Page 23 of Wild and Bright

That’s not an option any longer, and he knows it. Cam’s offer is a game changer. When I glance up, he’s staring at me with an intensity I’ve never seen before. He really wants this.

And that gives me power.

When the notch at his throat rises and falls unsteadily, that inkling of power becomes something visceral, settling in my core and making my stomach flutter. He doesn’t know who I am anymore, and I’m going to show him.

I’m no longer the impulsive, sensitive teenager who betrayed him over hurt feelings. I’m a hard-working single mother who is damn good at my job, and he’s going to see it. At the end of these six months, he’ll be begging me to work for River of Sight.

He’ll finally give me the respect he’s always withheld.

In an attempt to extend his misery, I stare at him for a long moment before finally giving him my answer. “Alright, I’ll do it.”

SIX

Camden

It’s done.

Finally.

I knew she would agree. For all her impulsivity, she’s a smart girl, and it’s an incredible offer, unlike anything she could get elsewhere. There’s no way she’d go to Hunter now. He could never afford to pay off her student loans, not with the way he’s mishandled his money these last few years.

I didn’t think I was nervous. So why am I almost dizzy, so much so that it takes effort to keep my eyes on the road? Why did my arms and legs turn to jelly the moment she agreed to my terms? I could barely stand up from my seat and walk with her to the car.

She’s been quiet for most of the drive, probably angry that I backed her into a corner, but what choice did I have? It’s madness that I’m even considering this arrangement given our history, but if I want to get over this obsession, I have no other choice.

When I pull up along the sidewalk next to her house, I turn to her. “I don’t know what your plans are for tomorrow, but I already booked the moving truck.”

Her brows shoot up her forehead. “You what?”

“Yeah, I booked it last night. I wasn’t sure how hard it would be to book something last minute the day after Christmas.”

“Cam…” A notch forms between her brows. “My whole extended family is visiting. Am I supposed to tell my Uncle Jack and Aunt Carrie that I’m becoming your sugar baby, and moving me and Cadence into your house?

Are we really having this discussion after that meeting? “I thought you understood that we’re keeping quiet about that. Just tell them we’ve been dating long distance and we’ve been planning to move in together for a while but didn’t tell anyone. That’s what I’m planning to tell my parents.”

“And you really think they’ll be okay with that?”

“Yeah.” I frown. “Why wouldn’t they be?”

“Because we’ve never gotten along.”

I shake my head. “They don’t question my decisions. They know I wouldn’t tolerate it.”

She stares at me wide-eyed, as if she’s stunned. Her own relationship with her parents—and in particular, her mom—is quite different. In many ways, she’s still a child.

“Anyway,” I say. “I think you should tell your parents the same thing. It just makes it simpler.”

She shakes her head. “My mom would never believe it.”

“Make her believe it.”

“No way. Haven’t you noticed she has a crush on you? If I had been dating you for months, I’d never keep it a secret from her. I’d make her eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and she knows it.”

An involuntary smile tugs at the edges of my lips.

I love how she does this.

I love how she’s so open about her faults. How she acknowledges them without shame.

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