Page 61 of A Simple Regret

I replace my phone on the charger and curl up on my side. I fall asleep quicker than expected, and when I do, there’s a big smile on my face.

CHAPTER

FIFTEEN

Camden

I hurry through my shower, anxious to get next door.

Hell, that anxiety isn’t just now either. All damn day, every time I looked at the clock, I’d been willing it to go faster so I could get to dinner.

I wish I could say it was just Theo I’m excited to spend a little time with, but it’s not just him. It’s his mom too. I’m still mad she left, and I still need to hear the rest of the story, but I’m unable to fight the pull I feel toward her. The same pull I felt in high school when I walked into PE class our junior year and saw the most beautiful girl in the world. I don’t know what had changed. One day she was Maren Holm, classmate, and the next day, I was hooked and infatuated.

I asked her out a few days later, and we spent more than a year together. Two proms, a homecoming dance, basketball and football games, and dates every weekend. Too many shared dinners with our families, fishing in the creek, and tailgate make-out sessions to count.

And even though I’m hurt and angry still at what happened between us, being with her feels right. I don’t think it’s a case of my first love reappearing and rekindling those old feelings. At least I hope that’s not it. It doesn’t feel like it though, because the moment I saw her standing across the property line, staring at me, I didn’t feel love. I felt that anger and betrayal and hurt all over again. It was like I was transported back in time to that warm summer morning when she came over and broke my heart.

There’s still confusion, but my heart calls to her. It wants to clear the air, to hear the whole story, to know the truth, even though what I heard last night was painful. Was it really that simple? She listened to her mom—her parent—and made a decision she thought was right? Does she really regret it? The torture reflecting in those blue eyes told me she does. I suppose only time will tell, and hopefully hearing the entire story will help put those doubts and concerns I have to rest. But if not, well, then I’ll have to make some serious decisions about what my future looks like, and whether or not my new neighbor is a part of it.

For now, I’m letting what happens…happen.

I’m channeling my best Linda Miller and willing to hear her out, to follow my heart.

And my heart is calling to Maren.

I throw on a pair of comfortable jeans, a T-shirt, and a dark blue Henley before returning to my bathroom and styling my hair. I only do that on weekends, or when I’m going out. My normal day-to-day hairstyle is combed but not styled, thanks to my line of work, but tonight, it feels like a time to add a little styling product for the longer hair on top of my head.

After covering my feet in socks and my nicer pair of boots, I grab my phone and fire off a text.

Me

Still good to go?

Maren

Yep. Theo and I are ready.

I can only smile at that.

Me

Heading over now.

I slip my phone into the back pocket of my jeans before putting on my coat. Then, I grab my keys off the counter and head out, making sure my back door is firmly latched before walking down the steps and toward the neighbor’s house.

When I reach her back door, I can see it open. Through the storm door, I find Maren helping Theo into his winter coat. The moment he sees me on the opposite side of the window, he starts waving frantically. “Cam!”

“Hey, little dude,” I say as I open the storm door and step inside. “You ready to go?”

Maren slides his hat onto his head. “Yep!” He runs over and places his gloved hand inside mine.

“Let me grab my coat,” she says, standing up tall and going to the hook where her coat hangs.

I take in the view of her backside. Her hair is down, soft curls hanging loosely, and she’s wearing a red sweater and dark blue jeans. My cock jumps in my pants at the swell of her ass formed in the tight denim. She’s not dressed provocatively, but the sight of her in a pair of comfortable jeans, hugging her ass the way they do, is putting all sorts of inappropriate thoughts in my head.

“Ready,” she says, putting on her coat and turning to face me.

“Want to take your vehicle or my truck? It’s probably easier to take yours, right? Since the car seat is already there?”