Page 62 of Call It Home

Until now.

As Emalee described, this family pulled in other people to belong to their group. Could that possibly extend to Trey when he was released? Or would I have to lose another family to keep the one I already had?

“You okay?”

“Yeah. Just realizing how great your family is. You’re really lucky.”

“Yeah, they are. And yes, I am.”

My thumbs tapped on the steering wheel. “Are you sure it’s okay that I’m here?”

For the third time, Cam rolled her eyes at me. “How many invitations do you need?”

I snorted. I’d received no less than five texts from various people, making sure I knew what time to arrive today, along with multiple offers for rides.

“Maybe one more,” I joked.

“I already invited you this morning, and you confirmed with a wonderful orgasm.”

I practically choked at her words. “That wasn’t exactly an answer. That was me having breakfast.”

She waved her hand. “I figured if you wanted to decline, you had your chance then.”

And decline a chance to feast on her? Not fucking likely.

“Now stop being nervous. You’ve been here before.”

I had, but not exactly in this capacity. I’d been here to hang out with Chase, Reid, and Zach a few times. And I’d been here for our farewell party prior to going to Colorado. But I’d never been here for a family meal before. And I’d never been here as Cam’s guest.

“Look,” Cam said. “No one knows we’re a couple if that’s what you’re worried about.”

I heard the hurt in her tone. I blew out a long sigh and rubbed my sweaty hands along the denim on my thighs, then reached across the console to grasp her hand. “I think they’re bound to figure it out. I can’t keep my eyes or hands from you anymore. But more than I’m worried about the guys at work, I don’t want any of them to think I took advantage of our living situation and kick my ass.”

“They already love you, Mac. They’ll be happy for us. Promise.”

For now. The words stuck in my head, but that’s where I kept them. I’d already shared enough vulnerable thoughts. I rubbed my thumb across the back of her hand before I drew it to my mouth for a light kiss. “Okay.”

Her face lit up, and any hell that might be coming my way was worth it.

As she reached into the back seat to grab the wine we’d brought, I looked back at the house. Chase stood there, his arms crossed, staring at us with a grim expression.

“I think we’re about to find out what your brother thinks,” I muttered before I jumped out of the car and came around to her side to help her out. Cam slid her hand into mine, and together, we turned to face the music.

But before Chase could utter a word, Raelyn Dawson, Emalee’s mom, rushed out of the door and ran down the steps, her arms out wide.

“Cameron, sweetheart. I’m so happy to have you back home.”

“Mama Rae.” Cam stood in her embrace for several seconds before she pulled away. I’d been around the Allen family enough to know that Em’s mom, a distant cousin to their dad, was like a mom to Cam, Chase, and Bristol. So much so, that they stopped counting the generations and relatives that separated them and settled on the wordcousinto describe their relationship.

I stayed a step back, allowing them to have their moment. And maybe an extra minute to think what I should say to Chase, who hadn’t stopped staring at us with a grim expression.

But Raelyn turned to me, and, even though she wasn’t much bigger than Cam, she pulled me right into her arms for the same kind of hug. She stepped back, her hands remaining on my forearms. “We’re so glad to have you here, Mac, honey. What you did to help Cameron is just amazing. We’re all so excited to see the show. I can hardly stand that we have to wait another few weeks.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Dawson. I’m not sure I’m ready to say I’d do it again, but it was a neat experience.”

“Oh, none of that ‘Mrs.’ stuff. You call me Raelyn, or even better, when you’re ready, call me Mama Rae.”

I’d given up years ago at the idea of calling anyone any version of the word mom. But Raelyn came the closest to making me want to change that. “Thank you.”

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