Page 25 of Loving You Always

“That’s what we’re hoping for.” Meredith noticed Cam getting off the elevator and walking toward her. “Look, I gotta go.”

“Cam?” It sounded like Walsh had tightened a belt around the name.

“Um, yeah. I’ll let you know if there’re any changes.”

“You do that,” Walsh said. “And when that happens, I won’t stay away. I’ll have to see her for myself, awake and responsive, at least once before I go back to New York.”

“Gotta go.”

Meredith didn’t acknowledge his assertion before hanging up. The next time she was lonely on a Saturday night and feeling sorry for herself, she’d remember that having two men in love with you might be worse than having no one at all.

“Hey, Cam. How goes it?”

“Tough.” He pressed his lips together and ran a hand over his haggard features. “It’s been hard balancing work and being here. They’re understanding about it, but I had accounts I was handling. I went ahead and resigned. Just seemed easier for everyone.”

“You resigned?”

“Yeah, we have private insurance, and it’s pretty good.” Cam coupled his assurance with a frown. “So if you’re worried about the hospital bill…”

“No, that wasn’t it. I just…it’s your job. I wasn’t expecting you to quit.”

Meredith couldn’t help but feel she wasn’t getting the full story, but the stiff mask of Cam’s face warned her not to press.

“Like I said, it’s been tough,” Cam said. “Thanks for the text, by the way. Breathing on her own, huh? She’ll be home before you know it.”

Meredith touched his arm to stop him before he entered Kerris’s room.

“Cam, are you okay about…about the baby?”

For a moment, Cam’s face, the torture in his eyes, broke Meredith’s heart. Kerris hadn’t revealed many secrets, but Meredith suspected demons chased them both, and Kerris and Cam had been banking on the baby to bring them some measure of peace.

“I can’t do this right now.” Cam’s eyes, already bloodshot, watered. “It’s too much to keep together, and if I talk about the baby…I’m fine.”

“I’m so sorry.” She dared to probe just a little bit more, placing her hand on his arm to stop him. “I know you and Walsh have had a hard time, but—”

The change on Cam’s face stopped Meredith. All signs of vulnerability disappeared, like a dark hand had smothered the pain.

“You don’t know shit.” Cam sifted grit into his voice, hostility in the eyes narrowed on her face. “Do you know how it feels to know your best friend loves your wife? Has a connection with her you can’t even touch?”

She stared at him, taken aback by his sudden vehemence.

“And you just couldn’t resist running and telling him everything.” Cam had peeled away the mask, all signs of sorrow gone, anger on full display. “You brought the devil right to my doorstep.”

“Cam, they’re friends.”

“Friends.” Cam shook her hand off, derision shading his voice. “Is that what you call it?”

“I know Kerris has never been unfaithful to you, so don’t even imply that.”

“How would you feel if you walked in on your husband and best friend crawling down each other’s throats? Answer that, then come talk to me about being faithful.”

Meredith couldn’t hide her stunned expression. The bitter hurt darkening Cam’s eyes made a mockery of the small smile crooking his lips.

“Oh, she never told you that’s why Walsh and I are done? Wonder what other secrets she’s got? Not so perfect after all, is she? When your wife doesn’t love you, faithful is overrated.”

***

“Awake?” Walsh pressed, making sure he’d heard Meredith correctly. “She’s awake, you said?”

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