Blossom Springs Book Two

Campbell hears the familiar banging on her door.
Connor Walsh, her neighbor—or flatmate, as they say here in London—likes to knock a tune instead of a simple bang.
Tap. Tap. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.
Only today it seems a little off. Like he’s distracted or upset.
Campbell makes her way to the door, expecting to see Connor alone and stewing over last night’s conquest. The guy was the definition of a drama queen in more ways than one. Gay and proud, he’s looking for love in lots of places, but never the right ones and never the same place twice. Connor is more than easy on the eyes, already successful in the fashion industry, and a loyal friend.
It’s only been a short time since they met, but Campbell already thinks of him as one of her people. And that’s saying something because as an only child, she keeps her circle small. Kali, her neighbor and best friend growing up and now Bec, was about it. Everyone else she viewed as a mere acquaintance—here today, gone tomorrow.
She sighs at the thought of the boy she’s in love with who betrayed her trust and broke her heart. She remembers the guilt in his eyes and felt her heart shatter all over again.
Opening the door, she isn’t prepared for who she sees standing behind her new friend.
Her sad smile morphs into tears when her eyes lock on her mother.
Pepper Calloway was not happy when Campbell told her she was studying abroad. She’s going to be outright pissed when she learns the real reason Campbell came to London. Well, one of them, anyway. Because standing next to her mother is the other reason.
Quebec Tanner.
What was he doing in London? Why isn’t the professional hockey player on the ice back home?
Before Campbell can ask, she watches her mother’s eyes pull from her to the man that comes to stand behind her.
Nick Calloway.
Her father. The man who is supposed to be dead.
“Oh, my God!” Pepper covers her mouth and leans into Bec’s dad.
“You fucking son of a bitch!” Charlie Tanner says and lunges at Campbell’s very much alive father.
The two older men get into a scuffle that forces Bec and Connor to split them apart like teachers in the schoolyard.
Pepper’s eyes lock back on Campbell, and she sees the hurt there. “Mom, I can explain.”
Pepper lifts a hand to silence her daughter. “I think if anyone is going to explain anything right now, it needs to be your father.”
Campbell knows she should accept some of the blame for her mother’s hurt feelings. She should also tell her mother how her trip to London came about because that story would surely take some of the heat of her anger off her father.
Campbell doesn’t have time to think, let alone say anything more, when Charlie snarls, “Yeah, Nicky, or is it Nick, now? Hmm, what should we call you?”
“Fuck off, Tanner. I saved your fucking ass and kept her safe. If I didn’t do what I had to do, you’d be dead, and she would have been…”
Pepper stops Nick from continuing. “Nick, not here.”
Nick nods and remains quiet.
“Pep,” Charlie says. “Let’s go get a room and settle in. Once we know where we’re staying, we can talk to him.” He sneers his name.
“I have a place you can use.”
Charlie stares at Nick until he elaborates.
“It’s not with Elena. It’s um…it’s private. I’ll take you and we can talk.”
“You’re not leaving him here,” Campbell complains.
“I’ll take him to my place,” Connor offers as he sidles up to Bec and wraps an arm around his shoulder.
Bec shoots the guy an eye roll, then he looks back at Campbell. “Campbell, we need to talk, too. You need to hear me out and let me explain.”
“I don’t need to do anything, Bec. You lied to me.”
“I have a king in the master,” Connor says with a lift of a brow. “And I know how to cook. One advantage of being with a gay man.”
Bec chuckles. He was secure enough in his sexuality to not feel threatened or offended by Connor’s attention. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m staying here with Campbell and you’re leaving, too. Campbell and I need to talk whether or not she likes it.”