The Baddest Bad Boy

Sighing heavily again, I tromp to the guest bedroom before slamming the door and collapsing on the bed. I have to find a way to fix this, but the question is how?

My phone is heavy in my hand. I look listlessly at the screen. I want to call Cammie, but instead, dial my sister-in-law.

“Troy? Is everything okay?” Caitlin chirps.

“Is that how you answer the phone?”

Caitlin laughs. “I’m just busy that’s all. Why, what’s up?”

To my horror, tears spring to my eyes.

“I’ve screwed up, Caitlin. Really bad this time.”

I hear her setting something down.

“Shit. What did you do? If you hurt Cammie, I swear to God Troy, I will end you.”

I don’t doubt it because my sister-in-law is fierce. She may be pregnant and as big as a house right now, but she could still kick my ass.

“It’s a long story,” I say in a sad voice.

“Good thing I’ve got time.”

“Shouldn’t you be asleep? It’s late. I don’t want to stress you out when you’re expecting.”

“It’s only nine, and besides, it’s too late now. By the way, Travis says hi.”

Oh great. My brother is there, too. I have a feeling he’s very interested in this conversation, although he’d never admit it.

“Put me on speaker,” I sigh. “You’re going to tell him everything, anyways.”

Caitlin laughs. “At least you understand how it is between married couples. Okay, you’re on speaker now. Spill it.”

In a tortured voice, I explain everything, starting with the arrangement I made with Mikayla in Malaysia and ending with the explosive conversation I just had with Cammie.

Caitlin and Travis listen intently until I’m done talking, but their silence afterwards makes me nervous.

“What the fuck, brother?” Travis says. “You let your dick make decisions for you? Even when it comes to matters of homeland security? You should be in jail right now.”

“That’s what Cammie said,” I nod miserably.

“You’re such a fucking idiot.”

“Listen, I get that. No one knows that better than me. Can we move on and figure out what to do next?”

My sister in law jumps in then.

“I know Cammie and she’s not going to forgive you just like that. She doesn’t trust easily and she has trouble believing that people truly care about her, so yeah, you’re in deep shit.”

“But I love her, Caitlin. And I swear, I never meant to hurt her.”

Caitlin huffs.

“Well, that’s a good place to start. You loving her and everything.”

“I do,” I say glumly. “But I doubt it matters anymore.”

“You’ll have to make her listen, then,” Caitlin says. “The thing is, Cammie won’t listen if you approach her. She needs things to happen on her timeline. You’ve got to give her the space to digest.”

“How long will that take?”

“I have no idea. It could be a day, or a week, or a month, or a year. My best friend can be quite stubborn, if I do say so myself.”

I chuckle morosely. “Great. A year. I’ll just kill myself before then.”

“Listen, Troy. I can tell you really care about Cammie. I was nervous about you two getting together at first, but now, I can see you’re the best thing that could’ve happened to her,” my sister in law warbles.

“I appreciate you saying that.”

“But,” Caitlin continues. “I can’t promise you she’s going to come around. You’ve hurt her, what can I say? So give her space and let her come to you on her own. If and when she’s ready, she will approach you.”

I don’t like how that ‘if’ sounds coming from Caitlin’s lips.

“Yeah, but what if she never comes around?”

There’s a loaded silence.

“Then it is what it is. I’m sorry, Troy, but Cammie’s always been very independent. With so many younger siblings, she had to be in order to survive.”

“I know, and I totally get it. I just don’t want to lose her.”

“I know,” Caitlin says sympathetically. “I don’t want that either, but I’m just trying to explain how Cammie is. She’s going to have to come to you if there’s any chance of reconciliation.”

I sigh heavily. This is not what I wanted to hear, but like Caitlin said, it is what it is. With a trembling hand, I end the conversation.

“Okay. Thanks, Cait.”

“You’re welcome, buddy, and good luck.”

“And don’t be an idiot!” Travis calls from the background.

Morosely, I hang up and throw my phone on the table.

Then, I stretch out on the bed and close my eyes. This is such a nightmare, but Cammie’s face flashes in my mind and the pain is so great that I wince. I should be sleeping peacefully next to her right now, but instead, I’m all alone in my guest bedroom. It feels cold and lonely, but soon enough, my dozing turns into sleep and I drift away.

When I wake the next morning, I’m already in a bad mood. Splashing water on my face, I look at my visage. Bags circle my eyes, and I look about ten years older because of this crisis. Nonetheless, I have to take the bull by the horns. I throw open the door to my room and stomp to the master, banging on the door.