Cami
His mouth lands on mine like a balm to my wounds—the ones that are still healing, the ones that are just smarting.
When Leif kisses me, my mind clears. The stress melts away. The worries and doubts and fears subside. There’s just me and him and this. The moment.
His tongue slips inside, and I angle my head, wanting to deepen our kiss. His hands slide to the top of my ass, his fingertips grazing the back pockets of my jeans. My hands are trapped against his chest, and I love that I can feel the beat of his heart through his shirt.
It’s steady. Centering. Here.
“Leif Bang!” His mother’s voice cuts through my head, and I jump back, dazed.
Gah! I knew she was coming and I—Leif’s smirk cuts off my thought.
How does he do that? Why is he so distracting?
Leif Bang.
“Your last name is Bang?” I blurt out. “As in—”
“Don’t finish that sentence,” he interrupts, his eyes dancing.
Stella rolls her eyes. “Like I haven’t heard that one before.”
“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Bang,” I stutter. Wince.
Leif laughs.
“Stella,” I amend.
Stella grins. “Don’t apologize, love. I know what a charmer Leif can be. I’ve been watching him get his way with the ladies for years now.”
Leif gapes at his mother for calling him out. I blush from her meaning but can’t help but laugh.
So I married a playboy.
Of course, I did. Leif is exactly my type. And yet, nothing like what I’m used to.
“I knew I knew you!” our server says, staring at Leif from the server station next to the bar. She’s pointing at him. “You’re a Bolts player! You got traded right before Christmas. Man, it was rough when y’all didn’t make the playoffs but y’all are gonna have a great season. Losing Hardt to San Jose was tough and then Daire retired.” She shakes her head. “But we’re really happy you’re here,” she adds although I don’t see this “we” she speaks of. And who the hell are these people?
My mind whirls. The Bolts…as in the Thunderbolts!
Realization dawns and I gawk at Leif.
“You’re a hockey player!” I hiss.
He grins. “I am.”
“I thought you were a surfer,” I growl, shoving my bangs out of my eyes. I look at Leif but—I don’t watch hockey. After Rhett stopped playing, my whole family kind of lost interest in the game. There’s no way I would have placed him. Still, it seems like a huge thing not to disclose before saying “I do.”
“I’m that too,” he says defensively.
Stella watches us with wonder in her eyes. She doesn’t look nearly as upset by our exchange as she should. Maybe because she doesn’t know that the other shoe is about to drop.
“Come on, your mom is waiting. And getting worried,” Stella continues, eyeing our empty shot glasses. “And clearly, there is a story that needs to be shared because you two”—she points between us—“know each other.”
“Intimately,” Leif mutters in response to the way his mother says know.
She doesn’t hear him, but I do. I narrow my eyes at him.
His grin widens and he slips his hand in mine. Again, his thumb brushes over my watchband, reminding me of the tattoo hiding underneath. My drawing. A rolling wave. About to land on my fucking head and drown us all.
“You could’ve told me,” I mutter.
“I could have,” he agrees but doesn’t offer an explanation as to why he wouldn’t share his profession—as a freaking hockey player—with me.
My mother’s pinched expression greets me as I plop down into the chair beside her. Oh no, can she smell the tequila on my breath?
“A shot?” she mutters.
Yep.
“My fault,” Leif says smoothly, giving my mother an irresistible smile.
She softens and Stella arches an eyebrow at me as if to say—see? He’s charming.
Oh, trust me, I know.
“So,” Leif says slowly, “Cami and I are already acquainted.”
“You are?” Mom leans forward.
“We are,” Leif confirms, glancing at me.
I open my mouth, but words don’t come out.
“Isn’t that great?” Stella chimes in, saving me.
“Yes!” Mom gushes. “Now, you two can travel home to Minnesota together for holidays. Or grab a dinner every now and then. It will be easy for you to fall back into your friendship or—” She looks at Leif. “How do you two know each other?”
“It’s actually a funny story,” he starts, injecting enthusiasm into his warm tone. He doesn’t look stressed out. Instead, he’s as cool as a cucumber. He even leans back in his chair and takes a pull of his beer. His Adam’s apple bobs and I try not to stare but… God, even his neck is hot.
Stop getting distracted! Your entire world is about to implode.
Except, it’s not. Because that already happened and you’re still here.
I take a deep breath to steady myself.
“Can’t wait to hear it,” Stella tacks on, her eyes dancing the same way her son’s do. Like she’s more amused than wary.
My mother looks positively frightened. So much so, her knuckles turn white from where she holds the stem of her wine glass. She clears her throat. Gives me a quick look. “If this has something to do with Cami’s past—”
“It doesn’t,” I interject before she can give more away. Why did she have to mention my past mistakes at all? Not everyone knows about Levi! In fact, Mom, Dad, and their lawyers did such a great job that no one—save for my immediate family and a few close friends—knows anything at all.
Across the table, Leif’s gaze snaps to mine. His nostrils flare and his eyes narrow, as if trying to decipher Mom’s words or my reaction. Probably both.
My toes begin to tap the floor. My knees bounce. I slip my hands under my thighs to stop their trembling. And then, I ramble. “It’s silly, really. Just, a great night out. Our friend groups really hit it off and—”
“In Minnesota? Minneapolis?” Stella guesses.
“Vegas,” I toss out.
“Vegas!” Mom exclaims. “You two, you know each other from Las Vegas?” She laughs nervously. “Well, you were just there, Cami. What a small world! How did you learn the connection?” She gestures between herself and Stella.
“We didn’t,” Leif says dryly.
“Oh!” Stella remarks, rolling her lips together as if to keep from laughing. “So, you two…” Her eyebrows waggle as she glances between us.
Mom turns positively red and takes a gulp of—nearly polishing off—her wine. “Camille,” she squeaks.
“We hit it off right away,” I toss out. “I mean, he’s so charming, you know? You know, Stella.”
Stella chuckles and nods.
Mom begins to fan herself.
“And I was taken with Cami’s free-spirited outlook,” Leif says and I know he means it as a compliment but Mom doesn’t take it that way.
Her hand swats the air faster. “Oh, that’s one way of describing her. Cami’s a follower by nature.”
Leif frowns. “Cami’s one of the most fun women I’ve ever spent a night with.” He drops his head as soon as his words color the air.
I groan.
Stella barks out a laugh and then hides it with a sip of her wine.
Leif flashes me an apologetic look.
Mom nearly has a coronary.
I start to sweat. It feels like everyone’s eyes are on me and a flush works over my skin. I’d love to blame it on the tequila but I’m pretty sure it’s just the knowledge that I have to come clean. Before Leif can add any more colorful descriptions of me.
“We got married!” I announce.
Leif’s mouth drops open.
Stella freezes, looking shocked.
And Mom? Well, Mom drops her wine glass, and it shatters, little pieces of glass skittering over the tabletop. We all jump back as the white wine floods the table and drips to the floor.
“I’m so sorry!” Mom and I exclaim in unison.
For a heartbeat, I’m jarred back to an old memory.
To Levi. To the night he chucked a bottle of champagne off a balcony in Barcelona. He was wasted, high, and emotionally spiraling. I sighed with relief when it landed on the hood of a parked car instead of a passing person.
But when Levi advanced on me, his eyes wild and reckless, I was truly terrified for the first time in my life.
I drag my hand over my face at the memory, shielding my expression. That was the night everything went sideways. After that, Levi got on a plane, checked into rehab, and we never spoke again. Nope, all correspondence to gain access to the photos he took of me went through our lawyers. To this day, I’m still relieved they never leaked.
I drop my hand to find Leif staring at me with naked confusion and curiosity in his expression. He’s managed to keep Mom and Stella in their seats and he’s using all the napkins on the table to blot up the mess.
“I got it,” the server says, appearing with a broom, dustbin, and towels. “This happens all the time.”
“I doubt that,” Leif manages with that half smirk.
I snort and roll my eyes, reaching for levity, as my heartbeat continues to pulse in my temples.
The server cleans our table efficiently. Once we’re all seated again, she reappears with a tray of food.
A new type of tension hovers over the table as we stare at each other over the appetizers Mom and Stella must have ordered while Leif and I were kissing behind the bar.
“We’re gonna need more alcohol,” Leif suggests.
“Another round,” Stella agrees.
The server offers a tight smile and nods, scurrying away.
“You got married,” Mom repeats.
“It just happened,” I offer.
Mom glares at me. “Camille Coleman, that doesn’t just happen! What the hell were you thinking? After everything, everything that’s happened.” She looks at me with heartbreak in her eyes. “And now, you’ve got your whole future ahead of you. This job, this chance, and you—you get married to a stranger in Vegas!”
“He’s not a stranger. You know him,” I point out pathetically.
Mom groans, dropping her face into her hands. She pulls in a deep breath and for long moments, we all stare at her, waiting for her outburst. Except, it doesn’t come. Instead, Mom lifts her head and the strangest expression crosses her face. “You’re married, Cami.”
I clear my throat. “I am.”
“You’re married to Leif,” she repeats, her voice a bit dazed.
“Uh-huh,” I agree.
Mom glances between us. “Married.” She fixes me with her gaze. “A divorce would be a travesty. A blemish to the reputation you worked so hard to restore.”
“We’re not getting divorced,” Leif says seriously, pulling my mother’s attention away from me. “I want to get to know Cami. I want to give our marriage a chance.”
I let out a slow exhale.
“I want to make this work,” Leif continues. His tone is sincere and if I’m not mistaken, his mother is looking at him with pride instead of disappointment.
Mom blinks slowly. The flush on her cheeks lessens and she relaxes in her chair. “You—you do?” She nods. “Good, that’s good.”
Oh, no. She doesn’t think this is a terrible mistake. Instead, Mom believes I’ve finally chosen—albeit by accident—correctly. A good boy from a good family. She’s going to back Leif and his crazy idea!
I look longingly at the bar, wishing I could dive behind it and polish off the entire selection of spirits.
Our server returns with fresh beverages.
“Thanks,” I say, taking my Coke.
“From the bartender,” she adds, placing down a shot of tequila.
I stifle a chuckle. Good man.
Mom grumbles her disappointment, but I grin and lift it in the bartender’s direction in gratitude. I could use the liquid courage.
The bartender winks in response.
Leif looks less pleased, but he doesn’t say anything. He’s too busy glaring at the bartender who ignores his pointed stare.
Stella holds up a glass and gives me a soft, understanding smile. “Well, I guess congratulations are in order.”
My nerves scatter, ricocheting around my body as I gulp for oxygen.
Mom laughs—the sounds surprised. Relieved.
Leif holds up his glass and Mom does the same.
“I wish you both a lifetime of happiness. Of love and joy. I wish you a big love, like the one I’ve shared with Lars,” Stella says truthfully.
Leif looks thoughtful as he stares at his mom. My mom blinks rapidly, as if holding back tears. “And I wish you the same. This may not be a traditional love story, but marriage is a beautiful bond, a lifetime commitment.”
In Vegas, I felt like my marriage to Leif was the start of an adventure. But right now, with Mom beaming at me, her expression stamped with acceptance, it feels restrictive.
A prison sentence. The words pop into my head, and my heart rate ticks up.
When we clink glasses, Leif eyes me with the same serious, solemn expression. It causes my stomach to twist because…we don’t know each other. Until a few minutes ago, I didn’t even know what he did for a living!
We don’t know the first thing about marriage.
Hell, I’m a terrible example of what half of a romantic relationship should look like. I’ve never been in a healthy, committed, long-term relationship.
And I don’t want my first experience to be as a married woman!
“You’re really married?” Mom asks, as if she can’t believe the turn of events. “You’re really settling down with Leif?”
He flashes Mom his Rainbow Looms ring. I sigh heavily and dig the purple crown ring out my purse. I hold it up for her to see before I slide it onto my finger.
“Oh my goodness,” she laughs, covering her mouth. But she looks content. Joyful. Her expression softens. “It will be good for you to settle down properly, Cami,” she whispers.
“And we can upgrade your ring,” Leif promises.
“I like this one,” I admit quietly, wishing we were still caught up in the euphoria of that night. Of those moments.
Before Leif declared he wanted to give our marriage a chance and Mom endorsed the ludicrous idea.
Stella smiles. Leif snorts.
And I toss back the shot of tequila.