Page 78 of Knotted Laces

I find myself holding my breath.

“Because I didn’t know Cam had feelings for me.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Athena

My heart is pounding,and I’m panicked, desperate to run the fuck out of here.

But my kitten is sleeping, and Cam is tense as a slab of concrete and…

I need him to hear this too.

Because…I’m falling for him.

As dangerous and stupid and likely as that is to blow up in my face. I can’t let him go, can’t push my feelings down, can’t pretend there’s nothing between us.

We have something.

I can’t cut the ties between us, not even if I wanted to.

“I’ve known the Jacksons for ten years,” I say. “I’ve known Lex for longer, and they’re…well, they’re my family, so much more than my own parents ever were. So, if there’s ever anyone in my life I wouldn’t hurt, wouldn’t fuck over, would doanythingto protect it’s the Jacksons—Cam included.”

“So, it’s brotherly affection then?” Rome asks, and I don’t miss that his eyes are sharp.

Waiting for me to fuck up.

I can’t.

This is too important.

Camis too important.

“You know it’s not,” I say quietly.

“I do?”

I lift a brow. “Youdo.” I shift a little closer to Cam, set my hand on his thigh. “But more importantly,Camknows that.”

Rome tilts his head to the side and studies me closely.

Then one half of his mouth curves as he raises his fist between us for me to bump. “I like you, Ats.”

“Good,” I say, reaching forward to tap his knuckles with mine. I smirk at him and am only half-joking when I add, “Me too.”

Half because…

I like the person I am with Cam Jackson.

“Meow!”

Cam leans in and scratches my kitten’s head. “Relax, Cookie, she hasn’t forgotten you,” he murmurs, running his knuckles down along the outside of my arm, making me completely aware that he hasn’t forgotten me either.

Cupcake.

Cookie.

Yeah, that’s perfect.

---