More Than A Secret (More Than Best Friends Book 3)

by Sally Henson

  34

  REGAN

  Cam’s under the planter out in the grass with the grease gun. I’m not sure how it all works. By the looks of it, it will take some wrangling for him to get out from under there. He tickled me so much over lunch that I seriously almost peed my pants.

  There’s a hose attached to a hydrant around the corner.

  Oh, yeah. I’m going there.

  I turn on my stealth mode, tip-toe closer to the planter, and spray poor defenseless Cam.

  He lets out a mouthful of curses and threats, but all I can do is laugh. And keep spraying him, of course.

  “I owe you more than this.” My chest fills with satisfaction. I got him back for once.

  By the time he slithers free, his shirt and jeans are soaked. He snorts like a bull, and rather than face the hose being taken away and getting soaked myself, I drop it like it’s on fire and run like the coward I am.

  “Payback time,” he shouts.

  Flight adrenaline races through me, and I dart through the dim light across the lawn. Cam snags my shirt right before I make it to the outdoor stairs to his rooms. He hooks me around the waist with his arm and hefts me over his shoulder like a sack of seed corn.

  “Okay, okay.” I laugh so hard, breathing is a struggle. It doesn’t help that his shoulder is digging into my stomach and restricting my diaphragm. I squeak out, “I’ll stop.”

  “In case you haven’t noticed, you’ve already stopped. What’s the matter? Are you a scaredy cat?”

  I don’t lie. “Yes!”

  He turns and marches back toward the hose. “You’re still gonna pay.” He laughs a deep you’re-definitely-going-to-regret-what-you-did-to-me laugh.

  Lane’s “Let’s Get It On” ringtone sounds from my phone. My breath catches. He hasn’t called for days. The messages he’s sent lately have been short and about how busy he’s been. I’m not sure if he’s actually been that busy, or having too much fun to bother talking to me. Even if that’s true, I still want to talk to him.

  “What is that?” Cam asks.

  My neck heats. I changed Lane’s ringtone a while back. I don’t think Cam has heard it before. “Put me down. Lane’s calling.”

  Cam huffs and puts me on my feet. He mutters something under his breath that I can’t make out when he walks away.

  I slide the phone out of my pocket and tap the screen. “Hey, there.”

  “Hey, sunshine. Called you at home, but your mom said you were at Cam’s.”

  I make my way back toward the stairs. “Yeah. We’re still working. And I try not to spend much time at home.”

  “Working? You sure about that? I’ve seen Cam’s posts.”

  My stomach clenches. What’s that supposed to mean? “Yeah, working. Sometimes we do stuff afterward.” I climb halfway up the stairs that lead to Cam’s deck and sit down. “I told you I was saving for a car, right?”

  He doesn’t answer right away. “A car would be good.” He sounds off, like maybe he’s mad at me or something.

  “Is everything okay? How are you?”

  “Yeah, it’s good, I’m just…” He pauses long enough, I check my phone to see if the call dropped. “We’re leaving after the gig tonight. Driving straight through. I’m going to be so tired tomorrow.”

  “So classes start back on Monday?” I ask. I knew I wouldn’t see him this weekend, but I was hoping he would surprise me.

  “Yeah. We might play Wednesday. Not sure about Friday yet. I’ll find out Monday.”

  Is that what he wanted to tell me? Is he asking for approval? Because that went out the window when he decided to go on Spring Break in Florida without talking to me about it. “If that’s what you want to do.”

  He clears his throat. “I’m sorry I haven’t been able to talk much this week.”

  “Yeah? Me too.” I’m not sure where I stand with him right now. It seems like I’ve taken a backseat to the band. But it’s only a week. And he’s on the phone with me now, right?

  "When I get home, we need to talk.”

  An ache spreads across my chest like a spider web. “Is something wrong? Did you…is there…?” The words blurt out of my mouth before I get them stopped.

  “No, no,” he says. “It’s just me and you. It is for me anyway. Is it for you? Do you still love me?”

  I close my eyes and breathe a sigh of relief. “Of course, I love you. What’s wong? Are you sure everything is okay?”

  He lets out a soft chuckle. “Yeah. There’s just been a lot going on. A lot on my mind.”

  The wheels of my brain turn, trying to figure out what he’s holding back.

  “I’ve been thinking about what you said. About getting closer,” he says in a low voice. “We need to talk.”

  I wanted to do more than talk about it before he left. I was ready to be all his, but it feels like there’s something else going on with him. Maybe it’s just me. I’ve had a lot going on too that I haven’t even told him about.

  The sound of heavy footsteps catch my attention, and I look up to see Cam climbing the stairs with a five-gallon bucket in hand. The sight of his wet shirt clinging to his body makes me want to giggle. I dart my eyes away, focusing on my sneakers.

  Maybe I should just tell him what’s going on at home and get it over with. “My mom—”

  “Rey, baby,” Cam says, cutting off my conversation with Lane.

  “Did he just call you baby?”

  I look up at Cam’s wide grin that says trouble all over it. I start to ask Lane what he said, but Cam’s wild eyes has me distracted.

  Cam’s voice booms like an explosion. “We need to get you in some dry clothes.”

  I stand as he stomps my way, and his grin gets even wider.

  I turn and scurry up the stairs with a squeal. I press the phone to my ear. “Lane?”

  “What’s going on?” Lane asks.

  “Cam’s about to throw a bucket of water on me. I better go before he ruins my phone. It’s good to hear from you.” Wait. That came out weird, but Cam is out to finish this water fight. “I want to talk too.”

  “Yeah,” he grumbles.

  I know I should say more, but Cam’s close enough, the water could reach me. “I’m sorry, I have to go. Bye.”

  I can’t wait for him to say anything unless I want my phone to drown. I can’t afford to buy a new one. I sprint up the stairs with him only steps behind, fling the sliding door open, and toss my phone on the bed.

  As soon as I shut the door, cold water dumps over my head.

  It’s official. I am literally soaked from head to toe.

  35

  LANE

  “Is that it?” Mr. Steiger asks.

  Our last Spring Break performance is over. Instead of having a day to relax and enjoy the sun, surf, and sand people flock to Florida for, we’re driving back to campus tonight.

  Ross nods. “Yeah, I double checked.”

  “I didn’t see anything either,” I add. I’m still amped up and not looking forward to being cooped up with five other people in an SUV for a thousand miles.

  “Great.” He slaps Ross on the back. “Let’s lock this baby up. You boys can get your house drink before we take off.”

  “Yes!” Joe pumps his fist in the air. “We were awesome tonight.”

  I chug some of my water as everyone steps around the equipment trailer. “Hey, I’m going to hit the beach for a minute. Get some fresh air.”

  “Come on, man,” Luke says, nodding toward the door.

  “Just a few minutes and I’ll be in.” I hold up my water bottle as a wave.

  I cross the street and let the sound of the waves erase the tension. Only the longer I breathe in the ocean air, the longer the tighter my muscles become. This guilt clings to me like a jellyfish.

  What happens if I tell Regan to go to the camp? I don’t have enough money to pay for it. Tim wouldn’t pay for it, even if he did have that kind of money.

  The last few days I went out with the guys just to get he
r off of my mind. It didn’t last very long though. Two weeks is long enough without seeing her. How could I go all summer without her? That’s it. As soon as I get back, I have to tell her about the deal I made so I could see her.

  I pull out my phone and tap on my favorite picture of us. I have a couple of missed phone calls and a message from Nick Adams, my old classmate.

  Nick: Is Regan back on the market?

  He sent a photo of Cam and Regan eating at a bar and grill, laughing. It doesn’t look like they knew anyone was taking their photo. The sinking guilt turns to red hot. I’m not a jealous guy. Okay, maybe I am a little. But Cam has tested me since Regan and I broke up three days last semester. I don’t know how much more I can take.

  Me: Regan is most definitely NOT on the market. We’re together.

  Nick probably already informed his Eckerd-loving cousin she’s available. Which she is not. At all.

  I restrain myself from looking at Cam’s posts. It takes just about everything I’ve got not to look after Nick’s message. I check the missed calls instead.

  They’re all from Regan’s home phone. One message left.

  “Lane, it’s Tim Stone. I was hoping to see you tonight. We have a problem. I need you to have a conversation with Regan. Make sure to see me at church tomorrow.”

  Freaking great!

  Every pat on the back, great job, you were hot tonight comment I got after our performance gets carried away and lost in the ocean. Only to be replaced with more B. S. from Regan’s dad.

  I shut my phone off and stuff it in my pocket. Just when I was ready to tell Regan everything…

  I down the bottle of water and head back to the club. The beer didn’t taste that great the other night, but it helped me push the thoughts I didn’t want to deal with aside for a little while. I’ve got a whole circus tent full of them tonight. Maybe it’ll help me again.

  LANE

  Someone pounds on my bedroom door just as I’m falling asleep, but they might as well beat on my head. “What?” I call out, making my head feel worse.

  “Can I come in?” Ross asks.

  We got back about an hour ago, unloaded our gear, and went our separate ways. As soon as I stepped foot in my room, I dropped my stuff and crawled onto my bed. I feel like I’ve been in the spin cycle of a washing machine all night, and don’t want to think, move, or speak.

  “Yeah.”

  The door open and Ross chuckles.

  Before he says a word, the smell of greasy hamburgers hit me, and I’m not sure if I’m starving or about to vomit.

  “I got you something that will make you feel better.” He chuckles again. “Come on.”

  I roll over as he pushes my bag against the wall with his foot. He turns and heads out of my room.

  When I sit up, the spin cycle starts up again. Somehow I make my way to the sofa. He hands me a paper sack from the all-night diner.

  “Thanks.” I’d offer to pay him back, but I lost my wallet and my phone at some point after I had joined the guys last night. By the time I realized it, we were in Tennessee. Yeah, I was out of it.

  I unwrap the burger and take a bite. Don’t throw up. Don’t throw up. Don’t throw up.

  Ross pulls a Gatorade out of his pocket and sets it at my feet. “This too. You’re dehydrated. Gatorade is great for hangovers.”

  Yeah, my first hangover. Not something I’m proud of. I open the bottle and take a sip. It’s a little too sweet, but I’d do about anything not to feel like this anymore. It was so bad on the drive back, Mr. Stieger had to stop alongside the road so I could throw-up. It was terrible.

  “I have something else for you too.” He gets up and goes to his room. When he returns, he’s holding my phone and wallet in his hand.

  If I could feel something other than sick, I’d be relieved.

  “You started buying drinks and talking about calling Regan’s dad and telling him off, so I lifted them from you.”

  “I was going to call her dad?” What a wreck.

  He nods, grinning.

  “Thanks.” I want to say more, but my head is pounding and my stomach is twisted and I’m doing good just to eat and finish my drink.

  Ross slams the door shut to our dorm rooms. Okay, so me being car-sick may have had more to do with drinking more than one beer with the guys. They’ll never let me live this down, not that I care right now.

  I make my way back to my room, plug my phone into the charger, and lay back down. I swear I’ll never drink again.

  My phone buzzes from the window ledge above my bed with an incoming call, but I ignore it and drift back to sleep.

  A while later, the buzzing wakes me up. I roll over and try to ignore it. A minute later, it buzzes again. This pattern continues long enough, I answer the stupid phone.

  “Yeah?” I croak out. My mouth feels like the Mojavi Desert.

  “Lane, it’s Tim.”

  I flop over on my back and rub my brow. I answered the phone for this? Unbelievable. I clear my throat. “Yes, sir?”

  “I left you a message yesterday. When you weren’t at church, I asked your dad what you were up to.”

  “Yeah, sorry. It was late when I got your message. We drove all night to make it back to campus this afternoon. I was going to call you in a couple of hours.” Although I’m sure he doesn’t want to discuss whatever orders he has for me in front of Regan or his wife.

  “You agreed to deter Regan’s marine science ambitions.”

  “Yes, and I have been doing that.” Not that I want to admit to it. This sucks. “But I can’t be there twenty-four hours a day.” That slipped out. Feeling like crap has me a little testy. Seriously, I hate feeling like this. No more alcohol.

  “If you want to go back on your word, I’ll have to put a stop to your relationship.”

  I sit up and plant my feet on the floor. “What? I’ve been doing this for months. It’s not fair to—”

  “Look, this band thing you’re into now isn’t a good influence on her. Staying out late. Playing at bars. Not good at all.”

  My fingers tighten their grip on my phone.

  “My daughter’s happiness is important to me, but she’s too young to understand how harsh life can be. Don’t push my hand, Lane. I can see that you love her.”

  I bite my lip because the only words that are begging to come out of my mouth are ones that need to stay in the dark. Along with the secrets I’ll be keeping from Regan. This is the worst freaking day of my life.

  36

  REGAN

  Cam pulls out of my driveway.

  “You don’t have to come all the way here to pick me up for school.”

  “I know.” He crosses the bridge, taking the back road past Lane’s house. It’s out of the way, but I guess we have plenty of time.

  “Tobi, Rex, and Haylee got back last night,” he says. “She sent me a message.”

  “I thought she’d call me.” We were all going to meet at the diner Sunday night, but she convinced her mom to stay one more night.

  Cam slows to make the sharp curve. He’ll need to wash his truck again after taking these dusty back roads. “She said her dad wasn’t happy with the extra day and she had chores to do.”

  “Oh.” My dad was acting weird yesterday too. My parents wouldn’t let me go work for Cam instead of going to church in the morning, and I had to spend more time than I wanted around them. “So, you’ve got one corn field left to plant, right? Then what?”

  Cam and I working together was a lot better than I thought it would be. I read while I sat in the pickup waiting for the next thing he needed me to do. And we hung out until it was late enough when I got home, all I did was shower and go to bed.

  He turns down the music. “Then I’ll have some beans to plant. Then I have to clean up the equipment. You can help with that. It only takes a day or two. After that…we watch the crops grow.”

  “You don’t have to pay me. I’m sure you could do that by yourself.” We wind through the roads. Lane’s at
Eastern, but when we pass his house, I look for his truck. I pull my phone out to see if he sent me any messages. My chest grows a little heavier. Nothing.

  “What are you frowning at?” Cam asks.

  “I didn’t know I was.” I shut the screen off and rub my lips together to get rid of the evidence.

  “You know, I’m glad everyone was in Florida. I’ve never had this much fun over break.”

  I giggle, thinking about driving to Effingham to eat at ten o’clock at night, jumping off the cliffs in the freezing water, going to my first concert. “Me too.”

  “Look, I’m just going to say this.” He glances at me.

  I raise my eyebrows, wondering where he’s going with this conversation. He’s gotten me to lighten up and enjoy life more than I have in a while. We were friends before this week, but what he shared about his mom brought us closer together. “Say it, then.”

  “I don’t think Lane’s good for you anymore. He wants you to go to Eastern with him. That’s not fair to you. And now he doesn’t want you to go to this camp?”

  “Cam, don’t.” I try to get him to drop it.

  “No. I have to say this. He’s been my friend for a long time, but he’s being a selfish prick. If he loves you, he’d be all about helping you go for it. Not holding you back, telling you not to do it.”

  He comes to a stop at the T in the road and makes a right onto the main road heading into town. Just when I think he’s finished, he starts in again. “And I’m sorry, but him taking off like that for Spring Break, expecting you to be happy about him going after what he wants and then not doing the same for you, sounds like a double standard to me. You’re seventeen. Are you really going to let a summer in Florida slip through your fingers because of a guy?”

  I’m not going to lie. It hurt a little that Lane chose the band over spending a whole week with me, possibly getting closer. Hanging out with Cam was good though. I read somewhere that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Though I’ve tried not to, the phone call Saturday night has me concerned, and I haven’t heard from him since he got back. “Cam, you don’t understand. He’s been there for me all this time and I love him. I need him.”