Page 60 of Endlessly Yours
Rory stood by my side, both of us working on setting out chairs for the outside evening wedding. Cameron had been helping, but now she sat on the ground near us, pouting as she stared at the book in her hands. She wasn’t reading anything but glaring at it.
Alice, however, had found a few friends from school and the five of them were playing soccer in the field near us. There were adults watching, and every once in a while, Rory would keep her eye on Alice, making sure that the little girl stayed in place. Hell, I was doing the same thing.
“Okay, how many chairs does this wedding need?” Rory asked, and I shook my head.
“I have no idea. However many Alexis tells me. That’s really the only answer.”
Rory smiled up at me, and my heart kicked. I didn’t even think twice about it; I just leaned down and brushed my lips against hers.
“Well, well, well,” Ridge muttered, and Aurora shushed him before wiggling her fingers at us and going back to the main building. As she was the main pastry chef for the company, I knew she had to be either working on the wedding cake or some of the desserts that had to be served. I wasn’t quite sure, as I just did what I was told.
“Ugh, why do you have to keep kissing like that. It’s gross.”
“Brooks and I like each other and are seeing each other. That’s really all that matters,” Rory answered before I could.
“I just don’t think you should be doing that in public.” Cameron stood up and brushed the dirt off of her jeans. “I mean, the girls that kiss boys at schools are just sluts, so I guess you are too.”
“Cameron!” Rory gasped, but I pushed past her and leaned down over Cameron. She shivered back, eyes wide.
“I know you’re hurting. I know that nothing is right at the moment, and everything you try to do pales in comparison to the life you thought you’d had. I get that. But right now? This is the life you’re living. If you want to be bitter for the rest of your life, you’re more than welcome to, but if you ever talk about Rory like that or say anything like that to her face, we’re going to have a problem. And frankly, you shouldn’t be calling anybody a slut.”
Cameron’s eyes filled with tears before she pushed at my chest and ran in the opposite direction. Because I hadn’t been expecting it, I took a step back and frowned.
“Fuck. I’m sorry.”
“No. I should have said something. Damn it. I need to go find her.”
I nodded and watched as Rory chased after Cameron, and I shook my head.
“Everything okay?” Ava asked, frowning.
“No. Cameron keeps lashing out at Rory, and she went too far this time. But I may have towered over her and growled.”
“What did she say?” Ava asked.
When I explained, she narrowed her gaze. “Good on you. Rory is too lenient sometimes, but I get it. Cameron is hurting, grieving, but at some point, there’s no excuse for being rude and cruel. Because that was cruel. I’m going to go after them and see if there’s anything I can do.”
“Should I go too?” I asked. “Apologize?”
Ava shook her head. “No. You didn’t do anything wrong. I don’t know how Cameron and Alice’s parents disciplined them or even raised them, but from what I can tell, they ignored them a lot. Alice clings to you like she’s never had a father figure in her life, and she slid right into Rory’s arms as if she’s always been there. Cameron? Cameron was old enough to know something was wrong in that family. Especially from what we can tell about the whole community. You’re doing a good thing. However, we will have to have a talk at some point.”
My mind whirled as I tried to figure out exactly everything that she had just said. After the word father figure, I had blanked.
“What do you mean?” I asked, scowling.
“You’re dating my best friend. We’re going to have to have words.”
“Ava, really?”
“Somebody needs to protect her. Those girls are her only family, at least by blood. But I’m her family too.” She sighed. “Just like I’m yours. So, I’m happy for you both, and just be careful. Both of you. There’s a lot of tentative paths and tripwires for all of you.”
And with that, she followed where the girls went, and I pinched the bridge of my nose.
“Ava go off with your woman?” Wyatt asked.
“Should I hit you or something for calling her that?” I asked as I looked up at my brother.
“No. Because you’re just as much of a possessive asshole as I am.”
