Page 51 of Under My Skin

“Austin and I were just talking,” I reply.

“Is that right? How do you guys know each other?” This time Cameron levels us both with a hard stare while he crosses his muscular arms over his very muscular chest.

“Um…well, Lizzie and I cross paths a lot around town, you could say,” Austin spits out nervously.

“With Brantley Falls being a small town and all, people tend to know each other, Cam.” I see his jaw tense when I call himCam, and I know I was right before. Sometimes being badisbetter.

“Can I speak to you in private, Lizzie?” Cameron’s voice is cold and growly, and it’s like he won’t be taking no for an answer. I’m not going to lie—this version of Cameron is really doing it for me.

“Sure,” I say, trying to feign nonchalance. “It was nice catching up, Austin. See you around!” I give him a small wave before I turn to leave, and he doesn’t seem upset at all when he turns to greet someone else.

I feel Cameron’s hand on my lower back as I lead the way outside. With the noise muffled now, the vibe seems to shift between us, and it feels…intense.

“What the fuck was that, Lizzie?”

“What do you mean? I was talking to someone. Is that suddenly not allowed for people in a friends-with-benefits situation? Although…can we even call it that if you had to think so hard on whether or not you should invite me tonight? Friends might be a stretch.”

“You’re allowed to talk to people. But based on the look Austin was giving you, he wanted to do a lot more than talk.”

“Are you crazy? We barely said two words to each other before you stomped over like you wanted to mark your territory or something.”And I liked it. But I’m keeping that to myself for now.

“You’re mine. I thought last night made that pretty clear.” He whispers the last part even though we are completely alone outside.

I can’t help the blush that I feel appearing on my cheeks at Cameron’s mention of last night. His little stunt earlier with thegood girlcomment was bad enough, but this…

“I thought so too. Until the girls told me the truth. I mean, what the fuck? We are friends, aren’t we?” I try not to let the hurt bleed into my voice.

“Of course we are. It wasn’t about that.”

“Then what was it about? Because I’m getting tired of the hot and cold version of you. You either want me or you don’t, but make up your mind. I already agreed to your terms, but you’re either in or out. There’s no third option.”

“I just…I don’t know if I’m okay with that anymore,” he says, pain lancing his words.

“What?” I ask, afraid of his answer.

“It feels like that won’t be enough with you, but I’m scared to make it more. I have to do what’s best for Addy and Mackenzie. They’re falling hard for you, and if we go there and it falls through…I can’t be the reason you’re not around for them anymore. I’m trying not to be selfish here.” His tone is hard, and I can see he’s clearly frustrated.

He’s frustrated? Well, so am I.

“Do you think I’d do anything to hurt those little girls? Like, if things fell apart between us, I would suddenly disappear and act like they don’t exist?” I tell him, because he clearly doesn’t know me at all. At his lack of answer, I breathe in and add, “I’m grabbing Lia and I’m going home, Cam. Maybe the next time we talk, you’ll have made your mind up once and for all.”

“Stop with the fuckingCamshit, Lizzie. I know what you’re doing.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Have a good night.”

And with that, I walk back inside to find my best friend and get the fuck out of here.

25

CAMERON

As much asI want to chase her inside, I can tell she’s too fired up to listen to anything I have to say to her right now. How did we end up here? I woke up on top of the world, and now I’m trying to salvage any pieces left from the euphoria of last night.

After ten minutes of trying to decide where to go from here, I make my way back inside in hopes of saying my goodbyes and exiting the party. I close my eyes and take a minute to prepare myself, but I don’t even get ten seconds before Reid is heading toward me, a look of annoyance on his face.

“Listen, I get that you’re burned after what Renee did and you’re scared to trust someone again, especially with the girls. But you need to take a second and remind yourself of who Lizzie is.”

“I know who Lizzie is, believe me. But this isn’t about her. I have to protect my daughters. I can’t let them get hurt again,” I say sternly.

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