Disloyal

~5~

Chapter Five- A Twisted Sort of Vacation

Chase barely glances at me as I lift myself into his truck.

"This is the part where you tell me I look nice or something," I remind him.

"Close the door behind you."

"Also, a truck, really? May I ask why? I thought you were supposed to be some sort of bad boy. Let me tell you, this kind of ruins the image."

He rolls his eyes. "I don't like motorcycles and the back can be converted into a pool, so suck it, Brooks."

I widen my eyes and lift my hands in the air in mock surrender. "Well, I'm sorry! It was just unexpected. Anyways, if you won't say it I will."

He raises his eyebrows at me curiously.

"You look really nice."

His eyes roll dramatically. "Whatever. You look okay, I guess. You look more comfortable in the dress than you did before."

"I'll take it."

~•~

"How are things with Parker?" I sip my apple cider.

He takes a bite of his burger and I bite back a smile. Only Chase would order a burger at a place like this. "Pretty good."

I raise my eyebrows in surprise. "Really? That's wonderful!"

"Yeah, I called her and told her I wanted nothing to do with her. Then I boxed off my anger, so I'd say the relationship is much better." He continues calmly, and I almost choke on my drink.

"You ended things with Parker?"

"Yes, Ann, keep up."

"She didn't say... Oh, no."

He furrows his eyebrows. "What's wrong?"

"Uh, nothing!" I laugh nervously. "Just don't look directly behind you."

He cranes his head backwards and glances back in confusion. "What am I not looking at here?"

"You weren't supposed to be looking at anything! Oh no, here they come. Chase, I need you to act cool, okay? Remain calm. I need you to do that for me."

"What are y-"

"Hey, Vanessa!" Parker calls, Cameron following close behind her.

Chase closes his eyes and holds his head as if he's in pain. "Just take care of this, please?"

I nod and smile. "Hey, what're you all doing here?"

"I was actually going to ask you what you were doing with Chase?"

Is she for real?

"Oh, you know he's one of my best friends!" I laugh. "What's up?"

Cameron smiles down at me and I almost gag at the fact that my heart still flutters at the sight. After all that's happened? Why can't I be strong like Chase?

"Hey, babe. It's been a while."

"I know," I reply, staring at the table.

"I was thinking we could talk tonight... Maybe you come over?" He tilts my chin up to him and I shiver.

"Okay," I answer, brushing his hand away. Parker's eye twitches slightly and she moves to put her arm around Chase, who dodges her and stands up. "I've got to go. Here's some cash for the bill, Ann. Bye." He rushes out and Cameron watches him in disappointment.

"I meant to talk to him before he left," Cameron mutters.

"About what?" Silence him? Pay him for keeping me in the dark?

Cameron smiles. "You'll see tonight. Wear that dress. You look hot." He walks away and I stare, left alone with Parker.

I glance at her awkwardly and stand up, offering her a fake smile.
"I better head out, too. Bye!" Luckily, I remember to put the money in the check before scurrying away.

~•~

"You want to what?"

Cameron smiles at me patiently. "I want us to go on vacation. Like we were planning to."

I frown. "No, no, the second part."

He sighs. "I also invited Parker and Chase. Plus Molly and Chris and Emmie and Dylan. And Luke. And Cindy."

I stare at him blankly for a minute. "Why," I ask, more an accusation than a question.

"Because they're all our friends, that's why, and I want us to have fun. Each couple will have separate rooms, don't worry."

I sigh in defeat. "Okay. They must be pretty big rooms to fit two beds," I comment.

He raises his eyebrows. "They don't fit two beds."

I look at him in shock. That means Parker and Chase will be sleeping together... the thought sickens me. "Wait! That means we'll be sleeping together!"

He smirks. "You got that right, babe. Maybe we should practice the one bed thing tonight."

My face reddens at the thought. "I-I can't even kiss so what makes you think-"

"Babe," he whispers in my ear, putting his hand on the inside of my thigh.
I gasp in shock and try to ignore the disgust that rolls over me.

He's your boyfriend. You're supposed to do this.

"I don't have pajamas," I offer weakly.

He smirks and starts rubbing my thigh. "You can wear my shirt."

"Please, I'm not ready," I whisper, but he doesn't seem to hear it.

"Come on, babe, you know you want to."

I really don't think I do, I think before shaking my thoughts away and nodding, earning a satisfied smirk from him.

"Now take off the dress."

"You have to help me," I respond shakily. I really don't think I want to do this. He reaches over and unzips it. I'm reaching to take it off when the door bursts open.

"Cameron, I'm not going to the- what the-" Cameron sprints to the door and puts his hand over Chase's mouth.

"Dude, shut up! My grandmom's downstairs!"

Chase rolls his eyes. "You clearly weren't worried about noise control, I could hear you moaning from all the way downstairs."

I hide my face in the covers. "Chase, nothing happened," I tell him through the fabric.

"So? What should I care? Continue on when I'm gone if you want. I'm just here to say I'm not going to the beach with you all."

Cameron frowns. "Parker told me you would want to."

Chase huffs. "Well, I'm not sure why you're speaking that much to Parker when you have a perfectly good girlfriend here to talk to, but she was wrong."

"Don't worry, man, I know that you have a thing for Parker."

I stiffen and slowly look up at Chase's reaction. His muscles are bulging and his fists are clenched but his face shows no reaction.

"Bye, Cameron."

I went straight home after that.