Then You Happened (22 page)

Chapter 39

Cameron

As promised, Sierra turned off her phone and devoted all her attention to me and the pool table.

“Come with me, babe,” I said with bated breath as I thrust in and out of her from behind while she was bent over the pool table.

Her moans were unbearable and made me come faster than I had wanted. “Oh fuck,” I moaned as I pushed deep inside her.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Never better.” She turned her head and smiled. “I have a little felt burn on my arms, but other than that, I’m great.”

I pulled out of her and turned her around. I took each arm and softly kissed where she was sore. “Better?” I asked.

“Much better.”

We grabbed our clothes and went upstairs. “We better decide now which bedroom we’re taking, since everyone is coming tomorrow. Oh, and why would you have Paul send wedding dresses? Magnolia has a dress.”

She crinkled up her nose. “Yeah. Somehow, I think it might not be her dream dress. Don’t worry; once she sees these dresses, she’ll ditch the other.”

I placed my hands on her hips and kissed the tip of her nose. “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”

“No. You haven’t. So I think you better.” She smiled.

“Do you swear on your Prada that I haven’t?”

“Mr. Cole, how dare you bring my Prada into this.”

“I love you, babe, and I can’t thank you enough for what you’re doing for Jaden and Magnolia.”

“I love you too. By the way, Magnolia? Really?”

“It’s her mom’s favorite flower in the whole world. Wait until you meet her sister, Dallas.”

“Let me guess. It’s her mom’s favorite city in the whole world.”

“You’re so smart.” I smiled.

She grabbed a pillow and we had our first pillow fight around the room, which landed us on the bed for another round of sex.

****

Sierra

“Time to get up, sleepy head. We have lots of wedding stuff to do today,” I said as I planted little kisses across Cameron’s chest.

“We? How did I get roped into this?”

“The gang will be here soon and you can keep James entertained.”

He opened one eye and looked at me. “I can take him fishing. We can go fishing and there won’t be any whining or complaining.”

“Yes, the two of you can form a little bromance, but you better remember who swam in a dirty lake for you.”

“You’re never going to give up on that, are you?”

“NEVER!” I smiled.

After we finally climbed out of bed and got dressed, my phone rang.

“Hey, Kirsty. What? You’re breaking up. I can’t hear you. Where are you?”

“Judging by that conversation, I’d say they’re almost here.” Cameron laughed.

I opened the front door and, sure enough, a black sedan pulled up. Kirsty flung open the door, got out, and ran to me.

“Look at you two. I’m so happy for you,” she said as she hugged me and then turned to Cameron.

After I hugged James and Sasha, Rosa walked up and Cameron took her bags.

“Rosa, thank you for coming.” I smiled.

“Look. Look at this house. Are you expecting me to clean this house? This house is huge.”

“Yeah, Sierra. How the hell did you get a house this big out here?” Kirsty asked.

“It’s a long story.”

“No, it’s not.” Cameron smiled as he pulled out his phone and I heard myself scream. “This is what led us here.”

Apparently, he recorded me screaming and jumping up and down on the bed after the mouse incident. Everyone busted into laughter.

“You’re all fired. Each and every one of you.”

“I don’t work for you.” Cameron smiled.

“I’m breaking up with you,” I said as I nodded my head.

“The hell you are.” Cameron threw me over his shoulder and slapped my ass as he carried me into the house.

He was in his glory because he got to take James fishing while the girls and I planned the wedding. I had Cam get Magnolia’s number and I called her and asked her to come over. She said she would and that her mother, Peggy, and Luanne would be coming too. We almost had everything arranged, right down to the caterers, when the doorbell rang. Magnolia had arrived, as well as the boxes from Neiman’s.

“Oh my God, look at this house,” Magnolia said.

“I guess the smaller things just aren’t her style,” Luanne said.

What crawled up her ass?
How dare she make a comment like that
.

After I introduced my friends to them, Rosa walked in the room with a tray of lemonade.

“This is my housekeeper, Rosa.”

“Of course she would bring her housekeeper,” Luanne said to Peggy.

“Rosa, could you get me a glass of water please?” I asked with a smile.

****

We spent the rest of the afternoon going over the plans for the wedding. Magnolia cried when I showed her the wedding gowns and veils that Paul sent. She found her perfect style and perfect fit. She looked beautiful in it and Jaden was in for a treat. Comment after comment was made by Luanne and she would barely look at me the whole afternoon. When Cameron and James walked through the door, she asked Cameron if she could speak to him in private. I was positive it was about me and there was only one way to find out. I snuck up the stairs and listened.

“This is way over the top, Cameron. Who does she think she is coming here and doing something like this? Our family isn’t into this fancy stuff. We could have had a nice reception at our house. But no, she had to turn your brother’s wedding into a production.”

“Mom. Sierra’s only trying to help and this is the way she knows how. I think she’s doing an excellent job.”

“Of course you do because you’re blinded by her. I don’t think she’s right for you, Cameron.”

“Stop right there. I love Sierra. Where did all this come from? You sure as hell loved her when you thought she was a lesbian and worked at Starbucks.”

“Because I thought she was a simple girl.”

“She’s the same girl she was not too long ago. I’m really ashamed of you, Mom.”

“I’m sorry, Cameron, but that’s how I feel. I will never welcome her into our family.”

Whoa. Hearing his mom say that about me really hurt deep down. I couldn’t listen anymore, so I went downstairs and poured another glass of tequila. A few moments later, Cameron and the spawn of Satan II – Delia was spawn of Satan I – came down, and I said goodbye to Magnolia and Peggy. I became quiet and took my glass outside on the patio. Kirsty joined me and we both sat and watched the calmness of the lake.

“I like the ocean better,” Kirsty said.

“Me too.”

My phone beeped and alerted me that I had a voicemail. I punched in my pin and put it on speaker as Kirsty and I listened to Aruelia speak.

“Sierra, it’s Aruelia. After careful consideration, I’ve decided to hire your firm to represent my dance company. I feel that we’d make a great team. I know you’re out of town and I hope things are good for you. Call me when you get back and we can discuss the specifics.”

“Holy shit! You landed the account!” Kirsty screamed.

I smiled. It wasn’t my happy smile and it wasn’t my fake smile. It was an in-between smile that said I was thrilled, but I had another issue to deal with first.

“What’s going on out here?” Cameron smiled as he strolled out on the patio.

“Your girlfriend just landed one of the biggest accounts. We have to celebrate. What do you guys do here for fun?” Kirsty asked.

“That’s great, Sierra. I’m so proud of you. What made her change her mind?”

“Probably the fact that Sierra sort of told her off.”

Cameron sat down on the edge of the chair and placed his hand on my leg. “What’s wrong? You should be jumping up and down right now.”

“Nothing’s wrong, and I am very happy. I just have a lot on my mind right now with the wedding.”

“Let’s forget about the wedding for tonight and go hit the bar. We have some celebrating to do.” He smiled.

“Sounds good.” I smiled back. I had a date with tequila.

****

“A round of shots for everyone! Woo hoo!” I yelled.

We’d been at the bar for about an hour and I already had my fair share of liquid courage. The guys played pool. Sasha was admiring a country boy from across the bar, and Kirsty was talking to the DJ. Suddenly, the song “Turn Down for What” started playing. Kirsty ran over to me and grabbed my hand.

“Let’s show them how we do it L.A.” She smiled as she dragged me and Sasha to the dance floor.

The entire bar stopped and all eyes were on the three of us as we moved our bodies to the music. Here we were, three girls from Los Angeles in this small country town, getting down to a song tha
t I’m sure was never played in this bar. My friend, Tequila, had settled inside me and I let go, dancing and grinding up against Kirsty without a care in the world. Cameron and James were standing to the side with wide grins spread across their faces. The three of us definitely showed this town how we partied. After the song wrapped, “All About That Bass” began to play. I climbed on top of the bar and starting moving my hips back and forth. Kirsty and Sasha joined me and the three of us started laughing as we stared out into the bar and stared at the faces of the patrons. The men were howling and, before we knew it, a couple more girls got on top of the bar and joined us. The song ended and Cameron grabbed my waist and took me down.

“You sure know how to liven up a bar.” He smiled as he kissed me.

“Someone had to,” I slurred.

We walked through the door of the house or, should I say, I stumbled through the door and almost fell on my ass. I would have gone down if Cameron didn’t have a tight grip on me. As he picked me up and carried me up the stairs, I yelled and waved to Kirsty, James, and Sasha.

“Shh. Rosa’s sleeping,” Cameron said.

“Your mom hates me,” I slurred as he sat me down on the bed and I fell back.

“No, she doesn’t. Why would you say that?”

“Oh fuck.” I bolted from the bed and into the bathroom, barely making it to the toilet.

Cameron walked in and, like the gentleman he was, held my hair back while my friend, Tequila, decided to leave my body.

“I heard everything she said about me,” I replied with my head down in the toilet.

“She doesn’t hate you, Sierra. She just doesn’t like the fact that I’m moving to L.A. permanently.”

“No. She thinks I’m high maintenance,” I squeezed in before I vomited again.

“You are high maintenance and I love you. That’s all that matters, babe. She just doesn’t understand. Do you think Delia’s going to be happy when she finds out I’m a builder and not some corporate suit with money?”

“Screw Delia.”

“Exactly, and screw Luanne. She’s my mom and I love her, but she’s not telling me who I can and can’t love. Now, are you finished?”

“Yeah,” I said as I took the towel from his hand.

He helped me up and lifted my shirt over my head.

“Fuck me.” I smiled as the room spun.

“Are you going to throw up on me if I do?”

“I shouldn’t, but you never know. Are you willing to take the chance?”

“I’m willing to take any chances with you, babe.” He smiled as his lips brushed against mine.

Chapter 40

Cameron

I went downstairs and poured a cup of coffee for Sierra. The aroma of pancakes filled the kitchen as Rosa stood by the stove, flipping them.

“Breakfast is almost ready,” she said.

“Rosa, you’re not here to cook us meals. You need to go sit down and let me wait on you.”

“You’re very sweet, Builder Boy, but I like to cook food. Besides, you have Miss Hangover-pants upstairs to deal with.”

“True. Let me take this up to her and I’ll be back down for those delicious-smelling pancakes.”

I went back upstairs and set the cup on the nightstand. “Wake up, babe. The trucks will be here soon with the tents and stuff.”

She moaned and rolled over, pulling the pillow over her head. “You deal with it. I’m not getting out of this bed today,” she mumbled.

“Nope. This is your project and you’re going to follow through with it and make it perfect!”

She rolled over and opened her eyes. “Is that coffee?” she asked.

“Yes. Freshly brewed just for you.” I handed her the cup as she sat up.

“I’m sorry I threw up on you.”

“Yeah, well, it was bound to happen at some point in our relationship.” I smiled. “Why don’t you go and take a hot shower and I’ll meet you downstairs.”

“Okay. Thanks for the coffee.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll have the aspirin waiting for you when you come down,” I said as I got up from the bed.

“Hey.”

“What?”

“Aren’t you going to give me a kiss?” she pouted.

“I am. As soon as you shower and brush your teeth.” I winked.

She picked up the pillow and threw it at me as I walked out the door.

****

Sierra

I showered, brushed my teeth, and threw on a maxi dress. The shower didn’t help. I still had a bad taste in my mouth and my head was pounding. Shame on you, tequila. You failed me this time. I went downstairs and the smell of the pancakes cooking was almost as nauseating as Royce’s cologne. Rosa handed me two aspirin and a glass of juice.

“Why? Why do you do this to yourself?” Rosa said.

“Why? Why do you keep asking me that?” I replied.

She mumbled something in Spanish like she always did, and she did it because she knew that was the one language I didn’t study in school.

“If you have something to say, I’d prefer you say it in English!”

She looked at me with her sinister smile. “Where’s the fun in that?”

I rolled my eyes as I popped my aspirin and finished my juice.

“The trucks are here, Sierra,” Sasha yelled from the foyer.

Good God; why does everyone have to be so damn loud? “Come on, my little drunken minx. Let’s go decide where we’re going to set up.”

“What did you just call me?”

He smiled and walked out of the kitchen. I followed behind and walked outside to talk to the drivers about the set up.

I had a vision. Creativity was my thing and I was about to unleash it with this wedding, regardless of what Luanne Cole thought of me. I directed the men on the set up of the beautiful, elegant white tents. Lights were strung throughout and a chandelier hung in the middle of the dance floor. Tables and chairs covered in white linens and light pink bows graced the tents with elegance. It was all starting to come together perfectly, after a bit of crazy from me.

“Sierra, we need to start getting ready for the bachelor/bachelorette party.”

“And where is that again?”

“On the boat that Magnolia’s parents rented.”

“Big boat or small?”

“Big.” He chuckled. “I think you’ll like it. It has an upper deck and a lower deck. Can you believe it?”

I rolled my eyes at his sarcasm. “Okay, I’m in.”

I high-fived the drivers and told them they did an excellent job. I gave them a little cash on the side for putting up with my craziness.

Cameron and I got ready and headed to the marina for the party.

“No more than one or two glasses of tequila for you,” Cameron said.

“Aw, you’re no fun! Besides, I drank enough last night for the next week.”

As soon as we stepped on the boat, Luanne shot me a look.

“Hi, Luanne. Do you like my Prada bag?” I smiled. Bitch wouldn’t know a Prada bag if it slapped her in the face.

The party wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. There was plenty of alcohol (I only had two cups – yes, I said cups – of tequila) and there was plenty of food. Everyone mostly talked about
the wedding and had a good time. I sat and watched Cameron talking and laughing with his brothers and realized how much his family meant to him. I saw Luanne talking to Magnolia and I asked her if I could speak to her for a moment. Maybe it wasn’t the right thing to do at that moment, but being Sierra Adams, I often didn’t wait for the right time.

“What is it?” Luanne said.

“What is your problem with me?”

“I don’t have a problem with you, Sierra.”

“Yes, you do, Luanne. Ever since you found out who I really am, you’ve been avoiding me like the plague, and I heard you and Cam talking upstairs yesterday. You said some pretty mean things.”

“I just don’t think that you and my son are right for each other.”

“Why? Because I run my own company? Well, guess what, Luanne, so does Cameron.”

“Cameron isn’t like you and doesn’t belong in your world.”

“Who are you to decide what world Cameron belongs in? I love him.”

“I’ve googled you. I saw the photo of you attacking that man and I’ve seen the men you’ve been photographed with.”

Here we go again. Damn that photographer who took that picture.

“First of all, that was no man. He’s a cowardly boy who hurt me very deeply and I took three years of anger out on him. And, as for those other men, Cameron is more of a man than those men will ever be.”

“What’s going on over here?” Cameron asked as he walked up and placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Your mother is telling me how much she doesn’t care for me and I think she implied that I am a whore.”

“Mom!” Cameron snapped.

I put my hand up. “It’s okay. She doesn’t have to like me, but let me tell you something, Luanne Cole,” I said as I pointed my finger at her. “Your son is thirty years old and can make his own decisions. He fell in love with me. Yeah, that’s right; me! And if you don’t like it, that’s too damn bad because this high maintenance, corporate CEO, Prada-carrying, Chanel-wearing, and Jimmy-Choo-walking bitch isn’t going anywhere.”

I stomped away and went below deck. Cameron followed. “Sierra, stop.”

“Leave me alone, Cam.”

He grabbed my arm and pulled me into him. “I love you and that’s all I’m saying.”

The anger that had erupted inside me began to wither away the longer Cameron held me.

“We need to talk about tonight,” Cameron said.

“What about it?”

“I’ll be spending the night at my parents’ house with my brothers. Are you coming to the church tomorrow?” he asked.

“Nah. I think it’s best that I stay back at the house and make sure everything’s ready for the reception. Plus, your mom wouldn’t want me there anyway and I don’t want ruin her day.”

“It’s not her day, Sierra. It’s Jaden’s day and I know he’d want you there. I want you there,” he said with a sadness in his voice.

I brought my hand up to his face and softly stroked it. “I love you, Cameron.”

“Does that mean you’ll come to the church?” He smiled.

“No.” I laughed.

The boat had docked, which meant the party was over. Thank you, God. Cameron said his goodbyes and I got off that boat as fast as I could and high-tailed it to the Escalade. Cameron followed behind and we drove back to the house so he could pack a bag.

“I don’t want you to worry about my mom,” Cameron said as he softly kissed me goodbye.

“I won’t anymore. I said what I had to say to her and, if she can’t accept me, then I’m over it.”

“She’ll come around, Sierra. I promise. Just give her some time.”

“She can take all the time she needs because I’ll be about three thousand miles away.”

He took my hand and placed a folded piece of paper in it. “This is the address of the church, in case you change your mind,” he said as he kissed my forehead.

“Thanks, but I don’t think so. Have fun with your brothers. I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too. Maybe we can have text sex.”

“You mean sexting? You dork.” I laughed.

“Same thing. I like my name for it better. I have to go. I love you.”

“I love you too,” I pouted as he walked down the driveway.