3
In the dark interior of Ben's truck, I was having an internal freak out. Mostly because I couldn't remember if I'd shaved my legs that morning or not or if I was wearing deodorant.
Before I could do a discreet check of my ankle for stubble, my cell phone rang. It was Cam.
Crap.
I answered and lifted the phone to my ear. "Hey."
"Hey. While I appreciate the meal and the note that you left for me, you're not home."
I bit my lip. "Nope."
"Where are you?" She didn't sound upset. Only a little worried.
I remained silent because it was my right. All the cop shows said so.
"Sierra, where are you? Want me to come pick you up?" The worry was more intense now.
Shit, no. I sighed. "I was at The Red Boot and ran into Ben. We're hanging out and he'll bring me home later."
It was Cam's turn to be quiet. "You're with Ben? Are you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah, of course I'm okay."
"I wish you'd talk to me, Sierra," she said with a sigh.
God, I hated this. If I talked to her, all it would do was remind me that I was a huge asshole.
"It's not a pretty story, Cam, and I'm not the one who was wronged."
"All the more reason to get it off your chest," she argued.
"Not right now, okay? I just...it'll be a little while before I can even think about it without cringing, much less talk about it like a normal human being."
"Okay," she relented. "But why Ben?"
I shrugged even though she couldn't see me. "He's funny and he has vodka. And he doesn't know me well enough to ask the kinds of questions you do."
Cam laughed a little. "He's also a good listener." I ignored the pointed statement when she paused. "Want me to wait up for you?" she asked.
"Nah. Ben said he'll bring me. Unless he's a serial killer and you never told me, then I should probably tell you how much I love you right now."
Cam laughed again and I laughed, too. "No, he's not a serial killer. He's not even the man ho everyone says he is. In fact, I always thought the two of you would hit it off if—"
Okay, I was out. She was making a pointed attempt at matchmaking. "Hanging up now, Cam."
I disconnected to the sound of her laughter.
"Cam worried about you?" he asked.
I nodded and tucked the phone under my leg.
"Something to do with that Brian character?"
I nodded again but didn't look at him.
"Want to talk about it? I'm sure Cam said I was a good listener."
