She moved around his lower back, working the rigid tight spots and bringing tears to his eyes. “I’d say growing up, it was all pretty normal stuff. We had school and chores. We stayed with Aunt Marianne or Aunt Rosa when Dad had to make a run. In the summers, we traveled with him in the truck sometimes, no summer camps or anything like that. We weren’t poor, but there was no extra money for that kind of thing.”
Cam could relate. He had also grown up in a household with a tight budget.
“Anyway, if we were broke, no one told me. When we rode with him when we were little, we’d sleep in the cab. Later, Rodrigo decided he didn’t want to go anymore and stayed with Aunt Rosa when Ernie had to make a run. Those were somereally good times, just me and my dad. The first vehicle I ever drove was an eighteen-wheeler. I wasn’t supposed to be behind the wheel, but Dad taught me well. I even thought about following in his footsteps, but I found this profession instead. Dad loved it when I decided to become a massage therapist and helped me all through my school training.”
She moved her thumbs down and to the side. It hurt, but in a good way. The oil she used had a pleasant scent that wasn’t overpowering or flowery. She repeated the motion several times, loosening the tightness and bringing relief. Cam found himself drifting into a dream state despite the pressure she applied. He felt good.
Almost too good.
She started feeling up his spine and found a bad spot just under his shoulder blade. He winced as she applied pressure and movement. Talking was a great distraction, and he did his best to keep up the conversation. His curiosity about the woman had nothing to do with his need to hear her voice. “Sounds like you and your dad had a good life. How come you wanted to find Scrap?”
“I debated a long time about that. I’m really not sure, to tell you the truth. The man has done nothing for me my whole life, never acknowledged my existence. That’s either because he didn’t believe Raquel or maybe he didn’t know about me in the first place. I think I just have this need to find out for sure.”
Her hands moved to the other side of his shoulder and started on another spot. “I spent most of my life feeling odd, like I didn’t really belong. I wasn’t abused or starved or anything, but I wasn’t exactly welcome at times. Aunt Rosa would call me ‘that woman’s daughter’ instead of her niece. After Ernie died and it came out that Walter might be my real father, she turned against me and called me a bunch of other names. ‘Bastard’ and ‘leech’ were two of them. She said if I wasn’t really blood related, I hadno place there and should get out. So now I guess I’m looking for where I’m supposed to be.”
“What happened to your Aunt Marianne?”
Sabrina smoothed more oil onto her hands. “She passed away a few years ago. They said it was a stroke. My cousins had a time getting the estate settled. Ernie talked to me about writing a will, but he never did. He died a few months ago without ever taking care of it, and the family has been in an uproar ever since. Lots of drama and finger-pointing, mainly at me, saying if I’m not his bio-daughter, then I have no claim to anything. Personally, I don’t care about any of it. I’d give away anything my dad left me just to have him back.”
Cam felt her hands shaking as they applied pressure to the tendons just under his armpits. It hurt like hell, but the release was incredible. “I’m sorry that happened to you. I’ll try to help you get Scrap to come around so at least you’ll have that answer. He’s a stubborn old goat, though, so be ready for a fight.”
Her light laugh was good to hear. “Thanks. I appreciate your efforts.” She lifted her hands and took a step back. “Okay, time to flip. Scooch down until your head is on the table.”
Cam noticed that she looked to the corner of the room as she lifted the sheet from his hips. He turned over, and she settled the sheet over his body once more.
“Now, this one may get a little intense, so please don’t be afraid to tell me if it’s too much.” She dug her fingers into the pocket between his hip, groin, and thigh.
“Fuck!” he cried out.
“Yeah, this is a bad one. I’ll ease off a bit. Take some deep breaths and try to relax.”
Cam sucked in several lungfuls of air, enough to make him dizzy. The sharp burning in his thigh distracted him enough that it took him several minutes to figure out how close her hands were to his dick. This time, any twitch of interest disappearedas his focus squared entirely on the stressed muscle. He needed more distraction. “Do you think you’ll go back to Florida after you find out what you need to know?”
She paused. “I’m not sure yet. I could go home—or what home I have left. I could stay here. I could leave and explore the country until I find a place I like. I have a lot of paths in front of me. I don’t understand yet where they’ll lead, but I can’t move on until I figure out who I am.”
Cam agreed with her. “I get it. Like I said, I’ll help you as much as I can.”
She moved to his other side and repeated the dig. “That’s great, Camshaft. Hey, do you have another name besides your road name?”
“Yeah, but I don’t use it or answer to it. You can just call me Cam.” The pain was just as intense, but he didn’t yell this time as he’d expected it.
“Wanna share it anyway?”
“No.” His tone was brusque.
“Okay, then. You’re done. I’ll step out while you get dressed.”
A few minutes later, Cam walked down the short hall to where Sabrina waited.
“How do you feel?” she asked, her head cocked to the side.
He rolled his shoulders. For the first time in days, he was pain-free. “I’m a little sore, but I’m good.” He grinned. “You weren’t kidding.”
Her sassy smile came out at that.Damn, she’s cute!
“I never kid when it comes to massage. Today was a freebie, but next time, I’m gonna charge full price for working on your ass. I expect a good tip too.”
Cam let out a bark of laughter. “How do you know I’ll be back?”
