Page 59 of Flirt
Chuckling, Cameron introduced Derek, then gave Asher the summarized version of Nico’s predicament. “Now, he wants to kiss him.”
“Jesus,” Nico muttered. “Grow up, Cam.”
Asher rested his chin on the top of Cameron’s head and hummed. “Let me see if I have this right. You were a complete dick to this kid, humiliated him in front of the entire school, and now, you want to be friends.”
“With benefits,” Natalie quipped.
“More than friends.” Solemnly, Derek shook his head. “He wants to make sweet, sweet lo—”
Nico effectively silenced him with an elbow to the ribs. “Okay, everyone, laugh it up. I’m glad my tragedy of a love life can entertain you.”
Everyone did laugh, completely unrepentant, and the line moved forward again. They were next, but their circle of friends only totaled five. Turning again, he searched farther back, looking over Nico’s shoulder, and froze.
“Mom?”
“Mom!” Natalie yelled, far more excited than Cameron could even pretend to be. “Where’s Dad?”
“Parking the car. He’ll be along in a minute.”
“What are you doing here?” Cameron demanded.
“Cameron Michael Stone, you watch your tone.”
Ducking his head, he cursed the heat that stung his cheeks. “Yes, ma’am. I just thought you were out of town this weekend.”
“And now we’re not.” She smiled warmly, holding her arms out, giving Natalie a hug first, then Cameron. “Hello, Nico. Derek.”
“Hi, Mrs. Stone,” they both answered at once, shuffling their feet through the grass.
With laser precision, those bright blue eyes zeroed in on Asher. “Cameron, aren’t you going to introduce me to your handsome young man?”
“He’s not mine,” Cameron said automatically, groaning when he realized how stupid and childish that sounded. “Uh, Mom, this is Asher. Asher, this is my mom, Sarah.”
Without missing a beat, Asher kissed his temple, then stepped forward to offer his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Stone.”
“None of that.” Batting his hand away, she pulled him into a tight embrace. “You’ll call me Sarah.” She leaned back but held him by his elbows. “Let me look at you. My goodness, you are handsome, aren’t you?”
“Fuck, Mom.”
“Language,” she snapped, not even looking at him. “Natalie tells me you’re an author.”
“Yes, ma’am, that’s right.” If Asher was anxious about the surprise meeting with Cameron’s mother, he didn’t show it. He smiled easily, and the bastard actually winked at her. “I make up stuff for a living, so really, don’t believe a word I say.”
She giggled at that, but it lasted only a moment before she turned a critical eye on him. “You’re a good one.” Apparently, it had been decided, and her tone invited no argument. “I have a sense about these things.”
“Next!” the attendant called, and Cameron nearly wept with relief.
“Sorry, Mom. That’s us.”
“Oh, well, go on, and have a good time. I’m going to find your father and head over to the park. Come find us when you’re finished.”
“I, er, we…that is…”
“They’re going to go home to have sex,” Natalie announced with a bright, cheery smile.
Cameron wanted to die.
Maybe he already had. That was the only thing that would explain why his mother had ambushed him and his sister was openly talking about his sex life. He’d died, and this was Hell.
