Page 38 of Under My Skin

“Alright, alright,” I agree.

“Besides, I think all the adults here are going to need a kid-free night out after today. Just being around a bunch of kids is exhausting,” Reid declares while he lounges back in his chair and wipes some sweat off his forehead.

“Yeah, speaking of that, I’m a little worried the babysitter isn’t going to be able to handle all the kids.” Nikki has daughters who are seven and five years old and sons who are two and four years old. Add in Mackenzie and Addy, and it’s a lot for a high school babysitter to handle.

“The girl will do fine. She babysits for Nikki all the time, and your girls are little angels. Don’t worry about it,” Liam says while getting up. “Listen, Cam. You’re not bailing, so stop trying to come up with excuses. Come out, have a couple of beers, and catch up with everyone. It’s going to be fun,” he adds with a slap on my shoulder.

“Fine,” I begrudge. “What’s going on with you and Ellie by the way? I’m still confused from the night at Rangers.”

“Who’s Ellie?” Theo asks.

“Argh. Someone I knew and thought I’d lost.”

“That’s fucking vague,” Theo says.

“We spent one night together in Chicago, and I never saw her again, until recently that is. I had no idea she lived in Brantley Falls.”

“So what’s the problem? Based on how hung up you are on her, I thought this would be a good thing,” Reid says.

“I think I was more hung up on her than she was on me.”

“Sorry, man,” Theo offers with a pat on his shoulder.

We all decide to drop it once we see just how torn up Liam is about this and move on to the safer topic of sports. We last another hour before the heat and chaos starts to wear on the adults and everyone starts heading out.

Reid comes up to me from across the yard. I knew it was coming. I’m honestly surprised it took him that long.

“How’d the other night go?” Reid asks finally.

“Fine, I guess. I asked her to befriends with benefits, but I now realize that was a big mistake.”

“Why?”

“Because this is Lizzie Montgomery we’re talking about. I can’t treat her like a meaningless fuck buddy.”

“Having casual sex is completely normal for consenting adults and if she wants to have that with you, let her.”

“I don’t know. I just think it will end badly.”

“Maybe. But, maybe not. It’s funny how Lizzie’s crush back in the day has nothing on yours now.” Redi laughs.

“Fuck you.” I laugh back. “I’ll see you tomorrow with a smile on my face,” I say sarcastically and go off to find Addy and Mackenzie.

As I leave my sister’s house with the girls, I start to think about the guest list for tomorrow night and hope that Lizzie isn’t invited. I hate that thought, but Reid knows too much, Liam saw how I reacted to her last week at Rangers, and Morgan is way too invested in us.

What I fear the most, though, is that I won’t be able to resist her if we’re in the same room together. The people who will be at my party have known both of us our whole lives and will catch on quick to stolen glances and longing looks. Probably mostly from me.

I ultimately decide to keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best. Deal with it as it comes.

It’s hard when the thing you want the most is also the one that scares you more than you ever thought it could.

And this crush on Lizzie? It terrifies me.

18

LIZZIE

Ellie: Lia and I are on our way. Be there in ten!

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