Page 59 of Midnights
Raven is connected or, at the very least, she’s connected to someone who is.
And I want to know who.
I glance at her in the passenger seat, watching as she stares out the window, completely unaware of the questions stacking up in my head.
It would take me less than an hour to get answers. One call and a few keystrokes. But I’d rather see how much she’s willing to give.
Cam slips into tour guide mode. “Thank you for a charming day, ladies,” he announces smoothly, as we pull up to their house. “We hope you enjoyed your exclusive VIP experience with Cam’s Highland Adventures. Five-star service, guaranteed. Tips encouraged.”
They both laugh, and Raven opens the door like she can’t get out fast enough, then turns back to say, “That was fun. Someone actually recommended that place to us the other day, and they weren't wrong, it was amazing. Night, guys.”
Rachel chimes in, just as bubbly. “It really was! Maybe a cold shower will do the trick, Kane. See you guys later!”
Cam’s already slouched in one of the chairs, looking downright miserable. His usual energy is nowhere to be found, and he’s staring off like he's miles away.
I grab a bottle off the shelf, twisting the cap off with one hand. “You doing all right over there?” I ask, pouring myself a glass. His whole demeanor’s off, and I don’t like it.
Cam exhales, rubbing his hand over his face. “Of course, why wouldn’t I be?”
Ah. So that’s where we are tonight. We both know some things are better left unsaid.
There's a beat of silence. Then, “Sorry, I’m fine. Just… thinking.”
The laugh I let out is dry and humorless. “Aye. That’s the problem.”
Cam doesn’t answer, just glances at me with a look that says he knows damn well I’m in the same boat.
Touché.
I pour us both a drink because we clearly need it. Getting my head on straight is proving to be harder than I anticipated. No matter how much I try to focus, all I can think about is Raven and it's starting to piss me off.
“Want to go a couple rounds?”
I drain my glass and his head snaps up. He studies me for a second, then a slow, knowing grin spreads across his face.
“Thought you’d never ask.”
We head to the elevator, taking it down to the basement. The second the doors slide open, the lights flicker on automatically, illuminating the hall as we step inside.
The basement is more than just a gym, it’s my own personal training center.
One side is dedicated to the boxing ring, surrounded by weights and enough training gear to keep me occupied for hours. The other side is for training. Complete with mats and racks of gear, along with dummies.
Cam and I move like we’ve done this a thousand times, because we have. He shrugs out of his jacket, stretching his arms, then he rolls his neck.
I do the same, rolling out my wrists, letting my muscles loosen. My body’s still coiled too damn tight, but this is definitely what I needed.
There was a time when he wasn’t the guy standing across from me now. When he was the one getting knocked down instead of throwing the punches.
When we were younger he used to come over with bruises and scrapes like they were badges of honor he never asked for. And one night, one bad fucking night, I wasn’t there when I should’ve been.
I remember the way my stomach dropped and the way my hands curled into fists at the sight of him. That feeling still sits in my gut all these years later, making my blood boil.
But that night he was a fucking mess. Bruised, bloody, and barely standing.
I got him back to my place and patched him up myself because he refused to see a doctor. Stubborn bastard.
We were inseparable after that. I taught him how to fight, and damn, was he a quick learner.
