Page 29 of The Facade

I was a pretty affectionate guy and frequently hugged my friends. But for some reason, Cambrielle and I had never hugged a ton. Probably something to do with the glares Carter gave me anytime he caught me looking at her for more than two seconds.

But it was nice. She felt nice.

She was tiny. Short enough that I was pretty sure she could still shop in the kids’ section if she wanted. But she was also soft in a way that was comforting. She’d been skin and bones when she’d come home from the ballet academy in New York a while back—like the stress of being away from her family had kept her from eating a full meal. She’d gotten some meat back on her bones since then and was looking much healthier now. And not only did she look and feel healthier, but she also had those curves that I’d noticed earlier in her bedroom this morning—curves that also felt nice pressed against me.

Really nice.

In fact, it was kind of hard picturing her as the girl who played night games with me in the woods while growing up, or the girl I used to prank, like that time I’d snuck a snake into her bed. Not when she felt like the kind of girl I’d take to the prom or make out with under the bleachers before a basketball game.

Or…

Okay…enough with the make-out-with-Cambrielle fantasies.

How was it possible that I could go from the verge of a breakdown one minute to considering feeling up my best friends’ sister the next?

Teenage hormones were weird.

I stepped away before my imagination could get carried away again.

I must have done it too suddenly though, because when she looked up at me, she frowned in confusion.

And since I was in idiot, I said, “Sorry, your hands moved a little too close to my butt.”

“They did not!” Her jaw dropped, like she was shocked I would suggest such a thing.

“I know I look a little too good in this jumpsuit of mine.” I gestured to the boxy, zip up suit. “But I can’t have you getting distracted by me.”

“I wasn’t trying to touch your butt.” She smacked my shoulder.

I couldn’t keep a grin from my face because riling Cambrielle up was one of my favorite pastimes.

“It’s okay, Cambrielle.” I patted her shoulder. “I know it’s hard to ignore our crazy chemistry when we’re together. But we don’t want to make Ben jealous. So I’m going to go upstairs, and you’re going to remind yourself of all the reasons why it could never work out between us.”

“Maybe we should have your dad check your head after all,” she said. “Because I think you’re delusional.”

But from the way she was fighting back a smile, I knew I hadn’t pushed her too far. Which made me happy that I was at least able to end on a lighter note to make up for the past thirty minutes.

I started toward the staircase that would lead to my temporary room. But before heading up, I turned back to Cambrielle who was closing the first-aid kit.

“In all seriousness though, I’m sorry I ruined your afternoon with Ben,” I said, feeling bad since I’d known how much she’d been looking forward to it. “I’ll find a way to make it up to you."

9

Cambrielle

After puttingthe first-aid kit back in the closet, I told Regina about Mack’s four-wheeler in the woods and asked her to arrange for someone to take care of it. Then I headed upstairs to change out of my dirty riding clothes and into a cute light-green blouse and jeans that I’d bought on a trip to Paris with my mom this summer.

And since I still had a while before everyone returned from their ride, I decided I might as well fix my hair so I could make the most of the time with Ben before he headed back to the school.

I saw Hunter and Scarlett on their four-wheelers through the balcony doors, and a moment later, Elyse, followed by Nash and Ben, came into view. My heart skipped in my chest at the sight of Ben’s tall form and broad shoulders, but I told myself not to get nervous because being nervous would not do me any good.

I gave myself one more glance in the mirror and then went down the grand staircase that led to the large entryway of my home. I considered sitting on the couch in the living room to wait for everyone, but since I wasn’t sure if they’d be coming in or if Ben would be using the gate at the side of the house to return to his car, I decided to head back down to where everyone was parking their ATVs in the garage.

“How was it?” I asked Elyse when she came out of the garage, running her fingers through her long, brown hair to smooth it out. “Did you have fun?”

“It was so fun.” She grinned. “I’m so jealous that you get to do this anytime you want.”

“Hey, you can totally ride any time you want to,” I said, happy she’d liked the new adventures she was having in Eden Falls.

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