The words hit her with a surge of warmth. Combined with the heat flaring off Cam, she was surrounded.
The feeling faded when the awkward silence rose up between them. Oh yeah, they’re waiting for me to answer.
“I—I … of course I know that.” Lia cleared her throat and fumbled for the door handle. “But … I’m … tired. So I’m … going to bed.” She yanked open the door and ducked inside. As soon as it slammed shut behind her, she sagged against the wood.
“What are you running from now, girl?” Erica asked.
Lia jerked at the voice of her cabin mate.
“Sorry,” she hurriedly apologized. “I didn’t know you were in here. I wouldn’t have slammed the door.”
Erica was reclined on her bed, a rechargeable light hooked to the top of her book. She raised her eyebrows. “Considering I’m reading The Art of War for the zillionth time, I’m not too bothered by the interruption. How did these guys not think that romance novels deserved a place in the bunkers? What do I have to do to get some good old fashioned smut in here?”
She tossed the book on the bed and leaned over to turn up the wick on the oil lamp. A soft yellow glow filled the room.
“So what gives, chica?”
Lia pushed off the door and kicked off her shoes before crossing to her bed and plopping down in the middle.
“Nothing.”
“Lie.”
Lia cut her eyes to Erica. “It’s not a lie. There’s absolutely nothing up right now. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
The other girl’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, honey, it’s going to take years before you can bullshit the bullshitter. I’m a master, and you, grasshopper, are a novice.”
“Maybe you should lay off the Sun Tzu … your metaphors are getting … weird.”
“And maybe you should cut the crap and just tell me what’s bugging you.” She held up a hand. “Unless you want me to tell you what I think it is.”
Oh God.
Lia froze. If Erica knew…
“No—not necessary—”
But Erica had already crossed her arms. “So here’s the deal as seen by yours truly.”
She paused for what had to be effect, and it was working. Lia’s nerves were climbing the charts.
“You want to bang Cam, but you’re not sure how to go from the friend zone into the fuck zone.”
Well, that was accurate—but not all of it. Lia bit her lip and said nothing. She didn’t know what to say exactly.
“Come on, you gotta give me something. I’m right, aren’t I?”
Lia knew if she didn’t tell Erica something, she’d never let go of it.
“Well … yeah.”
Erica’s assessing gaze pierced her. “But that’s not all.”
“Oh my God, what are you? Some kind of psychic?”
“No. I’m just perceptive. But … I’m not entirely sure what the rest of your problem is here. With a few well-placed hints, Cam would for sure make a move. That guy is probably jacking off constantly thinking about you. He’s all protective, and it’s adorable. He wants you, there’s no doubt about that. He’s just worried that you’re—”
Erica’s words cut off abruptly, and Lia knew why.
“He’s worried I’m too messed up to handle it.”
For the first time since she’d entered the cabin, Erica looked uncomfortable. “Well … you did go through some messed up shit, baby girl. Any guy who’s not a complete dick is going to tread lightly around that.”
“It’s been months. I’m not—”
“Still jumping at shadows or the other guys? I hate to break it to you, but you are.”
Lia glared at her. “Has anyone ever told you that you don’t have to say everything that comes into your head?”
Erica shrugged. “I consider my lack of filter a gift. But seriously, if you want Cam, you’ve got to show him you’re ready for more.”
Lia knew she was right. She needed to just come out and show him unequivocally that she could handle it. But … it was the second piece of the equation, or really the third, that she didn’t know how to address.
Erica picked at her nails, and Lia dredged up the courage to ask for advice.
“What if I wanted Cam … and someone else?”
Erica’s eyebrows hit her hairline. “Whoa … didn’t see that coming.” She pressed her palms together and tapped them against her lips. “Are you saying you can’t choose … or are you talking about what my big sis has going on? Two hulking beasts of men devoted to seeing to her every comfort and orgasm? Because I’m seriously hoping it’s the second…”
Lia swallowed down the urge to claw back the words. In for a penny… “I want what Ro has,” she blurted. “I … how can I not want that? They’d both die to protect her, and I’ve never seen three people so happy.”
“Or bicker so much and make up so loudly,” Erica added. “But I know what you mean. It’s tempting as hell.” Erica dropped her eyes and picked at the quilt below her. “You’re not the only one with some serious envy over that situation.”