Dirty Dealers

My phone buzzes, and I lift it, turning away so I can cup my hand around the face as I read the text.

His voice is suddenly serious. “You don’t have to do that, you know.”

My insides tense, and I lift my head. “What are you talking about?”

“You don’t have to hide it from me.”

Lowering my oversized phone, I reach for his shoulder. “Habit.”

A sad smile curls my lips. Any sign of weakness is deadly in my world.

Cameron closes the space between us, wrapping his arms over my shoulders. I don’t resist his hug.

“You’re so tall now,” I say, burying my face in his shirt. It smells like laundry detergent and something new… something manly.

“And my hair is too long,” he adds. “It’s darker, but I still have our blue eyes. We still look alike.”

We’re quiet several moments. I listen to his heartbeat, his breath swirling in and out, and I think about the sacrifices I’ve made to keep him safe. I’d do it all again. No questions asked.

“You don’t have to worry. You’re going to be fine,” I say, wrapping my arms around his narrow waist and giving him a squeeze. “You’re not going to be like me.”

“If I were like you, I’d be smart and clever, able to face down whatever life handed me. How is that a bad thing?” He rests his chin on top of my head.

I don’t want to argue with him, so I change the subject. “What are you planning to do with this hair? Be a model?”

I’m only part-teasing. I’m desperate for him to find a job where people count on him and expect him to show up every day. It’s another layer of protection, in addition to me, against the evil creeping around his door, watching him to see what kind of foot soldier he’ll make.

“I’m waiting tables for now,” he says, releasing me and moving to the other side of the room where he rustles around in some boxes. He turns to me again with a dramatic flourish and the sudden Thrum! of guitar chords fills the air. “I’m going to be a musician!”

My eyes go wide, and the protest is out before I can stop it. “Cameron, no!”

He starts to laugh, and just as fast, he plays another chord, quickly followed by a waterfall of notes as his fingers travel the neck of the guitar, hammering out a melody. It’s clear he has talent, but I just can’t even. It’s the exact type of thing that will lead him straight into harm’s way.

“We’re not rich people, Cameron,” I say, trying to temper my knee-jerk response.

“Which is why I’m waiting tables.” He’s on his feet and crossing the space between us. “It’s okay, sis. I’m friends with the managers of two really popular restaurants. I’ve even met the commodore of the yacht club.”

That draws me up short. “The yacht club? The Monagasco Yacht Club?”

“One and the same.” Pride is thick in his voice, and I shake my head with a little laugh.

“If you get in with those rich old snobs, my work here is done.” Picking up my hat, I take my phone and drop it in my pocket.

He follows me to the door. “I’m little more than a court jester as far as they’re concerned.”

“Still,” Reaching out, his hand meets mine, and I run my fingers over the calluses on his fingertips. “You’ve been doing this a while. You’re very good, and these calluses are thick.”

My hand moves from his fingers to his square jaw. Lightly touching his face, I can’t deny he’s a handsome man. “You’ll meet some princess, and she’ll fall madly in love with you. Then you’ll be set for life.”

“Only if I love her back,” he calls as I make my way down the stairs of his building. “When will I see you again?”

Stopping at the door, I lift my face in his direction. “It’s probably best if I don’t spend too much time here. You have my number. Text me if you need anything. I’ll keep in touch.”

“I love you, sis.”

His words squeeze my heart, and I can’t stop the memories of him as a little boy, all blue eyes and tow-headed. He was so adorably cute and so trusting of me. I’ll never forget the way he’d clung to me when our aunt died, the way he cried. She was the only mother he’d ever known. The job fell to me after that, and I swore I’d never let him down. I’ve done my best to be there for him. Now it’s time for me to step out of his way. Funny how fast that time comes.

“I love you, Cam.”