Chapter 20

Troy stepped out into the Hortons’ side yard and drew a deep breath. Still shocked at how much cooler it was here at night, he crossed his arms and glanced heavenward. Thunder rolled in the distance. Moments later, the western sky flashed with lightning. The storm was coming later than forecasted, the humidity heavy. Across the lawn, fireflies glowed and the woods in the distance appeared menacing. Shadows against a navy sky.

His and Cam’s bedroom light blinked on above him, illuminating the grass under his feet. He glanced at the window two stories up, then at the horizon.

He'd nearly lost it today. Seeing her on the ground, motionless, with Emily sprawled over her…

They’d been his family, his only true family, since long before he'd thought he needed one. He told himself the panic was for that reason. The avid terror at finding her injured. Even now, he still feared the Covics would abandon him. In the quiet of night, though, he knew that to be a lie. Or, well, not the whole truth.

Somewhere in the space between right and wrong, between family and friend, Camryn was becoming more. Warning knells had gone off before they'd even left for Colorado when she'd backed into his entryway table at his house. Again in his guestroom when they’d landed on top of one another pulling out the bed.

Swallowing, he eyed the spot in the yard where they’d kissed. And then there was that. The kissing.

He shook his head. Because of his inattention, Emily or Cam could’ve been hurt. There was no force on Earth that would’ve allowed him to forgive himself had that happened.

Ever since his father had gotten locked away when Troy was eighteen, he’d made a pact with himself to never become the monster his dad was. Never raise a fist, never drink more than one beer, never hurt another person. Use humor when possible, smile freely, show those he loved how he felt.

In honesty, his pact was probably why he'd not allowed himself to truly fall in love. Love led to marriage, which led to kids… And though it sickened him, his father’s DNA coursed through his blood. It only took a second to lose his patience and repeat the cycle of abuse.

A door closed behind him.

He turned and looked at Fisher. “What are you still doing awake?”

Fisher shoved his hands in his pockets and stood next to him. “I could ask the same thing.”

A sigh, and Troy looked over the horizon again. “I keep seeing them in my head, laying there on the ground.”.

“Me, too.”

Guilt clawed at him anew. “I’m so, so sorry. I should’ve paid more attention.”

Fisher faced him, expression solemn. “That’s not why I came out. It was an accident, Troy. Nothing more. And thankfully, not serious.”

His friend was more forgiving than Troy. “What do you want to say, then? I know you. There’s something on your mind.”

Fisher glanced up at the house, then at his feet. “Emily and Camryn aren’t the only ones I keep seeing in my mind. It’s you, too. The expression on your face when you saw her fall. The one you had at the hospital.” He met Troy’s eye and held it. “You’ve never looked at a woman the way you looked at her today. So, this thing with you and Cam? It’s okay with me.”

Troy closed his mouth and searched Fisher’s face. Long and narrow, perfectly shaven jaw, dimple on the right cheek. Eyes staring frankly into his, offering Troy the ultimate trust. If he was becoming that transparent Fisher could see his emotions, what must Cam be thinking?

He couldn’t say anything through the lump in his throat, but his mind raced to spill the truth to his best friend.

No words would come. Truth be told, he’d rather have Fisher mad at him.

Fisher nodded. “Good night.”

Troy stared at the door as it closed, and then up at the sky as it let loose.