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Carson Cameron is, frankly, an idiot. But he’s an idiot I’ve known my whole life. We grew up together, and most of my childhood memories involve Carson in one way or another. He’s also a genuinely good person with a good heart. Growing up, kindness was a quality most of my family members, other than my father, didn’t appreciate. But being around Carson helped to ensure I didn’t turn out to be a completely unfeeling dick.
Although I’m sure some people would not agree with that.
Anika notices me first, and I double-take at the sight of her. The awkward teenager I knew back when I used to live in Edenton definitely grew up. I can’t help a small smile as she squeals, walking toward me and Sean.
“Hey stranger,” she says excitedly, her ponytail swinging.
“Anika Cameron,” I greet with a small smirk. “Look who decided to grow up. I see you finally stopped wearing those weird glasses.”
“I see you haven’t changed much, jerk. I’d offer to hug you if I didn’t know you have an aversion to human contact,” she returns.
Carson speaks up then. “It’s a good thing I don’t care about that.”
Before I can react, he’s striding over, enveloping me in a bear hug. I tense at first before relaxing into the embrace. I return the gesture, patting his back with a semblance of affection.
“Nice to see you haven’t changed, Cameron,” I say warmly.
He pulls back, his hands resting on my shoulders as he studies me. I can see in his eyes that he wants to ask how I am and all that cheesy shit, but I break the eye contact to gesture to the small human who’s doing his best to pretend he’s invincible at my side.
“This is my son, Sean,” I introduce.
Sean shifts closer to my side, but I rest a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Both Camerons’ eyes are soft when they land on my son.
“Bud, this is my friend Carson, and that’s Anika, his little sister,” I tell him.
Carson leans down to offer him his hand for a shake. “Nice to meet you, little man. I’m Carson. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“I haven’t heard a lot about you,” Sean replies easily.
I inwardly groan at that. Carson chuckles.
“Oh yeah? I wouldn’t be surprised, knowing your dad. There’s probably a lot he hasn’t told you but it’s cool. Now that you’ve met your Uncle Carson, I’ll tell you everything. Ever heard of vampires?”
Anika slaps her brother’s shoulder. “Dude, he’s five.”
“What?
They start bickering like they always do, and I’m glad to see that’s also something that hasn’t changed. I tune them out, my gaze going to the last Cameron sibling. The unfamiliar one. She’s hanging back, an awkward expression on her face. When her eyes meet mine, she offers me a small close-lipped smile.
Carson must notice that small interaction because he rises, moving to stand beside me.
“Em said you both already met,” he states. “But I’ll make the introductions anyway. Emilia’s my long-lost sister. She moved to town about a year after you left.”
I nod once. “Nice to meet you, Emilia.”
“I can’t tell if that’s a lie or not,” she murmurs.
Beside me, her brother chuckles. “Sterling’s a pretty honest man, muffin. If he says it’s nice to meet you, then it’s nice to meet you.”
“Fine.” She steps forward, her hand lifting in the space between us. “I’m sorry again for ‘trespassing.’”
I smirk, shaking her hand, which is dainty and warm in mine. “It’s alright, Emilia. Water under the bridge.”
She offers me a brighter smile at that and I feel the awkward air between us dissipate. Emilia Cameron seems like a formidable woman. I don’t know her story, but something about the way she carries herself tells me she’s had to make her way through the world with a certain type of strength.
I like that, respect it even.
It doesn’t take long before Sean is asking to be excused. I allow him, and once he’s gone, the Camerons and I settle down on the couches. We’re served refreshments and then we get to talking. Or should I say, they get to talking. Anika and Carson carry most of the conversation, each of them telling me about their lives in the past few years. Carson and I met once or twice in New York but, living in different cities, I haven’t really had the chance to catch up with him.