Me: Yeah, they swear there’s something about a woman wearing a man’s name.
Addie: Definitely not just a man thing.
Across from me, Josie snorts and pulls out her own phone.
Josie: Oh my god, did we just unlock an Adeline Langfield kink?!
Addie: Lol. Like any man would ever wear my name on his back. But yeah, that’s hot. You should totally do it.
Me: Where would I even find one? I can’t imagine they’re still being sold. He retired years ago.
Addie: wear HIS jersey. All these guys are the same. He definitely has a few hanging in his closet.
Humming, Josie peers up at me, her phone screen lighting up her face. “You do have a key to his place.”
I shake my head. “I can’t just break into his house and steal a jersey.”
Brow creased, she gives me an exasperated look. “Thought you weremoving in. So it’s not exactly breaking in, is it? Come on, let’s go to his place. We can find a jersey, and I’ll help you get ready to hang out with my mom and her ridiculous friends.”
“You seem very bothered by the fact that I’m hanging with them.”
She darts into her cubicle and pulls her purse from a drawer. “It’s just weird. But I’m serious. I’ll help you get ready.”
Nerves flutter in my belly again. Yes, I have a key, but it doesn’t feel right to just walk into his house with a friend in tow and rifle around in his closet. “I don’t know.”
“Come on.” She snags my bag from my desk and holds it out to me. “We’re doing this.”
Knowing there is no point in arguing with Josie, I type out a quick message to Camden.
Me: Hey, I was thinking about stopping by the house with Josie before the game. Is that okay?
The fluttering turns into full-on flapping in my stomach as I wait for him to respond.
I should have known better than to be nervous, though, because of course the man comes back with the perfect response.
Daddy: It’s your house, baby girl. Have friends over. Make yourself comfortable. I can’t wait to see you tonight.
THIRTY-SIX
CAMDEN
Cora: Try not to worry. I promise she’ll calm down. She’s taking a shower now. Then she’ll go to bed early. Tomorrow will be a better day.
I frownat my sister’s text, my head pounding. A better day? That’s laughable.
My mother hasn’t had a truly good day in years. And it’s my fucking fault.
Cora’s wrong. I should worry. I shouldn’t have even left, but I’m selfish enough to let my need to see Savannah win out this time. I spent five days in Vegas so my sister could take a break, and though I usually stay through Sunday when I visit, Cora agreed to come back early when she discovered that Savannah is set to move in this weekend.
I told her we could postpone it a week, but my sister wasn’t having it.
This truly proves that I’m a selfish asshole. She takes care of our mother at least three weeks out of the month. More if I can’t make mytravel schedule work. She rarely has time for herself, and when she did this month, she came home early for me. I should have stayed.
Me: I’ll stay for two weekends next month, promise.
Cora: Go have fun. Please. You deserve this.
I don’t, but I don’t want to argue with her, so I let it go and slip my phone into my pocket. Then I make my way to the private elevator that leads to the owner’s suite where Savannah should be waiting.
