Page 109 of Please Hate Me

“Were there any other reasons you wanted me to join Lucian’s relationship? Other than not wanting me to be alone?”

Sebastian looked away from me, pulling at the collar of his tee shirt.

“I’m interested in Cameron.” His admission was so quiet I barely heard him.

“Like... mountain of a man, my baby daddy,thatCameron?” I wasn’t sure if I knew of another Cameron, but I just needed to clarify.

Sebastian nodded, biting his lower lip as he did. “And I know it’s dumb and manipulative, but I knew Sophia still had feelings for you. And Lucian, well—”

“He’s Lucian?”

Sebastian’s face took on an expression of grim agreement. “And I thought if you got involved with them, maybe I could get Cam to... like me too.”

My heart ached for Seb. I couldn’t fathom how he must be feeling. Not only had he been outed in the worst possible way, but he had a crush on his brother’s partner….again. Admittedly, it was a little odd that Seb had the same taste in partners as his brother, but I wasn’t going to make him feel worse than he already did. I wanted Sebastian to be happy, so I didn’t push the issue. Instead, I offered help:

“Why don’t you let me talk to him? I’m sure we can figure something out.”

Chapter 30

Cameron

There was nothing scarier than a text message that read,“We need to talk.”

As soon as I saw it, my mind spiraled with possibilities. Did Mason want to break up again? Was she going to run away with Sebastian, never to be seen again?

Had she discovered something unsavory about my past?

Even worse, Mason and I had to wait literal hours to be alone. By the time we got back to my room, all I could think about was how I’d lied to Sebastian this morning. I hadn’t spoken to Mason; all I knew was she spent the night in Lucian’s room. I just wanted to push him away from Mason, but after everything that happened at breakfast, I felt a little sorry for him.

Not sorry enough to apologize, though.

“Sweetpea, why don’t you sit down?” I asked, staring up at Mason from the bed.

She paced around the room with her hands on her lower back. Her sweater clung to her like a second skin, revealing everycurve of her changing body. But, while she looked beautiful, she didn’t look comfortable.

“I can’t, I’m nervous,” she breathed. “This is a big conversation.”

A cold sweat broke out on the back of my neck. “Does it end in a breakup?”

I had been on edge since Lucian said he smoothed everything over with her. He ain’t normally one to do that. I had half a mind to believe he’d actually made things worse.

She shook her head, and the tension in my stomach eased.

“Just trying to collect my thoughts,” she assured me.

“Well, come collect ’em over here. You’re makingmenervous.”

She hesitated, and I extended a hand.

“I know you’re an adult, and you can make your own choices. But I want you off your feet.”

She conceded with a sigh, and I helped her get settled. I wasn’t sure if she needed the help or not; I just wanted to make her as comfortable as possible.

“You look nice today,” I commented as I fought the urge to smooth down her sweater. Was I allowed to touch her belly without asking?

“Thank you. She’s being active and literally resting right here.” Mason poked her stomach to demonstrate.

“Can I feel?” I asked, before I thought better of it.

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