Page 93 of Bang

I felt my eyebrows furrow. "I hope you're going for a coat."

Iknewshe heard me, but she didn't turn around. Instead, she disappeared into her bedroom and shut the door firmly behind her.

And me? I headed straight to the patio, because one way or another, I was going to get some answers.

Chapter 34

Cami

It was a conversation I'd been hoping to avoid – not because I didn't have the guts to face him, but rather because no good could come of it.

For me, anyway.

But now that he'd insisted, I was actually glad to stop pretending. Like a junkie in need of a fix, I'd been going slowly insane over the past few weeks – even more so because I'd been working so hard not to show it.

The truth was, everything about Mason was driving me crazy, and not in a good way. Even that reminder about grabbing a coat, it made me want to let him have it.

And I didn't mean the coat.I meant a piece of my mind, even if his reminder had been surprisingly thoughtful.

But eventhatwas a problem.And why?It was because with a hatchet hanging over my head, I'd be a total idiot toeverlet down my guard.

Still, I stalked to my closet and grabbed my warmest winter coat – not because he'd suggested it, but because it was nighttime in early December.

By the time I made it out to the back patio, Mason was already there, standing a few feet away from the back door. At the sight of him, I stopped in confusion. He was wearing the same thing he'd been wearing in the upstairs hallway – jeans and a long-sleeve shirt.No coat.

As I closed the patio door behind me, I gave him a pointed look. "Where'syourcoat?"

"I didn't need one. Is that a problem?"

"No. But it does seem odd that you'd tellmeto grab one when you didn't grab one for yourself."

"Wanna know what's odd tome?"

"What?"

"Whatever is going on."

I stiffened. "What do you mean?"

"You're avoiding me."

I forced a laugh. "I am not."

"You are. And we both know it."

I knew no such thing."Oh, please. I've been spending exactly the same amount of time with you that I used to." I hesitated. "I mean, before the incident."

He gave me a look. "The incident."

"Um, yeah. In the pantry. And later in your bedroom."

He frowned. "I've never heard it calledthatbefore."

I summoned up a stiff smile. "Your bedroom? What do you normally call it?"

He was still frowning. "Was that a joke?"

"Maybe," I admitted. "But you know what? You could probably use a little more teasing in your life."