The Cove

Chapter 2: Cadi

"Hello?" I say, my heart beating in my ears after having seen the name pop up on my screen.

"Hey," Cam says. His voice is slightly unsure, something that's very unusual for him. I can't help but smile...but then, it dies away to be replaced with a frown.

"Hey," I say slowly. "I've tried calling you several times. Do you know that?"

Pause. "Uh...yeah."

I blink at the empty living room. "Why didn't you call back?"

"I, uh, I was kind of busy," he replies, his voice wandering.

"I've just been lounging around," I state casually. "You know...house to myself, no parents to nag me. It's relaxing."

"Look, Cadi..."

Uh-oh. "Yes?" Shoot. My voice wavers.

"I..." He stops as if he's trying to decide what to say. "We need to talk."

"Ok. When?" My heart is thumping. There's something just below the surface of his voice, lurking in the darkness.

"Could I come to your house on Thursday?"

I swallow. "Cam, my neighbors might suspect something if it's just us."

"Nine-thirty?" He presses.

"Fine. Is it bad?"

"I don't know."

I rolled my eyes. Sometimes, boys were so inarticulate. "Really?"

"Yes."

"Cam, what's wrong?" I try for a different tactic.

"Nothing really," he murmurs. "I'm just chilling."

I can see him, sitting on that sofa in the dark living room. It was grungy, but it was fairly neat, something I would never have expected for two guys.

"I'll see you," he says.

"Okay."

He hangs up, and the line goes dead. I replace the phone in its base, my jaw working anxiously. I haven't seen him since last week after my parents left on Monday—they never knew about it, and they never will—when he drove me home in his beat-up gray car after that creepy Hines guy confronted us. I shiver, remembering the tall, thick-boned guy calling out Cam's name, his rough voice heavy and sardonic. The shiver of fear in my bones was so unnerving when his eyes fell on me. They had looked surprised as they danced from Cam to me, me to Cam. Fergus Hines had looked me up and down, head to foot, and then what I thought of as a hungry, malevolent look had crept into his gray eyes. I don't know what was said afterwards; my mind was too numb as Cam stuffed me in his car and made a dash for my house.

Ever since then, I've gotten the feeling he's been...avoiding me. Every day or every other day before this we've either talked on the phone or seen each other in person, but it's been more than a few days now.

We've been together since near the end of sophomore year when he'd asked me a fourth time and I'd finally laid aside the fear of the gossip and rumors and jumped in. A whole summer, a whole school year, and now... It can't be falling apart...can it?

I lie back on the sofa and close my eyes in the dimming light. The noise from the television fades into the background, fading to a hum, and I stare up at the white ceiling, wrapping my arms around myself. The sofa is a big tan sectional, comfy and plush, but I feel so alone. Silence buzzes in my ears as I let out a gentle sigh.

I can't wait for Thursday, but I can't shake this feeling of dread.

G