“No. I want you at the table, but I’d never force you.”
“It’s not about being at the table. It’s more that I want all the things pulling Mateo away for myself.”
Cam’s brows cinched in a thoughtful frown. “I hear you. You’re good at planning, right? Maybe you could share Rubi’s job.”
“Maybe Rubi doesn’t want to share his job.”
“Nah, he doesn’t give a fuck. We just need to figure out what to call it.”
“What about Locke?”
“Done and dustedifhe accepts, but I reckon that leans a lot on whatever you decide. If he wants it, he’s our new welfare officer. It ain’t traditional, but who the fuck cares?”
“You do. That’s why we stayed.”
We weren’t talking about titles anymore. Cam gave me a hug and made me a cup of magic tea. We talked some more, about lifeboats and other things I knew on some level that I really cared about, but my brain was done. I felt good, but there was something major missing from my orbit.
On cue, Cam turned his head to the door. “Your man’s home.”
“Who with?”
“No one.”
“He rode alone?”
Cam listened a second longer. “Nah, Mateo rode on by.”
“You can tell their bikes apart?”
“Shitheaps they both ride? Of course.”
Clever man. Perceptive too. He rose and clapped me on the shoulder, halfway to the door when I called his name.
“You and Alexei,” I said, still chasing the errant thought. “You’re poles apart. Can’t be easy to give you both what you need at the same time.”
Cam brought a tattooed hand to his chest. “That’s why Saint’s my fucking hero. It’s only him that doesn’t see his superpowers.”
“I know a bloke like that.”
“Bet you do. Take care, brother.Call meif you need anything. We love you.”
He disappeared without seeing the impact his words had on me. Despite his absence, Cam had been my president for a while. My brother. But perhaps, until now, I hadn’t seen him as a friend.
The front door opened. I heard voices in the hallway, then boots on the tiles before the door closed again.
Familiar boots.
Decoy’s boots.
I levered myself out of the chair as he reached my side.
His gaze swept over me, searching.
Then he grinned, and that smile was everything I’d ever needed. “You’re back.”
I drank him in. “I am.”
“Come with me.”
