For Now (Forever Book 1) (11 page)

Camden

              “She’s such a sweet girl,” Mom gushes. “But why on earth didn’t you tell us about her parents?”             

              “Mom, that’s her story, I didn’t want to tell anyone anything that she told me in confidence.”

              “You really have been a good friend to her. So, she must talk to you a lot.” I just nod. “Has she said anything about Ryder? I talked to him last week and he said he’s been asking her out. Do you think she’ll say yes? Maybe the horrible things that his parents did to him didn’t ruin him.”             

              “Beverly…”Dad starts before she stops him.

              “No, I don’t care how you feel about Tom, he was a horrible father to that boy and he’s the reason that Ryder has turned out the way he is.”             

              Mom’s always been so protective of Ryder. “No, Mom, I don’t think that she will go out with him.” I’m not going to mention the fact that she already has. “Ryder doesn’t like her, she’s convenient for him because she’s here and he can only be seen with her. I love him like a brother, but he isn’t ready to change for her and be what she deserves.” I stop, realizing that I’m getting too defensive.

              Isabel and Elaina pick the perfect time to come back inside. I give Elaina a questioning look, I wonder why Isabel wanted alone time. She just shrugs.

**********

              The ride to Minneapolis is slightly uncomfortable with my family around. I feel even more conscious about the amount of time I was spend with Elaina. The guys don’t seem to pay attention, but my mom sees everything. Women must get a sixth sense when they have kids.

              Elaina spends most of the time talking with my mom and sister about everything that she has seen on the tour so far. I spend the time with my dad, working, but I couldn’t help listening in on Elaina’s stories and remembering the fun that we’ve had. Dad had to ask me the same question several times, due to my distraction.

              I’m sitting across the table from Dad when my phone vibrates; I glance down at it and see I have a new text from Elaina. I look over at her and she is sitting alone on the chair, playing on her phone.

             
Elaina: Stop looking at me like that. I can’t be alone with you right now and               it is making it harder for me.

              Me: It’s making it harder for me too ;)

              Elaina: I’m serious, get back to work. Try to sneak in to see me tonight ;)

              Me: Yes ma’am

**********

              The band’s being well behaved backstage again, for probably only the third time on this tour. They don’t care what my father sees, but when it comes to my mom and sister, they’ve always been on their best behavior. Ryder has a lot of respect for my mom and wants to make her proud, he just seems to forget that unless she’s actually around. I think the rest of the guys have the same respect.

              The guys are getting ready to go on and I have no clue where Ryder is. My dad eyes me and I know he’s blaming me for Ryder missing. I’ve heard it a million times,
“It’s your job to watch him and get him where he needs to be.”
I decide that I should go look for him in the bathroom.

              I run into Isabel right outside the restroom, she looks a little off. “Hey Izzy, are you feeling alright? Dad said you were sick last week and you’re looking a little pale.”

              “Yeah, I’m find. Why wouldn’t I be?”

              “Okay,” I say, confused at her attitude. “Have you seen Ryder? They are on in a few minutes.”

              “Why would I know where Ryder is? I’m not his keeper.” She walks away and heads back to the dressing room, leaving me watching her, wondering what’s going on with her. Sisters are confusing.

              “Hey, umm, is it time?” Ryder asks coming out of the bathroom.

              “Yeah. Where have you been?”

              “I just forgot something on the bus then I needed to hit the bathroom before the show.”

              “Okay, well, the guys are waiting. Let’s go.” Thank God we aren’t late or Dad would have something to say about it. I think Ryder does this on purpose when he’s around to mess with me.

Elaina

              Thank God Cam’s parents are gone. I did like them, especially Beverly, but it was hard to be around Cam without feeling like they would see right through me.

              I’m not as nervous around Isabel since she seems to be spending most of her time with Alex.  Though Cam and Ryder keep trying to get her away from him. Those boys are so protective. It’s cute. Though last night Ryder kind of crossed a line. During dinner, when Isabel started flirting with Alex, Ryder told a super embarrassing story about her going to an amusement park on her first date and throwing up on the guy when he made her go on the roller coaster. The guys all laughed, but Isabel looks like she wanted to rip Ryder’s head off and punt it. She stormed off. I went after her, but she didn’t want to talk about it.

              I’m exhausted and want a nap because I haven’t been sleeping as well in the hotels as I do in the bus. On the bus, I know that Cam is a bunk above me, if I have nightmares. The feeling of safety is actually keeping them away. But in the hotels, I feel so alone and Cam has had to stay away since his dad was here. But it has been so long since I’ve been shopping, I decide to go with Isabel when she asks. Cam gave me Ryder’s credit card, maybe I’ll let Isabel buy something with it to get back at Ryder for embarrassing her.

              We are now sitting at a little café having coffee. I’ve missed girl time and I like Isabel.               

              “Are you and my brother hooking up?” Isabel asks, making me cough and spit out my iced coffee that I just took a drink of.

              “What? No. Why do you think that?” I stammer.

              “I’ve seen the way that he looks at you and Cam has never had a girl for a best friend. Don’t get me wrong, he isn’t a chauvinist pig like Ryder, he’s just always had guys friends. You can tell me if there is, I won’t say anything to my parents.”

              I bite my lip and contemplate. After this tour is over, I’m going to be with Cam openly and I’m not going to want to piss his sister off by lying to her now, but I can’t risk her dad finding out. I don’t know what to do. I like Isabel and I don’t think she would betray Cam like that, so I decide to fess up.

              “Please don’t say anything to anyone.”

              “Oh my God, I totally knew it. I promise not to say anything, but my dad is going to be so mad at Cam if he finds out.”

              I frown, “I know, I don’t want to get Cam into trouble and he did try to fight it. He basically ignored me for two weeks. But it was in the top five worst two weeks either of us have ever had.  The night he finally gave into his feelings, I was back in Iowa for the first time since my parents died and a bus tire blew and we lost control. Cam got me calmed down and took me out into cornfield with a blanket and a bottle of whiskey. It was one of the best nights of my life, lying under the stars talking about nothing and everything.”

              “Who knew that my brother could be so romantic? That’s really sweet, but you better hope that no one finds out.”             

              “Ugh, I know. I don’t know what to do anymore. The media would hate me for breaking Ryder’s heart if I was caught with Cam, but I can’t stay away from him. He has been my rock since the first moment we meet.”

              She nods, “Like I said, I won’t say anything.”

              “So, since you know everything now, can I ask you a question? What is going on with you and Ryder? You two have been fighting since the night of the concert.”

              “Nothing he is just a pig that is never going to change. He doesn’t want me to be happy.” She frowns.

              “Well, I know one thing that might make you happy. We are going out tonight and I think that you might need a new, expensive dress.” I say, holding up Ryder’s credit card.

              She smiles wide, “I think that would make me feel much better.”

              We spend the rest of the afternoon shopping until I don’t think I can walk anymore.

              “What do you think of this dress?” Isabel asks me.

              “Well, it will certainly get some attention.” I bite my lip wondering if Cam will be mad that I bought his younger sister a dress that barely covers all parts that need to be covered.

              “Perfect,” she replies. “Here try this one.” She hands me a dress that is just as skimpy as hers.

              “Umm… I don’t know about this,” I say eyeing the dress wearily.

              “Trust me, you’re going to look great.”

              I give in and try it on because Isabel is someone that really doesn’t take no for an answer. Coming out of the dressing room and looking at myself in the huge three-way mirror. I can’t believe it, Isabel was right, I do look pretty good.

              “Oh, you have to get that dress,” she squeals.

              I text Cam once we leave the store with our dresses and new shoes.

             
Me: Hey, Isabel and I want to go out tonight.

              Cam: K, I’ll find somewhere. Are you girls having fun?

              Me: Yes, we both found some clothes. I think you are going to like my dress.               ;)

              Cam: Ugh, something about that makes me think that you’re going to be               driving me crazy tonight

              Me: ;)

              After getting mani-pedis and our hair and make-up done, we finally make our way back to the hotel. I had an amazing time with Isabel, she is a lot more outgoing than me and it reminds me of my friendship with Amy. It helps with the homesickness a little.

              It’s 6:30 and we’re running late for dinner, so I run right to my room and change into my new, embarrassingly short dress. When I come out of the bathroom, I scream. Cam is standing by the door, looking amazing in a tight pair of dark jeans and an even tighter grey V-neck t-shirt. His shirt is showing off his amazing muscles.
Is the thermostat broken? It just got incredibly hot in here.
He is just staring at me and I can’t decipher the look on his face. I don’t know whether to thank Isabel or kill her for making me buy this dress.

              Finally he says, “You look stunning.”

              I blush as I sit on the bed to put my sky-high heels that Isabel made me buy and say “Thanks, I thought that you might like this dress.”

              “Oh, I do, I just don’t know how I feel about other guys checking you out in it. It might be Ryder bailing me out of jail tomorrow for kicking some guy’s ass.”

              “Don’t be silly, no one else is going to be checking me out.”

              He walks to me and places his hand on my cheek, “I really don’t think you understand just how amazingly sexy you are.”

              I roll my eyes, “I’m not nearly as good looking as you. Maybe you’ll be bailing me out of jail tonight for kicking a girl’s ass for staring at you for too long. I can’t even believe that you would want someone like me. You are smart, successful, you have an amazing body and when you smile, it makes my knees weak.”

              “Hmmm, really?” one side of his lip tilts up in a sexy half smile. “That is good to know. But you can’t possibly believe that you’re the lucky one in this relationship. I’m going to prove to you that you are the most amazing woman if it’s the last thing I do.”

              He leans in and kisses my lips softly. I throw my arms around his neck and pull him to me, deepening the kiss. He slowly slides his hands up my body.

              “Hey, girlie. Are you ready to go? We’re already running late.”

              He groans and mutters, “My stupid sister and her horrible timing”

              “Uh, yeah, I’m coming.” I call, giving Cam a regretful look.

              I open the door and Isabel glances around me at Cam. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t know that you were in here Cam, I can come back.”

              “No, I was just seeing if Elaina was ready yet.” We step out into the hallway and I shut the door behind us.

              Isabel eyes Cam the entire elevator ride; a huge grin on her face. If she doesn’t stop, he’s going to suspect that she knows something. 

**********

              When we arrive at the club, after dinner, Ryder puts his arm around me and leads me through the crowd waiting outside. I see a few camera flashes from the waiting crowd. His hand slips lower on my back and if it goes any lower, he’s going to get a fist in the face once we are alone.

              Once we are in the VIP section, Isabel immediately grabs my arm, pulls me towards the dance floor and finds a spot directly in front of the guys. The song changes and she starts shaking it to the beat. I think she’s trying to show off for Alex, but I see Alex already has a girl on either side of him and is giving them his full attention. Ryder however, is staring at Isabel like she’s the only person in the room. For the second time, I wonder exactly what is going on between them.  Cam brings us drinks and Isabel starts downing shot after shot.

              After several songs, I feel like I need a break, I motion to Isabel that I’m going to head towards the bathroom. As I sit down, I hear a few girls enter, talking rather loudly.

              “Oh my God, I can’t believe that Ryder Kinick is here tonight.”

              “I know. I bet that we could steal him away from that loser girlfriend of his. At least for a night. You can’t tell me that someone that looks like her can keep a guy as hot as him happy.”

              I keep quiet, hoping that they won’t notice that they aren’t alone. I don’t want to leave the stall just yet. Unfortunately, they continue.

              “That bodyguard of his is pretty good looking too.”

              “The one wearing the tight grey shirt?”

              “Yeah, maybe we could get with both of them.” They laugh.

              Hearing them talk about Cam is the final straw. I flush, exit the stall and head towards the sinks. They gape at me when they recognize me. I feign confidence and put on my best bitch face.
That’s right ladies, I have one thing that you both want. You may call me a loser and think I’m plain, but as far as you’re aware, I’m with a rock star and what you don’t know is, I’m really with that “bodyguard” that you ladies think is so hot.

             
They finish touching up their make-up and leave the bathroom in a hurry. When I come out of the bathroom, I see that those bitches work fast. The platinum blonde is pressing her obviously fake chest up against Cam at the bar, flirting with him. Cam looks uncomfortable, but Ryder reaches out a hand and nudges him closer to her. Meanwhile, the redhead is whispering in Ryder’s ear and he seems a lot more comfortable with the attention than Cam.

              I find Isabel in the crowd and she’s fuming. Before I have a chance to get back to her, she’s marching over to them.

              “Listen whores, you need to back off my brother and my best friend’s boyfriend. In case you haven’t heard, Ryder is with Ellie now and he’s happy with her. Why would he want a skank sandwich when he has a filet mignon at home?  Now beat it bitches.” She takes the redhead’s hand and removes it from Ryder’s chest.

             
Wow, I’m glad I’m on her side.
The redhead pulls her hand away and grabs her drink off the bar and starts to throw it, just as Cam’s hand reaches out and stops her.
              “You better listen to my sister.”

              Security shows up and escorts the now whining ladies out of the building. 

              Isabel heads back to the dance floor and I meet her there.

              “Can you believe that bitch? She was totally disrespecting you by putting her hands on Ryder. Oh, I really wish I would have punched her.”

              How strange that she would be so upset on my behalf, we just met. She barely knows me. And why is she currently glaring at Ryder?

              She continues, “And how dare he allow her. What a prick.”

              I just nod and keep dancing. I can feel Cam’s eyes on me, so I turn around. His eyes bore into mine, an intense look on his face. The look makes me shiver and feel hot all at the same time.

              Eric grabs his attention and the moment is lost. I turn back to Isabel who’s now dancing with a tall man with dark hair and dark brown eyes. He’s attractive, however, I think that he must be about ten years older than us.

              Less than a minute after they start dancing Ryder is pulling the guy away and yelling in the guy’s face. “Dude, you know she’s only 22. What kind of a sick perve are you?” Cam is trying to pull Ryder away from the man.

              The way Isabel is looking at Ryder makes me think she’s trying to kill him with her eyes. She storms towards the door and I follow.

              “I was just dancing and having a good time. It isn’t like he wants me, so why would he care if I’m dancing with another guy?”