“I’m sorry.” She sat on the edge of the bed with her back to him, pulling on her socks. “Ali said she needed to talk so we’re going on a walk. I can’t abandon her now. I’ve ignored her enough these last few weeks.”
“You’re a good friend.” She heard the sheets rustle, tensed when she felt him draw near. “How long will you be gone?” His finger traced a path down the back of her neck, sent tingles scattering all over her skin.
“I—I don’t know. An hour at the most.” She glanced at him over her shoulder, surprised by all the emotion she saw swirling in his eyes.
“I’ll miss you.” He leaned in and kissed her softly. “Hurry back,” he murmured.
She’d make sure of it, just to see that look in his eyes again.
They walked silently for at least five minutes, making the occasional mundane weather remark until finally, Alison gave in first. “What’s going on?” she asked. “And tell me the truth. I know something’s up.”
“Nothing’s going on.” At the look Ali threw her, Chloe sighed. “Fine. I’m seeing Cameron.”
“No kidding,” Ali muttered, shaking her head. “I don’t know if I approve, Chloe. He’s not…the best guy for you.”
“Oh, come on. You don’t even know him.” Chloe stared out at the lake, which was packed full of boaters, jet skis, and people swimming at the lake’s edge. Having fun on a hot summer day while she was being interrogated. She wasn’t in the mood for a confrontation. More than anything, she wi
shed Ali would just stay out of it.
“Mac’s told me some stuff.” Chloe stopped at that and so did Ali. “He’s worried about you. He’s afraid…”
Chloe snorted. “Afraid of what?”
Ali’s concerned gaze met hers. “That Cam’s using you.”
“For what? We’re hanging out, nothing else.” Chloe resumed walking, Ali following her. Yeah, that had been the truth up until last night. “I’m a big girl. Don’t worry about me. I know what I’m doing.”
“He was with you, wasn’t he? You left him back in the house.”
Chloe hurried her steps but Ali kept up, grabbing her arm to stop her. “You had sex with him, didn’t you,” Ali accused.
“So? Who are you, my mother?” Chloe threw up her hands. “Since when do you care so much about my sex life?”
Ali flinched, as if Chloe’s words hurt her. “I’m your friend, and I’m concerned about you. Cam isn’t what he seems.”
“If all your information is coming from Mac, then I wouldn’t put too much stock in it,” Chloe retorted. “They’ve always fought. And it’s been worse lately.” Because they fought over me, she thought, but she wasn’t about to mention that little fact.
“I’m not talking about what Mac says. This is from my own personal knowledge,” Ali said, her voice, her expression deadly serious.
Chloe’s mind scrambled. What could she be talking about? “Are you making up stuff to try and keep me away from him? I don’t get it. Why does everyone not want me with Cameron? Is it me? Is it that hard for people to believe he wants to be with me?”
“Chloe—” Ali started but she cut her off.
“No. I don’t want to hear any more of this.” She turned, started heading back to her house.
“Come on, hear me out,” Ali called after her but Chloe ignored her, kept her gaze focused on the ground. One foot in front of the other, taking her back to her home, to Cameron.
“Fine, you won’t talk to me? Then ask him what happened the night of your accident.”
Chloe stumbled, tripped over a rock, and fell to the ground, scraping her knees, hurting the palms of her hands. Ali ran to her, helped her stand back up, slinging Chloe’s arm over her shoulders to keep her upright.
“What are you talking about?” Chloe whispered, dread filling her, making her nauseous. Her knees stung, she could feel the blood trickling down her leg, but she couldn’t move.
The pain written all over Ali’s face was clear. She didn’t want to say this. “He asked me to keep it quiet. He promised me he was going to tell you.”
“Tell me what?”
Ali looked away, breathing deep. “I can’t believe you still don’t remember.”