Cammie Healy - Jennifer Foor Page 0,84
her constantly. She did. She could have her choice of boyfriends.
“Joshua. It’s time to explain why you didn’t tell your father about Cammie and Wes.” Mom suggested.
He shrugged. “Wes is my boy. I told Cassie. I figured her and Logan would find a way to let you know she was in good hands.”
My father let out an air-filled laugh like Wes wasn’t capable of taking care of me.
I rolled my eyes but refused to get into a screaming match.
“All this bickering needs to end,” Mom added. “Cammie is home. She needs us to be supportive. I don’t give a shit what your take is on her situation. We’re a family and it’s time we all started acting like it. Wes, you’ve including yourself in this situation, so it’s only fair if you have a chance to speak.”
Wes adjusted but never let go of my hand. He seemed confident, as if he’d been waiting for this moment his whole life. “I’ve loved your daughter Cammie since I was thirteen or fourteen years old. You might think it’s not possible, but I can assure you it is. The moment I saw she’d returned home I knew I wanted to spend time with her. We spent a day riding horses and then hanging out at the swimming hole. We talked for hours. Later I came back for dinner, and just as I was leaving I heard someone calling my name. Your daughter was attempting to jump off the roof to sneak out of the house. To prevent injury, I helped her down and offered to take her somewhere she could calm down. She’s been with me ever since, and before you say anything about the two of us and what you saw earlier, I want you to know none of this could have been avoided. I want to be with your daughter. I can’t speak for her, but I hope she feels the same. These past few days have been the best of my life, and I’m not talking about the physical aspects. I needed to know her, really know her. In my eyes she’s perfect. She always has been.”
Callie got up and left the room. Cassie ran upstairs after her. I hated that she was upset with me. I didn’t realize how much she’d been interested in Wes. I thought it was another one of her weekly conquests. Callie wasn’t the best about serious relationships. She liked casual, so this was devastating news to me, and I suppose for her as well.
My dad looked at Josh and motioned his hands. “Go upstairs. Your mom and I need to talk to these two alone.”
Josh patted Wes on the shoulder before exiting the room. Even though my palm was sweating, I never let go of his hand.
My mom folded her hands together, looking at me as she spoke. “I can’t say I’m happy about the two of you becoming involved. You’ve caused complications with your sister and if this ends badly Josh will be affected as well.”
“I’d never come between Josh and Wes.”
“You can’t say that, Cam. Things happen. People change,” she explained. “You’re very young, and you’ve both got bright futures ahead of you.”
“All the more reason to be together. We’ve got our lives figured out,” Wes said.
“You call my daughter being pregnant by another man having things figured out?” My dad questioned.
“Sir, you’ve known me my whole life. Do you honestly think I’d sit here in front of you and fill your head with nonsense just to get into Cammie’s pants? I’m not some stranger. I’ve celebrated holidays with your family. I’ve gone on vacations.”
“All while fantasizing about my daughter,” Dad added.
“With all due respect, I was a teenager. Surely you can attest to adolescent hormones.”
“I need to know this isn’t some sick game to you, Wes. Cammie is in over her head.”
“Stop treating me like I’m a child. I have the ability to make my own decisions, and I know I screwed up, but Wes is different.”
“Cammie, we’re just trying to look out for you, for both of you. We don’t want to see anyone hurt.”
“I give you my word. It’s all I have to offer. If I hurt your daughter for any reason you have my permission to do whatever you think is necessary. I know Cammie doesn’t feel the same about me as I do her, but I’m hopeful her feelings will grow. I meant what I said. I love her. I’d do anything to protect her.”
My dad didn’t