Page 15 of SALT

"Who the fuck is here? No one knows I'm here yet," I grumble as I head downstairs.

I make a mental note to text Mackenzie about getting the security system's app on my phone to check the cameras instead of answering the door miles outside of town while I'm alone in a big, empty house. The only reason I'm not freaked out now is because I actually locked the front door when I came in since I had no plans of leaving for the night. When I reach the Romeo balcony that looks over the foyer, I spot a white BMW in the driveway through the transom window and immediately know who my visitor is.

"What the hell are you doing here, Evan?" I say as I open the front door.

"Hannah kicked me out."

"Wait, you threw a divorce party. How is she just now kicking you out? Hasn't that already happened?"

His left arm finds the door frame, and he leans in. "I need a place to stay."

"Then go to Everett's."

I start to close the door when he sticks out his foot. "That was my first stop, but apparently, I can no longer stay there."

I pull the door open a smidge more. "Wait, Everett wouldn't let you stay at the house?"

Evan is on my list of least favorite people. I don't feel bad that his wife cheated on him with his best friend or that she kicked him out. Hannah is Connor's high school sweetheart who cheated on Connor with Evan. The fact that he would entertain fucking Connor's girlfriend while Moira and Everett extended their home to him speaks volumes about his character, but to then believe Hannah wouldn't cheat on him too… that's just plain ignorance. Whatever the case may be, foolishness or self-importance, I'm willing to overlook those things just to hear why Everett has suddenly rescinded his hospitality.

"He pulled in behind me when I was grabbing my duffle bag out of the trunk and said, 'This isn't a hotel. You need to find somewhere else to stay.' It was obvious something, or someone, had already pissed him off…" he trails off, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Well, he's right. That crap you pulled hosting a freedom party while he was out of town was shitty, and you're almost thirty years old. You're too old to be acting like that and mooching off him. You're not poor. You have a good job, which means you can afford a hotel."

I start to close the door again when he says, "She cleared out my checking account. It's why I didn't push Everett. I need his help figuring out what my rights are, and I didn't want to further piss him off."

"One night, Evan, that's all you get. In case you forgot, this isn't my house either." My eyes hold his; it's on the tip of my tongue to add "and Connor wouldn't want you staying here either" but I don't. He knows that, and while I don't care for Evan, he's obviously having a bad day, and I'm not trying to be an asshole. So I throw the door open and add, "You can have the couch."

There are other guest rooms, but I don't need him to feel comfortable. He's the exact type who will take advantage of your kindness and bleed you dry, leaving you bitter and making you question if you were ever kind to start.

"Thanks," he says. I hear the front door close behind us, and I head to the kitchen. If Evan is staying here tonight, I will need a stiff drink.

"How did you know I was here anyway?"

"I'm still on the family location sharing," he says, following behind me. "I was going to see if you'd sneak me into the basement or pool house, and then I saw that you were here, and I knew Connor had already left for Florida. Why are you here? Did Everett give you the same speech?"

I pull open the freezer in search of the Watermelon Whiskey I know Mac keeps in there. We always have it on hand for shots. Uncorking the frosty bottle, I forgo searching for a glass and instead take a long pull straight from the source. The sweet and salty notes immediately hit my tongue, instantly settling my nerves and promising to alleviate the anxiety threatening to settle in.

"Something like that," I say with my back to him. I hear him pull up a stool to join me, but I don't acknowledge it. The last thing I need is for Evan to think we're friends or, worse, suspect anything is going on between me and Everett. "It's been a long day. I'm going to my room."

Bottle in hand, I exit the room. Evan's drama is the last thing I need to get involved in.

"Is it casual Friday?" Parker asks as he enters the shop.

"Oh, you got jokes today. It's a stadium, Parker. I think I'm allowed to wear jeans."

"You can. I'm not arguing that fact one bit. However, Cameron Salt doesn't wear jeans."

Parker is right. I like to dress up, wear makeup, and look nice. It makes me feel good. Unfortunately, today is not one of those days. I couldn't sleep to save my life last night. I was so convinced I heard someone lurking around outside. I was alone living at Everett's while he was away in Boston, but I was never scared. It's probably because a big part of me knows how seriously he takes security. He may have gone radio silent and left town, but I knew the security system was always on. I knew he was watching. While Connor has a security system, I know he's not on the other end checking it with the same zeal. As soon as it was light outside, I threw my covers off and pulled out the first things I encountered in the drawers I filled with some of my clothes. Which means I am dressed down, wearing faded light-blue boyfriend jeans and a cropped white top. I didn't even grab my makeup bag before I hurried out of the house and into my car. Luckily, I at least had lip gloss and a tube of mascara in my purse.

"Did you come here for a specific reason other than to comment on my wardrobe?"

When I climb down the ladder from storing the extra inventory on the shelves above the hanging T-shirts, he's by my side.

"Cam, seriously, are you okay? You look tired."

"Ugh…" I draw out as I grab the scissors sitting on a display shelf to break down the box I just emptied. "Fine, if you insist on making this a thing. Yes, I'm tired, hungry, and overall annoyed."

He takes the box out of my hands. "Hungry and tired, I can fix, and maybe after we take care of that, you won't be annoyed." He tosses the broken-down box onto the pile in the middle of the store before adding, "Come on, I just saw the snack truck leaving, which means concessions just got food. Let's go raid it."

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