From Best Friend to Bride (9 page)

Chapter Ten

“T
his fuss isn’t necessary.” Bev tried to maneuver her new crutches as Eli and Cameron flanked her sides, assisting her into the house. “I’ll be fine. There’s no need for everyone to hover.”

“You will be fine,” Eli agreed. “But for now we’re going to hover. Just be glad Drake had to go in or you’d have all of us.”

Megan held the door open with one hand and propped Amber on her hip with the other. “You know it’s useless to argue with these guys, Bev,” Megan said, catching the woman’s grin. “Just let them think what they want to boost their egos.”

Cameron’s gaze swung to hers, and Megan merely lifted a brow. If he wanted to apply those words to the turmoil they had going on, so be it. Wasn’t her fault if he had a guilty conscience.

Megan closed the door and pulled Amber around to settle against her chest as the baby continued chewing on her cloth rattle.

“I’ve already brought your pillows and pajamas down to the guest room,” Mac stated, moving forward to take the place of his sons. “We’ll be sleeping down here until you’re healed and can do the stairs.”

“And I’ll be stopping by in the mornings,” Nora stated, coming in through the door, holding Bev’s purse. “I can do your grocery shopping after work so Mac doesn’t have to worry about anything.”

“One of my patients has volunteered to babysit Amber until you’re feeling better,” Eli added.

“Oh, for pity’s sake.” Bev stopped in the foyer and sighed, shooting glares at all those around her. “I can get through these next six weeks without rearranging everyone’s lives.”

Mac placed a hand over her shoulder. “Complain all you want, but when I had bypass surgery, you all steamrolled me and took care of me. Now it’s our turn to cater to you.”

A lump formed in Megan’s throat at the sincere, loving way Mac looked to Bev. They’d always been such a dynamic couple, always strong even when dealing with hellion teen boys and all their shenanigans.

Megan knew that Mac’s bypass surgery last year had rocked them all because the pillar of the family wasn’t as indestructible as they’d all thought him to be.

Megan’s eyes traveled to Cameron. Her breath caught in her throat when she found herself under the scrutiny of his bright blue eyes. Amber started fussing, pulling Megan’s focus back to the infant in her arms.

“It’s okay, sweetheart.” Megan patted her back. “You’re just getting sleepy, aren’t you?”

Nora smiled, set the purse down on the accent table and reached out. “I can take her. She’s not used to being awake this late.”

“I’ll run Eli home,” Cameron chimed in. “Go on ahead and take her.”

Nora said her goodbyes in a frantic attempt to get her unhappy child out the door. Once she was gone, Mac assisted Bev down the hall and into the spare room.

“I’ll get her meds from the car,” Eli volunteered. “She won’t need any more tonight, but I’ll put them in the kitchen where Dad can see them.”

Eli headed out the front door, leaving Cameron and Megan alone. Why did they always somehow gravitate toward these situations? Before last week she wouldn’t think twice about being alone with Cameron, but with all this tension crackling between them, she truly didn’t know what step to take next. And she’d made it clear that the ball was in his court.

“I’m heading out,” she told him. “Let your mom know I’m here if she needs anything. I’m free all weekend once I get back.”

Cameron nodded. “Thanks for your help.”

She waited for him to say something else, but he continued to stare in silence. Eli came back inside, carrying a small white pharmacy bag. He glanced between Megan and Cameron.

“Everything okay?” he asked, his brows drawn together.

“Fine,” Megan and Cameron replied in unison, still eyeing each other.

“O-kay,” Eli whispered as he moved on through to the kitchen.

Shoving her hair away from her face, Megan gritted her teeth as she reached into her pocket and pulled out her keys. Without another word, she headed out the front door and into the cool evening. She’d just hit the bottom step when she heard the screen door slam.

“Is this how it’s going to be?” Cameron yelled. “This awkward, sometimes-polite chitchat like we’re virtual strangers?”

Megan took in a deep breath before turning to face the man on the porch illuminated by the soft glow of outdoor lights. With his hands on his narrow hips, black T-shirt stretched tightly over toned shoulders and that perfectly cropped hair, Cameron gave off the impression of someone in control and pulled together.

Megan knew better. She’d experienced just how much he relinquished that power when she’d touched him, kissed him, pressed her body to his. And that interesting tidbit of information was something worth hanging on to.

The chill in the air slid through her. A shiver racked her body as she wrapped her arms around her midsection.

“If you feel awkward around me, then it sounds like you have some issues to work out,” she threw back. She wasn’t going to make this easy on him, not when he was being so infuriating. “I’ve always heard intimacy helps people relax.”

Maybe she shouldn’t poke the bear, but they’d already gone past the point of no return. She may as well toss it all out there.

Cameron took a step forward, his eyes still locked on hers. “Why are you acting like this?”

Megan shrugged. “Maybe that kiss was a wake-up for both of us, and I’m willing to face it instead of run from it.”

Cameron bounded down the steps, coming to stand right in front of her. So close, she could feel his warm breath, but he didn’t touch her.

“You keep coming to me,” she added, looking up into those eyes filled with torment. “You keep provoking me, too, but then you back off. You can’t have it both ways, Cam.”

He gripped her arms in an almost bruising manner as he leaned over her, giving her no choice but to lean back to keep her gaze locked on to his.

Without a word, his mouth crushed hers. The instant demand had her clutching his shoulders and cursing herself for giving in to his impulses so easily. But damn it, she was human. She’d wanted this man for as long as she could remember, and she was going to take what she could get...for now. She wasn’t settling for seconds; she was biding her time until Cameron realized this was right. Everything about them coming together was perfectly, wonderfully right.

Reluctant, Megan tore her mouth away. “If you’re only kissing me because you’re angry with yourself or you’re trying to prove a point, then stop.”

His forehead rested against her temple, those lips barely touching her jawline. “I don’t know, Meg. You make me crazy. I can’t do relationships, and I won’t do a fling—not with you. But part of me can’t seem to stop now that we’ve started.”

Not quite the victory she’d hoped for, but one she would definitely take. She had him torn, had him thinking. Still, she wanted,
deserved
, more.

“I won’t be someone you figure things out with along the way,” she told him, sliding her hands away from his taut shoulders. “If you want more, you say so.”

She stepped back, waited until he looked at her before she continued. “Be damn sure if you come to me that you want what I’ve offered because there’s no going back.”

Megan waited, giving him an opportunity to respond. When silence greeted her and the muscle in Cameron’s jaw moved, Megan swallowed, turned on her heel and headed to her car.

Maybe her going out of town would give them the space they both needed to regroup. Maybe the time away would give her the insight she needed on whether to stay or go.

That reminded her—she still needed to inform Evan that she’d be gone. Hopefully he wouldn’t tell his questionable friends that her house sat empty. She wanted to be honest with him, wanted him to know that she trusted him, but in all honesty, she didn’t. She knew the group he was with was only making his attitude worse, hence his phone call. She had no clue what he truly did with his free time, but she had a feeling it wasn’t legal.

Evan had obviously felt himself sinking deeper into a place he didn’t want to be when he’d reached out to her. Megan could only pray while she was gone for these two days that the most important men in her life came to some decisions...and she hoped the outcomes would be what she wanted.

* * *

“Care to explain what I just saw?”

Cameron winced as he stepped back into his parents’ house. Eli stood in the foyer near the sidelight like some Peeping Tom.

“Yeah, I care,” Cameron mumbled. The last thing he wanted was to discuss what had just happened because each time he lost his damn mind and kissed Megan, he always felt worse afterward. He was using her to feed his desires, knowing he couldn’t go any further.

“Then would you like to tell me why you and Megan look like you’re ready to fight one minute and the next thing I know I look out and see you all but devouring her?”

Cameron clenched his fists at his side. Eli’s arms crossed over his chest as his eyes narrowed. Eli had married his high school sweetheart, but Megan had been around for so long. And they’d all been friends.
Damn it.
Cameron hadn’t even thought of how his brothers would react if they knew...

Hell.
Cameron couldn’t even put a label on the debacle he’d made of his life in the past month.

“Leave it,” Cameron warned as he started down the hall to check on his mom.

“She’s resting and Dad’s in there.” Eli moved quickly, coming to block the entrance to the hall. “I told them we’d lock up and turn off all the lights.”

“Fine. You get the lights. I’ll check the back door.”

Eli made no attempt to move. Raising his gaze to the ceiling, Cameron sighed. He should’ve known this wasn’t going to be easy.

“I have no idea what’s going on,” he conceded, looking back to his brother. “We’ve kissed. I know on every level it’s a bad idea, but I can’t stop myself.”

A little of the anger in Eli’s eyes dimmed as his shoulders relaxed. “How does she feel?”

Cameron couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, she’s made it clear she’s ready to step from the friend zone to something more.”

Eli tipped his head and shrugged. “And you’re angry about this?”

“You know I’ve made it clear for years I don’t want a commitment. Megan’s heard me say it over and over.” Damn her for making him so confused. “I won’t use her, Eli. She’s the type of woman who deserves stability and a family. I can’t give her either.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

No, he wasn’t getting into this. Cameron maneuvered around Eli and went to make sure the back door was locked. When he came back to the front, Eli had turned off the lights except the small lamp on the accent table.

Eli opened the door and gestured for Cameron to go on ahead. Once they were on the porch, Cameron started to head down the steps, but Eli had to open his mouth again. Ridiculous to think he’d be able to make a break for it.

“You can’t be married to your job forever,” Eli called out. “At some point you’re going to be lonely. Megan’s a great girl. You two would be good together.”

Cameron spun around. “I’m not looking for advice on my love life. There are complications that you don’t know about and I can’t get into. So just drop it, and don’t mention what you saw to anybody.”

Eli stared back, not saying a word.

“Promise me,” Cameron demanded. “Not Drake, not Mom or Dad.”

After a minute, Eli nodded. “Fine. But you better not mess around and hurt Megan. She’s the only woman in your life other than your mother who puts up with your moodiness and your unruly schedule.”

Cameron turned back, heading toward his truck parked last in the driveway. He wasn’t even entertaining thoughts of how much Megan had put up with. Because then he’d have to admit how much she truly did care for him.

Cameron knew he wasn’t going to get any sleep at all tonight, so he headed to the station. Might as well check in with his guys and see if there were any new developments. Of course, if there had been anything, he would’ve been called. Still, he couldn’t go home because Megan’s presence was in every single room...especially his bedroom.

His office was practically Megan-free, and he always had work he could do. But Eli was right. Cameron was afraid to go deeper with Megan. How could he be anything else? Too much rested on his shoulders, and no matter what weight he relieved himself of, he’d have more taking its place.

Everything in his life, both personal and professional, all pointed back to Megan somehow. There wasn’t a damn thing he could do to save her from his choices, regardless of the path he took.

Chapter Eleven

M
egan thought for sure that after visiting the new facility and meeting the staff she’d potentially be working with, she’d have a clearer insight on a decision.

As she maneuvered her car onto the exit ramp that would take her back into Stonerock, she was more confused than ever.

Yes, the facility was beautiful. But the nicest computer equipment or fancy waiting areas, complete with a waterfall wall for a calming atmosphere, weren’t going to sway her into making a life-altering decision.

What Megan cared about was the people she’d be able to reach, to help, the difference she could make in their lives. Megan’s potential supervisor had gone into great detail about the areas the clinic planned to target. Topping the list were poverty-stricken neighborhoods where alcoholism and drug abuse had spiked in the past few years.

Just the mention of that area had pulled Megan’s mind back home with Evan. She knew he had a problem, and she’d give anything to fix him. That’s what she did; she had a degree to fix people. But if he didn’t want to change completely, she could use all the fancy words and textbook cures in the world and he’d still remain in the pit he’d dug for himself. Though she didn’t think he was using drugs—she hadn’t seen the telltale signs—she did believe he was mixed up with a group who wasn’t immune to the industry. Why else did he always need money? Why else would he always be worried about his safety?

So did she truly want to leave, risking Evan choosing to stay behind? Or did she want to stay in Stonerock where she’d already developed relationships with clients? Those clients trusted her, counted on her. Would they feel as if they were being abandoned if she accepted the new position?

Megan’s cell rang, cutting off the radio. Pressing the button on her steering wheel, Megan answered.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Megan.” Marly’s chipper voice came through the car speakers. “Are you busy?”

“Just driving. What’s up?”

“Nora and I were wondering if you were free tonight. I know it’s last minute, but Eli said he didn’t mind keeping the girls for us.”

As exhausted as she was from her whirlwind trip, a girls’ night out sounded like the reward she needed. Megan couldn’t remember the last time she’d been out with a group of friends. Going out with Cameron didn’t count, not that they went out. They tended to grill at his house or watch movies, and then she’d go back to her house.

“Count me in,” Megan said, turning onto her road. “I’m almost home. I need to change, but I can meet you all somewhere.”

“We’re heading to Dolly’s Bar and Grill.”

They arranged the time and Megan suddenly found herself getting another burst of energy. She wouldn’t think about Evan, Cameron or her work situation. She’d have a beer, chat with the girls and have a good time. A simple, relaxing evening.

With the days losing light earlier and earlier, she too often found herself in pajamas by six o’clock. When had she gotten to that stage in life that the best part of her day was spent in pj’s? Mercy, she was getting old.

As soon as Megan examined her closet, she knew she wanted to dress a little sassier than usual tonight. Even if she was just going out with Nora and Marly, Megan had that female urge to step up her game a notch.

When had she let herself get so dowdy and boring? Lately she’d only donned the barest of makeup for work, and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d pulled out her curling iron or straightener. If she looked under her bathroom sink, she’d probably find them overtaken by dust.

Glancing at the clock, Megan decided she had time to put some effort into her appearance tonight. After a quick shower, she opted for the big iron and put large, bouncy waves into her hair. A little more shadow than usual made her green eyes pop. Why didn’t she do this more often? Just what she’d done so far had boosted both her energy level and confidence.

After pulling on a simple yellow tank-style dress, Megan wrapped a thick belt around her waist, threw on a fitted navy cardigan and pulled on her favorite cowgirl boots. Surely she had earrings that went with this outfit. Digging through her meager stash of jewelry, she managed to find some dangly hoops and a chunky silver bracelet.

Megan grabbed her purse and headed out the door. She hadn’t heard from Evan in a couple of days, and, surprisingly, her house hadn’t been bothered while she’d been gone.

The guilt of expecting him or his friends to steal something weighed heavily in her gut.

Megan shook off all negative thoughts as she pulled into Dolly’s. It being a Friday night, the place was bustling with cars filling the parking lot and people piling in through the front doors.

Music blasted out of the bar as a group of guys held the door open and gestured for her to enter. Smiling her thanks, Megan stepped inside, quickly scanned the room and found Nora and Marly in a booth along the wall.

With a wave, Megan wove her way through the crowd as a slow country song filled the room. Hand in hand, couples made their way to the scarred wooden dance floor. Megan refused to allow the image of her and Cameron dancing to occupy her mind. She was here for fun and for a girls’ night. Nothing more.

Nora slid over, giving Megan room to ease onto the leather seat.

“You look beautiful,” Nora said with a huge smile. “I was just happy to shower and actually attempt to fix my hair.”

Marly laughed. “You’re always gorgeous, Nora. But, seriously, Megan, you look great.”

“Thanks.” Megan sat her purse between her and Nora and thanked God she’d taken some extra time to get ready. “I was going for the fun Megan instead of therapist Megan.”

“Well, honey, you nailed it.” Nora waved her hand at a waitress. “First round’s on me.”

“I need a drink,” Marly stated. “I’ve been sewing on Willow’s Halloween costume for a week and it still looks like a hot mess. Why the hell did I think I could be supermom instead of just buying one?”

Nora patted Marly’s arm. “Because you’re an awesome mom and Willow doesn’t care what it looks like. She’s just excited her mom is making the Darth Vader-cowgirl-princess getup.”

Marly moaned. “I suppose. I think letting her pick her favorite themes was a bad idea. I meant one character, not three combined.”

Once they ordered their drinks plus a basket of chips and salsa, Megan turned to Nora.

“How’s Bev? She getting used to those crutches?” Megan asked.

“Eli said she’s still complaining about using them, but he told her she’d get used to it.” Nora rested an elbow on the dull wooden tabletop and smiled. “As long as Mac is there, though, she doesn’t have to get up for anything except to use the bathroom. He’s right at her side making sure she doesn’t even have to ask.”

Marly laughed, pushing back a wayward curl from her forehead. “The St. John males have a tendency to go overboard with protecting and assisting their ladies.”

Megan thought about how Cameron had wanted her to show Evan some tough love. Cameron was ready to step in and be her human shield, but she had held him back. She remembered a time in high school when a guy was insistent she leave a party with him and all but dragged her toward his car. Cameron had stepped in then, as well, and punched the guy in the face.

The waitress came back with the drinks and each woman took a long, sigh-worthy sip. Megan licked the frothy, fruity foam off her top lip and glanced up to see the other two staring at her.

“What?”

“You were daydreaming.” Nora quirked a brow while sliding her fingertip over the condensation on her tall, slender glass. “I know this is absolutely none of my business, but we’ve known each other a really long time.”

Megan braced herself for whatever Nora was about to ask.

“Any chance you and Cameron...” Nora let the silent question settle between them as she pulled the toothpick full of pineapple out of her drink and plucked a piece off.

Marly eased her forearms onto the table and leaned forward, obviously eager to hear the answer, as well.

Megan shrugged. “We’re best friends.” That was the truth. “I’m not sure we would know how to be anything else.”

“Have you tried?” Marly asked.

The waitress returned, setting a giant basket of tortilla chips and three small bowls of salsa on the table.

Megan pretended to look for the perfect chip while she contemplated the answer she should give over the answer she wanted to give.

“I believe the silence speaks for itself,” Nora proudly stated as she dipped her chip. “There’s no way a man like Cameron can ignore you for years.”

Yeah, well, he had. At least in any form beyond friendship. But when his mouth had been on hers, his hands up her shirt, he’d certainly given off the vibe he was staking a claim.

“How long have you guys been a secret?” Nora asked, leaning in just a bit more, a wide, knowing smile spread across her face.

Megan sighed. “There’s no secret. To be honest, we only kissed for the first time last week and that was because I was sleeping, he startled me from a dream and I...”

“Please, please don’t stop there.” Marly reached across and squeezed her arm. “I may not have known you that long, but I’m wrapped up in this and I know it’s not my business. So, tell Nora and just let me listen in.”

Megan laughed and took a drink, welcoming the chill of the strawberry-flavored, alcohol-enriched slush. “I yanked him down and kissed him,” she muttered.

Both women’s eyes widened as their grins spread even wider. Megan couldn’t help but smile back because she so had to get this off her chest. And there wasn’t a doubt in her mind these two ladies would offer her some much-needed advice.

“Then he cornered me in his kitchen the other night after we watched your kids during your date.” Megan found herself moving forward with the story without being prompted. She wanted to blame the alcohol, but after only two sips, that defense fell flat. “He was angry at the kiss we’d shared.”

“If he cornered you and was angry, sounds to me like he’s turned on and is mad at himself,” Nora supplied. “Probably for just now taking notice, if you ask me.”

“Yeah, well, we argued. That led to another kiss and his hand up my shirt.”

Nora and Marly high-fived each other across the table, and Megan felt her face flush. “This is silly.” She laughed. “I feel like I’m in high school.”

“Better than high school,” Marly chimed in. “Way better. So what happened next? This is the best girls’ night ever.”

Megan reached for another chip. “Sorry to disappoint, but he pulled back and we argued again. I just don’t know what to do.”

Nora shifted in her seat and all smiling vanished as she looked Megan straight in the eyes. “Take my advice. Don’t wait to tell him how you feel, what you truly want. I did that with Eli the first time. We let a lot of years and hurt build between us, and then we had to overcome so much to be together. You’re not guaranteed a tomorrow.”

Megan felt the quick sting in her nose as her eyes started to fill. Nora had been in love with Eli in school, and then he had gone into the military. After a few years, Nora married Eli’s friend, who had ultimately died while deployed. Nora had taken the long, hard road to find love, and Megan could only nod as the lump formed in her throat.

“Damn it.” Marly yanked her napkin from under her drink and dabbed beneath her eyes. “I had my makeup so nice, too, thanks to that pin I saw on Pinterest.”

“I didn’t mean to cause tears,” Nora defended herself, passing another napkin over to Marly. “I’m just trying to help.”

Megan blinked back her own unshed tears and gripped her icy-cold glass. “You did help. I know I need to tell him how I feel, but I guess I just needed encouragement. I’m a bit of a coward. What if we mess up? He’s the most stable person in my life, and I can’t lose him as a best friend.”

Nora nodded. “I understand the fear, but if he loves you beyond friends, isn’t that worth the risk? Is he worth it?”

Without a doubt. Cameron was worth risking everything for.

Her phone chimed from her purse. She thought it was rude to be on the phone when out with a group of people, but it could be a patient in need.

“Sorry,” she said, digging out the phone. “Give me one second.”

The caller ID flashed her brother’s name. Megan swiped the screen and answered.

“Evan?”

“I’m ready.”

Those two words held so much meaning. “You want me to come and get you?”

“Yeah, um, I was dropped off at the parking lot beside the old gas station that closed. You know where that’s at?”

Megan nodded, even though he couldn’t see her. “Yes. I’ll be there in five minutes.”

She hung up, quickly pulled money from her purse and tossed it on the table before explaining to the girls that she had to get her brother. There was no time to go into further details because Evan changed his mind so often, she wanted to jump through this window of opportunity.

Besides, he might be in danger if he was in a parking lot at night all alone.

Megan raced for her SUV. As she pulled into the lot, at first she didn’t see anybody. As soon as she got out, she felt the presence of someone behind her. Spinning around, her heart leaped into her throat. The hulking figure wasn’t Evan.

Pulling all her experience and courage to the surface, Megan lifted her chin and squared her shoulders. “Where’s my brother?” she asked.

The sneer on the stranger’s face sent a cold chill down her spine. He stepped closer, all the while raking his eyes over her. Curse this dress she’d felt beautiful in earlier. Why was she now feeling as if she was being punished for wanting to look nice?

“I’m right here.”

Megan jerked around to see Evan, hands in his pockets, staring across the open space. She could barely see him for the glow from the streetlight that was at the other end of the block. But the tone of his voice worried her. He sounded sad, nervous, almost desperate.

“What’s going on?” she asked Evan as she started to take a step forward.

The man behind her gripped her arm. Megan had taken a self-defense course, a requirement for her job. Instantly the lessons came flooding to her mind. She whirled around and shoved the palm of her free hand straight up into the man’s nose.