Page 103 of Hard Rock Sin
That didn't ease the slight feeling of trepidation rising inside me.
Jen's face brightened when she saw me. She waved me over with a smile and hugged me when I walked up.
"It's so good to see you again, Lily. You've been here all summer and it feels like we've barely hung out."
"I've been pretty busy with school," I said.
"All the work of three year long classes crammed into one summer must have been intense," Jen agreed. "Not to mention, it must have been non-stop fun living in Cameron's mansion."
"Yeah, all those crazy parties." I laughed nervously.
I wanted to tell her, but I didn't know how she would react. Jen probably wouldn't freak out like I was expecting Noah to, but what if she disapproved? I had been half-counting on Jen to keep Noah from flying off the handle when he found out. What if she agreed with him that Cameron and I together was a bad idea?
"It's not just the parties. You and Cameron seem to be pretty close." She got a slight twinkle in her eyes. "Have you been spending a lot of time together?"
I stammered, not knowing what to say. Jen definitely knew.
She laughed. "It's okay. I won't say anything."
I let out the breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.
"Thanks," I said weakly.
She nudged me with her shoulder. "If you need help getting through Noah's thick skull, just let me know. I'm on your side. I've got an empty apartment you and Cameron can hide in. My friends and I all moved out, but the rent's paid up until the end of the year."
Jen thought we would need a place to hide.
"He's really going to flip, isn't he?" I asked mournfully.
"When does he ever not flip out when it comes to you?" Jen looked thoughtful for a moment. "But he might not. Noah's changed from the person he used to be when I first met him." She let out a small laugh. "Well, he's still pretty cranky, but he's definitely learned to tone it down."
"I'm just so worried what will happen if he finds out."
Jen raised an eyebrow. "If?"
"When," I corrected. "I'm planning on telling him tonight after the show."
"Just get it over with. Like ripping a bandage off a wound."
"What if he actually beats up Cameron?" I swallowed down the lump of fear in my gut. "What if Noah kicks him out of the band? Darkest Days means everything to him. It would kill Cameron if that happened."
"August wouldn't let him," Jen reassured me. "Noah might freak out a bit, but eventually I think he'll learn to accept it. As long as Cameron is serious about you." Jen eyed me. "He is serious, right?"
"Yes." I nodded fervently. "He's not playing with me. We're—" I paused, blushing. "We're in love."
Jen mimed a swoon. "You two are so cute together."
"You don't disapprove?"
"Why would I? Cameron, for all his faults, is a good guy underneath it all. We all just want him to be happy."
"I think I hurt his feelings earlier," I confessed quietly. "We were supposed to tell Noah before the show. I chickened out. But I'm okay with the idea of telling my brother, now."
"So you'll confront Noah after the concert's over?"
"Not right away. I have to do something else first."
The lights went down. The audience began cheering and hooting. The concert started with a clash of drums and guitar.
