Cam stiffened next to me, his jaw flexing. I brushed the back of my hand along his. Now wasn’t the time or place, but I’d back whatever he decided.

“And you can control just about everything in my life, Alexander, but I’m lucid as you are today, and guess what?” He pulled back the sides of his shirt, and my mouth dropped open.

Under a layer of shiny plastic wrap were large, bloodied, and raised black letters that read do not resuscitate.

“You took him for a tattoo?” Xander shouted at Walt.

Walt shrugged. “When your best friend asks you for ink, you go for ink. Art, I’ll see you later.”

Art nodded at his friend and began buttoning his shirt.

“Don’t you have anything to say about this?” Xander asked.

“As first pieces go, Dad, that’s a pretty bold one,” Cam told his dad. “Make sure you’re keeping it clean. Did they give you anything for it?”

“Are you serious?” Xander fired back.

Art lifted a small brown bag from the deck. “Got the instructions and everything.”

“Okay, then I think we’re done here.” Cam turned to face me. “Willow?”

I nodded and felt Cam’s hand on the small of my back as I walked down the steps.

“That’s really all you have to say about this?” Xander challenged.

Cam paused, then laced his fingers with mine.

My breath hitched, and he squeezed me reassuringly.

“No,” Cam replied over his shoulder. “Willow isn’t Sullivan’s girl. She’s mine. Nice ink, Dad. Call me if you need any help.”

I looked back to see Xander’s eyes narrow and Art’s jaw drop as he saw our clasped hands. “It was nice to see you,” I said in farewell.

They didn’t respond.

“Well, that was a way to go public,” I told Cam as he walked me to my door.

“Seemed like a good day for bold statements.” He opened the Jeep and kissed me in full sight of the porch before helping me up into the lifted monster.

“Did you keep Camden out of trouble?” Rose asked from the back seat as Cam walked to his side.

“I’m not sure,” I said slowly.

Cam climbed into his seat and gave a little wave to his dad and brother as he fired the engine to life. “Well, I’m starving, ladies. How about that picnic?”

Picnic? He’d just handed the town gossips enough fodder to keep them fed for the rest of the summer.

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

Camden

“Cam.” Willow moaned my name as I set my lips to the tender strip of skin under her jaw. I’d only meant to kiss her quickly, but one hadn’t been enough.

One was never enough lately. I lived in a perpetual state of wanting Willow.