Skidding to a stop, I glared down at her. “We’re done until the show. Christian needs his rest.”
Her lips parted, but I turned on my heel before she could say another word, and nearly plowed into the strawberry blond who’d been watching the rehearsal. A dark-haired girl hovered behind her, smiling.
“Hey, Cameron,” said the blonde, like she knew me. Like we were friends. “That was brilliant. You guys are phenomenal.”
“Always good to hear. Y’all have a good day.”
Smiling tightly, I tried to scoot around her, but she blocked my path. “We could make sure you have a really good day.” Slipping her arm around her friend’s waist, she batted her eyelashes. “If you’re in the mood to party.”
“I don’t think so.”
Tightening my grip on Lily’s hand, I brushed past them, power walking the length of the field.
“Cameron, hold on,” Lily said, struggling to keep my pace as I tried to put some distance between us and the fucked-up mess at our back. Grinding to a halt mid field, she grabbed the back of my t-shirt. “Stop!”
I turned to her with a heated gaze, full of irritation and something else. Embarrassment.
“What?” I bit out, unable to hide my frustration.
Squaring her shoulders, she looked me in the eyes. “Look, if you want to g-go with those girls, feel free. You asked m-me to come. Don’t d-drag me out of here like I’m a dog that pissed on your carpet.”
Stunned, I blinked at her. “I—I don’t want to go anywhere with them. It’s just…” Shaking my head, I looked down. “I don’t know what to say. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
My head snapped up when she laughed.
“You didn’t embarrass me. Until you dragged me away like you couldn’t wait to find the nearest bus stop.”
Certain I didn’t hear her right, I rubbed the back of my neck. How could she think I was mad at anyone but myself?
Lily inched forward, the tips of her Converse meeting my boots. “You can tell me, Cameron. Whatever it is.”
Tell her what? That I wanted to take her to Austin and introduce her to my brother? Or go rafting with her down the Guadeloupe and sleep with her under the stars? Or maybe that I wanted to see if this could last longer than a few days, but I couldn’t promise that it would?
“Those girls—they didn’t mean anything. When I play, the audience, they’re like props. I didn’t even realize…”
I sighed, hoping the right words would drop from the sky.
Lily took my hands, a smile playing across her lips. “You didn’t realize what? That you’re sexy as hell, and every girl out here wants you to play them like you play that guitar? Hell, even I was ready to jump you.”
I laughed, the tension draining from my body as I linked our digits. “You wanted to jump me, huh?”
“Don’t judge.”
Pulling her to me with our joined hands behind her back, I placed a soft kiss on her mouth. Her fingers wiggled.
“I’m beginning to think this is a thing with you, Cameron.”
“What’s a thing?”
“This.” She wiggled her fingers again. “First you tangle me up in my t-shirt, and now you’ve got my hands twisted behind my back. If you want to tie me up, just ask.”
I drew her forward until she was on her tip toes. “You better be careful, baby. I might take you up on that.”
Biting her lip, she gave me the sweetest smile. “Promise?”
* * *
Lily sat beside me, devouring the last of her What-a-Burger. I’d offered to take her anyplace she wanted, but this was what she chose.
I chuckled to myself, recalling my mama’s warning to never trust a woman that didn’t appreciate good barbecue or a greasy cheeseburger. Since Mama also believed that the sun rose and set on Tyler Noble’s ass, I wasn’t always inclined to take her advice. But as I watched Lily poking around in the bag for leftover fries, I couldn’t argue with her logic. The girl looked adorable with grease on her fingers and a tiny bit of ketchup staining the corner of her mouth.
“Did you get enough to eat, darlin’?” I asked.
She stopped gathering crumbs from the onion rings and blinked at me. “Huh?”
I swiped the ketchup off her lip with my thumb. “Are you still hungry?”
Nervous laughter tumbled out as she brushed off her hands. “No…I’m fine. I just love burgers and fries. I wasn’t allowed to eat them when I was a k-kid.”
She downed the last of her water, then scooted toward the mini fridge. Glimpsing the black elastic waistband from my boxers peeking out of her jeans, my cock sprang to life.
She glanced over her shoulder, a Dr. Pepper in her hand. “Want something?”
You… Now.
“Nope. I’m good.” I smiled, trying to figure out a way to keep her in that position long enough to get her pants off.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
My phone lit up on the seat. Logan. I chose to ignore the call when Lily settled on the floorboard between my knees. Twisting a hand in her hair, I tugged gently.
“There’s enough seats in this thing for twelve people,” I joked. “You don’t have to sit on the floor.”
Turning sideways, she rested her head on my knee, a faraway look in her eyes. “My dad…he had a limo just like this. We never had a car when I was growing up. My mother used to get so mad at me because I loved to crawl around on the floor.” Her smile lost a little shine. “I guess it just reminds me of my childhood.”
Stroking her hair, I fanned the golden locks out over my jeans. “I never rode in a limo until we signed with a record label. Not even to the prom.”
She propped her chin on my knee, grinning. “Tell me about your prom.”
Tracing my index finger along her jaw, I shrugged. “Not much to tell. I’m sure it was just like yours. Except, maybe you didn’t have to ride there in your best friend’s twenty-year-old truck.”
Actually, I couldn’t really complain about that. Logan’s pickup had a single bench seat, assuring that my date was on my lap for the entire ride home. After having my hard on pressed against her for twenty minutes, Crystal invited me to sneak in her window. Good times.
“I didn’t have a prom,” Lily said glumly. “I came out when I was sixteen.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, but if this has anything to do with girl on girl action, please don’t spare the details.”
Lily bit the inside of my denim-clad thigh. “You perv. Not that kind of coming out. I went to Hockaday.”
Grabbing her under the arms, I pulled her onto my lap. “No biting—unless we’re naked.” I kissed the tip of her nose. “What’s Hockaday? And what did you come out of?”
“Hockaday’s an all-girls school. That’s where I had my ‘coming out’ party.” Puzzled at my confused expression, she blinked at me. “You know, a debutante ball? Big-ass skirts? Boring guys with crew cuts?”
I’d heard about debutante balls. But I didn’t know they still had them. And my only experience with all-girls schools was courtesy of Logan’s vast porn stash.
“Sounds fancy.” Pulling her legs up so she was cradled in my arms, I eased back in the seat. “Who took you to this big ‘coming out’ party?”
Shifting uncomfortably, she stared down at her fingernails.
“You can tell me,” I cajoled. “Did he have a hump? Three nipples? Or a—"
“Nothing like t-that. He was just a regular asshole. No d-deformities. Unless you count arrogance and an underdeveloped personality.”
Sadness dimmed the light in her eyes, so I gave her a squeeze. “Make me a list of your old boyfriends and I’ll take care of them for you.”
It was meant to be a joke, but her expression turned serious. “I told you b-before, there was only one guy. Ever. One asshole.” Noting my shocked expression, she scooted off my lap. “Why are you so s-surprised? I’m nothing like you. My parents didn’t let me go to parties or dances. And my only boyfriend—no,
my fiancé—b-broke up with me because he couldn’t stand the thought of being married to an ‘artist.’”
As her words sank in, I couldn’t help the dry chuckle that worked its way from my throat.
Lily’s face fell. “It’s not funny, Cameron.”
Scooting onto the floorboard, I positioned myself between her knees so we were eye-to-eye. “I wasn’t laughing at you, baby. It’s just…when I was growing up, I thought people like you, with money, didn’t have any problems.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Why would you th-think that?”
“My old man would go on a bender and leave for days. Sometimes my mom had to go to the neighbors to ‘borrow’ a loaf of bread to make us toast with sugar. For dinner. I guess I thought if you had a full stomach and nice clothes, what else could you want?”
Turning so that my back was against the seat, I stroked her calf. It felt good to share a bit of my past with someone without fear it would make its way into some D-list gossip column. Too good. Reaching for a distraction, I snatched my phone from the seat to listen to Logan’s voicemail. He ticked off the name of the club in Deep Ellum where the band was having the meet and greet. I fired off a text to confirm I’d be there before glancing up at Lily.
“Where do you live, darlin’?”
Her brows turned inward. “Why?
That was a good question since asking her to come along would only complicate the situation. None of us took dates to meet and greets. It was an unspoken rule.
“I thought we could swing by your place and you could grab some clothes. There’s a thing tonight in Deep Ellum. I want you to come.”
She frowned. Not exactly the response I was looking for. “I can’t tonight.”
Well, shit. Taking her hand, I decided to lay my cards on the table. “Lily, I only have a few more days here. I’d like to spend them with you. Every minute.”
Her eyes clouded with something I couldn’t decipher. “I have plans.”
“Can you break them?” For me.
She shook her head. “No. I’m sorry.”
But she didn’t sound sorry. In fact, her tone held no emotion at all.
My stomach tumbled onto the floor, along with my pride. “Suit yourself.”
Shifting my attention back to my phone, I checked my email. Then I played Angry Birds. Then I just stared at the screen. When the limo finally pulled to a stop in front of the Mansion, I was boiling mad. And I didn’t know why.
“Cameron?” I could feel Lily’s eyes on me like fingers. Probing. Searching. “I’m really s-sorry. I have to—”
“No worries.” I looked up from my phone. “We’re just killing time, right?”
Her face crumbled, and she was out of the limo before I could stop her.
I paused for only a second before slamming my fist against the seat and following her out. “Lily, wait!”
My head swung in the direction of the engine that could only be hers, and I moved toward the sound. But it was too late. The Honda peeled out of the space, tires squealing, and made it to the end of the row faster than I ever thought possible.
Cursing under my breath, I tapped out a message. “Come back.”
But what was the point? Even if Lily returned we were only putting off the inevitable. She lived in Dallas. And I lived… everywhere. And that wasn’t about to change.
Stowing my phone in my pocket to keep from sending the text, I marched toward my bungalow, hoping like hell the maid had changed the sheets.
* * *
The door swung open, spilling light across the floor of my room. “Why is it so dark in here?” Tess asked, dropping onto the bed beside me. “Aren’t you supposed to be getting ready for work?”
Rolling onto my stomach, I pressed my face into the pillow. “I have time.”
My shift at the bar didn’t start for two hours. If I played my cards right, I could laze in a tub with cucumbers over my eyes to reduce the swelling before I had to put on my makeup. It was embarrassing enough, crying over a guy I’d known for three days. I didn’t need anyone else to witness my stupidity.
Rubbing my back, Tess rested her chin on my shoulder. “I take it that your fling with Cameron is over?”
Fling…
Was that all it was? It felt like more. Like we’d known each other for years. Like I’d miss him when he was gone.
“Yep.” I flopped onto my back, throwing my arm over my face. “He had a thing tonight in Deep Ellum.”
She snorted. “He could’ve at least invited you. It’s not like he’s going to be seeing you after…”
Her words pierced me like a sharp blade, seeking out the tiny bubble of hope in my chest. And poof, it was gone. Because she was right. I’d never see Cameron again. And instead of spending every second with him, I’d mortgaged our final moments for the jar full of tips I’d earn standing behind the bar, serving overpriced drinks to fat-cat businessmen.
“He did invite me.”
Since Tess would probably turn over the registration to her car to spend an hour with Logan, I wasn’t surprised by her silence. When she found her voice, she croaked, “Say what?”
I blew out a heavy breath. “You know I can’t afford to miss work.”
It was true. I had less than three months before the bill for my tuition came due. Twenty-five thousand dollars, give or take. And then I’d have to swallow my pride, make an appointment with my father’s secretary, and beg for his help. Or I wouldn’t graduate.
It was my own fault. I’d never bothered to apply for a student loan. Because in my heart, I’d always believed that my parents would come around. They would, in order to save face. But I had my own pride to contend with now, and I wouldn’t borrow a penny more than I needed. The Mansion offered ten thousand dollars in tuition assistance, and if I was really frugal, I could put a small dent in the other fifteen thousand before the balance came due.
“I’m not buying it,” Tess said, and when I opened my eyes, I found her scowling at me. “What are we talking—a hundred bucks? Two?”
Her gaze slid across the room, to the unused canvases and unopened sketch pads, all bundled neatly on the floor. Then she glanced at my easel, and the expensive paints and brushes.
I propped up on my elbows. “I n-need those things.”
For a split second the judgement in Tess’s brown eyes resembled my mother’s. And I understood. Tess was a business major. Cut from the same cloth I’d ripped my way out of when I’d decided that I couldn’t sit behind a desk all day. She’d never understand that I needed art like she needed air. Painting and sculpting and drawing were necessary. And if I had to go without lunch a couple of days a week to afford my supplies, well, I’d do it.
She covered her hand with mine. “I know you do, sweetie. But obviously you’re missing some other things in your life or you wouldn’t be sitting here in the dark, crying. Why don’t you tell me about Cameron.”
I opened my mouth, a big “hell no” on the tip of my tongue. But then the story unfolded like I’d been waiting for her to ask. It didn’t take long. Because what did I really know about Cameron? Nothing.
“So besides the sex, what makes him so special?” Tess asked when I’d finished.
A flush spread from my chest, settling in my cheeks. “He t-thinks my stutter is cute. And he thinks I’m smart. And f-funny.”
My tone was so soft, when Tess’s brows drew together, I thought maybe she hadn’t heard me. “You are. All those things. Geez, Lily, don’t you know that? Everyone at the bar—”
“Wants to fuck me.” My declaration stunned her into silence, and I sighed. “That’s not what I meant, exactly. It’s j-just…they notice me for my looks first. They overlook the stutter because of t-these.” I pointed to my breasts.
“Well, they are kind of nice.” Rolling my eyes, I batted her hand away when she tried to squeeze my boob. “So Cameron didn’t notice your tits, then?”
“Of course he did. But he said I was s-special.” I pursed my lips when she arch
ed a brow. “Before he slept with me.”
“Okay… so… given all that. Why didn’t you go out with him tonight?”
How could I explain the pull I felt for Cameron? The butterflies in my stomach. My sweaty palms. And the pain that lanced through me when I thought about him leaving. I couldn’t. So I scooted to the end of the bed and climbed to my feet like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. “I’ve got to get ready for work.”
Tess shook her head. “You’re going to regret this,” she sing-songed on her way out of the room.
And despite all the valid reasons I had for declining Cameron’s offer, I knew she was right.
* * *
Nursing my second beer, I looked around the VIP area. This wasn’t even my kind of club. My kind of crowd. The music was a loud and obnoxious blend of techno and pop, like Britney Spears on crack. And the only purpose it served, as far as I could tell, was to provide a beat so the girls flocking around the velvet ropes could grind against each other.
Logan sipped his beer, eyeing a couple of chicks on the main floor. He motioned for Seth, the wall of muscle who doubled as security when he wasn’t tearing down our equipment, to invite them inside.
Seth sauntered over to the pair, his hands drifting low on their hips when he drew them into a huddle. The willowy brunette looked over, licking her lips, her gaze locked on Logan’s. I didn’t know exactly what kind of proposition was involved, but the slow smile that passed over my friends lips was a pretty good indication.
“You want Betty or Veronica?” he asked.
Logan loved to throw in the reference to the blond and brunette in the old Archie comics every chance he got. I think the dude must have used those comic books like porn when he was a kid. When I turned away, he swatted my leg.
“If you’ve got a thing for Lily, own it.” He snorted. “You’re the one who said she was a one and done.”
“She is,” I grumbled. “She just bailed a little earlier than I expected.”
“Well then.” Logan leaned back, watching the girls walk toward us, hand in hand. “Her replacement is coming off the line right now.”