Chuckling, I continued, “Okay, see how they lift it from the base … they have to keep the caber perfectly upright, run a few steps and then toss it so it flips end over end. It should fall directly in front of the tosser. Closest to an absolute twelve o’clock position scores highest.”
London grinned at me. “I know you think you’re making it make sense, but it doesn’t make sense.”
Cammie leaned in. “Thank goodness you missed the hammer throwing.”
I laughed, feeling a lightness come over me as we stood together, bantering and enjoying the flipping of kilts as cabers were tossed.
“I thought no underwear?” London pouted comically, making us laugh harder.
Soon, however, Cammie insisted we return to the main area of the games for more food and drinks. It was another humid day, despite the cloudy sky, and the mugginess was making my hair stick to the back of my neck.
“Next games, I might set up a stall,” London mused as we stood to order at the deli stall. “I’m kind of in my savory pastry era. I think they’d go down well here.”
“Eh, absolutely,” Cammie agreed.
“Cameron!” We turned in line as one to find Forde striding toward us in his paramedic’s jumpsuit. He’d taken off the sleeves and unzipped the top half to reveal a tight tee with a band name on it. The tee itself revealed his strong body and many tattoos.
“Off duty?” Cammie asked him as he neared us.
“Aye, just for a minute.” He hugged her into his side for a second before spotting me. “Taran.” The next thing I knew I was wrapped in a hug.
Surprised, I barely had time to return the embrace before he released me. His dark eyes washed over my face. “You all right after yesterday?”
“All good,” I promised him.
Forde pressed his lips together but stepped back, nodding hello at London.
“Have you been busy with all the caber and hammer injuries?” Cammie asked him.
“It’s not been too bad. Nothing major.” Forde tapped her head. “Touch wood.”
“Piss off.” She batted his hand away good-naturedly.
His gaze flickered over her, and he crossed his arms over his chest, his tee tightening quite deliciously around his biceps. I’d never been able to see past Quinn, but there was no denying his best friend was sexy as sin. “Where’s the man boy?”
Cammie narrowed her eyes. “Say his name first.”
“Greig,” Forde spat like he’d tasted something bad.
She tilted her chin. “I broke up with him.”
Forde’s folded arms dropped to his side. “For real?”
“For real.”
“Got sick of babysitting?”
London made a gurgling sound in her throat as if she’d just swallowed a laugh, which, of course, made my lips twitch.
Cammie shot her a mock look of betrayal before glowering at Forde. “How come you can date women younger than you, but I can’t date a younger man without the constant jokes?”
“Eh, excuse me, but how many babysitting jokes have you cracked about women I’m seeing?”
“None. I hate repeating myself, which is all I’d be doing if I cracked a babysitting joke every time you slept with a girl half your age.”
“Exaggeration.” Forde wagged a finger in front of her face. “Stop deflecting because you’re embarrassed you spent a year shagging a bairn.”
“Shut up!” She shoved him. “People might think that’s true, Forde Dallas.”
