Page 73 of Hard Rock Sin

When the waitress came and placed the bill on the table, Grant reached for it. Cameron snatched it up before he could take it.

"I've got this."

"Cam, honey," Sharon started.

"I'm a big boy," he threw out with a bright smile. It was almost too bright. "You don't need to take care of me."

Grant tilted his head at Cameron, a curious frown on his face. The motion reminded me of all the times Cameron had given me the same expression. As if he wanted to say something, but was thinking better of it.

I could sense a standoff about to happen.

"Why don't we split it?" I jumped in.

"That's a fine idea," Grant said with a nod to me.

I reached into my messenger bag to get out my wallet. Cameron pushed it away and shook his head.

"I've got yours."

I began to protest.

"You want to know my net worth?" he interrupted with a crooked grin.

"Fine," I gave in. "Pizza's on me next time."

We shared a quick smile.

"Lily, I would love to take you out sometime soon," Sharon said as we left the table. "A girls-only day, you and me. What do you say?"

That desperation was back again.

"Sure," I said hesitantly, flicking a glance to Cameron. I wondered if I should have asked him if it was okay first. He seemed oddly chagrinned.

"Wonderful!" The delight in Sharon's voice was impossible to mistake. "Let's exchange numbers and I'll give you a call."

It was weird entering my phone number into Cameron's mom's phone, like we were new besties.

We'd taken a taxi to the restaurant, so Cameron's parents drove us back to the mansion. His mom and I kept up the small talk, me discussing my classes, and her talking about the various charities she had worked with.

After dropping us off, Cameron's dad gave me a warm handshake. His mom gave me another tight squeeze. Her flowery perfume filled my nostrils again. This time, I held onto her a few moments too long. She didn't seem to mind. She just gave me a kind smile as they climbed into the car and drove away.

"Fuck."

That was all Cameron said as soon as they were out of sight.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

He exhaled loudly. "No. It's fine."

He mouth was pressed in a firm line, no trace of the bright smile he'd worn in front of his parents.

"You seemed happy for your mom back there," I said hesitantly. "Are you not?"

"It's just the same as always."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing. I'm gonna go workout."