“Uncle Cam,” Addie cheers.
Heart stopping, I dart a look at my friend.
There, beside her, Camden stands. He leans in and gives her a hug. “Congrats. You were amazing tonight, as always. You’ve had one hell of a career. You should be very proud.”
Addie’s eyes slide to me, though she quickly focuses back on Camden.
Dammit. I’m a train wreck, and they’re all watching the disaster unfold.
“I appreciate you coming.”
Camden surveys me. It’s the first time I’ve felt those blue eyes roll over me in far too long. They dip down to the large hand grasping my hip. Theo’s hand. Without so much as a flinch, he drags his focus back up to my face, his expression empty. Not an ounce of possessiveness or anger to be found.
My broken heart cracks into pieces and scatters around me on the hardwood floor. I guess that settles that.
“Hi, Savannah,” he says, like we barely know one another.
I nod. Forming words is impossible in this state.
Camden turns back to Addie, his lips tipping up. “We’re excited to have you next year. You’re gonna do great things for the Bolts. Proud of you.” His gaze flits to mine again, and for a second, the mask slips, and he offers me a small smile. But just as quickly, he swallows and turns back to Addie. “I’ll let you celebrate with your friends.”
The air around us is charged with electricity, everyone looking from one person to another like they’re waiting for someone to speak.
Finally Addie does. “Thanks for coming.”
Camden nods, and then without another look my way, he turns and strides off. He passes Daniel, War, Beckett, and Noah. Not one of them stops him. Then he passes the woman he arrived with, but he doesn’t spare her a glance. He just keeps walking.
And I run.
I rush out of the bar, knowing the whole crowd is probably watching me chase him into the hall. My heels clack loudly against the concrete floor of the underground hallway, but he doesn’t stop his steady pace to the door to the player and employee lot. Like he’s determined to make it out of here without another word.
“Camden, wait!”
He whips around instantly. So quickly, in fact, that I run straight into his chest.
He clutches my arms to steady me, his eyes scouring me. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
“Did you mean it?” I rush out, ignoring the pulsing beat of my heart in my ears.
“Mean what?”
“What you said in the article.”
Head tilted, he assesses me. “That you’re the love of my life?”
I nod, my throat tight.
His eyes soften. “Of course I did, baby girl.”
“Who was she?” I squeak.
He frowns. “Who?”
“The woman back there.” I hook a thumb over my shoulder. “The one you came with.”
My lungs burn, making it hard to breathe, but I need to know.
“I didn’t come with anyone.” The frown is back, confusion swimming in his eyes. After a couple of heartbeats, he inhales and straightens. “Oh, Janelle? She’s one of Addie’s coaches. We didn’t come in together. We just showed up at the same time.” He shakes his head, and his voice goes low. “Savannah, you have to know the last thing I’m thinking about is another woman.”
