loud _ Hitting has Merlin jumping off my lap with a hiss and running towards the stairs. Lana doesn’t have a chance to reach the knob before the front door slams against the wall and Cami bursts in.
“Hood! You’re back!” Cami throws her backpack on the ground and runs towards me. I kneel and open my arms. “Hello boy”.
Cami throws her arms around my neck. “I missed you.”
My heart lodges somewhere in my throat as I tighten my grip. “I missed you more.” My voice shakes, the slight tremor causing Lana’s eyes to fill with tears. She drops to the floor next to me and joins our hug. Wyatt bows his head before closing the door to the lake house behind him.
“You are better now?” Cami looks at me. My smile falters. “Yeah.”
“Actually?” Her blue eyes become impossibly brighter. “Yes. Did you look after Merlin for me while I was away?”
His smile widens. “Yes! I fed him. A lot.”
“I saw that. I’m going to have to get the guy a little treadmill with the amount of food you gave him.”
Cami laughs, making my chest flood with heat.
“And I gave him water. I tried to sleep with him, but mommy monopolized him.”
“Did he do it now?” He glanced at Lana. She gives me a little push with her shoulder.
Cami pouts. “She didn’t like to share.” I pretend to gasp. “What? How dare she?”
Lana sticks her tongue out. “I also like to share. “I just needed a cuddle buddy.”
“I’ll be your cuddle buddy.” wink
Cami presses her palm against my cheek. “Are you staying?”
My throat tightens as I wrap my arm around Lana and pull her close to me. “Of course.”
“Forever?” Cami asks. “Yeah.”
“And ever?”
I laugh. “That’s the plan, as long as you want me.”
She squeals as she wraps each arm around us and squeezes. A feeling of weightlessness washes over me, replacing the heavy feeling in my chest that has been present since I left Wisteria Lake to go to rehab.
Cami pulls away with a smile. “Are you and mom getting married now?” Blood drains from Lana’s face. “Camila”.
” That?”
Lana gives him a look. “You shouldn’t ask people that.” “Why not?” She crosses her small arms against her chest. “Because she is rude.”
I drag Lana’s left hand to my lips. “Someday I plan on it.” Cami cheers as Lana blinks. I smile against her skin, my lips brushing against goosebumps. Even Merlin comes back down to rub her body against us with a purr.
“Do you love my mommy?” Cami bats her dark blonde eyelashes at me.
“I love her more than anything.” I reply as I look into Lana’s deep brown eyes.
“And your mom? Do you love Cal? Cami puts her hands on her chest. “I loved him long before I understood what love really was.” Cami cheers as she places a soft kiss on Lana’s lips.
Having my own family makes me feel complete in a way I never dreamed was possible. It took me a long time to realize that no amount of alcohol, drugs, or money compares to the high I get when I’m surrounded by my loved ones.
And I will stop at nothing to make sure I never lose them again.
 |
Walking down Main Street with Cami and Lana is a completely different experience this time. Usually, the locals just ignore me or shoot daggers in my direction whenever I walk through town.
Today is everything I hoped for but I never thought it was possible. People take the time to stop and talk to us, treating me like I’m not a social outcast. I’m so surprised that I’m left speechless on more than one occasion, even when Meg stops me outside her bookstore to tell me that she saved a copy of a new sci-fi release that she thought I might like.
It’s almost like I’ve entered an alternate reality where the people of Lake Wisteria no longer hate me for the mistakes I made six years ago.
Cami, Lana and I walked into Holy Smokes BBQ with the intention of grabbing a quick bite to eat. Our plan is immediately hijacked by the townspeople sliding their tables against ours and creating a long table fit for a medieval feast.
“So Cal finally came back.” Isabelle plops down on the bench next to me. I look at her with half-lidded eyes. “So you remember my name.”
He taps his glass of water against mine with a wink. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Too late. I can feel it already inflating.”
Isabelle’s son, Ernie, places a tray full of meats in the center of the table before returning to the counter for another round.
“What is the special occasion?” Lana asks.
“No more whining while you wait for this one to come back.” Isabelle smiles. Lana frowns. “I wasn’t depressed.”
“You totally were.” Isabelle turns to me. “Everyone in town gained weight this month while trying to keep up with the amount of baked goods coming out of this woman’s kitchen. My ass now has her own zip code thanks to her and those damn Nutella cakes.”
“And cookies!” Cami raises her fist grabbing a crayon in the air. “Isabel!” Lana throws her hands in the air.
I smile. “There is no need to be embarrassed on my own.” Her eyes narrow. “I’m not ashamed”.
“Shouldn’t I tell him how you wore his hoodie for a whole week?”
“You know what? I’m going to take a walk on a very short pier now, thank you very much.” Lana moves to get up from the bench, but I grab her hand first.
“I think it’s nice that you missed me.”
His lips flatten into a thin line. “Cute? Because Isabelle isn’t the only one whose butt needs a new zip code.”
wink “Just the way I like it.”
More people come to sit at our table and attention quickly shifts away from Lana. Just like at dinner with my family, I’m content to stay in the background and listen to everyone else talk. The stories they share range from two school teachers and an ongoing prank war, to how upset people are with Julián López and his company buying properties around the lake.
I feel like I am no longer an outsider looking in, but someone who belongs. Provides a feeling of fullness that I didn’t know I needed. In Chicago, I’m the Kane brother who lacked drive, ambition, and any goals besides being the family screw-up. But here at Lake Wisteria, I’m just Cal, a somewhat normal guy who likes to read books, tip well, and spend time with his family.
I may be a billionaire, but no one here treats me like one. They make fun of my family’s company, my luxury car, and they make fun of me incessantly about how in love I am with Lana.
I don’t mind one bit, as I spend most of our dinner laughing until my stomach hurts. It’s not until Cami yawns and Lana calls it a night that I realize something.
Returning to Lake Wisteria wasn’t just about finding myself, it was about finding family. A massive family of three hundred who would drop everything to help one of their own, including my daughters.
And I hope I one day.
