Page 17

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHEETAH

W e’ve had the best few days visiting my family. I can’t remember ever having so much fun during a visit home, at least not in a very long time. It’s been relaxed with no pressure from my mother, aside from a few comments about poking holes in my condoms, which Kam now carefully inspects before we have sex.

I showed her all the best spots in Galveston, including Pleasure Pier, the Strand, and Galveston State Park. We did a rope course adventure with my siblings and their families.

Kam finished the course first, much to the shock of everyone there. I don’t think they appreciated her athleticism until they saw it in person. I proudly threw my arm around her and announced to them all that she was a four-time All-American. She reminded me that if you include high school, she was an eight-time All-American.

We then had a wiffle ball game with all the kids. Kam is totally uncomfortable around kids and doesn’t even attempt to censor herself, but the game was fun and turned into a pissing contest between her and me. We traded home runs back and forth, doing our best to one-up the other with our outrageous celebratory trots. She won everyone’s vote when she got on the ground and did the worm all the way around our makeshift bases.

She also wildly amused herself by finding the most inopportune times to call in the promised daily oral satisfaction, but I never back down from a good challenge. I’ve now gone down on her in multiple public bathrooms, the woods, the back of my father’s new truck, and under a table one night.

She’s crazy in the best way possible.

On our last night here, we went line dancing at a bar. We hung out with my cousin Cruz and his girl, Lehra. They were dressed as a cowboy and cowgirl. When I asked him about it, he simply smirked and said that they like to do a little role-play now and then. Kam made me give her the full cowboy treatment when we got into bed that night.

Unfortunately, we also ran into Mariana while there. She was visibly upset by seeing me with my alleged fiancée. I felt terrible, but Kam was extremely kind to her. By the end of the night, I think Mariana fell for Kam as much as my family has.

My entire family is completely and totally besotted with her. Everyone except my mother has separately pulled me aside to convey that Kam may, in fact, be the perfect match for me. If only I could get Kam to realize the same.

We’re leaving for Jamaica later this afternoon. Kam is out shopping with my sisters and sisters-in-law. She said she needs another suitcase to house all the gifts that my family generously gave her. I’m packing our bags when there’s a knock at the door. I turn and smile when I see my mother entering the bedroom. “I was waiting for this talk.”

She walks in and sits on the bed. “Yes, let’s talk.” She pats the bed next to her. “Siéntate.” Sit .

I do as I’m told. She rubs my arm. “Kamryn is a special woman.”

I nod. “I agree.”

She briefly hesitates. “Most engaged women talk about their weddings. In fact, it’s usually all they talk about. When Gabriela was engaged to Santiago, you couldn’t have a single conversation with her without wedding planning being mentioned. Remember it was a bit of a family drinking game? Shots every time she mentioned the wedding. Everyone was drunk within an hour.”

I chuckle at the memory. “I remember.”

“Mi hijo, Kamryn hasn’t mentioned one word about the wedding all week. Honestly, I was hoping you two would house shop while you were in town. What’s going on?”

Ugh. I truly hate lying. “I think we’ll have a long engagement. She’s in law school, and she plans to play in the Olympics in a few years. We’re in no rush.”

“And what does her mother have to say about it? She must want to throw her daughter a wedding. There’s no greater joy.”

I exhale a long breath. “I told you before I came down, she doesn’t talk to her mother. Her mom isn’t like you. She’s not a good person. Kam cut her out of her life. While they’re close with their father, he’s had to handle their mother for most of their lives. Kam and her twin basically raised each other.”

“She’s got some baggage.” It’s not a question. It’s a statement.

“She does, but I’ve never met anyone like her. She’s the most amazing woman in the world.”

Mamá smiles. “I can see the love you have for her.” She grabs my hand. “I realize now that Mariana isn’t a match for you. I just want to see you settled.”

“What if being settled isn’t what I want?”

Her eyebrows pinch together before she taps my thigh. “ You’ve always been a little different from your brothers and sisters. My special boy, always with a smile, always making everyone else happy. I want you to be happy too.”

“I’m trying to figure that out, Mamá, and I don’t know if it’s what you think it is, but I do know that Kamryn makes me happier than anyone I’ve ever been around.”

She nods. “Well, then I can’t ask for anything else.”

She stares at me like she’s waiting for me to say more, but I’m quiet.

I’m considering telling her the truth when we hear the front door open and the voices of all the girls returning. My mother reaches over and hugs me. “It’s been good having you home and seeing you full of joy. Whatever she’s doing, it’s working for you. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

We say our goodbyes to everyone and leave for Jamaica. The second we step onto the plane, Kam hands me back the diamond engagement ring. I’m a little surprised by the tinge of disappointment I’m feeling. I liked seeing her in my ring all week.

She quickly distracts me by whispering, “There are twenty-seven bones in my hand. Want to make it twenty-eight?”

It’s nearing the evening when we land in Jamaica. Kam is bouncing in her seat with excitement as she stares out the window while we taxi to our gate. I’m happy to be able to give this to her. I take for granted that I have the finances to do whatever I want whenever I want to do it. Sometimes I lose touch with the fact that extravagant trips aren’t something most people can afford. I’m suddenly patting myself on the back for the fact that I booked five-star accommodations for us. I want her to have an amazing experience.

She looks at me. “It’s all-inclusive, right? That means all our food and drink are included? Anything? Everything? Like, if I want a margarita and nachos in the middle of the night, I can just have it?”

I chuckle. “Yes. Why is this a foreign concept to you?”

“I’m cynical by nature.”

“I’m aware.”

She grabs my hand. “Thank you for bringing me here. I’ve never done anything like this in my life.”

I shrug like it’s not a big deal, even though I know it is for her. “We had a deal. You lived up to your end of the bargain as the doting girlfriend.”

“Fiancée,” she corrects.

“Right. Fiancée. I promised you a nice trip, and I’m going to deliver.”

She bites her lip nervously. “I would have done it for you without the trip. The agreement to give me oral every day on demand for a year stands, but you didn’t have to spend all this money on a trip. I would have helped you out regardless.”

I rub her leg and joke, “You couldn’t have mentioned this a few weeks ago? It would have saved me a bundle.”

She smacks my arm, and I chuckle. “Just kidding. I’m genuinely excited to bring you here. We’re gonna have a blast over the next four days. There’s no one else I’d rather bring here than you.”

She leans over and softly kisses my lips before returning her gaze out the window.

We deboard the plane, and there’s a man standing at the gate with a sign that reads Anita Handjobe . Kam lets out a laugh. “That’s you, isn’t it?”

I nod as I offer my hand to the man. “I’m Anita Handjobe. The E is silent. But you can call me Cheetah. The stunning woman on my left is the one and only mega-slugger, superstar shortstop, Kamryn Hart. Future Olympian with a great rack.”

He gives me a gigantic smile as he shakes my hand before taking Kam’s and kissing it. With a jovial Jamaican accent, he lifts his hands in the air and responds, “I’m Odean. Welcome home.”

Kam lifts her eyebrow at me. “Is there something I don’t know? Are you secretly from Jamaica, kitten?”

Odean lets out a laugh. “We say that to everyone, my queen. We want you to feel comfortable in our country, like you’re at home.” He grabs our backpacks for us. “I have a man gathering your suitcases now. I’ve already taken care of immigration and customs, per your request. We can get you out of here right away to enjoy the enchantment of Jamaica.” He motions his hand. “Follow me to paradise, my friends.”

Kam looks giddy with excitement as she grabs my arm, and we walk behind Odean through the airport. We’re able to skip the long lines of both immigration and customs. Yep, sometimes having a lot of money has perks.

As we exit the airport, there’s a man already standing there with our suitcases. Odean asks, “Would you prefer a luxury SUV with air conditioning or a Jeep with no top? It will be a bit hotter, but you can enjoy the beauty of the island so much more in the Jeep.”

I turn to Kam, and she immediately points toward the old, beat-up Jeep. “Definitely that.”

They Tetris our suitcases into the small trunk and front seat while Kam and I climb into the back. As we begin our journey, Odean gives us a bit of a history lesson on the island and the various sites as we pass them. Kam listens intently. She has this innate thirst for knowledge. I’ve never met anyone like her. She’s a sponge, constantly absorbing new information. And once it’s in her brain, it never leaves. She’s probably the most intelligent person I’ve ever met.

She’s been FaceTiming with Bailey and Harper every morning. Harper learns a new vocabulary word every day. She tries to stump Kam, but Kam always knows what the words mean. For someone who uses the word fuck in nearly every sentence she utters, she has a huge vocabulary.

Harper’s word this morning was athwart. Harper fell on the floor laughing when I suggested it might be ass warts. Kam simply smiled as she shook her head. “No, it generally means in opposition to the right or expected course.”

I guess Kamryn Hart is athwart to every other woman I’ve ever met in my entire life…in the best way possible.

As we approach a marina-looking area, Odean says, “This is the most spellbinding place in all of Jamaica. It’s called the Glistening Waters Marina, where they take you by boat out to the famous Luminous Lagoon.”

Kam gasps. “Is this the place where you touch the water and it lights up? I read about it when I was researching the island.”

Because of course she did research.

Odean nods, looking very impressed. “Yes, it is. I see you did your homework, my queen.”

Kam smiles. “Yep. I learned that the lagoon is full of unique, small organisms that, when disturbed, emit a flash of neon light. It glows like a powerful flashlight as you swim through them.”

Odean adds, “It’s truly magical. It should be a wonder of the world. It’s where the freshwater river and the salty ocean meet to create something you can’t see anywhere else. And there are legends about those special micro-organisms. For women, they make you appear ten years younger. And for men,” he winks at me in the rearview mirror, “they give you an extra two inches. You should go one night when the sun is setting as it is now. ”

Suddenly, Kam removes her shirt. She’s not in a bathing suit, just a bra. I look at her. “Umm, what are you doing?”

She yells out, “Stop the car, Odean. I want to go in the water. I want to see Cheetah with two more inches.”

Odean lets out a laugh. “You’re supposed to take a boat to the lagoon, my queen, but I know a private access point that only we locals know about. Give me a few minutes, and I’ll take you there.”

I turn to Kam and motion toward her see-through lace bra. “Maybe you should cover up while we drive there.”

She rolls her eyes. “You’ve seen my nipples before. They were in your mouth just a few hours ago.”

I discreetly nod toward Odean.

She rolls her eyes again. “Odean, you’ve seen nipples before too, right?”

He lets out a laugh. “I have, queen, but none as magnificent as yours.” He smiles widely.

She returns his smile. “Thanks, Odean. Just wait until you see my ass in a few minutes.”

Odean laughs again as our eyes meet in the rearview mirror. “You’ve got your hands full with this one, don’t you, mon?”

I sigh. “You have no idea, Odean. No idea at all.”

We drive through what appears to be a secluded area. I’m either about to see the eighth wonder of the world or am going to be murdered. It could go either way.

Eventually, we reach a clearing and Odean parks the Jeep in what appears to be an empty beach area. He points toward the water and wiggles his thin eyebrows. “Enjoy nature’s Viagra.”

Kam practically leaps out of the Jeep and immediately discards her shorts, leaving her in a flimsy thong. Her perfect ass is on display. Odean is staring at her the whole time. I clear my throat, but he doesn’t budge. “Sorry, mon. She might be the ninth wonder of the world. ”

Truer words have never been spoken.

She starts running toward the water, screaming, “Last one in has to motorboat your Aunt Maria.”

I jump out of the Jeep like a stuntman, removing my shirt and running after her as my shorts quickly fall down my legs and land on the sand, leaving me in my boxer briefs.

I assume we’ll swim in our underwear, but that’s the thing I like most about Kamryn Hart. You should always expect the unexpected. Before she reaches the water, her bra and panties are discarded on top of the sand, leaving me with a view of her luscious ass as she dives headfirst into the ocean.

When in Rome.

I manage to pull down my boxer briefs and discard them just before I dive in behind her into the warm, refreshing ocean water. We both emerge with huge smiles and eyes wide open in wonderment. It looks like little stars are falling into the ocean with each of our movements. It’s something you have to see to believe it is real.

As if on cue, we both swing our arms around so the water sparkles around us. It comes and goes like the light of a firefly on a warm summer night. I’ve never in my life seen anything like this. It’s spectacular.

Her mouth is wide open at the magic of what’s taking place before our eyes. “This is probably the most beautiful, perfect thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”

I stare at her face, which is covered in droplets of water illuminated by both the moonlight and the lights sparkling beneath us. Her eyes take in the beauty of our surroundings. My thoughts exactly.

It can’t be more than five feet deep here, so my feet are on the ground. In perfect unison, we reach for the other. She wraps her arms and legs around me. “Too bad we don’t have a condom. I kind of want to feel if this is truly nature’s Viagra. I can’t say I’ve ever had eleven inches before. ”

I rub my hard dick through her warm center. “Does it feel like eleven inches?”

She giggles softly as her lips move toward mine. She whispers, “Something like that,” just before her lips meet mine for what may be my favorite kiss of all time. It’s full of passion, lust, gratitude, and…magic.

My heart is physically fluttering in a way I’ve never before experienced. It hits me like a Mack truck at that moment. I would never in a million years want to do this with anyone else. For the first time in my thirty years, I’m in love. I love Kamryn Hart.

Shit .

KAMRYN

“Have a jamazing evening, my queen,” my masseuse says to me as he exits our suite. Calling it a suite doesn’t do it justice. It’s the whole fucking top floor of the massive hotel. I can only imagine what Cheetah spent on this short little getaway. Everything has been over-the-top luxurious, from the ridiculous room to the butler service to the top-shelf liquor and bottomless lobster we dined on last night after we arrived.

We’ve had the best time. Last night in the Glistening Waters was undoubtedly the most incredible, sensuous moment of my life. We both wanted to have sex in there, but we didn’t have a condom. Regardless, being close to him and kissing him in that special place was unforgettable. I can’t imagine experiencing it with anyone else but him.

We were lazy and sat by the pool drinking and listening to music all day. I won the trivia contest. The DJ assumed he was stumping everyone with random Jamaican facts, but I knew the answer to each question. Add every guest at this resort to the long list of people who assumed I was an airhead.

We just had an in-room couples’ massage. We’re both in robes as the masseuses leave our suite in the late afternoon. I’ve never felt more relaxed in my life.

Cheetah is sitting on the sofa with his eyes closed and his head resting on the back, looking like he might fall asleep. I walk over to straddle him. He doesn’t open his eyes, but his dimples slowly form as he wraps his arms around me. “Feel good, baby?”

“Juan gave me the best happy ending. The most explosive orgasm I’ve had in months. Too bad Sofia didn’t give you one too.”

He tickles me, and I giggle before running my fingers through his sexy, messy hair and saying, “It was jamazing. Thank you.”

He rests his hands on my hips. “For the thousandth time, please stop thanking me. This trip is more for me than it is for you.”

I know he’s just saying that to make me feel less guilty about the ungodly sums of money he’s undoubtedly spending. The people here might be calling me queen, but it’s Cheetah who’s treating me like one.

Opening the top of his robe, I rub my hands all over his slippery, broad chest, and breathe, “It would be wasteful not to make use of all this oil.” We’re both covered in it from our massages.

He lifts his head, and his eyes open. I can feel him immediately harden under me. “I dream about your ass every time I close my eyes.”

“Me too.”

He pinches his eyebrows together. “You dream about my ass?”

“No, mine. It’s incredible.” I smile.

He chuckles. “You’re not wrong. When you play ball, all I can think about is holding onto your Princess Leia hair handles and pounding that ass. I swear I get hard every time you take the field.”

I immediately take the hair ties off my wrist and fix my hair as close as I can to the way I wear it for games. Standing, I slowly remove my robe and let it fall to the ground. “I’m here to make all your fantasies come true, Luke Skywalker. Or do you prefer to be Chewbacca? I haven’t seen Star Wars , but I can play along.”

He gasps. “You haven’t seen Star Wars ?”

I shake my head. “Nope.”

“It’s my favorite movie, like Titanic is for you.”

I scrunch my face. “It’s a boy movie.”

“It’s an everyone movie. It’s the highest-grossing franchise of all time.”

“ Titanic is literally the highest-grossing movie of all time.” I sigh. “Which is it? Luke Skywalker or Chewbacca?”

His face lights up with mischief. “I think I prefer Han Solo. Want to see my lightsaber?”

I nod. “Always.”

Before I can take another breath, he’s standing with his robe on the ground, lifting me up, and running toward the bed.

I laugh as he throws me on it. Immediately flipping me over onto all fours, I wiggle my ass, turn my head around, and say, “Be gentle, Han. Your lightsaber is bigger than most.” I haven’t had anything nearly as big as him in my ass before.

He wiggles his eyebrows. “Just be happy we’re not in nature’s Viagra. My lightsaber would have two more inches.”

“Oh god. Then it would come out my throat. But your balls might still reach my clit.”

I laugh at my own joke before he spanks me hard and asks, “How much lube do you need?”

“Duh. A buttload.”

He rolls his eyes. “For real.”

“What’s on my body should suffice.”

He does his best to gather as much of the oil covering my body and his as possible. He first rubs it all over his dick. There’s something incredibly erotic about seeing him do that. I start touching myself as I watch him stroke himself. He’s so hot.

As soon as he notices me rubbing my clit, he lets out a groan. “Shit, Kam bam. You’re so fucking sexy.”

“I know.” I look his body up and down. “So are you.”

His eyes bore into mine. “I guess we’re a perfect match.”

Too perfect.

I take a deep breath. “Stop jerking off. My ass is only on the table for another few minutes.”

He looks out toward the balcony area. “Any chance I can talk you into doing it out there? I’ve dreamed of bending you over a balcony since I met you.”

“Can people see us?”

He shrugs. “Do you care?”

I twist my lips. “Hmm…nope. Let’s do it.”

I pop up off the bed and open the sliding glass door. We have a huge balcony overlooking the ocean. We’re very high up, and it’s getting dark out. It would likely be hard for people on the ground to see us, but I suppose you never know with cameras and zooming abilities. Whatever. We’ll put on a show.

I bend over and place my hands on the top railing of the glass balustrade. He lets out a loud moan. “Fuck, Kam bam.” In a Jamaican accent, he adds, “You slay me, queen.”

I turn my head and, also in a Jamaican accent, reply, “Just make sure I have a jamazing time, mon.”

He gathers a handful of oil from my legs and rubs it over and then into my back entrance with two fingers. Then he moves them in and out of me. His other hand reaches around and starts rubbing my clit.

“Hmm. That feels good.”

He pushes in to the knuckles. “It’s about to feel even better.”

“Ahh. Keep going. Me gusta eso.” I like that.

“Voy a hacer que te corras muy fuerte.” I’m going to make you come so hard.

Withdrawing his fingers, he runs his tip over and then just barely into my puckered hole. He whispers, “Don’t worry, I’ll go slow.”

“I’m not an ass virgin, kitten. Give me your best. Bang the balloon knot like you mean it.”

He chuckles as he pushes deeper into me, all while continuing his strokes over my clit. “Oh fuck, Kam. That feels good. Are you okay?”

I roll my eyes. Men will fuck you until they break you on the front end but treat you like you’re a piece of glass on the back end. “This Chunnel to France has been traveled before. I want the full-speed train. Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible -level speed.”

Admittedly, I drop in comments about how experienced I am anytime I can. I’m not ashamed or embarrassed about my active sex life. A lot of people, mostly men, can’t handle it. They feel threatened. But not Cheetah. He likes me exactly as I am. In fact, he gets a kick out of my mouth, and I think he gets off on my past experiences. He’s never once tried to make me anything other than what I am. In turn, I would never want him any other way than exactly how he is.

At that, he begins long, hard, deep strokes inside me. Once he establishes a rhythm that’s got me forgetting that he’s fucking my ass in plain view, I’m able to push back and give as much as he is. He now has one hand on one of the Princess Leia buns and the other still on my clit, all while pounding my ass like he owns it.

“Tu culo está tan jodidamente apretado.” Your ass is so fucking tight.

“Fóllame el culo tan fuerte como puedas, gatito.” Fuck my ass as hard as you can, kitten. “Te siento por todo mi cuerpo.” I feel you all over my body.

“Fuck me, I love that you can talk dirty to me in Spanish.”

“You could fuck Mariana in the ass. I bet she would talk dirty in Spanish.”

He spanks me, and I giggle. That girl doesn’t have a dirty word in her vocabulary. I’m not sure what Cheetah’s mother could possibly have been thinking. She’s not the right girl for him. He needs someone who makes him laugh. Someone who challenges him. Someone who’s as dirty as he is.

Fuck. Is that me?

Two orgasms and two hours later, we’re having a private dinner on the beach. It’s nothing short of spectacular. The immaculately set table covered in candles is only a few feet from the ocean. The moonlight is reflecting off the ocean surface in a scene that looks like it belongs in a movie. There’s a canopy over us with sparkling lights. A red carpet was rolled out so we could walk from the patio area to the table without sinking into the sand.

We have a private band playing for us and a five-person, dedicated catering staff bringing us amazing food and drinks like we’re feasting for fifty people, not two. I’ve never been treated like this in my life, but it’s not the luxury that’s making me smile. It’s Cheetah. He brings a perma-smile to my face.

I’m wearing a long, sleeveless, casual dress with a huge slit up the side. It’s white with large red flowers and hugs my body well. He was practically drooling when I walked out of the bathroom wearing it. I’ll have to thank Gemma for the suggestion. She’s always dressed well, so I asked her where she shops for the vacations she and Trey go on. I went there and bought a few things just before we left.

Cheetah looks sexy as sin in his white linen pants and matching short-sleeved, button-down shirt that’s tight in the arms due to his bulging biceps. It contrasts beautifully with his darker skin and blue eyes. He’s a gorgeous man. Even better, he’s been smiling from ear to ear the entire time.

I joke, “Cheez, if I knew anal would make you so damn happy, I’d offer it up more often.”

He chuckles. “I’m smiling because of you, Kam bam. I’m having the best time. I never want to leave.” He takes my hand and kisses it. “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”

I nod. “About a thousand times.”

A man interrupts and says in a thick Jamaican accent, “He’s right, my queen. Prettiest lady at the resort. Good evening to you both. My name is Akein. It rhymes with bacon, which works out because I’m Jamaican. But,” he wiggles his eyebrows, “I look and dance like Magic Mike .” He shakes his hips.

Cheetah and I both laugh. This guy is a character.

Akein continues, “I will be your sommelier this evening. I hope you’ve enjoyed your cocktails. Now it’s time for the wine Mr. Gonzales and I selected earlier. May I say, he has excellent taste in both wine and women.”

I look at Cheetah. “Is that where you disappeared earlier?”

He simply winks.

Akein pours the wine into our glasses, and we both taste it. Cheetah grins at Akein. “Thanks, buddy. It’s perfect.”

Akein nods. “Very well. I’ll leave you to enjoy it.”

He places the bottle on a wine stand before he walks away. I look up at Cheetah. “The people here are so freakin’ friendly.”

“It’s only because you're hot.”

“Or because you have a lot of money.”

He shrugs nonchalantly. “Maybe that too. You’re too perceptive. Tell me one of the fun facts that overflow in the enigmatic brain of Kamryn Hart. Dazzle me.”

He really is attracted to my mind. He asks me stuff like this all the time.

I think for a brief moment until I remember a good one. “What’s a woman’s biggest sexual organ?”

“Biggest as in size?” he asks, appearing perplexed.

I nod. “Yep. Biggest.”

I see him moving his eyes up and down my body before they land on my chest. He perks up like he knows this answer. “I got it. The heart.”

I shake my head. “Nope. Any other guesses? ”

“Hmm. Ass?”

I let out a laugh. “Ha! Not even close. It’s the right side of the brain.”

“The brain is a sexual organ?”

“Yep. It controls your senses, which is why great dirty talk is so effective.”

“Do you like my dirty talk, bombón?” Hottie .

“You know I do. It’s not over the top like it’s forced. A lot of guys try to force it, and they fail. You don’t do it because you think it’s what a woman wants to hear. You do it because it’s what is organically on your mind at the given moment. It’s so much more of a turn-on that way. And the fact that it’s in Spanish is next level.” I flutter my eyelids. “I didn’t know I had that kink until you unlocked it.”

“Bueno, porque no puedo esperar para quitarte ese vestido más tarde.” Good, because I can’t wait to take that dress off you later.

I smile as I hold up my glass to clink with his. “A la salud, la felicidad y los orgasmos.” To health, happiness, and orgasms.

He smiles as he clinks his glass with mine.

“Speaking of happiness, tomorrow we’re jumping off that waterfall. It’s really high up. Are you sure you’re still game?” he asks. “It’s a little dangerous.”

I nod. I’ve been dying to do this. “Hell yes, kitten. I can’t—”

As if on cue because my life sucks sometimes, my phone rings. I quickly glance down at it and notice that it’s my sister, the only person whose call I would take right now. I look up at Cheetah. “It’s Bails. She knows what we’re doing, and she’s supposed to be at dinner with Tanner, Fallon, and the girls right now. It must be important. Do you mind?”

He motions toward my phone. “Of course not. Take it.”

I accept the call on speaker. “Shouldn’t you be getting tied up by Daddy Tanner right about now?”

She sniffles. I know immediately that something is wrong. If Tanner Montgomery broke her heart, I will get on a plane to Colorado tonight to kick his ass. Fuck, I knew this was coming.

“What’s wrong?”

Bailey croaks out, “She’s gone, Kam.”

“Who’s gone?”

“Mom.”

“They finally split up? Good. Now he can have a normal life.”

She sniffles again. “No, Kam. She’s gone . She died.”

Cheetah immediately takes my hand as I stoically respond. “Okay, well, it’s not like it impacts our life. We haven’t seen her in ten years. The world is better without her. Should we have a party to celebrate when I get back to Philly?”

She sighs. “I’m flying down to Florida tomorrow morning. Tanner is coming with me. Fallon is here with Harper and Dylan. The funeral is the next morning. Kam, please come.”

“What? No way. Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. Cheetah and I have plans. I’m in freakin’ Jamaica. That bitch isn’t ruining my good time. I don’t owe her shit.”

I see Cheetah fiddling on his phone, undoubtedly texting with Tanner.

Bailey pleads, “Please, Kam. If not for her, do it for me and Daddy. Come home. We need you there. Maybe saying goodbye will be good for you.”

I shake my head. “Bails, I don’t know. I swore I’d never step foot in that town again.”

CHEETAH

I’m holding her hand while her face remains expressionless. Completely and totally expressionless .

I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket and pull it out to see that it’s a text from Tanner. I swipe to open it.

Tanner: No matter what you have to do, get her to that funeral.

I look back up at Kam. She’s still not giving anything away. I’m honestly not sure if she’s happy or sad, and I really don’t think she’ll want to go.

Looking back down at my phone, I type a response.

Me: She’s not emoting over this. It’s weird. I’ll try.

Tanner: I told Shannon to book us two suites at a nearby hotel. One will be in your name. If you need her to take care of anything else, just text her.

Shannon is his longtime secretary.

Me: Thanks, man. How’s Bailey?

Tanner: Worried about Kamryn.

Me: Sounds about right.

Tanner: Our flight arrives in the late afternoon. Get. Kamryn. There.

I hear Kam saying goodbye.

Me: I’ll do my best. Let me run. They’re getting off the phone. I’ll keep you updated.

I tuck my phone away and look at Kam. She takes a sip of her drink and calmly says, “Anyway, like I was saying, I’m looking forward to going to the waterfall. It’s supposed to be a huge high. We’ll need lots of pics.”

I blink my eyes a few times. Am I in a bizzarro universe? “Babe, your mom just died. I think we need to fly out tomorrow morning so you can be there.”

She shakes her head. “No, we need to enjoy our vacation. Funerals are about paying respects to someone who has passed. I have no respect for her whatsoever. And I won’t go back to my hometown. I can’t step foot in that house.”

“Tanner got us a hotel. You don’t have to go to the house if you don’t want to, but I think you should attend the service.”

“Why would I go to her funeral? I had nothing to do with her in life. Why would I mourn her death?”

“Because of your father and Bailey. You love them. You need to go for them. You’ll regret it if you don’t.”

She’s silent.

I take her hand again. “How about we make a deal? Your sister and Tanner are coming from across the country. They won’t get there until later in the day.”

“I can’t believe Tanner’s coming. It seems excessive.”

“I’m sure he wants to be there for Bailey. The same reason you should go. It’s a shorter flight for us. I’ll book us on a late afternoon flight. We’ll do the waterfall thing in the morning. I know you were looking forward to it. Then we’ll fly out.”

Her face falls. “It’s New Year’s Eve tomorrow night. I’m not going to ask you to miss out on partying here.”

I squeeze her hand. “You’re the party, Kam bam. Wherever you are, that’s where I want to be.”

Her eyes finally fill with tears, but I have no idea whether it’s for her mother or something else.