Page 32 of A Boy is a Gun: Part I
“Yeah, so great, huh?” She takes more photos for her blog and YouTube channel. “This is going to be fantastic. We’ll do pop-ups introducing everyone to the menu and hire more community members. This is fantastic!”
“It is!” I’m finally matching Jamie’s excitement. My Daddy always wanted this, and I’ll give back to the community. Win-win for all.
Jamie snaps a few more photos and stands in the middle of the building, grinning. She knows this is big, too, and she can’t wait. She takes a deep breath and turns to me. “So…” Jamie brushes a lock of hair behind her ear. “Can I ask you a personal question?”
I don’t particularly appreciate how the tone changed almost instantly, like foreboding. “Um, sure. What’s up?”
She takes another breath and looks away for a moment before she turns back to me. “How serious are you with my brother?”
It’s weird hearing Jamie call Cameron, her brother; I’m sure it’s because he is and not because she loves him. It’s also the first time she’s addressed our relationship. “We’re serious enough to have a child together.”
“I meant, do you want to marry him?” I meet her eyes. There’s a bit of concern, but I know a gossipy bitch when I see one. “I’m not being facetious; I want to know. Mom and Dad have said nothing about wedding plans; you know how my mother is. She’s already deep into planning my wedding, and we haven’t gotten engaged yet.”
Another stark reminder of how my mother is dead. I have to be realistic about it–there was no guarantee Laurie would’ve made herself available to do any wedding stuff. Would she have accompanied me to pick out floral arrangements? Gown shopping? Scope out venues?
Would she have shown up at all?
The person I know who would’ve done that would’ve been Daddy. He would’ve insisted he pay some of the cost so the wedding didn’t become the Page show. He would’ve taken time off from Fresh Espresso to help me plan. And I know he would’ve hired the DJ to make sure he wouldn’t play any wack shit.
I’m sure Jamie isn’t trying to be a bitch, but she’s doing a perfect impersonation of it. “They wouldn’t say anything because it hasn’t been discussed.”
Jamie bites her lip and briefly glances down at the floor before she looks at me again. “Do you want to marry Cameron?”
The first question may have been innocent, but I know this is a soft interrogation. “I thought Ethan was the cop, not you.”
“I’m sorry, Taylor,” she apologizes, and I hope it’s sincere, “it’s just….” She sighs again and shakes her head. “Forget I said anything.”
“Jamie…” She looks at me, and now it’s my turn to sigh. “… whatever feelings you have about Cameron, I have nothing to do with them. I don’t know what he does, what he gets into, none of that. He’s not my White Savior, and he damn sure isn’t anything other than my boyfriend and Mia’s daddy. I know you have your feelings about Cameron, just like I do. I’m sure you’re concerned for Mia’s safety, just like I am. But the concern has to end there. I don’t want to be in a position where anything with Ethan and Cameron impacts our business. They’re grown men; they can figure it out.
“I will say this–however you feel about me being with Cameron is like how I feel about you being with Ethan. Ethan ruined one of the happiest days of my life with no apology to Cameron or me. He did that as afuck youto the entire family, and you’re standing right beside him as if he wasn’t in the wrong.”
“He was investigating a crime, Taylor,” Jamie’s voice hardens, “he had no choice. Do you think he wanted to arrest Cameron at the hospital?”
“Ethan knew the suspect's description didn’t match Cameron, but that wasn’t the point. He wanted to humiliate him and, by extension, me.” I meet her tone. I’m trying very hard to remain civil, but Jamie activated her Karen superpowers, making having a smile difficult. “Even when we met privately, he never said he was sorry that he did it. Your boyfriend wanted to humiliate us at the hospital, and he certainly got his wish. You can do the math.”
“And what happens when the suspect’s description does match Cameron’s, Taylor?” She replies, and I sigh again. “What happens when someone pinpoints Cameron, and he is arrested againwithevidence he did it? Then what? You’re going to pretend it didn’t happen?”
It’s a thought that has crossed my mind more times than I’m willing to admit. Cameron can claim he’s careful all he wants to be, but he can’t be careful all the time. Somebody will slip. “What is this about, Jamie?” I fold my arms. “Let’s have it out. I have a hard time believing you’re upset with what Cameron does, considering you benefit the most from it.”
“What?” Now it’s her turn to be incredulous. “You think I honestly benefitted from Cameron’s blood money?”
“Jamie, you can cut the act with me, okay? You’re popular but notthatpopular. There was no way you would’ve been able to easily afford to live in San Francisco, one of the most expensive areas, without some significant financial help. I know Heather and Eric could but wouldn’t because they both love to preach that self-made B.S. every chance they get. I know Bobby couldn’t because he’s too busy trying to keep Claire, the addict, at bay.
“But Cam?” I lean in, and Jamie shifts her stance. “.…Cam bankrolled your entire lifestyle, and did you even say thank you to him?”
“This isn’t about me and Cam, Taylor.” Jamie deflects, and I drop it. “I’m concerned for you and my niece. Cameron is playing a game with whatever thug wants him dead, and I’m legit afraid of you and Mia being casualties of it. I know you don’t give a crap, but I do!”
“Cameron has promised he’ll never put us in danger,” I look out and see Tesh holding Mia and Ayesha. Ayesha gets in the driver’s seat as Tesh buckles Mia in her car seat before she joins her in the backseat. They slowly pull out of the parking lot and disappear from my eyesight. “He has the best security out there. He always has someone watching me, the businesses I frequent, and all that. We’re safe.”
Jamie shakes her head. “I hope you’re right.” She pauses again. “But if you need a place to go, you can always stay with Ethan and me.”
I almost want to laugh and try hard not to roll my eyes. “I’ll be fine, Jamie, but thank you.”
She shrugs. “I’m just saying…if there ever comes a time when you—”
Our conversation is cut short by screeching tires and a flurry of gunshots. My heart sank to the floor, and I knew what had happened before getting confirmation.
We rush out and see the aftermath. Cameron and Ethan rush out to an SUV with everything blown out. I feel my stomach bottom out. Cameron and other Administration members surround the car. Que is instructing various members to be on guard.
