AllFreeNovel
Share Us
29
Willow
It’s particularly hot for mid-March. I sweat as I climb over the wrought iron gate onto the Bernard property. I stalk past the tennis court. I’m avoiding Thad, who’s grown creepier and bolder. Not to mention my sister and I aren’t as tight anymore. Thanks, Camdyn.
“Happy birthday to me,” I groan, assessing a couple of pillars near the balcony of my bedroom.
“Okay, Lolo,” I mutter, rubbing my hands together. “Coach made you captain for a reason.” In retrospect, Londyn should’ve been captain. I run my hands over the decorative pillars and huff. The slick, white glossed walls have upped the ante. If I fall and break one of my prized legs, fuck it. The only person I give a damn about in the entire world, I left to the wolves. Last night, I’d snooped around and did a few more things I’m not proud of. I searched the roster of employees and stereotyped folks from the last holiday event photo who might be the rapey guy with the gravelly voice.
Breathing a tad labored from lack of exercise, I begin to pull myself up. Once my fingers grip onto the ledge of the balcony, a hand clasps my forearm—a hand boasting tattoos aroundits wrist. Camdyn pulls me all the way up to his bare chest and over the guard rail.
“Where the feck were you last night, Willow?”
“I’ll scream.”
While covering my mouth with the palm of his hand, Camdyn presses me against the stucco. “Ye wore that last night.”
My glower reads the same for him. I also notice his Scottish is back. When we were around Tatum and River, his accent was faint, not even there, and he didn’t use any Scottish words. Since we were with his real friends, I thought I was finally with the real him. Clearly, the joke was on me.
“I climbed up here around two a.m. . . .” Camdyn trails off, muttering about the last time he had to appease the crowd while tossing in “River” and something about “jumping Lane.” Apparently, the previous incident was “easier” than whatever shenanigans he got into last night. Then the words “arrange,” “some wrestlers,” “my old crew,” and “cage” come out of his mouth, but I'm not here for his whiny-ass problems.
Eyes wide, I suck on air. “You had the audacity to try your luck? Don’t tell me you slept—”
“Yup. All night. I was waiting to give you some birthday dick. Answer me.”
“Keep the dick.” My face is disdain. “Nice. You remembered my birthday.” His hand skims the column of my throat, fingers sliding into place. I murmur, “I was with my mom.”
Nochange of facial expression. No emotion. No give a fuck.
Bristling beneath his crushing body and the wall, I snap, “You need to jump your ass over that ledge or waltz out the front door. Those are your options. Bubye.”
He gasps. “Ye mad about last night? I didn’t feck anyone.”
Truth serum is not required. That’s one hundred percent honesty, although I’m not satisfied. I slip from between him and the wall. “First, damn right, I’m pissed about last night. Second, were you gonna fight your brother? Oh? No answer, Camdyn. Allow me to continue. Third, to most girls, their guy cheating is the biggest concern they have. You aren’t my guy, Cam.”
While Camdyn’s a beautiful amalgam of darkness, corruption, and emptiness, I stand my ground, glaring at him. “I’m over you. I mention my mom, and you don’t have a single fuck to give. Even Tatum—”
“Even she what?”
I cross the threshold into the bedroom. He’s on my heels. A cadger is attached to my heart, and the bastard’s sucking me dry. I regret the bad karma I racked up less than three months ago.
Although insistent, his tone lacks hostility as he asks, “What did Tatum say?”
“Enough,” I hiss. “She thinks I came between you and Jamie. The boy you challenged to a fight. The boy who shares your genetic makeup. Here’s a solution—goodbye.”
He deadpans, “Ye sound serious, Willow.”
At least I know which demon I’m in the presence of. Envy swirls around him. I’ve cocked back the hammer of the only weapon I have—the Goodbye. I cut out a short laugh.
“For all the torment,” and pleasure, “I’ve endured at the tips of your fingers, I am done. You’re addicted, huh? Can’t have enough?”
“Aye. I’m fecking addicted, Lolo.” Camdyn’s mouth distorts into a snarl as he yanks me to his chest, arms swooped around me. His wicked tongue trails over my lips.
A violent shiver rocks through me, and I heave a hopeless laugh. “I should open up to you?”
“You’re gonna want to open up for me.” Camdyn alternates from biting my neck and running his tongue over the damage.
Fighting our dark, salacious attraction is impossible. The sun behind Camdyn enhances the smooth definition of his muscular torso. I look over those arms, letting the gravity sink in. Those amazingly toned biceps are tarnished in skulls, snakes, and heartless tattoos.
