Page 34 of Hiding Hollywood

“Don’t bother.”

The line went dead silent. She glanced at it to check the connection. Screw waiting until Brian cleared her name. If the lawyer had his statement, hopefully, that was enough.

“Brian, I think we should see other people.”

He laughed. “You’re stressed out about the whole court date thing, baby. It’ll be cool. The lawyer your brother made me call said my statement will get you off no problem. Hey, you should be thanking me, not breaking up with me.”

Addie held her breath. Risking passing out was better than unleashing the wrath of a woman who’d been misunderstood by everyone in the world.

No, it wasn’t.

“It’s your damn fault I’m in this mess, Brian.”

“Whoa! Is it that time of the month? Never heard you shout at me before, sweet cheeks—”

“No, I’m not on my period. You shut your fly trap for a second and listen to me. I’mtiredof being your little dress up doll to parade around whenever you need me. I’mtiredof waiting for you to call me after you left me in jail for your own stupid mistake. And I’mtiredof being called sweet cheeks!” She screamed the last word, her voice echoing off the trees around the Dempsey’s house.

She covered her lips. Had they heard?

“Well, I guess there’s nothing else for me to say.”

“No, there’s not. As soon as I get out of here, I’ll go to the condo to get my things.”

“I’m glad you told me this before I left Vail. You know, there’s a real pretty ski instructor here that’s been flirting with me ever since I arrived. I’ve been too faithful to you to look in her direction.”

Addie rolled her eyes. He’d looked at every attractive female they passed since they began dating.

“I may go see if she’s free tonight.”

“You do that.”

He laughed again. “Addie, I don’t want to fight. I’m sure once you calm down, you’ll reconsider your decision. I know you must miss me.”

“Goodbye, Brian.” She hung up the phone. Done. She’d broken up with him.

She fiddled with her phone, staring at the picture of Brian she had as a screensaver. Her time in Statem gave her a rare glimpse into life as the real Addie again.

She didn’t hide her smile as Cameron left the house, his eyes trained on her. With his lips set in a grim, straight line, he resembled an old west lawman walking into a saloon. Right now, that’s what she wanted. The grumpy guy with a cowboy swagger.

What would it be like with Cameron? Being open and honest with someone?

“You okay?” Cameron shoved his hands in his pockets as Addie climbed the back-porch steps. “I thought I heard you yell.”

“Fine. Brian didn’t even know I was in jail until my brother visited him in Vail yesterday. He’s a little put out that Trevor was mean to him.”

“How mean? I know I told Trevor not to end up in jail, but please tell me he ended up in jail.”

Addie straightened. “No. Of course not. Trevor wouldn’t fight him.”

Cameron’s tone turned lethal. “Then, Trevor wasn’t mean enough for what Brian put you through. He should be confined to a hospital bed, not enjoying himself on the slopes while you’re waiting for a court appearance.”

His gaze pinned her in place stronger than any hand could. Her straight-laced cop possessed a dark side. She’d never known any man willing to go to jail for her. But Cameron sounded serious.

“Why are you with him, Addie?”

She opened her mouth to tell him that they’d broken it off, even confess the truth about never loving him to begin with, but his cynical laugh made her pause.

He ran a hand over his hair, causing his shoulder muscles to bunch together. “Forget it. I was told to mind my own business.” He turned and walked away, leaving her staring at his back as he stepped off the porch into the backyard and headed around to the front. Why was he so mad at her? Until a week ago, he probably hadn’t thought about her since he’d stayed at her house all those years ago.

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