Page 10 of Spark
Cam pushes his feet against the smoky gray vinyl floor, his legs extended, and sips his coffee as he rolls back to the table. “That’s the one. I brought her to Mrs. Newhouse and asked her to take care of the cat so she wouldn’t have to go to a shelter.”
Aileene’s eyes dart to mine. “Did you know this?”
“Nope.”
Cam waves us to be quiet. “Years later, when I was checking on Mrs. Newhouse and Nessarose—”
“She named the cat Nessarose?” Figures. Mrs. Newhouse was a mean old woman. Why wouldn’t she name her cat after a wicked witch?
“Yes. Anyway…” The withering look Cam shoots me from over his coffee would be intimidating were he not my baby brother and were he not battling a smile. “I was at Mrs. Newhouse’s home to bring Nessarose some treats, and Mrs. Newhouse told me the cat was the love of her life.” Setting down his mug, he lifts his hands as if he’s waiting for applause.
With a blank stare, Aileene turns to me, blinks once, twice, and then we both burst out laughing.
“What?” Hands still lifted, Cam cocks his head like he’s trying to figure out the meaning of life. “Thelove of her life. You can’t deny that’s matchmaking at its finest.”
“I’ll give you a call when I’m in the market for a cat. Until then, I’m good.” Gathering my things, I stand.
“It’s because he plays rugby, isn’t it?” Arms crossed over his chest, a crease between his brows, gone is the playful puppy and in its place a Bloodhound on the trail. Guilt thickens my throat, and I resist retreating as my brother dissects me. “You know it wasn’t your fault.” Cam’s voice is quiet, soothing. Like when he’s comforting Olive.
“How would you know? You were only ten.” I clench the handle of the coffee mug so tightly, if it turns to ceramic dust under my grip, I won’t be surprised. Then, I will my breathing to even out.
Cam rests his elbows on the table. “And you were only fifteen. It was a freak accident. Injuries happen in sports like football—”
“Speaking of which,” I am not getting into this with him now, or ever. No matter how much he thinks I need to talk it out. “On Friday, Hercules said something about being downsized. I told him to talk to you since Olive’s nanny is leaving.”
Cam’s eyes narrow before brightening. “That’s actually a great idea. I guess it’s a good thing he followed through with applying to schools for his master’s degree.” He pulls out his phone. “I’ll text him now. Olive loves Herc, and I’d rather have someone I know than whoever the agency throws at us until we find a good match. Plus, it will be good for Herc’s resume if he decides to get his degree in Early Childhood Development.”
Aileene walks with me as I make my getaway. “You okay?” She laces her arm through mine.
“He doesn’t understand,” I whisper.
She lifts a shoulder. “You know how he is. He sees someone he loves hurting, and he wants to make it better.” Halting us, she looks up at me. “You know that rugby club is more than a bunch of guys kicking the crap out of each other. They’re his friends. They’re part of his family. And it bothers him that he can’t share it with you.”
I scratch the back of my itchy neck. I’ve never attended any of his games. My stomach is a mess most Saturdays when I know he’s on the field. But the guilt swamping through me is almost worse. “I’ll try to get to one or two games this season.”
“Really? It would mean a lot to Cam if you went.” Aileene beams. “You’re a good brother.”
“Don’t forget that the next time I need help making pancakes.”
“You were supposed to use baking powder, not baking soda.” She shakes her head, the apples of her cheeks rounding. “How hard is it to follow the recipe?”
“Finlay, don’t forget to pick up Olive’s cake for the party,” Cam calls from across the room.
I drop my chin to my chest. Keeping up with my brother is a full-time job. “The party’s six days away.”
“And I don’t want you to forget.” Cam closes his idea book and tucks it away in his pocket.
“I would never forget anything as important as the cake for my sweet niece. Maybe for you, but not her.”
Cam flips me off, his teeth gleaming, and his mouth turned skyward. I return the gesture, chuckling as I leave.
“It’s about time. You were supposed to be here twenty minutes ago.”
“Hello, Cameron. And you’re welcome.” I pivot as I shuffle through the doorway of my brother’s home, making sure not to bump the box with the five-tier cake inside. Only Cam would order a cake larger than most wedding cakes for a six-year-old’s birthday party.
Not that I blame him. My niece deserves the best.
Cam shoos the snow-colored cat, Aloysius, out of the way. “Thank you. Did you get a look at it before you took it?”
