If only I could get some alone time with him, but I came here knowing this is his parent’s house, and we would most likely nothave much, if any, time alone with each other. I came here for Cam and his company, and no matter the circumstances, that is what I am getting.
Jake was, of course, the one who got me his address in less than ten minutes, thanks to his connections through his father’s company. He probably shouldn’t be doing it, but he was happy to.
I don’t know why I felt like I couldn’t just call Cameron and ask him directly. Maybe because I secretly knew that once I saw or heard him, I’d break down. Not to say that I didn’t cry on the way here, but it was controlled and didn’t distract me enough to get into an accident. Earlier, when he was comforting me, I felt secure, safe, warm, and like nothing existed outside of our embrace. It was something I had never felt with anyone else. Something I always secretly craved but had never expected to experience in my life.
The movie credits start to roll as I finish my bowl of popcorn and second glass of red wine Liz gave me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Cameron down the rest of his third beer. I turn to look at him fully and my heart rate picks up when I find him already staring. He gives me a sweet smile that is coated in lust. It’s making me feel things I shouldn’t be while his parents are only a couple of feet away.
It’s hard to believe that his smile never affected me the way it does now. That seems like a lifetime ago. Our eyes haven’t strayed for a solid two minutes now, and when he notices the mutual lust behind my look, he smirks causing my stomach to dip. My cheeks heat and I move my gaze back to the screen. A small chuckle sounds from his side.
Asshole.
My phone vibrates in my pocket for the millionth time today, and I rub my forehead. I’m tired of the messages from my mom. She knows I’m safe with the Kahlo’s and I apologized for practically stealing her car and for skipping Christmas, but not for what I said. I need a damn break. There’s onlyso much my mind and body can take. I hope she knows that I feel shitty for doing what I did and for not being able to spend the holidays with her, still I can’t pretend that everything’s okay with Ana, it’s not in my nature. It would be a miserable time for me, making it miserable for my mom and everyone around us.
“Hey, Mom, Dad,” Cam says quietly, interrupting my thoughts.
Liz’s eyes open. “Fuck. Did we really fall asleep duringThe Holiday?” She shakes her husband. “Mark, wake up, we fell asleep during my favorite movie.”
I smile.
“We see it every year, Mom, and you didn’t miss anything new. Surprisingly enough, the ending hasn’t changed in over a decade.” Cam laughs quietly and looks over at me briefly. “I’m going to head up to my room now.”
That catches me off guard. I thought we would have more time or an opportunity to sneak into the kitchen and talk. I’m also not ready to be alone with my thoughts yet.
“That’s not a bad idea. Tomorrow’s a busy day.” Liz yawns, gives Cam a hug, and then comes to wrap her arms around me. We’re about the same height, meanwhile the two men around us are over six feet tall. “There’s plenty of streaming channels on the TV in the basement. Watch or rent whatever you want.”
She gives me one more squeeze before letting go. “Thank you for everything. And if you need me to leave tomorrow before your dinner, I completely?—”
“Do not dare finish that sentence. You’re joining us for dinner.” Liz narrows her eyes that are almost identical to Cameron’s. “And if memory serves, you’re one hell of a baker. I could use some help making the desserts. Mark is making all the hard stuff since I burn almost everything.”
Nodding, I answer, “I usually only bake on the holidays, but I guess I’m pretty good if my relatives keep coming back for more.” An image of my family eating the desserts I madewithout me, surrounded by laughter makes my eyes sting, and I think Liz notices because her voice goes up a notch.
“Well then, meet me in the kitchen at eleven, and we can make the menu, deal?”
“Deal.” I nod again, holding back tears.
Cameron is gone by the time I’m done talking to Liz. Mark gives me a hug goodnight, and I walk downstairs to the basement apartment. Before today, I only ever thought of basements in a creepy, dirty way, until I walked into Liz’s remodeled one. The room itself is almost completely white, with new hardwood floors and touches of light blue on the furniture. It has a beachy feel to it and smells like a clean hotel room.
After getting ready for bed, I turn the TV on and start flipping through movies.Men in Black 3comes up. Cam and I never got to finish it when he was sick. An involuntary smirk crosses my face when I remember that night. I’m interrupted by another buzz from my phone and groan. Grabbing it, I hurriedly unlock the screen to see what the hell is going on now.
CK: Hey are you still awake?
I let out a breath of relief, thanking whoever is up there that he did plan on talking to me tonight.
Me: Yes I am. Why?
“Come on, come on. Don’t let me down now.”
CK: Can we talk?
Yes.
Me: Yes, where?
CK: I’ll head to the basement now.
“Oh shit.” Running, I check myself in the bathroom mirror. Not terrible, although if he’s still attracted to me after how I looked earlier today, then I think I’m safe. The bed barely makes a sound when I jump back into it, attempting to look calm and casual.
I’m actually nervous about this. I’m usually never nervous around guys. I’m not a massive fan of this feeling.
