Page 68 of Already At Risk
Even if it killed me.
For now, I’d just be there for her in whatever ways I could be.
God, if I didn’t just want to take care of her. It wasn’t too unlike the internal need I’d seem to have to take care ofeveryonesince my dad’s death, but I hadn’t expected to feel that so intensely with Natalie. I suspected it had something to do with the knowledge that if I didn’t show up for her in the few ways she was ready for me to, I might lose her entirely. Before I even had her.
“I see.” Julian tapped his chin thoughtfully. “How very professional of you, Cam.”
His lips twitched, but I refused to give him the full satisfaction of what he was looking for.
“I’m nothing if not professional, Julian,” I said seriously.
God, I was going to hell.
Julian made a little show of clasping his hands, giving me a meaningful look. “I mean, yeah. You usually are.”
I narrowed my gaze. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Except I knew what it fucking meant, and today of all days, I did not need a reminder.
Julian lifted one shoulder and glanced around my office instead, not meeting my gaze. “Nothing.”
“Did you talk to Noah?” I asked, wondering if there was really a point in beating around the bush.
But Julian gave me a cryptic look when his gaze returned to mine. “You’re going to have to be more specific. It’s not like I don’t talk to Noah all the time, considering he’s one of my best friends, the father of my niece, planning to marry my sis?—”
“You know what?” I cut in, making a show of returning to my work. “Never mind.” I threw a pen at him. “Get out.”
He laughed, dodging the pen by one single ginger hair.
Too bad, honestly.
“Okay, okay.” He put his hands up in defeat. “I’m just reminding you, again, that I’m here to help if you need it.”
I sighed, knowing he was trying, knowing he meant well.
“I appreciate it,” I said honestly. “But it’s not necessary.”
“Noted,” Julian said with a nod before he stood, making his way across my small office to the door. “You know I’m always rooting for you, Cam. In more ways than one.”
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his words on my shoulder. I had all the support in the world, so many people counting on me. And fuck, I knew I should care more about that.
But there was only one person on my mind whom I didn’t want to let down.
Someone I refused to give up.
And I told myself it would all be worth it in the end.
six months ago
CAMERON
“Well, I’m a mom,” she said, her voice soft, like a confession. But her eyes glowed beneath the bar lights, like she couldn’t wait to share more about being a mom. Like that title was the most joyful part of her.
It was possibly the sweetest thing I’d ever seen.
I liked kids. I’d never thought a ton about having them before, but suddenly, I found myself imagining it, thinking about it.
Too fast? I didn’t care.
