Page 47 of Under My Skin

“Girls, what have I told you about coming outside without telling me? You can’t just run off.” His tone isn’t harsh. It’s the tone of a parent who’s been looking for them everywhere and worrying himself to death over the last few minutes.

Cameron is a wonderful dad, and these kids are lucky to have him. It’s plain to see.

“Sorry,” the girls whisper.

“I texted you letting you know I was out here watching them. I should have run over to tell you in person as well,” I chime in, hoping to take some of the heat off the girls. I happen to side with their dad on this one, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to come to their rescue too.

“I didn’t even think to check my phone…I’m sorry. You’re fine, Lizzie. I appreciate you keeping an eye on them. Again.” He stares at me for a few seconds, our gazes locked, no doubt replaying scenes from last night.

At least I know I am. I haven’t really stopped. It’s…distracting.

His handsome face and the way he looks at me are almost enough to make me forget that I’m annoyed with him. Almost. I want to confront him and just ask why he’s unsure of inviting me tonight, but then he would know the girls repeated their conversation, and there is no way I’m throwing them under the bus.

“Daddy, are you going to invite Miss Lizzie now? Have you made up your mind?” Addy asks.

Oh well. I tried.God, I love this girl and her lack of filter.

“Yeah, Daddy, are you?” Mackenzie doubles down.

“Oh, ummmm…yeah. Lizzie, did you want to come tonight?” Cameron asks, completely oblivious to the fact that I’m fuming on the inside. “To the party? You know, my welcome home party? That everyone’s throwing for me?”

He’s rambling, so I know he’s nervous. I don’t think he was expecting the girls to rat him out like that. But the cat’s out of the bag now.

Why the hell did it take him so long to ask? Am I a good enoughfriendto fuck—or finger fuck, in our case—but not good enough to be around his other friends and family? Which, by the way, I know most of pretty well?

No more playing nice, Lizzie. It’s time to give Cameron a taste of his own medicine.

“Actually, Reid already invited me last night, so I guess I’ll see you there,” I say, a bit of spite in my tone, but not enough to alert Addy and Mackenzie, who seem to be very invested in our conversation.

“Oh, Dad! See, Uncle Reid got to Lizzie first! You’re a slowpoke,” Addy says, and I watch Cameron’s face fall.

“I’ll drive us,” he says immediately after. “I can pick you up at?—"

“I’m bringing Lia actually, so we’re going together,” I interrupt.

“Right,” he bites out, picking up on my passive aggression.

“Well, girls, I have to head back home and get ready. Keep making more mud stuff, though. And let me know if you need any help! It’s good practice for next week’s class.” I turn to him and add almost as an afterthought, “See you later, Cam.”

With that, I walk away with the last word. The perfect picture of rising above, even though I am absolutely seething on the inside.

As soon as I make it the short distance back home, and thankfully don’t fall on my ass again, I call Lia to recruit her for tonight.

“Hey girl,” Lia chimes after the second ring. “Did you and Cameron have hot, dirty sex already? After what happened last night, I knew it wouldn’t be long before he came back for more. How was it? I want details?—”

“No, and I need you tonight. We’re going to Cameron’s welcome home party together.”

“Wait, what? Why aren’t you going with Cam?” she asks suspiciously. After I called her this morning relaying the details of last night, she probably feels like I skipped some major plot points. “Did he fuck it up already? He did, didn’t he?”

“Because Addy and Mackenzie revealed that their dad wasnot sureabout inviting me tonight. Therefore, I’m not going with him. He asked me to go, but it was after the fact. He can continue to be wishy-washy with someone else.” The more I talk, the more pissed off I become. “It’s not like I’m asking for a public acknowledgment of what we have going on behind closed doors. I’m merely asking him to acknowledge me as his friend, and he can’t even do that.” I practically scream this at her.

“I love when you get fired up. This feisty side doesn’t come out often, but when it does, boy, he better watch out!” She laughs for a few seconds but then must remember what’s going on because she quickly stops. “Okay, sorry. This is going to be so good, Liz. Every single guy there is going to be trying to get your attention. And when they do, Alpha Cam is going to be activated. Just you watch.” The evil glee in her voice makes her whole plan seem that much more sinister.

“I’m not looking forAlpha Camto be activated tonight, whatever that means, Lia. But…maybe I shouldn’t ignore the attention like I usually do. I mean, I have no intention of following through with any of it, but maybe feigning interest in someone else for the night will push Cameron one way or the other. Is this a childish plan? Should I just tell him to stick hisfriendshipwhere the sun don’t shine?”

“Bingo!” she sings. “Lizzie, there is no such thing as childish when it comes to showing that man what he’s missing out on. If you weren’t doing it, I would make you do it. So, I’ll pick you up later. And you better be dressed to impress. Show your boobs and a little skin. And don’t cover up those freckles. We know he’s a sucker for those bad boys.” She stops for a second. "Maybe I should lend you my dress, the one that?—"

“Stop!” I roll my eyes, even though she can’t see it. Lia’s my best friend, so I’m always going to tell her everything, but sometimes…well, she makes me regret that. “I’ll be fine. Just let me finish up some work and then I’ll go get ready. See you later.”

---