Cameron
“There something you need to tell us, Cam?” Jonah pushes his food away, as if his plate is covered in dog shit, and turns toward me.
Fuck. I could’ve handled that better. That was awkward as hell. Seeing Eve again, her long hair pulled back off her pretty face and wearing a black tight skirt and white oxford, lookin’ like a Playboy centerfold, I was lost for words. Struggling between what I wanted to say and what I should say, nothing came out. Not even a hello or nice to see you again.
Eve—here, hot, and staring. Those big blue eyes looked through me, picking apart my soul, as if she knew the number of times her image has infiltrated my thoughts.
“What do you mean?” I force a bite of lasagna even though I’ve lost my appetite.
“Oh, I don’t know, maybe like how you clearly fucked my wife’s best friend, and now you’re treating her like disposable * at her own restaurant.”
Well . . . shit.
“Cam, man.” Owen’s growl means business. “Please tell me he’s wrong.”
How did I not know how close Eve was to these guys? Slade’s wife’s friend, yeah, but best friend? Not good.
“She drank too much. I gave her a ride home.”
“Don’t treat me like I’m stupid.” Jonah’s jaw ticks. “I’ve done it enough. I know the look on a woman’s face after she’s been fucked over.”
No one fucked anyone over. We’re consenting adults, and these guys thinking they have some right to know what I do on my own time is pissin’ me off.
I drop my fork to my plate, and the clang of metal to ceramic gets the attention of the people at the table next to us. “You mind backin’ off my shit, Slade?”
“This isn’t business. It’s personal.” His eyes move to the door Eve disappeared behind then swing back to me. “You know nothing about her.”
“I know enough.” Not exactly true. I know she’s gorgeous, fucking crazy in bed, and she’s old enough to make her own damn decisions.
“I don’t believe this shit.” Jonah slams his clenched fist on the table and everything shakes.
Owen doesn’t take his eyes off me. “Easy, J. Making a scene will only make things worse for Eve.”
“No more.” Jonah leans toward me, and I can almost feel the rage coming off his body. “You stay the fuck away from Eve, or you and I are going to have problems.”
Is he threatening me?
“The fuck you say?” I turn toward him. “I don’t answer to you or anyone. I’ll do whatever the hell I want.” And if that means another chance at Eve’s warm body, I’m taking it.
“I’m not messing around, man. I don’t want to, but if you hurt Eve, you and I are going to have issues.”
“Fine by me.” I have no intention to hurt the girl.
We’re staring each other down when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I grab it without looking and accept the call. “Yeah.”
“Cam?” A female whimpers and sobs.
I don’t need to check the caller ID to know who it is. “D’lilah, calm down. What’s going on?”
I’ve learned to speak softly to ’Li when she calls like this. If not, she really loses it. Jonah and Owen pin me with death stares.
“I need you come over?” She’s slurring.
“Shit, ’Li. Now?”
Another sob. “I don’t want to be alone.”
“Yeah, I’ll be right there.” I hit end and grab my wallet. “I’ve gotta run. Emergency.” I throw enough cash on the table to cover our lunch, the tip, and then some.
“Midday booty call.” Owen looks disgusted. “Classy.”
I don’t acknowledge his shitty conclusion or the fact that Slade looks halfway to beating my ass. I turn and head to my car while fighting the urge to look back and see if Eve is watching me walk away.
Eight
Cameron
I speed down the highway on a familiar route that takes me to my old house. After Rosie drowned, I wanted to sell it, but D’lilah refused to let it go. Said it had too many memories. For me, it only held one memory that I was more than happy to leave behind.
I couldn’t look at a single thing in that house that didn’t remind me of what I caused and all I lost. It’s one of the reasons that our marriage fell apart and D’lilah ended up a walking liquor bottle.
Fifteen minutes later I’m pulling into my old driveway. Pristine lawn, trimmed shrubs, and a wide concrete path lead to an atrium surrounding the front door. From the outside, no one would ever guess the devastation that lives within.
I slide my key in the door, and before it’s all the way open, I can hear her crying. Fuck, what’s it going to be this time. Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s my fault.
“’Li?”