Page 30 of Finally Home

“But you need to.” She reached into the fridge, pulled out a beer, and slid it across the island. “That’s all you get. Now spill. What happened with Cami?”

“I’m going to need more than one of these to tell you all my secrets.” He popped the top and took a long swig. It was his favorite brand, but it didn’t satisfy him the way it usually did.

“Well, that’s all you’re getting, because you can’t be drunk and drive up the mountain.”

He gave an exasperated chuckle, shaking his head. “I’m not going anywhere tonight.”

“The hell you aren’t. I don’t care how late it is. You know the rule. Don’t put off to tomorrow what you’re capable of fixing tonight.”

West hung his head in defeat. “She asked me to leave. You also taught me to respect a woman’s wishes.”

“And you’re going to listen to false wishes? Do you honestly think she wanted to watch you drive away again? And with Tiffani, no less. Please don’t let that bitch fuck up the last good thing in your life.”

“That’s not true, Mom. I still have you.” He looked up with the shit-eating grin he knew his mother hated.

“Kissing my ass isn’t going to get me off yours. I won’t be here forever, West. You deserve the love of a good woman. The last time you had one was before you left Aspen.”

West winced and hung his head in defeat. He hated that his mom was right. Just like how he hated how he had left things with Cami. “I know. I just ... I hurt her, Mom. Again. Maybe it’s better if I stay away, at least for now. It’s not like I know for sure I’m staying in Aspen yet.”

“Does it matter? You would follow her to the ends of the earth if it made her happy. Don’t you think you should give her the same opportunity this time?”

“I hate it when you’re right.”

She gave her hands a twirl and grinned. “It’s a gift.”

His mom was right: none of the superficial things mattered. As long as he had Cami in his life, he could make anything work. She was it for him, and he’d hurt her. He needed to fix it. And he knew from experience that waiting until after the holidays to confront her would only infuriate his little fawn more.

West slid his half-finished beer across the island. Placing his hands flat on the top, West stood with purpose. “Don’t wait up for me.”

“That’s my boy.” She walked around the island and patted him on the arm. “The Jeep keys are by the door.”

Walking out into the cold Aspen night, he was thankful the snow hadn’t started to fall quite yet. His heart raced when he thought of seeing Cami again. She was worth it, and he’d be an idiot to make the same mistake twice, leaving her without a choice. He wouldn’t let it happen again.

Right before he closed the Jeep door, he heard a holler from the porch: “I’ll set another place for Christmas dinner.”

West shook his head and smiled. He didn’t care what it took, he was bringing Cami home for Christmas.

CHAPTERTWELVE

CAMI

The cabin had never felt lonely before.

Until West left.

Bear huddled close to her on the couch as Cami poured her third glass of wine. Or maybe it was her fourth. They were small glasses, so maybe in theory it was her second normal-size glass. Fuck. She really didn’t care. She had the start of a nice buzz going, which meant it was getting the job done. That was all that mattered.

At least the tears had stopped. She had a good sob fest after West left. Right there in the entryway, she’d slid to the ground, wrapped her arms around Bear, and full on ugly cried into him. And God bless that saint of a dog, he let her. Even licked away her tears. He’d probably need a bath tomorrow after the amount of snot she’d lost into his soft coat.

The rest of the day, she’d pretended she was okay, only to start crying again each time something reminded her of West. Walking into the living room after her shower and seeing the tree, half-strung with tinsel where they’d left it last night, nearly broke her. Bear received another snot-filled hug after that cry.

Phone calls started around noon. She guessed West’s mom had given her family a heads-up. First Cami’s mother called. Then her brother and sister. Even her father attempted to reach her. Each tried to give West the benefit of the doubt and to convince her to come down the mountain for Christmas Eve. Maybe even give West a chance to explain.

Why the hell would she do that? He’d broken her heart. Again. And on Christmas Eve of all days.

Her family was only trying to help. She knew that. Usually she would have no problem plastering on a fake smile and pretending she was okay. But not this time. Not where West was concerned. They weren’t there. They didn’t have the displeasure of seeing his hands all over her. They’d always been on team West and Cami, though.

Well, that train had left the station. He’d played her like a fucking fiddle. Left her standing there like a fool, choosing to go with Tiffani after getting his rocks off for the weekend with her.

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