Page 48 of Spark
"We’re more than friends. We’re like family."
"Still, no."
Grooves, looking like ripples of sand on the dunes, crease Cam’s forehead. "You helped out your sister."
"That’s different."
"How?"
"It just is." I wipe away his argument with a sweep of my hand. "She’s my little sister. I’m supposed to look out for her. You have a family to support."
Hercules tosses his head while brushing his long hair from his face. "Idon’t. So I could lend you—"
"No. You’re just getting back on your feet and settling into a new life." There’s no way I could take money from him.
"The team can do a fundraiser.” The tone of Hercules’s suggestion dares me to argue with him. “Like we did to help out Devonte’s mother after the house fire."
"No. She lost everything. This is nowhere near that scale. I’ll manage on my own."
"Don’t be such a stubborn a—" Cam’s gaze falls on his daughter and he clamps his lips closed.
Folding my arms, I lean back in my chair and grin, knowing how careful Cam is about what he says in front of Olive. "What’s that, Cam?"
Cam exchanges a long look with Hercules before meeting my gaze. "I guess I can see where you’re coming from with the loan. I’ll ask my buddy about the deliveries."
"I’d appreciate that."
Herc picks up a yellow crayon from the floor and hands it to Olive. "The three of us were in Bliss Bakery after my physical therapy session yesterday, and I overheard the owner saying she’s been swamped with orders. Maybe they need extra delivery help too?"
"Good idea. I’ll call and ask." That bakery is all the way down in South Philly and delivers all over the tri-state area, but I’ll take anything I can get.
"And there are rideshare companies and personal shopper services too that you could do."
Cam holds up his hands like a referee calling time. "Wait, before we have you driving all over the city, why not do what you do best? Remodels and woodworking? I love the rocking chair you made for your niece and nephew. Can you make one for Olive? And I need some bench seating with storage options for our family room. Can you draw up a quote for how much those would be?"
I donotwant handouts. "You don’t have to do that."
Herc raises his hand. "Give me a quote, too, for two bookcases. I’m thinking five shelves each."
"Guys." I shake my head in disbelief, touched that they would consider helping me out in such a way. I’m beyond thankful that I checked out a then newly formed rugby club, five years ago. These men have become my lifeline on more than one occasion, and I don’t know what I’d do without them.
"What?" Herc’s smile is all innocence. "I do need them, and I’d rather have you build me something custom."
Cam casts a glance around the kitchen. "In addition to the projects you’ve done this week, I’m sure Finlay would pay you to fix up more of this place."
"No. I’m not helping him for money. I’m doing it because I want to."
"You’re still putting in your time and effort."
"And he’s my boyfriend." I bask in the glow the word conjures. "I’m not mixing money in with that."
The differences in our lives and salaries haven’t been an issue up to this point. Both Finlay and I have paid for things when we’ve been out together, but he has snatched up the check faster than I could grab it on some occasions that should have been my turn. And he’s paid for all the special coffee runs and treats the past two weeks. Every time I’ve tried to help, he’s told me that he’s pampering me, and I need to let him do it.
Once I’m back to my old routine, I’ll be able to return the favor and cook for him and help him out more with his to-do list. Unless, of course, I have a new, third job on my few evenings off per week that will keep me from him. The thought of not seeing him or barely seeing him fills me with an unease that borders on frenetic.
The rumble of the garage door raising breaks through the silence. Abandoning her coloring, Olive jumps up and races for the door leading to the garage.
I wave my hands to catch Cam and Herc’s gazes. "Let’s talk about something else now. Please."
