Caught in Us (Caught Series Book 4) - Kacey Shea (e manga reader .txt) 📗

explodes from Cam’s lips. “That’s a good one.” He shakes his head, slapping me on the back. “You had me going there. Fucking asshole.” But when I don’t join in, his amusement fades. “Wait. Are you fucking serious?”

“Yeah, we uh, we had a thing the summer before she left. Down in Kitty Hawk.” We had so much more than a thing, but I don’t think my brother needs all the details. I’m also not ready to admit how much she broke my heart.

“Shit.”

“Yeah.”

“What are you gonna do?”

“What can I do? She lives in London.” There’s a physical ache in my chest at the idea of her leaving with Matthew next week. “I’m with Julia.” But that’s not holding me back, and right there is my answer for where we go next.

He studies my face as if he’s searching for answers. “You like her.”

“Julia?” I frown, because of course I do. I might be hesitant to make a lifelong commitment, but she’s a good woman. The best. I would be a fool to walk away from someone who treats me so well.

“No,” Cam says. His mouth hangs open with surprise. “Alicia.”

I never stopped. “I don’t even know her. Not anymore.”

“But you did,” he challenges. “That summer. Getting sober, she had something to do with that, didn’t she?”

She had everything to do with it. I’m too tired to keep up the lie. “I wouldn’t be standing here today without her.”

“Then she left and had your baby overseas. Damn, Chase.”

“She didn’t know she was pregnant when she left.”

“That’s a little better. I guess.”

“Yeah.”

“What about your kid?” Cam leans back into his chair and rubs a hand along the back of his head. “Fuck, what’s his name again?”

“Matthew.”

“Matthew.” He smiles, nodding. “I have a nephew. Fuck.”

“Yeah.” I exhale a long breath, my shoulders feeling lighter now that my brother knows the truth. “He’s smart and funny, and I know I’ve only known him a few days, but that boy already has a piece of my heart. I don’t know how I’m going to watch them walk away next week.”

“Did you tell Julia?”

“No.” I shake my head.

His eyes widen. “Interesting.” There’s an implication in his tone that calls my bullshit.

“I just found out.” The need to defend my actions presses more excuses from my mouth. “I need time to process.”

“Sure. But if I found out I had some long lost child?” He shrugs, holding my stare. “Jill would be the first person I told.” He leans forward, his elbows resting on his thighs. “You worried Julia will break up with you for this? It’s not as if you were keeping it from her. I kept Kenz from Jill and she forgave me. My mistake was not trusting Jill from the beginning. If you want a future with Julia, you need to give her the benefit of the doubt. If she loves you, she’ll understand.”

“Yeah.” But that’s not it. I know Julia would understand. So why haven’t I told her? If I’m honest, it’s because then I’ll have to tell her about Alicia and that’s where my feelings get complicated. Because even though I haven’t seen her in three years, it’s as if my heart doesn’t understand—doesn’t remember how her leaving crushed it to pieces. When she’s around, all I want is to go back to that time. I remember how she tastes, how she feels when she comes, how she feels like home.

“Well, shit. This sucks. We leave right after the wedding. I won’t be around to get to know my nephew.”

“He’s a really sweet kid.”

“You spent time with him?”

“Yeah, I spent most of yesterday with him.”

Cam’s brows lift with surprise. “Alicia was cool with that?”

“Yeah, she was there too.”

His lips press together and he leans back in his seat. “Hmm.” He brings his cigar to his lips and takes a long inhale.

“What?” I roll my eyes. “Just say what you wanna say.”

“I’m trying to read between what you are and aren’t telling me.”

“My sobriety isn’t at risk, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“That’s not what I think at all.” He scowls, shaking his head. “Chase, you’ve worked your ass off to stay sober. You’re a good man. I’m proud to be your brother and I’m happy as hell you’re the one standing by my side when I marry Jill tomorrow.”

I don’t need his affirmations. I’m in a good place and I know how much Cam cares, but damn, it feels good to hear those things out loud.

“Damn, brother.” I blink back the surge of emotion, leaning forward to pat his shoulder. “Who knew you could be such a sappy fuck.”

“Yeah, well. You’re one of the most important people in my life.” Cam wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me in for a sideways hug. “I love you.”

“Love you, too.” I lean into him and for a moment I’m transported back in time, when he was taller than me and I looked up to him as though he were a super hero. He’s always looked out for me. Loved me the way a big brother should. We might not share blood, but it doesn’t matter, the bond we share is stronger than that.

He pulls away, meets my stare, and blinks back the same emotion that thickens in my throat. Cam shakes his head as he chuckles gruffly. “This is supposed to be a party and here we are tearing up like a couple of sentimental fools.”

“And I can’t even blame it on the alcohol.”

He laughs at my joke, then sets down his cigar on the table. Leaning to the side, he pulls his phone out of his back pocket. His brows furrow as the screen lights up his face.

“Everything good?”

“Yeah.” He types out a response before trading his cell for the cigar. “You know what I could go for?” He leans back into his seat.

“What’s that?”

“Some good music. I think that bar on Fifth Street has a live band tonight.” His smirk is devious, reminding me of all the times we got into trouble