Page 18 of Bad Run

Wait, is that too many bosses?

Fuck, I’m drunk.

Gwen’s dad is Ted Montgomery, the Los Angeles Evaders team owner. The little hope I had of finding the gorgeous blonde who rocked my world fizzled down the damn drain when she uttered her last name.

I shove the thoughts of Gwen away as best I can. I thought drinking would help me keep my mind from wandering to her, but it’s only made it worse.

Nothing short of a lobotomy will remove her from my brain at this point. She’s consumed my every thought since I saw her last week.

Cam follows me into my place and looks around as I flick on the lights. “You’ve had this place for a while now; are you ever going to have us over?”

“What for? You’re the one with the beach in your backyard.” The excuse slips with ease.

It’s true. I haven’t had company since I lost my first home in the fires. I can’t figure out if it’s because the place is new or if it’s missing something.

I’m still in the Canyons, and while it’s not surrounded by as much greenery as I would like, the five-bedroom Spanish-style casita drew my attention with its large, gated fence, lush hedges, brand-new pool, and enveloping vegetation.

The design of the property gives it a sense of seclusion, which I usually enjoy. Lately, not so much.

“True.” Cam chuckles.

“Fuck.” I place my hand on the wall as I wobble, toeing off my shoes and placing them on the rack in the foyer.

“You okay, man?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

The playfulness I’ve become accustomed to seeing in Cam’s green gaze is gone, replaced with concern and curiosity. “I don’t know. Something seems off with you. You’ve been acting weird for the past week, and you’ve been different since the World Series.”

My heart picks up the pace, sprinting to the finish line. Masking my anxiety, I scoff a harsh breath. “You’re seeing things. I’m fine.”

“If it’s about your”—Cam catches himself before he says dad—“family …” He runs his hand through his hair. My friend has always been perceptive and empathetic. Even when he was living his “good-time guy” life, he noticed things others don’t. “Hell, this is coming out all wrong. I know it’s not my place to say anything, but I’m here if you want to talk. And as for family, you have us. Alright? You’re not alone.”

My friend’s words hit hard.

Maybe it’s the alcohol, but my throat tightens and my eyes prickle. “I know. Don’t think I could get rid of you if I wanted.”

Cam laughs. “No, you can’t. You’re stuck with me now.”

“I don’t really want to get into it, but you’re right. Something is bothering me. But I’ll work through it.”

I wasn’t raised by a father who shared his feelings. He prefers to bury them down deep. My mother is the opposite. She wears her emotions on her sleeve and speaks freely about her feelings. It’s always been easy to talk to her about things, but lately it’s been harder to do so without feeling as if I’m putting her in the middle of me and my dad. The last thing I want is to put a wedge between my parents.

“Is it about the woman who disappeared from your room?” he asks, tucking his hands into his pockets.

“You could say that.”

Cam nods. “Some women come along and knock us on our asses, don’t they?”

“I guess they do.” I chuckle.

Cam and I say our goodbyes, and I watch him climb into the town car and drive off into the night. After the gate closes, I lock the front door and head toward the primary bedroom at the back of the house.

The fully decorated rooms sit in darkness, untouched by guests and life. A somber feeling washes over me as I strip out of my clothes and slip into bed, too drunk and tired to shower.

I stare up at the ceiling blanketed in blackness and think about Gwen until sleep swallows me. Even then, I dream of her and the night we met.

six