Page 67 of Things I Wish I Said
“Just a little.” I grin.
“Only a little?”
“Okay, a lot, but I don’t mind.” I flip my hair over my shoulder and bat my eyes. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”
Cameron laughs, a full-on belly laugh I can’t help but compare to Grayson’s gravelly rasp, which is as hard-won as it is rare.
“Where’s your other friend,” I ask, glancing around us.
“Who, Trent?” He waves a hand. “Ah, I ditched him when I saw you sitting here alone. Told him I was about to shoot my shot.”
“Oh, is that what you’re doing?” I chuckle as butterflies float through my chest.
“Obviously.” Cameron rolls his eyes and grins. “But if you have to ask, maybe I’ve lost my touch.”
“Can you really lose something you’ve never had?”
“Ouch!” Cameron covers his heart with his hand and rocks back like I’ve shot him. “Shot to the heart.”
“Aw, poor baby.” I pat him on the back, noting the muscle beneath my hand. “Go ahead and take off your shirt and let me have a look at it.”
Now we’re both laughing, uncontrollably so. Me, because I’m giddy from this boy whose attention is on me, and him, because Cameron is one of those people who is nothing but sunshine.
“You asked for it.” Gripping the hem of his polo, he begins to yank it up.
I scramble for his hand to stop him, glancing around us as if it’s the most scandalous thing at the party, when clearly, it’s not. “I was kidding,” I say with a laugh as I yank it back down.
“Damn. You shouldn’t toy with my emotions like that, Ryleigh.”
I shake my head, beaming, completely floored a cute boy is flirting with me. “Wanna drive me home so Ican make it up to you?”
Cameron’s brows rise, and I rush to correct myself. “I mean, not make it up to you like that. My mom will be home.” I cover my face with my hands, cheeks burning. “I just meant . . . just to talk, hang out a little longer.”
Cameron nudges me with his shoulder. “Relax. I knew what you meant, and I’d love to drive you home. You’re a pretty cool chick, you know that?”
I want to tell him I don’t know that and to tell me more, but I also don’t want to sound like a loser.
“But . . .” My smile falters, and he exhales before he says, “You’re sure I’m not stepping on anyone’s toes? Grayson won’t mind?”
I shake my head. “No. I’m actually pretty sure he’s with Hannah right now.”
Apparently, that’s all the confirmation Cameron needs. He rises to his feet and pulls out his phone, pressing it to his ear. “Let me find Trent really quick and let him know to get a ride, and I’ll be right back, okay?”
I nod, suddenly nervous at the prospect of being alone in a car with Cameron.
I watch as he’s swallowed by the dance floor and smile to myself as my gaze roams the party. The couple on the lounge chair have left. The snack table is still empty, though people encircle the keg beside it like a swarm of buzzed bees.
Inside the house, beyond the large glass panes, a sudden movement catches my eye.
I squint, focusing on the figure and realize it’s the Chex Mix girl. A prickle of unease crawls up my spine as a boy steps toward her, his hands in fists.
I can’t hear from this distance with the stereo blasting, and I’m no body language expert, but I think they’re arguing. I move closer, only a few yards away from the patio now.
The girl steps forward, and I’m close enough now to see she’s shouting.
I’m even closer when I watch him deliver a backhand to the side of her face.
I gasp, holding a hand to my stomach as I glance around for help, but there’s no one else staring into the house like I am. Everyone is either dancing or talking or drinking, too lost in their own good time to notice.
