Chasing Astrid Malone

11. CAMERON'S CONFESSION

Before reaching the stairs I could hear my mom talking to Cameron.

"Astrid's brother Josh and his friend Tristan are staying the night here tonight, so if Astrid needs a ride home I'm sure they won't mind picking her up."

"That won't be necessary Mrs. Malone, I don't mind bringing her home."

"Speak of the devils, they are pulling up now. I'll go out and tell them not to block you in."

The door closed and my mom left Cameron standing at the door. As I walked down the stairs I tried to avoid Cameron's gaze, pretending to be looking for something in my purse until I reached the bottom.

I was expecting some sly comment about my appearance but when I looked up at Cameron his eyes were wide and his mouth was slightly open. The silence was killing me.

"Hello, earth to Prince Charming? This is where you say something."

"Uh... Yeah." He shook his head a little like he was trying to come back from whatever, most likely dirty, place his mind had traveled to.

"Either your speechless or I'm way overdressed for this party. Should I change? I can go grab some-"

With one foot on the stairs, Cameron cut me off and grabbed my arm pulling me back to him.

"There is no way I'm letting you go up there and change out of that! Unless I get to come up and help."

"Then let's go before my mom comes back and wants to chat."

We walked out as my mom was heading in. Josh and Tristan were talking in the driveway.

"Have fun sweetheart, don't forget prom is tomorrow so try not to stay out too late." My mom was in the house before I could respond.

As we walked up to Cameron's truck. Tristan whistled. "Dude that's my sister, chill." Josh nudged him but walked over to us with Tristan following behind. Cameron opened the passenger side door and held his hand out to me, ignoring my brother and his friend.

"Hey sis, where are you going dressed like that? Doesn't look like a sensible outfit for tutoring." He laughed.

Tristan's gaze caught my attention. He was very good looking, I hadn't noticed it before. Cameron was facing the truck still waiting for me to get in, but I could tell he was tense and I knew it was about Tristan.

"If you must know, we're going to a party" I said to Josh but I was still holding eye contact with Tristan. Something about the way he was looking at me made it hard to look away.

"What time should I pick you up? You're not going to be drinking right?" Josh's words pulled me from Tristan's eyes. He is not my father, I'm eighteen and don't need to be treated like a kid. Just as I was about to vocalize my annoyance Cameron cut in.

"I'll bring her home man don't worry. Were leaving before I lose it at your friend for trying to eye fuck my girl!"

Now I'm speechless. I can't believe that just happened. I climbed up into the truck, Cameron closed the door and was walking to the driver's side. Josh was laughing at Tristan, who seemed pissed, but was still staring at me through the window.

Cameron sped off and was noticeably calmer the further we got from my house. "You ok?" I didn't need the only person who likes me at this party to be mad before we even get there.

"Yeah, sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I don't want you near that guy."

"Why, you jealous?" I said it jokingly, but it was obvious he was.

"Yes. That dude is sleeping in your house and I'm expected to bring you back there tonight. How pissed would your mom be if I didn't bring you home tonight?"

"I'm not sure if she would notice. She has to leave early to open the Hardware store." As the words left my mouth I regretted them. Spending the night with Cameron is definitely not a good idea, after my obvious lack of self-control at the beach this morning.

Cam was grinning and looking over at me just as surprised by my words. My phone vibrated in my purse.

Josh: your boyfriend is a badass hu?

Me: Not my boyfriend...

Josh: Oh good I'll let Tristan know, he'll be happy to hear that

Me: Shut up Josh, it's not funny

Josh: I want an address for the party, just in case! If he is drinking I don't want him driving you home

Me: I promise I will call if I need a ride home. I don't know the address and it would be weird to ask people when I get there. Ok, DAD?

Josh: Fine.

I put my phone back in my purse. This is my first party so I really don't know what to expect.

"You don't need to look so nervous Astrid, it's just a party. I'm hoping to redeem myself for our first date getting canceled by your mom."

Date? "That was a date?"

"Oh did I forget to tell you that? Well, this is first date part two. That ok with you?"

I assumed he was trying to get me to sleep with him, especially after everything Brenda said. Calling it a date and taking me to hang out with his friends feels like more though.

"I thought you don't date?" He looked surprised by my words.

"When did I ever say that?" He didn't, Brenda did. Shit.

"You didn't. I just heard that..." Hopefully, I don't have to throw my friend under the bus.

"And you believe all those rumors about me? If you believed all that, why would you be here with me?" His tone was harsh now. I really didn't know what to say.

"You think I've really fucked half the girls in our class?" His eyes are wide and he's looking back and forth between me and the road, expectantly. Up until right now, I had believed it.

"Cameron, it's not like there was an easy way to bring it up and outright ask you. If I did ask and you admitted it, it would have been easier to keep it strictly tutoring, but that's not what I wanted either." I don't know where I found the courage to say all that but it felt good and terrifying at the same time.

"I haven't dated anyone since middle school. I've slept with a few girls, usually at parties. Then all these girls started gossiping and next thing I know there's girls telling people they've had sex with me that I've never even spoken to."

I can't help but feel relief from his confession, mixed with guilt.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have just believed everything I heard. Are we ok?" He reached his hand over and put it on my thigh, giving it a squeeze.

"It's ok, I'm glad you know now. I don't want you to go into our second first date thinking I'm a man-whore." He was smiling again.

We pulled down a street and there were cars parked all over the road. Cam pulled up the driveway and parked behind a black jeep. The house was huge, even in the dark, I could tell it was beautiful. There were people out on the front lawn talking and loud music coming from inside the house.

Cam opened my door and took my hand. "You ready?" His smile was contagious.

"As I'll ever be"

Sorry, this chapter is a bit short. I didn't want to have all the action of Astrid's first party to have to get squished in with all this less eventful stuff. Don't forget to vote if you liked it. Thank you so much for reading!