Page 26 of Letting it Ride

My chest tightens as she walks away, and I swallow hard. She definitely saw me, and she didn’t come over to say hi.

10

ADDISON

To:[email protected]

From:[email protected]

Subject:hi its julio

hi addie mom said i can send you a letter this way are you having fun? is it warm there? are there bears where you are? mom took me to the zoo to see the bears yesterday it was fun. she says bears are not a good pet but since you’re a grownup maybe you can get your own bear for your house, i think it would be fun to cuddle with a panda or grizzly bear. i could walk it for you if you need me to cause i know lots of things about bears.

love your brother julio

Isee Cam and Harper the second I reach the top of the stairs, stepping out onto the deck that holds the running track. When Cam wasn’t in the gym, I figured this was where he’d be.

I just didn’t expect that he ditched me this morning to hang out withher.

What the hell is so special about Harper?

Sure, she’s older than me, maybe more mature. She’s got that blonde bombshell thing going for her, those tanned muscular legs, while I burn to a crisp if I’m out in the sun for too long. Plus, she definitely knows how to flirt.

And why is he open to somethingnow?

I’ve literally been standing in front of Cam foryears. There were times when I thought maybe he could be interested, that maybe we could have a chance. Times when I swore I caught him looking at me. But then he’d go from being friendly to being distant, and I’ve never understood why.

I’ve tried to make it clear that I’m interested, or at least I thought I did. I’ve never been one to brazenly flirt the way Harper seems to manage, so maybe it wasn’t obvious to Cam.

Harper turns away from Cam and walks away, herhips swaying side to side in what’s clearly a practiced move. The kind of move I wish I could pull off. As she passes me, she gives me a wave and a friendly smile.

She seems like someone I could get along with, if it weren’t for Cam’s interest in her.

God, I sound like a jealous bitch. It feels icky.

I politely wave at Harper, then pull my gaze back to Cam.

He’s watching her walk away, and then for a second, I think he sees me standing here, but he wipes his face with his shirt instead of waving. Clearly, whatever she’s doing is working a lot better than what I’m doing. I tug on my hair and spin around to leave.

Maybe he’s not actually into her, but it sure as shit looks like it from where I’m standing.

It just… doesn’t feel good to see the guy you’ve been crushing on for years, the one you thought youmaybehad a chance with this week, pass you up for someone else.

I pull my phone out of my pocket to text Annika again.

Annika

I think I need to up the sex appeal.

What? Why? Is this about Cam again? Are you sure that’s what he wants?

100%. There’s a crew member who’s been flirting with him and he’s eating it up. If I don’t try something soon, I won’t stand a chance.

…But is that who you are? And how do you know he’s into her?

I can be sexy!

Of course you can. You know I love you, Addie. But don’t change yourself for a guy.

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