I nod, fitting my fingertips around my straw. Theres no way Id openly admit it to him, but I completely agree with him and even find it refreshing. Ive never really given it that much thought before, but as much as I dont want a relationship within one hundred feet of me, I am still human and I wouldnt mind a one-night stand.
Just not with him. Or anyone in this place. OK, so maybe Im too chicken for a one-night stand and this drink has already started going straight to my head. Truth is, Ive never done anything like that before and even though the thought is kind of exciting, it still scares the shit out of me. Ive only ever been with two guys: Ian Walsh, my first love who took my virginity and died in a car accident three months later, and then Christian Deering, my Ian rebound guy and the jerk who cheated on me with some red-haired slut.
Im just glad I never said that poisonous three-word phrase that begins with I and ends with you, back to him, because I had a feeling, deep down, that when he said it to me, he didnt know what the hell he was talking about.
Then again, maybe he did and thats why after five months of dating, he hooked up with someone else: because I never said it back.
I look up at the bartender to notice hes smiling back at me, waiting patiently for me to say something. This guys good; either that, or he really is just trying to be friendly. I admit, hes cute; cant be older than twenty-five and has soft brown eyes that smile before his lips do. I notice how toned his biceps and chest are underneath that tight-fitting t-shirt. And hes tanned; definitely a guy who has lived most of his life near an ocean somewhere.
I stop looking when I notice my mind wandering, thinking about how he looks in swim shorts and no shirt.
Im Blake, he says. Im Robs brother.
Rob? Oh yeah, the guy who owns The Underground.
I reach out my hand and Blake gently shakes it.
Camryn.
I hear Natalies voice over the music before I even see her. She makes her way through a cluster of people standing around near the dance floor and pushes her way past to get to me. Immediately, she takes note of Blake and her eyes start glistening, lighting up with her huge, blatant smile. Damon, following behind her with her hand still clasped in his, notices, too, but he just locks emotionless eyes with me. I get the strangest feeling from it, but I brush it off as Natalie presses her shoulder into mine.
What are you doing over here? she asks with obvious accusation in her voice. Shes grinning from ear to ear and glances between Blake and me several times before giving me all of her attention.
Having a drink, I say. Did you come over here to get one for yourself, or to check up on me?
Both! she says, letting Damons hand fall away from hers and she reaches up and taps her fingers on the bar, smiling at Blake. Anything with Vodka.
Blake nods and looks at Damon.
Ill have Rum and Coke, Damon says.
Natalie presses her lips against the side of my head and I feel the heat of her breath on my ear when she whispers, Holy shit, Cam! Do you know who that is?
I notice Blakes mouth spread subtly into a smile, having heard her.
Feeling my face get hot with embarrassment, I whisper back, Yeah, his name is Blake.
Thats Robs brother! she hisses; her gaze falls back on him.
I look up at Damon, hoping hell get the hint and drag her off somewhere, but this time he pretends not to get it. Where is the Damon I know, the one who used to have my back when it came to Natalie?
Uh oh, he must be pissed at her again. He only ever acts like this when Natalie has opened her big mouth, or done something that Damon just cant get past. Weve only been here for about thirty minutes. What could she have done in such a short time? And then I realize: this is Natalie and if anyone can piss off a boyfriend in under an hour and without knowing it, its her.
I slip off the barstool and take her by the arm, pulling her away from the bar. Damon, probably knowing what my plan is, stays behind with Blake.
The music seems to have gotten louder as the live band ends one song and starts the next.
What did you do? I demand, turning her around to face me.
What do you mean what did I do? Shes hardly even paying attention to me; her body moves subtly with the music instead.
Nat, Im serious.
Finally, she stops and looks right at me, searching my face for answers.
To piss Damon off? I say. He was fine when we came in here.
She looks across the space briefly at Damon standing by the bar, sipping his drink, and then back at me with a confused look on her face. I didnt do anything I dont think. She looks up as if in thought, trying to recall what she might have said or done.
She puts her hands on her hips. What makes you think hes pissed?
Hes got that look, I say, glancing back at him and Blake, and I hate it when you two fight, especially when Im stuck with you for the night and have to listen to you both go back and forth about stupid shit that happened a year ago.
Natalies confused expression turns into a devious smile. Well, I think youre paranoid and maybe trying to distract me from saying anything about you and Blake. Shes getting that playful look now and I hate it.
I roll my eyes. There is no me and Blake, were just talking.
Talking is the first step. Smiling at him her grin deepens, which I totally saw you doing when I walked upis the next step. She crosses her arms and pops out her hip. I bet youve already had a conversation with him without him having to pry the answers out of youHell, you already know his name.
For someone who wants me to have a good time and meet a guy, you dont know when to shut up when things already appear to be going your way.
Natalie lets the music dictate her movement again, raising her hands up a little above her and moving her hips around seductively. I just stand here.
Nothings going to happen, I say sternly. You got what you wanted and Im talking to someone and have no intention in telling him I have Chlamydia, so please, dont make a scene.
She gives in with a long, deep sigh and stops dancing long enough to say, I guess youre right. Ill leave you to him, but if he takes you up to Robs Floor, I want details. She points her finger at me firmly, one eye slanted and her lips pursed.
Fine, I say, just to get her off my back, but dont hold your breath because its not gonna happen.
The Book Boyfriends Collection
J.A. Redmerski, J. Lynn and Lauren DeStefano
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
The Edge of Never
Wait for You
Wither
Copyright
About the Publisher
The Edge of Never
J.A. Redmerski
To lovers and dreamers and anyone who hasnt truly experienced either.
Contents
In New York Times bestseller, THE EDGE OF NEVER, twenty-year-old Camryn has always known that she wants a life less ordinary. But when tragedy strikes, she boards the next bus leaving town, destination unknown. On a journey of self-discovery, she meets another lost soul: Andrew Parrish, who harbours his own dark secrets Andrew shows Camryn what its like to live by your own rules and how good it feels to give in to your deepest desires. But the dark shadow of Andrews secret is looming. Will it push them together or tear them apart forever?
Cover
Title Page
Dedication
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-One
Twenty-Two
Twenty-Three
Twenty-Four
Twenty-Five
Twenty-Six
Twenty-Seven
Twenty-Eight
Twenty-Nine
Thirty
Thirty-One
Thirty-Two
Thirty-Three
Thirty-Four
Thirty-Five
Thirty-Six
Thirty-Seven
Thirty-Eight
Thirty-Nine
Forty
About the Author
Other Books by J.A. Redmerski
Exclusive bonus material - the hospital scene from Andrews point of view
Copyright
One
Natalie has been twirling that same lock of hair for the past ten minutes and its starting to drive me nuts. I shake my head and pull my iced latte toward me, strategically placing my lips on the straw. Natalie sits across from me with her elbows propped on the little round table, chin in one hand.
Hes gorgeous, she says staring off toward the guy who just got in line. Seriously, Cam, would you look at him?
I roll my eyes and take another sip. Nat, I say, placing my drink back on the table, you have a boyfrienddo I need to constantly remind you?
Natalie sneers playfully at me. What are you, my mother? But she cant keep her eyes on me for long, not while that walking wall of sexy is standing at the register ordering coffee and scones. Besides, Damon doesnt care if I lookas long as Im bending over for him every night, hes good with it.
I let out a spat of air, blushing.
See! Uh huh, she says, smiling hugely. I got a laugh out of you. She reaches over and thrusts her hand into her little purple purse. I have to make note of that, and she pulls out her phone and opens her digital notebook. Saturday. June 15th. She moves her finger across the screen. 1:54 p.m. Camryn Bennett laughed at one of my sexual jokes. Then she shoves the phone back inside her purse and looks at me with that thoughtful sort of look she always has when shes about to go into therapy-mode. Just look once, she says, all joking aside.