“Dude, did you take some ecstasy? What’s up with the heart to heart?”
He shrugged. “You’ve done a lot for me, Leo. Just want to return the favor. Out of all the guys, you saw what my parents put me through the most with their divorce. I spent most of my junior and senior years of high school at your cabin just to get away from their bullshit.” He grabbed my shoulder. “You were there for me, man, and I won’t ever forget that.”
It was true. Cain was all sorts of fucked up with his parents constantly fighting about who got what in the settlement, how much alimony would be paid, who got the kids on holidays and weekends. It was a mess. He was a mess. There was nothing I could do for him but offer my support.
If it taught me anything…
There could be a very thin line between love and hate. One I never wanted to cross.
Chapter 5
—Mila—
“Cain!” I hollered over the music. “You’re blocking my sun!”
We were on a catamaran for the day. It was basically a booze cruise and I was laying on the bow net soaking up some sun.
“This seat taken?”
He sat down. “It is now.”
Cain chuckled, handing me a frozen margarita.
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
“What are you doing over here? There’re topless girls everywhere, you should be motorboating hoes. Kinda like Ashton and Sawyer are right now.”
“Eh, child’s play.”
I laughed, “Since when?”
“Do you find it that hard to believe I like talking to you?”
“Hmm… I don’t know what I think but since you’re here.” I handed him tanning oil. “Make yourself useful.”
He grinned, putting his dimples prominently on display. His jaw was clenched and there was a gleam in his eyes like he was amused with my banter.
“You’re using me? So soon?”
I smirked, untying my top while I was still laying on my stomach. “Do your best.”
As soon as his hands were on my shoulders, I inadvertently moaned, “Damn, that feels good.”
“I aim to please.”
“So you’ve said.”
He smiled, his straight white teeth shining with the glare of the sun.
“What do you want, Cain?”
“Can’t a guy just say hello to his friend?”
“We’re friends now? When did that happen? I don’t even like you that much.”
“After all these years?” He held his hand over his heart in a dramatic gesture. “That really hurts, Mila.”
“You’re so full of it.” I couldn’t help but smile. “So this is how it works, huh? I don’t know if I should be offended or flattered that you’re hitting on me.”
“I’m not hitting on you. I just have this magnetic pull about me. Trust me, it’s a blessing and a curse.”
I rolled my eyes.
He chuckled, a throaty sound escaping his lips. “Where’s Leo?”
“He went snorkeling with some chick.”
“Do you uh… you know… ever get jealous?”
“Of what? Leo and his latest conquests?”
“Yeah.”
“No. I mean Leo’s been chasing pussy since we learned how to walk. It’s part of his personality.”
“So, you’re telling me if he walked up to you and confessed his undying love for you, you’d turn him down?”
“It’s not like that between us. We’re just best friends.”
“He’s seen you naked.”
“When we were three!” I shook my head. “What is it with you guys and the constant badgering lately about us being more than we are to each other?”
“You do realize that every girl he’s ever dated has had a problem with your friendship, right?”
“Dating is a term I’d use loosely with Leo.”
“He literally drops anyone and anything for you. Including us.”
“Bullshit.”
“Mila! You’re blind if you don’t see it.”
I rolled my eyes again.
“Fine. Let me elaborate… how many times has he left his date for you?”
“I needed him. I’ve had bad break-ups.”
“How many times has he gone straight to your house after those said dates?”
“We were neighbors.”
“What about the last four years of college?”
“I have my own place, he goes there for privacy from his parents.”
“His parents who live on the other side of their property because Leo is always in the cabin… you mean those parents?”
“You’re blowing things out of proportion.”
“How many times has he ditched us to hang out with you?”
“I can’t help that I’m more entertaining than you guys.”
“How many times have you crashed boy’s night because Leo wants you there?”
“I help him get laid, of course he wants me there.”
“He beat up your last boyfriend.”
“He cheated on me.”
“Wow. You really are in denial. Leo would do anything for you. If that’s not love, then I don’t know what is.”
“See, I know he loves me, I love him too but we’re not in love with each other, Cain. That’s the difference. I know you don’t understand that because you don’t know the meaning of the word.”
“Yeah? Then answer this one, Mila. Why are you the only girl he looks in the eyes?”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“I did, but I don’t speak dumbass so…”
“Any other girl, it’s her ass or her tits. Never in the eyes. Ever. Even when they’re talking right to him. You’re the only chick he’s ever given his complete attention to when you’re speaking.”