Payback's A Bitch (Awkward Love 6)

She rolls off me and lays on the bed. I wrap my arms around her and kiss her neck. She smiles as I tilt her face to mine and kiss her, slowly brushing my lips over hers.

“Sorry. I guess I kind of ruined the moment, huh?” I chuckle.

“Do you want another moment ruined?” she asks. Her eyes gleam as she snuggles against me. “This time in two days, we’ll be related.”

“Yep. That did it,” I agree.

She giggles, then goes quiet. “Mom told me that your dad asked you to be his best man?”

“Then I’m guessing she also told you I said no,” I say dryly. She nods, but she doesn’t push me for more than that. “It just didn't feel right,” I say after a moment.

“Maybe you should explain to him why?” she suggests. “It might help you, as much as it does him.”

I shake my head. “No. The time to do that was six months ago, not days before the wedding. It's fine. I'll deal with it. It's just something that I need to do in my own way.”

She leans over and kisses me, this time slowly working her lips against mine.

“I'm really proud of you, Cam. And I think your Mom would be too.”

“Proud of me how?” I say with a laugh. “Are you forgetting your first impression of me?” I add, teasing her. “Asshole. Arrogant. Selfish?”

“I can admit that I was wrong,” she says, shrugging. “I've seen a completely different side to you and for what it's worth I really like it. In fact,” she says, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I really like you.”

“Well,” I murmur. I kiss her gently on the mouth. “That's handy, because I like you too.”

“I might have a shower, if you don't mind,” I say.

“Sure,” she says. “Go for it.”

I walk into the bathroom and turn on the shower, waiting until it’s warm before I step under the water. I groan, resting my hand against the tiled wall as the scalding hot water rains down over me. I lather myself up and quickly rinse off, psyching myself up to tell her the truth when I get out. I just need to do it, because the longer this drags on, the harder it will be.

I turn off the water, get out, and wrapping a towel around my waist. I walk back into the room to find it empty. She can’t have gone too far, because her phone is still here, and so is her jacket. I toss my towel down on the bed and reach into my bag for my clothes. I throw on a clean pair of boxers.

Darcy’s phone beeps. I glance at it. It’s unintentional, but when I see Mack's name flash up on the screen, I get curious.

Why is my brother messaging Darcy?

I pick up her phone, just as a second message from him comes through. Even on the lock screen, I can clearly read it.

Mack: One photo of Cam in a thong. That’s all I want. It will keep him off my back for life.

I frown. What the hell? How does he know about that shit?

Unless she told him…

Why would she, though? I shake my head. I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but the way I’m looking at this, there’s nowhere else to jump. I put her phone back down, then I sit down on the bed with my phone and call Mack.

“Hey, how's it going?” he asks.

“Cut the crap. She told me everything,” I say in the coldest voice I can muster. “You actually wanted pictures?” I say with a bitter laugh. “I can't believe you.”

“It was just a joke,” he protests. “And like you can talk. You’re playing her just as much, remember? Actually, you’re worse than her. She’s not doing anything, other than encouraging your lies.”

“She knows…”

I don’t finish the sentence, because I’m too embarrassed. She knew all along that I was messing with her and she didn’t say anything. I know I have no right to be mad, but I’m fucking pissed.

“I'm gonna kill you, you little shit,” I growl.

“See, this is exactly what I wanted some kind of insurance in the first place,” he insists. “I thought if I had a picture of you and in a thong, then I’d be set for life. You’d never be able to use anything against me.”

“Because I do so much of it now,” I snap. “I have to go. I'll deal with you later.”

Fuck.

I should be relieved, because now the pressure is off me telling her, but I’m not. I'm embarrassed and upset. Did she even like me, or was that just part of the game? I'm just so sick of the stupid mind games. Why can't we both just be honest with each other for once? I stand up when I hear the door open. She smiles at me, but her smile fades when she sees my expression.