“Wait, Lee I didn’t mean…”
“I know what you meant Cam and I know I can’t compete with girls like Rachel. I’m plain looking and have too much hips and thighs. I have little education and even less money. I’m a small town girl with no momma and a two-bit drunk for a daddy. I know I don’t have the pedigree and I don’t care about that. What I do care about is the fact that my best friend, my only friend in the whole world, would count that against me.”
Cam pulled the car into the driveway and killed the engine. She inhaled sharply and turned to face me. “Firstly, I do not, nor have I ever thought any of those things about you and if you ever suggest that I do again, I’m gonna be real pissed.” She grabbed my hand and squeezed it gently. “You are a good person Lee. That’s what I meant when I said you weren’t cut out for Kyle. You are too good for him. I love Kyle like he’s my own brother, but babe, he ain't never gonna be good enough to have your heart. And that’s where this is going Lee. I can see it. It’s written all over that pretty face of yours.”
What was she saying? Did she think? How could she know…?
“Kyle has issues,” she continued, “I’m not sure what they are exactly, but I know they have something to do with Rachel Grayson.” I already guessed that. “He doesn’t talk about it, but I know the girl has something on him, something big. There is no other possible reason way he would tolerate her.”
“What do you think is going on with them?” I couldn’t help but ask.
Cam shifted in her seat. “He was different when we were younger, fun and easy-going and he didn’t have that nasty temper. He was seeing Rachel back then, but it wasn’t anything serious for either of them. Anyway during winter break of our sophomore year, his grandfather died. He was visiting him in Denver when it happened. He phoned to let us know, but he never came back over the holidays. He was gone for weeks. When Kyle finally came back, he was different.”
I didn’t get it. “So you’re saying Kyle changed when his grandpa died?” I asked.
Cam groaned loudly. “I don’t really know what I’m trying to say Lee. All I know is one minute he was the same old Kyle we knew and loved and then the next, he was…empty. Something happened to him, something more than just the grief of his grandfather dying.” She let out a breath. “He’s been Rachel’s lapdog ever since.”
I tried to piece the puzzle in my own head, but all the information Cam had given me was swirling around and not making much sense.
“I need you to stay away from him Lee,” she said softly. “I don’t want you dragged into their drama. Something weird is going on with him and that bitch and you need to stay out of it.”
I inhaled slowly and forced the words out of my mouth. “Cam you have nothing to worry about,” I said, forcing a smile. “From the look of horror on his face before he ran out, he won’t be touching me again.” I pulled my hand free and climbed out of the car.
“Where are you going Lee? We need to talk about this.”
I kept walking and let myself inside. I couldn’t talk about it. I couldn’t think about it. I got as far as my room before the tears came.
Chapter Nine
Kyle
My phone was ringing. I knew who it would be.
She knew.
I pulled the covers over my head and prayed for sleep to take me. I knew it wouldn’t. I hadn’t slept a wink last night. My conscience had reared its ugly head. Every time I closed my eyes, the image of Lee’s hurt face plagued me. Running out on her last night was one of the shittiest things I’d ever done. It was my piss poor attempt at protecting her. The hurt look on her face… I didn’t think my opinion of myself could get any lower. I was wrong.
My phone rang again. It wouldn’t be long now.
The loud hammering noise and the screaming of my name were my signals to get out of bed. Goddammit. I trudged down the stairs to the front door. I was in no hurry to deal with her. I inhaled a calming breath and pulled open the door.
She stormed in. “You fucking bastard.”
“Hello to you to Rachel.” I closed the door behind her and leaned against it.
“I heard about your little date night at the movies,” she hissed, as she glared at me. I nodded. What did she want me to do; lie? There was no fucking point. Her face reddened, “You no good sack of shit. The one girl I tell you not to touch and you can’t even do that.”
She slammed her index finger against my chest.
“What do you want me to say Rachel?” I asked, moving away from the door. “That I don’t want any other girl but you?” I could not stand still anymore. “If it weren't for the accident I wouldn’t have you inside my fucking door Rachel and you know it. You trapped me.” I knew what was coming, even before her hand connected with my face. It was a usual occurrence.