“You mean the guy who missed afifty-nine-yard field goal? That was right on the edge of his range? Yeah. Okay.” Cam’s knee nudged his. “Stop being such an overachiever, Daws. Nobody thinks you need to prove anything.”
But maybe it wasn’t about proving something to everyone, and more about proving it tohimself.
He didn’t want to need that reassurance, but there was a deep-down part of him that was screaming for it.
That kept reminding him that when he’d let the team down last season, it had cost him the rest of what he’d had. And this season, somehow, he had even more to lose.
But the second half didn’t deliver on the opportunities Dawson was hoping for. He kicked another extra point, when Aidan hit Lane on a sweet buttonhook route, and he took it fifty yards to the end zone.
After that, the Thunder offense, up thirty-one to three, took a relatively conservative approach.
It meant that Dawson spent the rest of the game riding the bench, watching as Jaden, the Thunder’s running back, took chunks out of the tired Jets’ defense, and Cam kicked severalmore deep punts. Pinning the Jets’ offense inside the ten, twice. More than earninghismoney.
It was a solid win, a complete team victory—offense, defense, and special teams combining to prove, in a primetime game, just how dangerous the Thunder was going to be this year.
Dawson was not surprised when Aidan announced in the midst of the raucous celebration in the locker room that everyone was coming out to Vault tonight, to revel in the team’s first half of the season success.
Hewassurprised when Cam shuffled over to him, outside the locker room, and unlike what he’d expected Cam to say—that he was skipping to spend the time with his dad—that apparently Aidan was insisting that not only Cam show up but that he bring Shane, too.
“He’s our good luck charm, apparently,” Cam said with a shrug. But he was smiling at Daws, like he was pleased he didn’t have a reason to bail. “I even reminded him that he only showed up after the last game, and he pointed out that we lost that game. Our only loss of the season.”
It was a little silly—typical Aidan superstition—but Dawson wasn’t going to argue with it, because hewantedCam to come tonight. He’d missed him with an ache he hadn’t imagined could be possible. Even better that Aidan had figured out a way to make sure Cam brought his dad, too.
Maybe Dawson could figure out a way to talk to him. Try to bridge this weird distance that had fallen between him and Cam. Make sure Cam knew that Dawson thought Shane was cool.
“I’m not gonna argue with it. Unlessyouwant to argue with Aidan,” Dawson said wryly.
“No way,” Cam said.
“Youwerefucking awesome tonight, rook,” Dawson said, slinging an arm around him and squeezing Cam against his body. He could see Shane making his way down the tunnel, andmaybe a few days ago, he’d have removed his arm. Not forced Shane to witness their PDA.
But Dawson had missed him so much he wasn’t willing to do it. Not anymore.
“Thanks.” Cam tilted his head down towards Dawson’s and, to Dawson’s delight, leaned in a little closer, even though Shane had now joined them.
Cam only detached briefly, to give his dad a hug, and then he went right back to Dawson as he said, “Hey, Dad, you up for going out?”
“Sure,” he said. “You coming too, Dawson?”
“Planning on it,” Dawson said casually, even though a catastrophe would have to dislodge him from Cam’s side, after what felt likedaysapart.
“Good.” And the little nod of approval Shane gave him then told him that if someone was trying to keep them apart, it wasn’t him.
Which left only one person, and Dawson was determined to get to the bottom of why Cam would be pulling that crap.
Chapter 21
FromeverythingthatCamhad told him, his dad had lived his entire life in a small town in Montana, too. But he was only enthused and comfortable the moment they walked into Vault.
None of the apprehension Cam had displayed in the dirty alley was present, and Shane melted into the crowd around the bar, exchanging small talk and ordering a drink like this was the kind of shit he did all the time.
“Yeah,” Cam said, even though Dawson hadn’t actually said any of this out loud, “he’s always like this. Comfortable around people. Always been a little in awe—and a little jealous—of it.”
Dawson chuckled. “You’re good with people, rook.”
But Cam only laughed and shook his head. “Not like him.”
“Well, how about this—just be good with me, okay?” Dawson tilted his head up and pressed a quick kiss to Cam’s temple.
