The Truth About Us [ON HOLD]

Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE

I pulled my cardigan around myself as a damp breeze blew in through the open window and I leaned back against the couch. The feeling of boredom washed over me as I looked up at the living room ceiling, waiting for supper to be done. The smell of steak cooking on the barbecue burned my nose, making my stomach churn. I told myself I could have been a vegetarian if a vegetarian could eat chicken. Looking down at my phone, I tried to tune out Cameron's incessant whining.

"Cameron, don't make a scene. Your friend is here." Mom said, putting her foot down.

My phone vibrated against my palm, a new text from Olivia popping up on the screen. She always needed something to entertain herself, entertainment which usually included a glass of sparkling rosé from her mom's alcohol cupboard and talking about her next conquest in the form of a teenage boy.

OLIVIA HARRINGTON

You can't get out of it?

Trust me, trying to get out of family night is like asking to be slaughtered in your sleep.

LOL! How about tomorrow?

Yeah sure.

I slid my phone back in my pocket and made my way into the kitchen. My brother's best friend Noah was leaning against the counter, pouring himself a cup of coffee. My breath caught in my throat as my heart began to race. God he's so cute. My eyes traveled down his chiseled jaw, catching on his crooked smile and light pink lips. I caught myself staring as he reached up into the cupboard pulling out the sugar jar, the hem of his shirt lifting from his side. His hair was cascading down his forehead messily, the dark brown waves sprawling every which way.

My cheeks burned at the thought of someone catching me looking, especially Noah. I loved being around him, he was always so happy and bright, but at the same time, the what-ifs terrified me. My mind traveled to all of the possibilities of our relationship blossoming into more. So many scary possibilities. What if he doesn't feel the same way? What will Cameron think? Those were just examples of two of the many thoughts. I tried to shake the thoughts of romance out of my head, but it was all I could seem to think about lately.

I stepped forward and ran my foot into the leg of the chair. A string of curse words filled my head as Noah quickly turned to me like he was caught red-handed, still gripping the coffee carafe. I put a smile on my face and leaned on the chair awkwardly as if it was intentional, even though my toe throbbed. He stared at me innocently and quickly placed the carafe back in its holder.

"Do you want some?" he asked.

"No thanks, if I have some now I probably won't sleep tonight." His dark brown eyes stared back into mine. People always talk about the beauty of green eyes or blue eyes and fail to see how deeply intoxicating a pair of dark brown eyes can be. I couldn't help thinking about what we could be if he hadn't met my brother first. "Where have you been all day?"

"We lost track of time playing that new Call of Duty," he explained, chuckling to himself as if he couldn't believe either how much time they'd spent playing a silly game.

"So that's your excuse." I rolled my eyes, racking my brain for something witty to say but sarcasm has always been my defense mechanism. I gulped, tactless Samara. I wanted to whack myself upside the head, although doing that would have been worse than the comment that slipped through my lips. Thankfully Noah didn't seem to notice and just nodded.

My stomach felt like it was about it eat itself from hunger. I silently hoped that I was the only one who could hear the low growling sound that emerged. The ache slowly moved from my stomach and up my throat, making me nauseous.