Page 80 of When Love Gives You Lemons
“I know, I know. I am sorry. I should have.”
“You should have.” I give him the finger, then look at him square in the eyes. “But thank you. I think you were right. I don’t think I would have been ready yet.”
His pupils dilate. “Oh? Wasn’t expecting that one.”
I laugh. “I love you, brother.”
“For what it’s worth, Ricky looks at you like he’s still in love with you.”
“For what it’s worth, Nic looks at you like he’s about to be your first.”
He jumps up and down again. “Thanks again. I’ll let you know when he leaves so you can come back.”
I don’t plan on coming back. I want Matty to have the best night of his life, and I’m willing to sleep on the floor if it means he gets that.
“Oh! Did you bring condoms?” he asks.
“Black bag.” I nod toward the Dopp kit on the counter near the sink. “I don’t know if they’ll fit, but have at ’em.”
“They’ll fit; I saw what you’re working with. Maybe a bit tight,” Matty jests.
I shake my head. “Just don’t do anything on my bed.”
“Aye, aye, captain!” Matty salutes me.
On my way out, I throw on a shirt and grab some PJs, mytoothbrush, and my phone charger, tossing it all into a cute cross-body I got for Christmas.
Wandering aimlessly, I wish I could go to Ma’s suite for guidance and advice, but I can’t; the Coven is far too smart, and they’ll sniff out Matty’s date on me, draw it out like a nurse draws blood. Maybe I can go to Topher’s room, but I don’t want Sienna to know what’s going on in my head, and while I’ve historically relied on Topher’s secrecy, I can’t exactly tell him to keep it secret from his soon-to-be wife. Monroe and Tyler aren’t back from what I’m sure must be an epic date, so Benny is my last option. But he’s not in his room, so I try the pool.
“Ben—Ohhha—”
You know who looks eerily similar to Benny with his shirt off and sunglasses, lying on his stomach with his curly head turned to the side so I can’t see his face?
Cam Wallace.
“Hey, Fielder!” Cam sits up and rolls over, his oily abs glistening. He swings his legs over the side so he’s sitting upright and facing me head-on and pats the lounger next to him, beckoning me over.
Here we go.
There’s a tray of leftover delizia al limone from dinner the other night on a side table next to him. Nothing like a sweet lemon cake with custard, a trademark Amalfi dessert, left out to melt in the hot afternoon sun, beads of sweat populating its surface.
“Moving out?” Cam nods to my crossbody bag.
“I, um. . .” I negotiate exactly what to tell him. I don’t know Cam, so I can’t trust him with Matty’s business.
Cam’s sunglasses fall to the bridge of his nose. “It’s okay, I saw Matty bring that hottie back.”
Still, I neither confirm nor deny.
“Can I talk to you?” he asks. “About Ricky?”
Oh, now this is a conversation Ireallywant no part of. Have they spoken yet? Did Cam come clean about hooking up with a rando? I hold my breath.
“Ricky told me he spent the day with you.”
“He did?” I don’t know why I’m nervous. It’s not like we did anything wrong.
“Can I—I know this is weird to come out and ask, but I have to know because he’s acting so weird.” Cam is trembling. “Did something happen between you guys?”
