“Oh my god, Cameron!” she moans.

  Just as I’m about to grab a condom from the pocket of my sweatpants on the floor, loud bangs sound against the door.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Sadie is seething. Rising from the bed, she wraps the sheet around her now-naked body and throws open the door to reveal Maddie on the other side. I can almost see the steam blowing out of her ears.

  “Are you fucking joking?” Maddie shouts. “In our house? In our guest room? Do you not have any respect at all for our parents?”

  I’m still in my briefs when I move to stand in front of Sadie, and now isn’t the time to be thinking this, but Maddie looks hot as hell when she’s pissed. Her arms are crossed underneath those heavenly tits, and her eyebrows are scrunched together, forming a tiny v in the crease.

  I’ve practiced keeping her at arm’s length for years, and now is no different. Putting on my best asshole facade, I say, “We were kind of in the middle of something.” I glance down at my hard-on for emphasis, and the instant pleasure I get from noticing the redness of her cheeks is different for me. Whereas most girls would have to touch me to turn me on, Maddie seems to elicit the same response by simply standing here.

  “Well, finish it elsewhere,” she grumbles. “It’s not happening here.”

  Sadie pokes her head out from around my shoulder. “Why are you such a fucking bitch? You have a goddamn stick shoved so far up your ass. Just let people have some fun! Christ. You act as if—”

  “That’s enough.” I don’t realize I’ve said it until the sentence leaves my mouth, but Maddie’s glassy eyes instantly meet mine in confusion. I’ve known her long enough to realize she’s seconds away from breaking down, and while Sadie might be right about Maddie never having fun, she took it too far.

  Plus, I can’t allow myself to be the reason Maddie bawls her eyes out for the second time.

  I just can’t.

  Maddie spins around and stalks off down the hallway. I should let her walk away from me, but I don’t know if this incessant fucking need I feel to check on her will ever disappear. Maybe it stems from the guilt of not following her the last time I made her cry, but whatever the reason, I can’t stand by and do nothing.

  “I’m going to talk to her,” I tell Sadie before I can change my mind.

  Sadie’s eyebrows shoot to her hairline. “What? I’m naked, Cameron!”

  I live up to my reputation when I slam the door behind me and chase Maddie down the hall. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time I’ve left a one-night stand without an explanation, and I’m afraid to admit it probably won’t be the last either.

  “Maddie!” I call. At the sound of my voice, she whirls to face me, nothing but pure, unfiltered rage staring back at me. “Look, I didn’t mean to offend you, okay? We needed a place to go, and Ethan said—”

  “I don’t give a shit what Ethan said! What is wrong with you? Can you not keep your dick in your pants for more than twenty-four hours? You have a whole house to yourself, and yet you choose to fuck someone under our roof. I don’t get it.”

  “It’s a party, Maddie. People fuck at parties. It happens.”

  “Well, I don’t want to hear you—” Her mouth snaps shut.

  Now that grabs my attention.

  “You don’t want to hear me what?” I ask, taking a step closer. Despite how much she tries to fight it, her eyes dip to my exposed torso, where my abs are on full display to her. My cock twitches in response. “You don’t want to hear me fuck?”

  I watch her gulp before she averts her eyes.

  “Why would it bother you to hear me fuck, Mads?”

  “Don’t call me that,” she says, seething.

  I ignore the crushing sensation in my chest and continue to push her. Being out here in the hallway with her is dangerous, especially when I barely have any clothes on and she’s in a tank top so thin I can see her nipples, begging to be released, but I can’t ignore the force of attraction that draws us together. If I’m a magnet, she’s steel, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

  Now that I’m standing directly in front of her, I tower over her. She has to tilt her head up to look me in the eyes. One more step and I’ll be able to feel her nipples against my chest. One more step and I’ll inhale the scent of vanilla and honey that seems to give me more of a hit than weed ever will.

  “You want to know what I think?” I breathe onto her lips.

  She continues to hold my stare with her chin held high like a soldier heading into battle. I’m fighting the urge to shove her against this wall and do what we’ve both wanted to do for years. If things were different and Ethan wasn’t her brother, we’d have fucked each other senseless a billion times already, and that’s saying something considering I never have sex with the same girl twice. However, if I had an exception to that rule, Maddie Davis would be it.

  “No,” she replies in a choked whisper. “I don’t want to know, but if you decide to fuck that girl in the guest room, at least have the decency to throw the sheets in the wash before our parents return from their trip.”

  All I can do is watch in disbelief when she walks away from me and closes her bedroom door behind her.

  Three

  Cameron

  The morning after the party reminds me why I don’t drink anymore.

  My dad taught me that alcohol compromises my motor skills, and with me playing quarterback, I need my motor skills. Reaction time, hand-eye coordination—all of it matters, and I didn’t want to risk getting dropped from the team when I worked so hard to get into West Bridge in the first place. As soon as I started training, alcohol and drugs were off the table.

  The light shining through the windows is blinding, and my back is fucked-up from sleeping on the couch. I can feel my heartbeat thumping against my temples as I slowly sit up, wincing from the pain.

  I used to think my dad was spewing bullshit at first, but now I fully believe him. I don’t know what I’d do if I had to work out this morning.

  What time is it?

  Falling back onto the couch, I smack my hand around on the coffee table until I find my phone. There are two voicemails from Sadie—no doubt both of them consist of her cussing me out—and that’s all I need for last night’s memories to hit me like a train.

  I almost made a move on Maddie. For a split second I thought about giving in to the temptation and just getting it out of the way so it wouldn’t hang over our heads like a fucking storm cloud all the time.

  What a mistake that would have been.

  The sounds of pots and pans clattering in the kitchen make me groan, but I sit up regardless and peek over the top of the couch. Maddie is cooking breakfast, and there are three plates on the island with eggs and toast on them. She’s busy plating the bacon when I join her in the kitchen, and the delicious smell makes my stomach growl.

  Maddie has never had to try to be beautiful. It just comes to her naturally. Even now with her hair piled up messily into a bun on top of her head and wearing only a T-shirt and a pair of pajama bottoms with fuzzy socks on her feet, she’s stunning.

  Her face gives no indication of how she might be feeling after last night. I wouldn’t blame her if she was pissed, but she doesn’t seem like she wants to chop my balls off. After all, she made me breakfast, so she can’t hate me that much, right?

  Unless it’s poisoned . . .

  I inspect the plate carefully, not putting it past her. “Is this for me?”

  I hold my breath for the sharp reply, but it never comes. Instead, she nods and sits down on one of the bar stools and digs in to her food. She’s giving me the silent treatment, and somehow, that’s even worse. I’d much rather she got in my face and fought with me because it would mean she cares. Her indifference isn’t something I’m used to. I don’t like it at all.

  We eat our breakfast together in silence, and when I’m finished, I wash my plate so she doesn’t have to. Not that it makes a difference considering the countless plastic cups and other trash sprawled across the counter and littering the floor. “It was really good,” I say. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome,” she replies in a monotone voice.

  “Mads—” I freeze at the nickname and grasp her wrist to stop her from going upstairs. It used to come naturally to me, but things are different now. They have been for years. “Maddie,” I correct. “I’m sorry for what I said last night, I—” Am I really sorry, though? As much as I say it would have been a mistake to kiss her, I know it wouldn’t have been.

  “It’s fine.” She pulls her hand back, rubbing the spot on her wrist where my fingers were. “You were drinking and didn’t mean it. I don’t fault you for it. Ethan said you could use the guest room, and I shouldn’t have intervened. Hopefully I didn’t ruin your night.”

  Ruin my night?

  How could she think that? I mean, yeah, she stopped me from following through on my plans with Sadie, but if it meant I’d get to stand that close to her again, regardless of whether or not she was pissed at me, I wouldn’t change a thing. We’ve spoken to each other more in the past twenty-four hours than we have in years. I didn’t realize how much I missed her until last night. How much of an idiot I was for pushing her out of my life for good.

  “Maddie, I—”

  “I’m so fucking hungover.” Ethan enters the kitchen and plops down on the empty bar stool, tugging his plate closer without telling his sister thank you. He begins to inhale his bacon, and whatever I was about to tell Maddie dies on my tongue.

  “That’s what happens when you drink.” Maddie chastises him. “Consequences.”

  “Please, shut up,” he grunts. “I’m not in the mood today, Maddie.”

  She takes that as her cue to leave, and it bothers me that I feel like whatever happened last night isn’t resolved between us. The need to apologize to her is stronger than usual, but why? I’ve been a dick to her since I started high school, but I’ve always been able to keep the urge to apologize for my behavior at bay because I knew it was for the best. What’s the difference now?

  “How was Sadie?” Ethan asks.

  Since I can’t exactly share the run-in I had with his little sister, I do what I do best and change the subject. “Fine, but I’m more interested to know about how you hit things off with Jennifer.”

  Jennifer was the other girl at the party last night. Someone I invited to set Ethan up with. My best friend’s been off his game lately, so I thought I’d help him out. “She was all over you last night, so I’m assuming you got lucky.”

  Ethan drags a hand through his shaggy blond hair and gives me a sheepish grin. “Before we talk about me, let’s talk about you. Sadie texted Jennifer that you left her alone in the guest room last night.”

  Because your sister was more intriguing.

  “I wasn’t in the mood.”

  “Dude.” He narrows his eyes and lets out a scoff. “She was naked, and you just left her there?”

  I’m unsure why he’s surprised when he should be accustomed to my ways, which haven’t changed since we got into high school. That knowledge doesn’t tamper the growing disgust I have for myself, though. “She was too desperate,” I lie. “It was a turnoff.”

  “Have I ever mentioned how much of a fucking asshole you are to girls?”

  “And you aren’t?” I counter.

  Before he can reply, the front door opens, and we share terrified expressions. If his parents are home early with the house looking like this? We’re dead.

  Thankfully, Maya, Maddie’s best friend enters the kitchen instead. She sets her purse on top of the island before she analyzes the mess we made last night. “Damn. You guys are fucked. Why haven’t you started cleaning yet?”

  I point at Ethan with a cheesy grin. “Just swapping sex stories before we get to it.”

  Ethan whips his head to mine with the promise of death in his eyes.

  What the hell?

  Maya casts a lingering stare at Ethan before she props a hand on her hip and asks, “Where’s Maddie?”

  I’m still trying to decipher why Ethan gave me that look, but when I realize he’s incapable of replying, I answer for him. “She’s upstairs in her room. Would you care to help us with this disaster of a house first?”

  “Hm . . .” She ponders, tapping a finger to her chin. “Help clean up after a party I wasn’t invited to? I think I’ll pass. You guys have fun, though!” Tossing her long black ponytail over her shoulder, she disappears from the kitchen, my best friend’s eyes glued to her ass the entire way.

  “You’ve got to be kidding,” I deadpan. “Maya? Dude, that’s a recipe for disaster. You realize Maddie would kill you, right? Like, shred you to pieces and feed them to the wolves.”

  “It’s not like I’d even have a chance.” He’s seething. “Why’d you have to say something to her about swapping sex stories? She’s going to think I’m a perv.”

  I cock my head to the side. “Aren’t you? We’re one and the same, Ethan. Always have been.”

  His jaw sets into a firm line but eventually he releases an exaggerated sigh and reaches beneath the sink to grab a garbage bag. “It doesn’t matter. Like I said, I don’t have a shot in hell.”

  “What makes you think that?”

  “Oh come on. Maya probably goes for guys who look like you. I’m not over six foot, I don’t have an eight pack, and I damn sure don’t have your ability to flirt. I wouldn’t have a shot, and that’s not me trying to be self-deprecating. It’s just the truth.”

  I hate that he has such a low opinion of himself. Ethan is the funniest guy I know, and while he might not be a gym rat, he has one of the biggest hearts. Any girl would be lucky to have him.

  Together, we pick up the house, but about ten minutes in, I ask, “Why don’t you take a chance with her? You might get lucky.”

  He scoffs as he shoves a cup into the bag. “Maya isn’t the hit it and quit it type. If I were to hit it, I don’t think I’d be able to quit it. Not that you’d understand that.”

  Oh, but I do.

  All too well, actually.

  “Maybe Maddie would understand if you told her how you feel. If she knew you felt that strongly about Maya, then—”

  “Ha!” He tosses his head back and laughs. “This is Maddie we’re talking about. Besides, there are just some things you don’t do to a sibling, like fuck their best friend. It’d be like her making a move on you.” He shudders at the thought.

  Just for a moment, I’m glad Maddie thinks our conversation last night was a mistake. Letting her know my true feelings and the desire I feel for her would only result in catastrophe. It’s clear Ethan wouldn’t be okay with it if I were to make a move, so leaving that fleeting moment between us forgotten is for the best. I’ll let Maddie chalk it up to me being drunk and rambling if she wants. It’s better this way.

  Safer.

  “I guess you’re right,” I reply, and even though I want to say so much more, I decide to keep my mouth shut instead.

  It’s better this way.

  Safer.

  I just need to keep repeating that mantra until I believe it.

  Four

  Maddie

  “And he apologized?” Maya, holding a bottle of red nail polish, glances up from the foot of my bed. “Cameron Holden? Are we talking about the same person?”

  I still can’t believe it either. Six years ago he told me he didn’t want anything to do with me, and now we’ve interacted more than we have in ages. It’s like whiplash the way he goes from hot to cold. When I caught him in the guest bedroom with that girl—she did an exceptional job of expressing herself—he went from being a dick saying he was in the middle of something to chasing me down the hall and asking for my forgiveness. He’s an anomaly I have yet to figure out.

  And I could have sworn he had wanted to. Well, I’m not going to make any assumptions, but the way he looked at me was breathtaking. I’ve never seen his eyes get so dark and serious.

  But he was drunk, and I interrupted his night of fun. Of course he was horny. He probably would have made a move on anyone standing there. Not that he did make a move, but when he stepped closer to me in the hallway and was towering over me, I thought . . .

  “Stop fidgeting!” Maya scolds. Her grip becomes firmer on my foot and she dips the brush back into the polish. “You’re being a horrible test subject.”

  Right. Maya’s in the cosmetology program at the local community college, and I never complain when she wants to practice on me. But I can’t focus with thoughts of Cameron on my mind.

  “Sorry,” I grumble. “Anyway, I was in shock too. Believe me. The whole night was strange.”

  “It is weird,” Maya admits. “But I hope you’re not stuck on the whole ‘bore’ comment they made. Cameron and Ethan think anyone who doesn’t party is boring, you know? Don’t apologize for trying to get out of this desert-ass town and make something of yourself.”

  “I would never apologize for that, but sometimes I wonder if I’m missing out. Is partying really that much fun? The ones I’ve been to at college weren’t like the movies. They seemed pointless, but maybe something is wrong with me because I think that? I should enjoy partying, right? I’m nineteen. This is the time in my life when I’m supposed to let loose and have fun. Am I a loser?”

  Maya scoffs and switches to my other foot. “You’re far from a loser, Maddie. You’re a loner. There’s a difference.”

  If she wasn’t so focused on painting my nails, I would have chucked a pillow at her face. “Because that is so much better. Thanks.”

  Maya never pressured me to go out in high school, which is why we were so close to each other. Her parents were strict, and I had no interest in getting high and drunk every weekend, so we spent our nights watching corny movies while she practiced braiding my hair and painting my nails, like she’s doing to me now. She’s the type of friend I can go months without seeing, but as soon as I’m back home, it’s like I never left. We pick back up right where we left off.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28