Page 42 of Below the Surface
Legendary?“I told you. Back when Union started, it was small. Lisa was a close friend. I helped them at the club—with the club.”
“Do you mean with decorating or running the bar?” She tries to hide her smirk.
“Believe it or not, I helped with that, too.”
“I believe it.”
“I was still a kid when I met Lisa. By the time they bought the building, I’d been part of the community for ten years.” I sigh. “I was young, Cam. Still young. And I wasn’t attached to anyone—not emotionally.”
“What about your first partner?”
“Brianna was terrific. We were at a similar place in life. We both played with other people at the club, but we always decided when, how, and who together.”
“Piper?”
“Hm?”
“Why won’t you tell me you miss it?” Cameron asks.
“I’m happy with us.”
“I know. That’s not what I asked.”
“Cam? Is that something you want?”
Cameron sighs. “I don’t know if I could handle watching you touch someone, Piper. And fantasies aside, I’m not sure I could let someone else touch me—not even under your direction.”
“But?”
“Watching you tonight piqued my curiosity.”
I nod.
“You knew,” Cameron says.
“What you just said is something many people forget matters.”
“What did I say?”
“Fantasies aside. There are fantasies that beg to be fulfilled, and then there are those that are better left to our imagination. Determining the difference isn’t always easy. It means knowing yourself, and if it’s in a relationship, trusting your partner. Brianna and I shared that kind of relationship. We pushed boundaries respectfully.”
“Why did you break up?”
“I don’t know.” I laugh. “I told you; we were young. I think we outgrew each other—emotionally. She wanted to get her PhD and teach at a university. Brianna will be a life-long student—of everything.”
“And you?”
“I wasn’t ready to slow down,” I reply. “Much lesssettledown. I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up—never mindwhoI wanted to become.”
“I get it.”
“Do you?” I ask.
“Sure. Why does that surprise you?”
“You’re so together, Cam. Not many could achieve what you have by the age of thirty-three.”
Cameron sits up and sighs.