Page 190 of Kiss Me in the Dark
“You cheated on him?”My mom’s voice sharpens.
“What?No!It was from earlier this year, before we even got together.Lexi’s just trying to ruin everything.”
She sighs on the other end of the line.“Have you checked with his friends?Maybe he’s back at your apartment.”
“I’ve already called them.He’s not there.”
Another sigh.“Be careful, Fox.I know how much you care about him, but don’t let your emotions get the best of you.”
“I’ll be fine, Mom.I’m going to stay at a motel tonight and head back tomorrow.”
“Alright.Please call me as soon as you’re home, and let me know about Cameron.Fox…”
“You know what happened to Kendra isn’t going to happen to me, right?”
I can hear her smile weakly on the phone.“I’m your mother, Fox.Let me worry, okay?”
I chuckle quietly.“Okay, Mom.I gotta go.”
“Be safe, sweetheart.”
I hang up, toss the phone onto the passenger seat, and start the car.There are several motels nearby, but it takes me nearly an hour to find one with a vacant room.It’s rundown and barely livable, but I don’t care.All I need is a place to crash for the night.
The middle-aged man at the reception desk smiles as he hands me the key.
“I hope you like it,” he says.
“Yeah, thanks.”I hesitate before asking, “Did anyone named Cameron book a room here?”
He frowns, shaking his head.“Sorry, lad.You’re the only young one to drop by today.Sunday nights are usually quiet—most kids are out partying, doing what they do best.”He smirks.“You know—drugs, sex…”
I nod, muttering a quick “Thanks” before heading upstairs to my room.Locking the door behind me, I throw my jacket on the chair and sit on the edge of the bed.
I glance at the time on my phone.8:35 p.m.My mind races as I think about Cameron.He hates parties, so I know he’s not out at some club.He doesn’t have many friends, and he’s definitely not one to crash on a stranger’s couch.
Where the hell could he be?
Lexi’s loud, obnoxious ringtone snaps me out of my thoughts.Blaze’s name flashes on the screen.I pick up and put it on speaker.
“Fox, hey man,” Blaze says.
“Not good.Heard anything from him yet?”
“Nothing at all.What’s going on, though?You haven’t told me everything.”
I sigh, running my hand through my hair.“Lexi told Carter about Cameron and me.She also sent Cameron an old video of her and me making out.It’s from earlier this year, but I think it broke him.And on top of that, his parents kicked him out.Probably disowned him.”
“Jesus Christ.Why would Lexi do that?”
“You know why.She’s jealous.I blame myself for ever getting involved with her.”
“Fox, don’t do that to yourself.What’s done is done.Right now, you need to focus on finding Cameron.”
“Yeah.But what if he’s in trouble?”
“He’ll be okay.He’s smart, Fox.He probably found a motel like you did.”
“I hope you’re right.”
