Page 83 of The Lies We Told Ourselves

Everyone looked around in confusion, clearly not knowing who it was that was talking.

Booker must have sensed the change in me, as every muscle locked up in my body. A wave of emotion flooded me from the feet up, but this time it wasn’t fear.

This time I was just so fucking angry.

As Camden strode to the front of the room, he gently pushed Delaney to the side and stood at the front, smiling that smile I’d thought was so charming way back then.

His tawny hair was slicked back with way too much gel, and the country club chic look of polo shirt and chinos just didn’t fit in with the people around him. Looking at him now, he exuded superiority, but not in a genuine way. In a way that screamedhow he thought he was better than the people around him, no matter how far from the truth that could actually be.

“Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Camden Carter. You’ll know my father, of course. He’s the governor of this beautiful state. I’ve worked with Reece before, and she is excellent at drawing attention to a project she’s passionate about. Isn’t that right, Reece?”

That was all it took for Booker to realize who was standing in front of us.

“My father and I have come through your quaint little town occasionally, and it has always charmed us in ways that only a small town can. We’d be honored to be part of your investors and help you build this town into something you can be proud of.”

Camden opened his arms wide like he was preaching to his followers at a pulpit. He smiled that Cheshire cat grin and paused, waiting for what I’m sure he thought would be words of praise and gratitude.

“What makes you think we need more outsiders coming in here throwing about their money and trying to take over the place?” someone asked.

Camden’s eyes widened in alarm, but this was a man who had grown up on the campaign trail. He wasn’t done trying to control the situation yet.

“No one wants to take over. I’m offering you a lifeline. A cash injection to boost your little economy. There’s a beautiful patch of land outside of town that I’d be honored to build a summer home on.”

A snort came from behind us, and Camden’s eyes narrowed in annoyance.

“No one’s handing any land over to you, sunny boy. I’ve got some suggestions where you inject that cash of yours.”

A ripple of laughter ran through the room, and Camden’s arms finally sagged. You see, the thing with Camden Carter wasthat he wasn’t half the man his father was. He had no finesse, no clever words to sway a crowd because he wasn’t all that clever.

Camden stood at his father’s side and absorbed everything that wasn’t his to take. And he was just stupid enough to think that he’d achieved it all himself.

“Don’t be mean to the boy,” Marie from the bakery said, standing up and scowling at the crowd before her lips quaked as she tried to hold back a smile. “He’s come here all on his big boy self to try to save us poor country folk with his daddy’s money. That’s a long way to cycle on your own.”

She snorted then, unable to hold it in.

And then the insults flew. I had to give it to the people of Willowbrook. Most of them were hilarious.

But even with the rest of town taking great joy in making fun of Camden, Booker hadn’t relaxed for even a second. When he surged out of his seat and Camden’s real sneer came to his face, I thought for certain that a fight was about to start.

“We don’t need people like you around here. People who get off on hurting women. On scaring them because that’s the only way you can keep them at your side. Did you have fun at the ranch, tearing up her clothes and trying to hurt her again?”

The room fell deadly silent, and the laughter stopped as abruptly as if someone had flicked a switch.

“What’s wrong, Camden? Not got anything to say for yourself?” Booker taunted. “Not so easy when it’s someone your own size standing up to you.” Then he looked down at himself and sneered at Camden. “Well, maybe not exactly the same size.”

“I’ll fight him,” Cade piped up, already getting ready to climb on a chair as Delaney pulled him down and then hugged him proudly.

“No need, I’ve got this,” Marie said, rolling up her sleeves as she strode to the front.

I actually thought she was going to punch him then, and clearly so did Camden, as he stumbled backward and scurried to the side of the room in search of the door.

“This is slander,” he called out over his shoulder. “I don’t know what that bitch has been telling you…”

“Nothing but the truth, you piece of shit,” I suddenly exploded.

Camden froze and then slowly turned to face me. “What the fuck did you say to me?” he said lowly.

A shiver flashed through my body as the memory of him raising his fist for that first punch blazed into my mind. This was the exact face he made before he completely shut down.

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