Page 105 of Always Red (Chasing Red 2)

Where is she?

“You phoned…Kara?” Cameron asked.

“Yeah,” I replied. “Phoned at the shop too, but no one’s answering.”

“It takes them each a week to get ready. And there are two of them.” Cameron shuddered. “Besides, the shop is open on weekends during the summer. They get really busy at this time.”

Raking my hands through my hair, I leaned against the balustrade. “I’m leaving in half an hour to get my girl.”

He was just taking another sip of beer when he stilled, stared at me with his brows raised. “Your mom will kill you.”

I just eyed him silently.

“Fine,” Cameron replied with a self-deprecating sigh. “But I’m driving.”

I grinned at him knowingly. “See? Didn’t even say a word. I’m just standing here.”

He laughed. “Fuck you.”

“Cal?”

We both turned at the voice. Beatrice-Rose was standing at the door in a red gown, eyes soft and pleading as they watched me.

I felt a mix of emotions at the sight of her. Pity, guilt, anger. Somewhere beneath all that was affection for someone I had grown up with—and bewilderment at the thought of a childhood friend being hateful enough to hurt the only girl I loved.

She approached us slowly and warily. Beside me, I noticed Cameron change his stance. He looked relaxed, but I knew it was only a facade. Like me, he was braced for a confrontation.

“Hi, Cameron,” Beatrice-Rose said.

“Beatrice-Rose.”

“How are you?”

“Good.”

Cameron was a man of few words when the mood struck him. He used his intense too-blue eyes to let you know what he was thinking. But I had to admit that it only made the air more tense and awkward.

“How’s your dad?” Beatrice-Rose asked softly.

She didn’t seem to get the hint that Cameron didn’t want to talk to her. Or that I didn’t. I had been avoiding her throughout the party, but she’d found me this time.

“Still in jail, I’m presuming,” Cameron answered coldly.

Beatrice-Rose’s mouth dropped open in shock. “Oh…I…”

Cameron cut her off. He had no patience for empty words, but his voice was less harsh when he asked, “How’s yours?”

“H-he’s not doing very well. I… Can I have a moment to talk to Caleb?”

Cameron just leaned against the balustrade, pointing his beer at me. “That’s up to him.”

I nodded at him. He threw me a pitiful look before he left, shaking his head.

Uncomfortable silence lingered as I waited for Beatrice-Rose to speak. She had her eyes down, her hands clasped in front of her.

“Happy birthday, Cal.”

I nodded, but since she wasn’t looking at me, I decided to finally open my mouth and speak. “Thanks.”

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