Chapter 3

Cam had said that he wanted to hit the road as soon as possible so Nolan hurried off to pack.As he shoved some random clothes into his backpack,he realized he was humming.His crooked smile spread further across his face.He thought maybe Toni was right and he needed to get out and have fun.The idea of taking a surprise trip into the unknown was exciting.

When Nolan made it outside,he saw that Cam had already loaded his own things into his SUV and had pulled around so that Nolan could just come out of the apartment building’s main doors and hop right in.

“Hey,talk about the royal treatment!”said Nolan with a smile.He threw his bag into the back seat and buckled up.“Where are we going?”

“It wouldn’t be much of a surprise if I told you everything about it in advance now would it?”

“I suppose not.All right.Let’s hit it.”

“Aye,aye.”Cam saluted before piloting out of the parking lot and into traffic.The cramped city streets of their college town soon gave way to the open expanse of a rural two-lane highway.

“Sutton’s Mill.Twenty-six miles.”Nolan read a road sign as they zoomed past.“Is that where we’re headed?”

“Maybe,”Cam said.

A short time later,Nolan’s suspicions were confirmed as Cam took the Sutton’s Mill exit.Instead of heading downtown,they skirted the edges of the residential section of Cam’s hometown.The houses were beginning to once again be more spread out and Nolan thought they were heading back out into the country,but Cam steered the SUV between two huge oaks onto a neat circular drive and stopped in front of a charming mid-century ranch home with a broad flagstone walkways,warm yellow siding,and yellow trim and shutters.

“Wow,”Nolan said.“Very Leave It To Beaver.”

Cam chuckled.“You haven’t seen the best part yet.”He exited the driver’s side and jogged to the side of the home,motioning Nolan to follow.As they came around to the backyard,Nolan agreed that this was the property’s best feature and walked forward slowly to take it all in.

The flagstones opened up to form a comfortable circular patio with three Adirondack chairs stained dark to contrast the light stones arranged around a small fire pit.Hugging the house was a spacious covered area with an outdoor dining table and a hot tub.The bright green lawn gently rose before sloping down and out of sight.The few surrounding ornamental trees were obviously chosen with care.

“Man,you grew up here?Your mom has great taste!”

“Hey now.I’mthe one with the great taste.”

Nolan turned to see the source of the rumbling bass voice.A man was standing up from a flower bed while taking off his gardening gloves and dusting off his knees.He was tall—Nolan’s height of six-two or maybe a bit taller.He had a thick dark brown hair cut neatly on the sides and slightly tousled on top.His hair was just long enough to suggest it had nice soft curls if it were to grow longer.A few gray hairs were scattered throughout his hair and neatly trimmed beard stubble.That led Nolan to place him in his early forties but he had the body of a much younger man—broad shouldered with a nicely defined chest and abdomen.

“Oh.My bad.”Nolan looked from this man to Cam who had leaned back to place his weight on his right leg and had crossed his arms across his chest.A grin was spreading across his face.

“Are you,like,the landscaper?”Nolan asked.“Nice work,man.”

The man let out a booming laugh that was full of warmth and life.He stepped forward and extended his right hand.“I’m Rick Monroe.Cameron’s dad.”

Nolan looked from Rick to Cam and back again.Rick’s green eyes,framed with dark brows and thick lashes,flashed with apparent mirth.His skin was dark from the sun but it was the definitely the color of tanned European skin.Nolan was still shaking hands with Rick but he looked to Cam,hoping his roommate would answer his unspoken question.Both of the Monroe men dissolved into laughter.

“Oh,sorry.”Nolan stuffed his hands into his pockets.“I…your dad…”

“Is white?”Cam asked.“It does happen from time to time.Don’t hold it against him.”

Nolan’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson.“It’s no big deal.I just assumed…”

Rick still laughing turned to slip his right arm behind Nolan and clap him on the back a couple of times before gripping Nolan’s shoulder in a friendly pair of squeezes.Smiling broadly he said,“Don’t sweat it,man.We do this to everyone.I love watching their faces when they try to figure it out without being racist.”

“Oh,”Nolan said quietly.

“No,seriously,man,”Rick said.“Don’t be bummed out.We’re not making fun of you.My delicate French DNA was no match for my ex-wife’s ebony perfection.We may not have made the best couple but we sure made beautiful babies.”

Cam was still chuckling as he leaned forward and took hold of Nolan’s right hand.“All right,Dad.Enough teasing the poor guy.Come on,Nolan.Let’s get this stuff inside.”

Cam’s childhood bedroom turned out to be standard issue.Random band posters,baseball memorabilia,action figures,and books were tucked away in predictable ways.A small window was centered in the far wall and underneath was a twin bed neatly made up with Star Wars sheets.“I don’t think we’re gonna fit on that.”

“I’ll sleep on the couch,”Cam offered.

“I don’t want to put you out in your own house.”

“You’re getting the raw deal.That bed is microscopic.I’ll be more comfortable on the couch.”

“Ever the gentleman.”Nolan sat his overnight bag on the bed and looked out the window into the back yard where Rick was back at work weeding the landscaping.“I really did come off looking like a dumb ass.”