searched the name Trey had given me:Marti Rivera, Real Estate Agent.

Without thinking more about it, I called the number that was listed, and five minutes later, I had an appointment to meet her in an hour at the property Trey’s guy had told him about.

Just to look, I kept telling myself. Keeping my options open.

Because Cam wasn’t a guarantee. But my brother was.

Chapter25

Cam

Bristol stoodon the dais and twirled around, looking over her shoulder at the mirror. Her dress flowed around her ankles.

I let out a gasp, along with our friends who were there. “Oh, Bri!” I exclaimed. “You’re absolutely beautiful. Reid is going to flip his lid.”

My little sister was getting married in a few weeks. It was one of those things I knew in my head, but seeing her trying on her dress for the last fitting made it so much more tangible. It had been hard not to be by her side as she planned it out, but she had done an amazing job of keeping me in the loop while I was gone and asking my opinion on a few things. I’d seen pictures of the dress that she’d sent me while we were in Colorado. But seeing it on her in person was an entirely different experience.

The dress was perfect for her. Soft, ivory-colored crepe draped beautifully over her slim figure. Delicate silver and crystal beads lined her waist, adding just the right amount of sparkle. The lace that formed the shoulders was also adorned with the same jewels, and in the mirror, I could see how the beaded lace continued down the sides of her back in the shape of a long V. The skirt flared out slightly with a small train that added a touch of drama to the otherwise simple but elegant gown.

“Thank you,” Bristol said, almost shyly. “You don’t think it’s too revealing in the back?”

Paige shook her head. “No way, girlfriend. Not with your figure.”

“You know I’m not into too much fuss. But I wanted to look pretty. For Reid.”

Mama Rae walked over and took Bristol’s hands in her own. “Honey, you could wear a gunnysack and Reid would think you were the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen. But trust me, you look like a dream. We’re going to have a hard time keeping him from arresting every man who looks your way.”

We all laughed, knowing she was right. My little sister looked beautiful.

“You just make sure he doesn’t whisk you away from the reception too quickly,” Emalee teased.

---