Page 25 of Effortless

It scared her to death.

Emma and Calisto just didn’t talk about it. At least, not to her. Camilla knew that her brother didn’t give their parents much of a choice, especially as Cross was often the one to come and help when their dad slipped into one of his episodes. Emma had made it very clear that Camilla was not to step in during Calisto’s episodes—he was always confused, and rarely cooperative. Sure, he had yet to get violent, but it was a possibility given he didn’t know what the hell was going on, or even who they were sometimes.

It was rough.

Damn rough.

“You know, you can tell me if—”

Emma put on a blinding smile, and stopped her daughter from saying more with, “Everything is fine, Cam. Don’t you worry about that, baby.”

“If you say so.”

“I do.”

Camilla wouldn’t get more out of her mother. That much was obvious. It seemed Emma had not forgotten about her little desire to get more info on Camilla’s personal life, either.

“August stopped by to chat yesterday.”

“Mmhmm.”

“Brought me those bath oils she knows I like from the market.”

“Oh?” Camilla asked.

She was not making this easy on her mother. Emma would have to drag it out of her daughter like she always did.

Camilla’s personal life and business was rarely up for discussion with her parents. It wasn’t that they put rules or expectations onto her because they didn’t. Not at all. They didn’t judge her for bouncing between one physical encounter to the next. They never said a thing about the fact she had yet to settle down, or even bring someone around to meet them. Both her parents were aware of the fact her sexuality was quite fluid, even though she hadn’t dated women beyond the bedroom. They never batted an eye at that aspect of her life, either.

All her parents ever did was love, support, and encourage Camilla. They left the rest for her to figure out. She appreciated it.

But her mother?

Emma was nosy. She loved to know everything and anything she could. Sometimes, Camilla would indulge her mother just enough to satisfy the woman’s curiosity. At least for a little while. This would probably be one of those times.

“What did August gossip to you about this time?” Camilla asked.

Emma fake gasped. “We do not gossip, Cam.”

“Lies. That’s a lie. It’s the biggest lie you’ve ever told me. Lies, Ma. Try again.”

“Now—”

“Lies. August comes here, and the first thing you two do is gossip about me. She’s where you get all your info, Ma. I know it.”

“Sometimes your father, too.”

“See! I knew it. You’re all the same. Gossips.”

She loved her best friend dearly, but the girl could not help herself where Emma was concerned. Like Camilla had spent a lot of time with August’s parents as a teenager, her friend had spent a lot of time with Emma and Calisto, too.

They were all close.

August’s father was even one of Calisto’s lawyers for the legal side of his businesses.

Some people mistook the closeness between August and Camilla for something else, as though they weren’t just friends. That was nothing more than bullshit, and neither of them bothered to pay it any mind. August was so straight, she could be a fucking arrow.

And even if she wasn’t, Camilla wouldn’t be interested.