Page 86 of Melt for You (Slow Burn 2)
He shakes his head like he can’t believe he’s getting talked into this, rises from the couch, and disappears into my bedroom. A second later I hear a soft click and I know he’s picked up the line.
In a low, husky voice, Michael says, “I’m in the car. I couldn’t wait until I got home to call you.”
I respond with a lame and thoroughly unnecessary safety reminder. “I hope you have Bluetooth. It’s dangerous and illegal to drive while talking on the phone if you’re not hands free.”
Cam appears in my bedroom door, holding the portable phone receiver to his ear, grimacing in disgust. He mouths, You’re hopeless.
I frantically motion for him to join me in the kitchen.
Michael says, “I’m not driving. My driver is.”
“Oh.” Duh.
“But thank you for your concern.” There’s a touch of laughter in his voice. “It’s gratifying to know you’re worried about my safety.”
Cam strolls toward me making a rolling motion with his hand that I think means I should keep the conversation going.
“So, um . . . sorry again about running out on you like that. I think I was just nervous.”
Cam enters the kitchen and leans against the counter, looking bored. Until, that is, Michael next speaks.
“No apologies necessary. Though I have to admit when you said you already had plans for dinner, I was a little worried. You said there isn’t anything going on with you and that idiot Cameron McGregor character, but I hope I don’t have any other competition!”
Cam stiffens. His nostrils flare. His gaze slashes to mine, and in it I see a holocaust.
Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.
/>
TWENTY-TWO
Before Mount Vesuvius can erupt, I quickly put a finger over Cam’s lips and set Michael straight. “He’s not an idiot. He’s actually a really great guy.”
Michael makes a gentle noise of disbelief. “You only think that because you’re nice, Joellen. Believe me, the man is an absolute animal.”
Cam’s eyes blaze at me. He’s got such a gnarly death grip on the phone, I expect it to crumple into dust at any moment.
“How would you know? You’ve never met him!”
There’s a moment of silence on the end of the line, then Michael clears his throat. “No, I haven’t. But if even half of what is printed about him is true—”
“Don’t believe everything you read in the papers.”
Cam looks satisfied that I’m sticking up for him, but I can tell he still wants to break something. I curse myself for this idea and motion that he should hang up. Lips thinned, he shakes his head.
Wonderful.
“You seem rather defensive of him.”
I hear the subtext, the not-so-subtle invitation to shove Cam off a cliff and reassure Michael I’ve only got eyes for him. For some reason it really irritates me.
“I suppose I am. He’s my . . . friend.”
Cam and I stare at each other with a weird, unspoken tension building between us, while Michael breathes loudly on the other end of the phone.
“Really? You’d befriend a man who got a teenage girl pregnant and denies any responsibility whatsoever?”
My stomach drops. My mouth hangs open. I stare at Cam in horror.
