Here for You (24 page)

She walks over and sets it down on the counter in front of me. “Make a wish.”

She has no idea what a loaded statement that is. The best thing that has happened to me in so long is standing in front of me right now, but I can’t give her everything she deserves. There are only two things in this world that I would wish for, and they are both impossible. I wish Jacob was still here. And I wish I had met Ash before my life became a living nightmare. How can I even wish for those things? I will never have either one, but what I have in front of me right now tells me there is hope that my world could go on.

I blow out the single candle and wrap my arms around her waist. “Thanks, Ash.”

“I wish I could have celebrated your birthday with you that evening. Sorry I didn’t know.” She leans down to give me a gentle kiss, and in this single moment, I feel how much she cares. She sets a box in front of me. When I open it, I laugh a little. I told her that night that I needed a watch because I’m always late. I pull out the silver TAG watch and admire the absolute perfection of her choice.

“Turn it over.”

I furrow my brow and look up at her. She motions her head forward toward the watch. I turn it over in my hand and look back down. Inscribed on the back of the watch are the words ‘
Forever in my heart
’ along with Jacob’s initials. Tears instantly gather as I grasp the thought of being reminded of Jacob every time I reach for this watch. Ash understands what I need more than anyone else. “Thank you.” I manage to whisper the words to her.

She wraps her arms around me, and I pull her in close to me. Behind her back, I slide the watch over my hand and clasp it while she holds me. Somehow, it is a perfect fit. I have no idea how she has managed this, but I’m grateful that I don’t have to give it back even for a day to get it sized.

“One more gift.”

I pull back from her and look up. “Ash, you don’t need to get me anything else. This is absolutely perfect.”

She shakes her head and holds her hand out to me. “Come on.”

I get up and follow her to the front of my condo. On the entryway table is a silver frame. When I walk to the front of the table and see the picture, the tears that were threatening are now officially there. It’s a black and white photo of Jacob, Cameron and me. Jacob and I have our arms around each other, and he is holding Cameron on his hip opposite me. Cameron has a smile on his face watching the two of us laughing. Jacob and I are both genuinely laughing. None of us are looking at the camera, and it’s a perfect capture of father, son, uncle and brother caught in a moment of pure happiness.

“Where did you get this?”

“Monica.”

“But you just met her last night.”

“I had asked Johnny if he could get a picture from her.”

“I’ve never even seen this picture.” It’s absolutely perfect. And then I notice the inscription at the bottom of the frame. ‘
Father. Husband. Brother. Best Friend. You will forever be in our hearts. In loving memory of Jacob Timothy Williams.
’

The tears are so close to falling. Ash understands what hurts most in my world and she supports me on my journey to find good in my life again.

“It’s from Cameron’s third birthday party,” she says.

I think back, and I remember it being a great day. It was in the off-season, so I was relaxed and focused on Cameron and Jacob. I had gone out to stay with them for a week and the birthday party was an over-the-top pirate show. Everyone was dressed up, they had treasure chests all over the backyard, and most of us wore eye patches all day. There are no words for how grateful I am that the three of us had them off in this moment. The happiness can clearly be seen in all of our eyes, and I can’t help but to remember how good we had it. Jacob and Cameron were my world. One was taken from me, but I still have Cameron.

I manage to pull my eyes from the photo and gather Ashley in my arms. “It’s absolutely perfect.” I kiss the top of her head. “Perfect.”

I feel her nod against me. We stand like this for minutes before she finally says, “You need to get ready, Cam.”

I lean my head against hers and smile. I already know it’s in her nature to take care of me. I can’t resist trying to get her naked at this moment. I want to show her how great she is to me. “Are you sure you won’t reconsider just a shower?”

She pulls her head back and peers up at me with a look that I never want to see for real. I know she’s just teasing, but it’s a look I don’t ever want to be on the receiving end of. “Go get ready. I will be in your office working.” She gives me a kiss before heading to the opposite side of the condo. I manage to swing my arm out and gently slap her ass before she gets out of reach.

She turns back and gives me a slow shake of her head. “You’re terrible.”

I give her what I think is my most charming smile, but she turns and continues toward my office. I know she’s right to put her foot down because if I get caught up in her this morning, I’ll never be able to focus on the game. I look at the picture one more time and then swallow the lump in my throat as I head to my room to get ready for the park. My left hand brushes over the watch on my wrist while I walk down the hallway to my room. Both things mean more to me than she probably even knows.

“Sure.”

“Quinn?”

“Yeah, girl!”

I pour glasses for the three of us and juggle them as I make my way over to where the four of us are sitting. Monica declined as she has a sleeping Cameron on her. I’m glad I was able to convince security to allow us up to my box after the game so we could hang out while we wait for the guys. It’s relaxing with everyone else gone from the box, and warmer too. The evening has cooled down and none of us feels like heading to the locker room.

I drop down in my seat and see Monica looking around. “What’s wrong?”

“I need to use the restroom, and I was just looking for a spot I could put Cameron so I don’t have to wake him up.”

I motion my hands toward me. “Give him to me. I’ll hold him while you go.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to bother you.”

“Monica. It’s absolutely fine. I don’t mind.” I hold her gaze. “Really. It’s no big deal.”

She finally gives in and stands up with him still wrapped around her. She leans down to lay him against me, and he molds himself to my body without waking up. His small hand wraps around the material on the front of my shirt, and I sigh at how natural he feels there. He’s like a small oven against my chest, and I relish the moment. Anything I can do to be there for these three people who are now an important part of my life makes me happy.

I drop a quick kiss to the top of his head and then turn to Quinn while I wrap Cameron tighter in my arms. “You seem really happy, Q. Things are great with you and Johnny?” I watch as she flushes slightly and smiles with adoration in her eyes.

“He’s awesome. I’ve never been this happy with a man. Besides the amazing chemistry we have, which by the way we do, I just love being around him. I don’t care what we’re doing or where we’re going. As long as I’m with him, it feels good.” She stops talking for a moment. “God, listen to me gush like a teenage girl crushing on the popular senior.”

“I think it’s great. So he brings out the softer side of you. Nothing wrong with that.”

“Hey, you love my crass side.”

I laugh. “Of course I do. Wouldn’t trade it—or you—for anything. But I like this side of you too. There’s room for both.”

My phone vibrates on the table with an incoming text. “Can you hand me my phone?”

Quinn swipes it off the table and holds it out to me.

From: Cam

Where are you guys? We’re almost ready.

From: Ashley

We r up in my box. Do u think u guys could get us up here? We have a sleeping toddler and it might be easier for u to carry him to the parking lot.

From: Cam

Sure. We’ll be there in about ten.

From: Ashley

Looking forward to it. Congrats on another win!

From: Cam

Thx

“Speaking of happy. That smile you get when you’re around Cam, talking to him or just thinking about him is enormous.”

I look up from my phone and hand it back to Quinn. “I can’t explain what we have. I can’t even remember my world without him in it, which terrifies me.”

I can’t help the few tears that form in my eyes, and Quinn pats my leg. “It’s all going to work out, Ash. The way he looks at you tells the truth. He’s falling in love with you even if he’s not ready to admit it.”

When Monica walks back into the box, I change the subject. I don’t want her to feel like she’s in the middle of Cam and me. “Hey, Mon, are you heading to the Chicago games?”

She looks down as she nears us. “Probably not. It’s a challenge for me to travel with Cameron on my own sometimes.”

“Quinn and I are both going. We’re happy to help in whatever way we can.” I look over at Quinn and smirk. “Well,
I’m
happy to help. Not sure if my tough friend here is up for it.”

She swats my arm. “I can be gentle when I want to be. I’d be happy to help with anything.” Quinn looks past me to Monica, and the smile on her face is genuine. I love my best friend.

I turn back to Monica. “See? With three of us, it’s sure to be easier. Come on. We can see a little bit of the city during the day on Monday or Tuesday. Quinn and I are both working a light load early in the week. This is a once in a lifetime chance for us, and we’re both taking time to enjoy it.”

“Are you sure? I mean, you girls should enjoy the city freely without a four-year-old holding you back.”

“Are you kidding? We can use him as an excuse to enjoy things that might seem silly without a kid.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. Like Navy Pier or the Aquarium. Come on. It will be a blast.”

She hesitates and looks at Quinn again. Apparently satisfied by whatever emotion Quinn has on her face, she looks back at me and says, “Okay. I’m in.”

I smile. “Great.” I turn my head toward Lizzy. “Hey, I’m sorry you’re going to miss this trip. I promise you that when they make it to the World Series, you will be allowed to travel with me to the games. I just hate not having one of us in the office.”

“I know, Ash. It’s fine. I completely understand. But now that you said I can go to the World Series, I’m more than a little excited.”

“Hey, who said we’re in the World Series already?”

The deep drawl of Cam’s voice makes my entire body ache for him. Afraid to move, I turn my head the direction of the door. “I did. You have a problem with that?” I wink at him, and his mouth curls up on one side. I’m such a goner. I literally feel his smile all the way to my core.

“Nah. You keep on telling everyone that because it’s the truth.” He walks over by my chair and looks at me before he bends down to pick up Cameron. He doesn’t move for a few seconds.

“What?”

He shakes his head. “Ah, nothing. Let me take him from you.”

“I don’t know. He’s kind of like my own personal space heater.”

“I’ll warm you up,” he murmurs.

He lifts Cameron and turns him to lay his head on his shoulder. One eye opens half way and a small smile forms. “Uncle Cam.”

“That’s right, buddy.” Cameron’s arms wrap around Cam’s neck, and it’s all I can do not to burst out into tears. I don’t know what is wrong with me lately because I never once thought about kids as of a month ago. But seeing the way Cam is with his little Mini-Me does something to me that I can’t control.

Cam leans forward to give me a quick kiss and brushes his thumb across my cheek. “What’s wrong, Ash?”

I shake my head. “Nothing. Let’s go.”

He raises one eyebrow at me but drops the conversation. Cam holds Cameron with one arm and grabs my hand with his free one. “Ready, girls?”

I finally notice that Fonz followed Johnny in. I was so caught up in Cam that I wasn’t watching. Apparently the match of Fonz and Lizzy may have some potential. I want to laugh because all three are hooking up with an older woman. Although I’m only two years older, both Lizzy and Quinn are three years older than the guys. I know it’s not a big difference, but it’s funny to think the guys are all younger.

As we make our way through the stadium to the parking lot, I hook my free arm through Monica’s. “Quinn and I are flying late afternoon tomorrow if you want to try and get on our flight.”

“Are you going to go to Chicago, Monica?” Cam asks with hope in his voice.

“Yeah. Your girl here convinced me to go. Even though I feel like a burden with Cameron, she insisted.”

“I can take him if you guys want to hang out. It’s no problem. He can come to the park with me anytime.”

“I don’t want to put that on you, Cam.”

Cam leans his head forward to look around me. “I want to, Monica. I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t want to.”

She gives a small laugh. “I know. You’re both great.”

He looks back to me. “By the way, you and Quinn are coming home on the team plane. I’ll make sure there’s room for Monica and Cameron, too.”

“Really?” I ask hesitantly. “Are you sure that’s okay?”

“Yeah. I already cleared it with Coach.”

When we get to the cars, Cam puts Cameron in his car seat in the back of Monica’s car. I give her a hug goodbye and let her know I’ll text the flight info when I get back to Cam’s place. I slide into Cam’s car and click my seatbelt.

When he jumps in and closes the door, he looks at me. The heat rolling off him is practically enough to make my clothes take themselves off. “Thank you for that.”

I raise an eyebrow at him. “For what?”

“Convincing Monica to go. She never goes to the away games because she thinks she’s in the way with Cameron.”

“He’s a sweet kid. Besides, I was serious. He could be my own personal heater.”

His thumb runs over my mouth and my lips part in anticipation. “It’s more than that but if you want to pretend it’s not, that’s okay with me.” When his lips press against mine, I forget everything else in the world. I push my lips harder and his tongue darts into my mouth. On a mingled moan, both of us pull back dazed. “We need to meet up with everyone so we can get out of there. I want you home in my bed. Now.”