“Only in years.” He props a foot on Jackson’s chair.
I snort at his answer, and then my smile fades as I manage to sit without flashing anyone. “The band that’s playing tonight is a guitar player short, so June asked him to fill in.”
Cameron’s dark brows crash together. “Who’s June?”
The one he supposed to be with. “She’s the lead singer, I think, and his new singing partner.”
“That’s right.” Cameron holds up one finger, and the waitress brings him a beer. “We talked earlier today. Never thought I’d see the day come when he’d actually be out from under Everett’s thumb.”
“I’m happy for him.” But I’m sad for me. My one reckless act has wrecked my heart and my life. “What are you doing here?”
“Classes are delayed because of the storm.” His brown eyes search my face. “Thought I’d come up here and hang out with Jackson for a change and get to know you, too.”
Warning bells go off in my head, but I’m not sure what they’re trying to tell me. Cameron has been nothing but nice.
The lights grow dim, and my attention snaps to the stage.
The band comes out on stage, a spotlight focused on them. Jackson stands off to the side, his jeans low on his hips and his t-shirt tight across his arms and chest. It’s not the one he wore here.
June has on a matching one, her breasts bouncing with every step she takes, and she doesn’t have small boobs. Not at all.
There’s a pang in my chest. That’s not the shirt she wore out here either. It’s not even the same outfit.
She blows him a kiss. He winks at her in return. My heart pinches.
I can’t breathe. Placing a hand on my chest, I rub at my heart with the heel of my hand.
All sorts of images run through my head. Jackson helping her get undressed, June running her hands down his tight abs. Him kissing her, like he does me right before he—
“Don’t do that to yourself,” Cameron says, leaning down so I can hear him over the music. “At least give him a chance to explain.”
“So you see it, too?”
“She looks like Violet, but she doesn’t act like her.” June throws her head back and lets out a growl. The crowd goes wild. “And for damn sure she doesn’t sing like her.”
Jackson’s fingers caress the strings of an electric guitar, the look on his face taking my breath away. I’m happy for him and sad for me. This is where he belongs. She’s who he belongs with, not me.
“They’re really good together.” My vision blurs as I bow my head. A tear drips on my glasses. I can’t be crying. It has to be my body breaking into pieces, and this is the aftermath. “It’s like they were meant to be.”
“When I get a hold of Jackson. I swear I’ll—”
Getting myself together, I hold up my head. “Do what? Fuss at him for being who he is?”
June saunters to Jackson, leaning against him and running her hands over his body. They sneak up his shirt to touch him there as well, but he backs up, a sexy smile on his face.
“You play so hard to get. But that’s all this is. A game,” June sings, like they’re the only ones on stage. “You know you want me. I want you. Come play with me.”
Cameron moves closer to me, cursing Jackson under his breath. Unable to watch anymore, I bury my face into Cameron’s chest. I don’t know who else to turn to. I have no friends here, no family anywhere… nothing but what Jackson has given me.
But I don’t cry anymore. I’m resigned to my fate.
Cameron hugs me, one-armed and brotherly. He doesn’t try to touch me anywhere inappropriately. “I’m sorry, Bliss. So damned sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” I take a deep breath. “It’s not anyone’s fault.”
The music stops, but I don’t bother looking up. All I want to do is go home, but I don’t even have one, not here. A shudder racks my body.
Cameron’s voice is in my ear, his mouth in my hair. “I have a hotel room. You can stay there, and I’ll go crash at Jackson’s.”
Suddenly, Cameron is wrenched away from me, and I almost fall out of my chair. He and Jackson face each other, breathing heavily.
“I told you to stay away from her.”
“And I told you not to screw things up again.”
Jackson shoves Cameron, making him stumble a little. “Take your self-righteous ass and leave.”
Cameron turns to me, pulling a room key out of his pocket. “Take it, Bliss, and leave him.”
“Don’t touch it, Bliss,” Jackson growls.
“You don’t have to do what he says.” Cameron eyes go soft as he puts the key to his room away. “Come with me, and I’ll take care of you, like you need to be taken care of. You won’t have to worry about me with other women, or any of the other bullshit he pulls.”