Page 19 of Whisper Pretty Lies (Lust & Liars #1)

EvanAnn

I should say no. I should say no and close the door. But then he gives me this look like he’s a little lost, which makes me open the door and step back. He straightens and I forgot how fucking tall he is as he steps into my house and shuts us in.

I swallow, suddenly feeling more vulnerable than when all three of them were in my house.

“Thanks.” He keeps walking and heads into my kitchen. He opens the refrigerator and sighs.

It’s pretty bare. I walk over and open the freezer. I grab a frozen pizza and set it on the counter before walking to the oven to preheat it. Even though I ate earlier, I could use a snack.

“You gonna cook for me, goody two-shoes?” He grins as he rests his hip on the counter beside me, looking down with those brown eyes. His flirting is easier to take than Hawk’s touching and Damon’s scowling.

“It’s not really cooking.” I shrug. Not sure why I thought feeding him would be a good idea. Or why I even let him into my house.

He’s right though. I am lonely. Mia’s with her brother.

I’m not sure what Chase is doing, but he didn’t even ask to stay when he dropped me off after dinner.

Mom’s always at her boyfriend’s. And I’m still freaking out about having to move in with Damon Storm in a few days. Not to mention, auditions are tomorrow.

My stomach is a mess of butterflies that don’t seem to know how to fly straight.

“So, what are we doing while we wait?” Cam gives me this smoldering look.

“I was going over my homework for tomorrow.” I could have offered him anything. Maybe watch a movie or an episode of some show, but I honestly don’t know what to do with Cam Warwick.

“Mind if I sit with you?” He gives me a half smile. “I promise I can be quiet.”

I shrug. He definitely surprised me by showing up, but I could have kept him out. He wasn’t forcing his way inside and maybe that’s why I let him in.

He didn’t barge in. He asked.

I walk into the living room, pick my book up from the coffee table, and return to my seat on the couch.

Cam sits on the other end and pulls out his phone.

When he doesn’t try anything or even start a conversation, I read through the next few pages of my textbook before the oven dings to let me know it’s preheated.

I walk into the kitchen and unwrap the pizza, sliding it in the oven before setting the timer. Will I even be able to do this at Damon’s house? They had a staff of people in the kitchen. I doubt they even have frozen pizza.

I glance toward the living room. Fuck it. I need to talk to someone. I can’t tell Mia or Chase about what’s happening. I thought about talking to Chase on the way home, but he had the music turned up loud. Mom is still floating on cloud nine, and I don’t want to bring her down.

When I return to the couch, I drop my book on the coffee table. Cam lifts his gaze. When he realizes my attention is on him, he sets his phone on his lap.

“Have you been to Damon’s house?” I ask, picking at the strings of my sweatpants.

“Of course.” He’s waiting for me to ask another question.

I lift my gaze to his. “Is your house the same?”

“In size?” He shrugs.

“Do you have a kitchen staff?” I blurt out.

He chuckles and leans in. “No, but we do have a cook. I don’t think they ever buy frozen pizza though.”

“Probably not.” I pull my knees into my body, wrapping my arms around them and putting my feet on the edge of the couch. I’m used to doing everything for myself, to being left on my own to figure things out. What will it be like to have others to do everything for me?

“You worried about living there?” Cam asks. His eyes are soft. He’s not being cruel. He seems genuinely curious.

“A little.” When he raises an eyebrow, I admit, “A lot. This is the nicest house I’ve lived in.” I gesture to our house.

He glances around. “It’s definitely going to be an adjustment. Are you afraid of change, goody two-shoes?”

I shrug and look away. “All we had was change until this house. My dad died and we moved into one apartment after another. A couple years ago, Mom managed to rent this house. It felt like we were finally settled and now everything’s changing again.”

He makes a humming noise.

God, I enjoyed being settled. I’m not ready for the change. I’m comfortable. This is home.

“Your mom didn’t talk to you about it?” Cam’s brown eyes search mine.

A little laugh bursts out of me and everything pours out.

“I found out Monday and then suddenly I was at dinner with Adam Storm. Before that night, I didn’t even know the name of the guy she was dating or that he was Damon’s dad.

How the hell did my mom land Damon’s dad?

And then they’re showing us around, and he looks like he really likes her and she really likes him, so what am I going to do? Complain?”

I take a breath, but Cam doesn’t interrupt.

“It’s not like I can tell Chase I’m moving in with Damon Storm.

He didn’t even like when I sat near you in class, and then yesterday at lunch.

..” I stand and begin to pace. Suddenly, I have way too much energy flowing through me.

All these things I’ve bottled up inside are spilling out.

Because Cam knows. Yes, he’s the enemy, but right now, he’s the only one I can talk to.

“And I have a new friend, Mia. But she wants to sleep with you guys, so I can’t tell her I have access.

I want her to like me for me, not because I can get her close to Damon. ”

I cover my eyes. “It’s all too much.”

Cam rises and I drop my hands to look up at him. “That’s a lot, EvanAnn.”

I smile and shrug. “And I have the play, and all the decisions I have to make for it, and everyone I’ll disappoint if I don’t do a good job.”

Cam reaches out and puts his hand on my shoulder. “We should go for a ride. That’s what I do when I need to clear my head.”

The timer rings in the kitchen. I step around him to get to the pizza. What am I doing? I can’t believe I spilled all of that to Cam. He must think I’m insane.

He comes in while I’m cutting the pizza.

“Plates are over there.” I gesture to the cabinet.

He doesn’t say anything but grabs two plates. When he stops beside me, he holds them out. I put a few slices on his and one slice on mine. I lead the way back into the living room.

Setting the plate on my lap, I lift my gaze to his as he resumes his seat and takes a bite of the hot pizza.

“I didn’t mean to unload all that on you,” I say quietly and look at my pizza. “I guess I’m a little lonely.”

“I was surrounded by people tonight and never felt more alone.” Cam’s words make me look up to see if he’s making fun of me.

His eyes are sincere. “My dad wants me to go to Yale. It’s all he talks about anymore.

And that’s all good for him, but I don’t want to go to Yale.

I don’t want to go someplace exactly like Deimos where, if I don’t study twenty-four seven, I’ll fall behind.

It’s too much pressure. I want to go to Crowne Mawr where maybe I’ll be able to play on their hockey team and join a fraternity and actually enjoy college.

It’s the last time in my life I’ll be free to just be.

After that, I’ll have a job and responsibilities. ”

I take a bite and chew thoughtfully for a minute. “Do you think he’ll understand your decision?”

He shrugs and finishes his slice. “When I don’t get into Yale, he won’t have a choice but to let me go where I want.”

“How do you know you won’t get into Yale?” I ask, glad to have someone else’s problem to listen to. Mine aren’t going away. I know we’re moving on Friday, but it’s not something in my control. It just is .

Cam smirks. “Trust me, goody two-shoes, I’m not Yale material. Everyone knows it except my dad.”

We finish the pizza in silence. After I finish my slice, he goes and gets me another and fills up his plate with the remaining. When I’ve had enough, I set my plate on the coffee table and pick up my book to read a little more.

“You done?” Cam asks after a while. I look up from my book and he’s reaching for my plate. There’s still half a slice pizza on it.

“Yeah, I’m done.”

He nods and takes his plate and mine into the kitchen, setting them on the counter. When he comes back in, he puts his hands in his pockets and looks at me. Those butterflies start rioting again at the soft smile on his face.

He gestures with his head toward the door. “Walk me out?”

Somehow, I thought the thirty minutes wasn’t so much a deadline, but rather a way to convince me to let him in. It doesn’t feel as lonely with Cam sitting near me. I set my book down and follow him to the door. He opens it and looks down at me.

“Thank you for the pizza,” he says.

“Sorry for dumping my issues on you.” I wring my hands in front of me. “You aren’t going to tell Damon what I said, are you?”

He shakes his head and smirks. “Nah, that’s between you and me.”

He reaches out with his hand and tips my chin up with his knuckle. Sparks light beneath his touch, and I’m too shocked to back away. He searches my eyes and gives me a smile that makes those butterflies drunk little bastards.

“I mean it about the ride, goody two-shoes.” He steps away and I miss the warmth of him as he walks down to his bike. “Anytime you need to let loose. You call me.”

“I don’t have your number.” It’s not what I should say, but it’s the only thing my brain thinks of.

Smirking, he straddles his bike. “I’ll make sure you get it then.”