Page 1 of A Simple Regret

CHAPTER

ONE

Camden

It’s already dark.

I hate that.

Late January in Ohio is a combination of cold temperatures and miserably dark nights hitting way too early in the evening. There’s nothing worse than leaving work, only to find it already dark outside. But it can only get better from here. The days will start to get longer, the sunlight warmer and giving way to spring. Of course, we still have a little time for that, and that’s evident by the snow outside.

I prefer summer. Not the sweating part, but being outside, covered in dust and dirt while riding a four-wheeler. I’ve thought about moving to a climate where I can be outside year-round, but I could never leave my family, not now anyway.

Home is Cooper Town, a small place of about four thousand people, where you know everyone you pass on the street, and my family has called this place home for many generations. More recently, it’s the four Miller siblings, along with our parents, Linda and Tyson.

Collin and Cade are the oldest, twins born five minutes apart. Collin is a full-time firefighter in Sycamore, about an hour away, and also works part time at The Tipsy Lizard, owned by the woman he’s dating, Lizzie Meyer. Cade is a heavy equipment operator and is getting married this spring to Oaklee Daniels, a nurse at the local clinic.

Then there’s the only girl, Charlotte, who goes by Charli. She’s three years younger than the twins and a spitfire. She’s also the one who made me an uncle. My niece, June Elizabeth Garrison, was born a little more than two weeks ago, and she’s the best thing to ever happen to me. Her cheeks are squishy and her eyes as blue as her mama’s, and if someone would have told me I’d be this helplessly in love with a tiny little human that’s not mine biologically, I would have called them a liar. But it’s a fact. She is without a doubt the most perfect little person I’ve ever met.

She also told me I’m her favorite uncle, despite what the other two idiots might say.

Now, let’s talk about the father of my adorable niece. That title belongs to my best friend, Quinn. To say I was stunned to hear about my sister and said friend would have been an understatement. Though my best friend had crushed on my sister for longer than anyone in the history of all crushes, I was a bit surprised by the pregnancy announcement. Especially because they weren’t dating. My niece wasn’t planned, but she’s the best damn thing to happen to the family since I arrived twenty-five years ago.

Speaking of my friend, he’s the one I’d normally call on a Friday night when I’m itching to get out of the house and have a few drinks. Unfortunately, my wingman has no intentions of going out right now, leaving me to fend for myself. Not that he was really much of a wingman to begin with. Sure, he went with me to grab drinks, but he was always so lovesick, pining after Charli, that it was pointless to have him there. No, not pointless. I love spending time with him, even if he was just sitting there, making googly eyes at my sister.

But that all changed last year.

I didn’t ask for the details—because, no—but my best friend finally got what he wanted. Charli. And with her comes the family he’s always dreamed about. He’s a father and has vowed to be the best dad to ever walk this earth. Big shoes to fill, but if anyone can do it, it’s Quinn.

I pull into my driveway slowly, noticing the activity at the neighboring house. Another new tenant. I’m not sure what’s going on over there, but they never seem to last longer than six months. In the last couple of years, it’s been a revolving door of new people moving in, only to move out within a handful of months.

The house is small, an identical match of my own, but the landlord keeps them well-maintained. If I ever have an issue, I just have to reach out, and he’s quick to get the problem resolved. Not that I’ve had a lot of problems. Before I moved in, he installed all new flooring, and the roof was only a few years old before that. The appliances are older but in proper working order, and he always paints in between tenants. There’s also a detached garage on both lots, mine being twice the size as the one beside it, which works out perfect for my needs as a mechanic.

I park outside my garage and shut off my truck. My eyes scan the pair of driveways separated by only a thin strip of grass I keep mowed. Mine has nothing in front of it, everything I’m working on always kept behind lock and key in the garage for safekeeping, while the smaller, neighboring garage is wide open with boxes stacked inside. There’s also a small moving trailer backed in the driveway with no vehicle attached to it anymore. There is, however, a small Ford SUV parked in front of it that appears a little older but well taken care of.

I climb out of my truck and slowly head for my house. I could definitely use a shower, but that can wait a bit, especially if I’m gonna end up working on Wyatt’s old farm truck. It’s currently parked in the garage, the front end taken apart as I work on the transmission. It’s a good truck; just needs a little love.

First stop is the fridge. The contents are exactly what I’d expect—next to nothing. This is why I should just shower, grab some food, and head to Lizzie’s bar. It’s a Friday night, after all, and would be a great way to unwind after a long workweek, but if I’m being honest, I’m just not feeling it.

Of course, after grabbing a bottle of water, which doesn’t stop me from calling my oldest friend and giving him shit.

“Hey,” Quinn answers quietly, making me instantly smile.

“I don’t know why you’re whispering. Junie had to listen to her mama yell and carry on the whole time she was inside her. That baby girl could probably sleep through anything,” I insist, already picturing Quinn’s grin.

He snorts his reply. “My little June Bug can usually sleep through anything, including chaos and noise, but I’m exhausted, my friend, and right now, that’s not a risk I’m willing to take,” he says with a yawn.

“Want me to come over and hold the angel while you two nap?” I offer, knowing Mom has done just that a few times over the last couple of weeks.

“No, we’re good. I just got home from work, so I’m having some bonding time. Charli is taking a quick nap, but I’ll have to wake her up soon for a feeding.”

I make a face. “Let’s not talk about my sister and…feeding.”

Quinn chuckles. “One of my favorite features doing nature’s work with our daughter. It’s amazing.”

I gag. “Stop.”

He laughs, and I hear the stirring and a small cry from my niece. “It’s okay, June Bug. Daddy didn’t mean to disturb you. Uncle Cam was being silly.”