“Don’t make me regret telling you this,” he calls after me.
I hold up a hand, but I don’t slow. “You won’t. I promise.”
Car running and heat blasting, I pull away from the curb, headed for War’s house. Pretty sure I’m going to need his help convincing his daughter to talk to me.
FORTY-SIX
CAMDEN
“Why doyou have to live so far from Boston?” I grumble when War opens the door. “The drive is a pain in the ass.”
With a nonplussed look, he waves me in. “It’s thirty minutes, tops. And if you really need my help, let me tell you: complaining isn’t the way to get it.”
“Is she here?” When I called, he told me I was in luck because Josie and Ava had made plans to watch a movie tonight. It’s their thing. Once a month or so, they hang out in the game room in the basement, just the two of them. They watch rom-coms and play board games like they did when Josie was young and going through cancer treatments. Damn, life has changed so much since then. Josie was a long-term resident at the hospital the first time I met her. She couldn’t have been more than eight.
It’s crazy to think how much life has changed since that time. It’s even weirder to think I’m now dating her friend.
Okay, not dating. Pretty sure I was broken up with when Savannah moved out. Or maybe I broke up with her when I texted her. Fuck, this is a mess.
“Yeah, she’s in the kitchen.” He leads me to the massive openkitchen and living area. There’s a fire roaring in the fireplace, and the view out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the back of the house is as breathtaking as always. Nothing but trees and quiet out there. And the little pond they turn into a skating rink every winter. Right now it’s lit up with Christmas lights like it was years and years ago when War taught Ava, Josie, and Scarlett how to skate.
It’s the picture-perfect home for a family.
Maybe, if I’m lucky enough to get a second chance with Savannah, I’ll look at houses in this neighborhood. The thirty-minute drive would be well worth it for this view alone.
Ava and Josie are standing together in front of the oven. When Ava spins around, her red hair sways, instantly making me think of Savannah. Damn, I physically ache for her. I’m such a sorry fuck.
With a plate of cookies in her hands, Ava grins at me. “You look like you could use a chocolate chip cookie.”
A step behind her, Josie glowers. “He doesn’t deserve one.”
I wince. This family has been such a big part of my life, but if I can’t fix this, I’m not sure Josie will want much to do with me. “She’s right.” I cuff the back of my neck and squeeze. “I don’t.”
Ava hip-checks her daughter. “He’ll make it right. Camden always does.” With a smile at me, she pads around the island. “Come on, Ty. Let’s let these two talk. You can help me set up Monopoly.” She stops in front of me, presses a kiss to my cheek, and hands me a cookie. Then she disappears with her husband.
“Get on with it,” Josie says when they’ve gone. “You’re already ruining my favorite night of the month.”
With a sigh, I rough a hand down my face. “Do you know where Sav is working?”
Josie frowns. “Um, atJolie?”
I shake my head. “No. I went to her place to talk to her, but she wasn’t there. I was told she’s working somewhere at night.”
Eyes narrowing, she cocks a hip and leans against the counter. “Who told you that?”
I set my hands on the cool surface of the island. “Listen, I don’t want to get anyone in trouble.”
“Why are you even here?” she demands. “You broke her heart, Cam.”
The name slashes at my skin like a sharp knife. Not Uncle Cam; just Cam. I guess I deserve it.
“I’m trying to fix it,” I promise. “I just want to make this right, but I’m worried that she’s in some sort of trouble. John overheard her say that she couldn’t make rent on time. Did she say anything to you?”
Josie shakes her head, her shoulders falling. “She asked me to give her some space. Do you really think she’s in trouble?”
“I don’t know, but I’m concerned. Could you call her and make sure she’s okay?”
Josie hums out a groan. “I don’t know,” she whines. “She’d kill me if she knew I was helping you.”
