by Kennedy Fox
Leaning against the doorframe, I wait for her to explain. This is going to be amusing as hell, I can already tell.
“I half-dried off and needed to pee, but then the fucking seat broke, and…” She hesitates, closing her eyes briefly. “I fell off.”
Standing straighter, I blink. “You fell off?” I hide my smile, trying my hardest not to chuckle at the utter defeat in her eyes.
“Yes. The seat shifted, and I guess I was too wet and slipped.”
The expression on her face is pure annoyance and shock that a toilet seat would dare to break while she’s using it. Her reaction has me doubling over. I can’t help myself and burst out laughing.
“Shut up! I landed on my tailbone, and now it hurts!” She steps closer and smacks me against the chest. “You’re such a jerk.”
I hold up my hands and grin. “I didn’t do it. Why am I a jerk?”
She folds her arms over her half-bare chest and scowls. “You’re laughing.”
“Well, I’m sorry. But it’s hilarious.”
“It’s not.”
“No, trust me. It very much is. Considering you slipped off a toilet seat buck ass naked is the funniest thing I’ve heard in months. Actually, I’m going to replay it in my head anytime I need a good laugh. This moment might last a lifetime.”
“Alright, asshole. Bye.” She starts to shut the door, but I stop it with my foot.
“Oh, c’mon. I’m just messin’ with you.”
“I’m gonna have the biggest bruise.” She pouts with a frown.
“It sounds like it needs to be tightened. You have a screwdriver?”
“A what?”
“Oh, God. You don’t know what tools are, do you?”
“Can you not mock me right now?”
“Sorry, but you make it a little too easy.” I grin. “I’ll look in the garage and see if your dad has anything in there. Get dressed, and I’ll help you fix the broken seat situation.”
“Alright. Thanks.”
“And maybe get some ice for your bruised ass,” I mumble with a chuckle as I walk toward the stairs.
“I heard that, asshole.”
“I know,” I mock. “Be right back.”
I remember seeing a basic tool set sitting on a shelf in the laundry room, probably from when they installed the appliances. Grabbing it, I notice it’s never been opened, which isn’t surprising. No one in the St. James family aside from Ryan would know how to use them.
Cami lets me into her room, and I follow her to the bathroom, which is fucking massive. She’s dressed in casual black leggings and an off-the-shoulder sweater. With her hair pulled up and face bare, she looks so different from the pictures printed in the magazines. I much prefer this Cameron—casual and not trying to impress anyone.
Kneeling, I discover a screw on the floor. “Just as I thought. The screws were loose. See?” I hold it up. “Now you want to line it back up with the hole and twist the washer while you—”
“Huh?” she asks. “Can’t you do it?”
“Yes, but it’s time for you to learn, princess.”
She folds her arms and narrows her eyes. “I can watch and learn.”
“Nope, you’ve gotta get your hands dirty every once in a while. What would you do if I wasn’t here?”
“Use the other bathroom.”
I snicker at her immediate answer. “Not happening. C’mon. It’s not that hard.”
She inhales with annoyance. “Fine.” She kneels next to me and takes the screwdriver. “Now what?”
I give her simple instructions, and she grunts with every step. It’s quite humorous, considering it’s child’s play.
“Tighten it up a bit more. That way, it won’t happen again.”
“I’m trying!” She groans, using all her strength.
“Put a little muscle into it, geez,” I tease.
Once she’s done, I check and make sure they’re secure, then smirk. “Not bad for an amateur.”
“Har har.” She gets to her feet and brushes off her knees. “I feel like I need another shower now.”
“Wait until a light bulb goes out, and I make you change that, too.”
“Do you have to mock me about everything?”
I put the screwdriver in my jeans pocket as I stand, then face her adorable pouty face. “Well, it was on my agenda for the day, but I could move my mockery to tomorrow if you’d prefer to reschedule?”
“I swear, Eli.” She huffs, busying herself by picking up towels around the bathroom. “You wouldn’t know how to have a serious conversation if it bit you in the butt.”
“Now, that’s not true.” I cross my arms, ready to play her little game. “How about we talk about why you were such a bitch to me when we were teens?”
“Me?” she snaps, quickly spinning around to scowl at me. “You’re the one who teased me every chance you got. Constantly made fun of me for every-fucking-thing, and you’re still doing it now.” She holds out her arm. “Let’s talk about that.”
“I think you have your memories twisted because you humiliated me anytime your uppity friends were around. If I recall, you started calling me trailer trash because my mom worked for your family.”
“Because you called me a Paris Hilton wannabe!”
I take a step forward as both of our tempers heat. “Well, it was true. Hell, it probably still is. You can’t even sit on a damn toilet without hurting yourself.”
“God!” She comes for me, pushing firmly against my chest with her hands. I barely flinch, which only pisses her off further. “You’re such a fucking child. Grow up.” She walks around me and storms out of the bathroom.
Well, it wouldn’t be a conversation with Cami if we weren’t screaming or annoying the fuck out of each other, but I hadn’t expected it to be on the same day I finally kissed her.
A kiss I selfishly want to relive.
Chapter Five
CAMERON
DAY 3
After a day from hell yesterday, I’m ready to start fresh. It’s day three of being at the cabin, and I’m already going stir-crazy with Elijah here. Add in my boyfriend breaking up with me, and I’m a ticking time bomb. Last thing I need is to have a full-blown Britney Spears circa 2007 breakdown.
Kendall: Babe, you okay? I heard about Zane and you.
I groan, reading my best friend’s text message. Of course, she did. Even during a freaking pandemic, the rumor mill is strong. I hadn’t told a soul—besides Eli—which means Zane’s already started running his mouth. Who knows what the hell he’s telling people because he’s known to exaggerate. Kendall Montgomery has been in my life since elementary school, and she’s my ride or die. She also loathes my brother, which cracks me up because I believe she’s secretly in love with him. While she pretends she can’t stand his know-it-all attitude, Ryan makes comments about her being beauty and brains. They’re a match made in heaven, but both are in denial.
Cameron: I’m fine. He can suck a giant bag of dicks, though.
Kendall: I can’t believe he broke up with you! What an asshole. I wish we could go to the club and get shit-faced! I’d make sure you were over that bastard and under a hottie within an hour!
I laugh, knowing she would totally force me to go out and party. Her answer to everything is booze and one-night stands. Chanel startles awake and gets comfortable in a chair by the window. She’s not much of a morning cat until she’s ready to eat.
Cameron: Well, I started with vodka for breakfast yesterday, but that backfired on me real quick when I kissed Elijah Ross, then snapped at him.
I skip the broken toilet part because it’s embarrassing as hell, but also because I overreacted after he helped me. I was frustrated about Zane and confused about Eli kissing me, and all of that mixed with vodka was a dangerous combination. After I pushed him and stormed away, I went to the theater room and fell asleep watching Netflix. When I woke up hours later, it was late, and the house was dark and silent. I ruined our dinner plans and ended up eating cereal
before going to bed.
Kendall: Wait, what?! You’re at the cabin with Eli? How’d that happen?
Cameron: Ryan told him he could stay without telling me, and we both showed up! Now we’re stuck here since neither of us wants to be in the city. I told Eli to leave because having Zane here would be weird, but now that he’s out of the picture, I kinda don’t mind him here. Though he’s still a jerk, and he brought his freaking dog!
Kendall: I’m laughing so hard right now. You and Eli have fought for as long as I’ve known you. I can’t picture the two of you being stuck together. It’s like a reality TV show.
Cameron: Trust me, it wasn’t a pretty picture when he arrived. I threw a marble statue at his face.
Kendall: I don’t know why you don’t just bang it out already. Clearly, you have some animosity to work out. Now would be a PERFECT time ;)
Having her encourage me to cross that line with Eli makes me shake my head. Kendall comes from a wealthy family too, but her life wasn’t thrust into the limelight like mine. The Montgomerys are old money, and she inherited so much after her grandparents died five years ago.
Cameron: Kinda ironic since I’ve told you the same thing.
Kendall: What are you talking about?
Cameron: You and Ryan.
Kendall: Why’d you have to ruin my day by mentioning him? If he wasn’t dealing with some serious shit right now in the hospitals, I’d say some not-so-nice things.
Cameron: Your hostility toward each other is comical. Just fuck already—like you said—and work out whatever tension you have.
Kendall: That’s a hard fucking pass. He probably recites medical journals in bed to stay hard.
Oh my God. That’s not an image I ever wanted to have of my brother. It’s hilarious she pretends she hates him when I know she’s crushed on him forever.
Cameron: Ew, I just cringed. What the hell is wrong with you?
Kendall: SAME.
I laugh, and it feels good to talk to her after having a crappy couple of days.
Cameron: We should FaceTime and drink together since we can’t in person. Though I need to get started on my schoolwork. So, maybe not tonight.
Kendall: Yes, definitely soon! Then you can give me all the juicy details about Eli :)
Cameron: Literally nothing to tell.
Kendall: From his Instagram pictures, he’s gotten pretty buff. How does he look in person?
I roll my eyes, though it’s true. I hadn’t seen Eli in over a year before this unexpected reunion. He’s had shaggy hair for as long as I can remember, but graduating college and getting a job has agreed with him. Eli’s really taken care of himself, and it shows.
Cameron: OMG. Don’t go there.
Kendall: So, are you gonna tell me about this kiss, or are you determined to make me beg?
Cameron: NO! It was a total fluke.
Kendall: Fluke or not, get some quarantine action! And you’re no fun. I bet his lips were super soft and warm. Did he use tongue?
Cameron: Go away.
Kendall: That’s a yes. But fine. I need to take a shower anyway, so go climb Elijah like a tree so you can give me some gossip to share that’ll “accidentally” spread to Zane.
Cameron: I’m not gonna hook up with Eli just to piss off Zane.
Kendall: No, you’re going to because you know you want to ;)
Cameron: Bye. Xo
Kendall: Love you!
My mood instantly lifts, and I’m determined to have a better day, which starts with apologizing to Eli. Even though he gets a kick out of teasing me, there’s no excuse for how I reacted when he brought up the past after helping me. He tried to teach me something new, but I was a brat. I can’t take my frustrations out on him because we’re stuck here for weeks. Given the circumstances, I need to make the most of it.
I decide to message Ryan and check on him.
Cameron: Hey, big bro. You doing okay?
I watched the news last night before I cleansed my thoughts with Netflix. It was heartbreaking and depressing to see what was happening in the world and terrifying that New York City is the epicenter of the virus outbreak in the US. It scares me even more that Ryan’s in the middle of it.
Ryan: I’m about to leave for a 36-hour shift. It’s been pretty rough.
Cameron: The news says things haven’t peaked yet and that hospitals are running out of protective gear. That true?
Ryan: Unfortunately, yes. Don’t watch that, though. It’ll make you more anxious.
Cameron: I’m already there.
Ryan: Exactly. How are things going at Mom and Dad’s?
His abrupt subject change doesn’t go unnoticed, but that’s how Ryan is. Blunt and to the point.
Cameron: I didn’t go home. Decided to stay at the Roxbury cabin so I can focus on my classes. But then an unexpected visitor arrived…
Ryan: Hahaha.
Cameron: I hate you.
Ryan: You love me.
Cameron: Yeah, yeah. Well anyway, he brought his big ass dog and scared the shit out of me and Chanel.
Ryan: So, where did Eli go then?
Cameron: What do you mean?
Ryan: I assume you sent him packing…
Cameron: Well, I tried. But he refused and said we could “share” the cabin. So we are.
Ryan: I’m glad you let him stay because he had nowhere safe to go. Though, I’m not sure being quarantined with you is much safer.
Cameron: Okay, jerk. I’m getting enough shitty remarks from Eli. I don’t need it from you, too.
Ryan: Oh, come on. As your older brother, it’s my job to pick on you. He just does it to get a rise and response from you.
Cameron: I’ve noticed the last ten years.
Ryan: Well, I gotta go. Glad you two are isolating together. Be nice!
Cameron: Tell that to him!
Ryan: I’ll get right on that ;)
Cameron: Ha, I’m sure! Please be careful. I love you.
Ryan: Love you too, sis. Stay there so I don’t have to worry about you.
Cameron: I will.
I laugh, knowing Ryan is purposely keeping things light so I don’t freak out even more. Losing a sense of control as a perfectionist only fuels my uneasiness. I managed to get a refill of my anxiety medication before I left, but I’m trying to save it for when I really need it.
Once I’ve showered and dressed for the day, I go downstairs.
“Good morning,” I sing-song when I find Eli in the kitchen and head to the fridge for the OJ. “How’d you sleep last night?”
He turns toward me, one eyebrow arched as if I’ve grown a second head. Fortunately, he’s wearing a shirt this morning, so there’s zero temptation to ogle him.
Walking around him, I reach inside the cabinet and grab a glass, then pour myself some juice. Silently, Eli closes the gap between us, and my breath hitches as he leans in closer. He places his palm on my forehead and squints.
“What’re you doing?” I ask, confused.
“Checking to see if you have a fever.” He steps back, dropping his hand as he examines my face.
“Why?”
“Because I’m concerned that you’re sick.”
I immediately touch my cheeks. Then I slide my palm down my neck to see if my glands are swollen. “I don’t think so.” I feel fine, anyway.
“Hmm…then perhaps you were possessed by a friendly ghost while you slept because you skipped down here way too cheerfully.” He smirks, and then I realize what he’s doing.
Grinding my teeth, I narrow my eyes and bump him with my hip so he’s forced to take a step back. “You’re such an ass. For a second, I thought I was dying.”
“Yeah, I hear Jekyll and Hyde is a symptom. Better be careful.”
I take a sip of juice, then scowl. “And to think I was going to apologize to you. Never mind.”
Eli dramatically puts a palm on his chest over his heart and widens his eyes. “Oh, God. Don’t do that. I might stroke out.”
“At
the thought of me saying sorry?” I ask as he moves around the space, grabbing a pan and items from the fridge.
“At you admitting you were wrong about something,” he confirms, cracking an egg into a bowl.
“I never said that.”
He shakes his head and smirks. “Alright. I’m all ears.”
Sucking in a deep breath, I lean against the counter and mentally prepare myself for his sarcastic remarks.
“Okay, well first…” I lick my lips and watch as he continues to prepare breakfast. “I’m sorry for how I reacted after you helped me with the toilet seat. I should’ve said thank you and that I appreciated you checking on me when you heard me fall. I was angry with Zane and took it out on you, and it wasn’t right. It won’t happen again.”