“Uh…” I lower my eyes, not hiding the fact I’m looking. “I heard something. Are you alright?”
“Aside from falling on my ass, I’m fine,” she says, breathlessly.
“You fell?” I meet her eyes. “Getting out of the tub or what?”
She bites down on her lower lip and fidgets. “Well, no, not exactly.”
Leaning against the doorframe, I wait for her to explain. This is going to be amusing as hell, I can already tell.
“I half-dried off and needed to pee, but then the fucking seat broke, and…” She hesitates, closing her eyes briefly. “I fell off.”
Standing straighter, I blink. “You fell off?” I hide my smile, trying my hardest not to chuckle at the utter defeat in her eyes.
“Yes. The seat shifted, and I guess I was too wet and slipped.”
The expression on her face is pure annoyance and shock that a toilet seat would dare to break while she’s using it. Her reaction has me doubling over. I can’t help myself and burst out laughing.
“Shut up! I landed on my tailbone, and now it hurts!” She steps closer and smacks me against the chest. “You’re such a jerk.”
I hold up my hands and grin. “I didn’t do it. Why am I a jerk?”
She folds her arms over her half-bare chest and scowls. “You’re laughing.”
“Well, I’m sorry. But it’s hilarious.”
“It’s not.”
“No, trust me. It very much is. Considering you slipped off a toilet seat buck ass naked is the funniest thing I’ve heard in months. Actually, I’m going to replay it in my head anytime I need a good laugh. This moment might last a lifetime.”
“Alright, asshole. Bye.” She starts to shut the door, but I stop it with my foot.
“Oh, c’mon. I’m just messin’ with you.”
“I’m gonna have the biggest bruise.” She pouts with a frown.
“It sounds like it needs to be tightened. You have a screwdriver?”
“A what?”
“Oh, God. You don’t know what tools are, do you?”
“Can you not mock me right now?”
“Sorry, but you make it a little too easy.” I grin. “I’ll look in the garage and see if your dad has anything in there. Get dressed, and I’ll help you fix the broken seat situation.”
“Alright. Thanks.”
“And maybe get some ice for your bruised ass,” I mumble with a chuckle as I walk toward the stairs.
“I heard that, asshole.”
“I know,” I mock. “Be right back.”
I remember seeing a basic tool set sitting on a shelf in the laundry room, probably from when they installed the appliances. Grabbing it, I notice it’s never been opened, which isn’t surprising. No one in the St. James family aside from Ryan would know how to use them.
Cami lets me into her room, and I follow her to the bathroom, which is fucking massive. She’s dressed in casual black leggings and an off-the-shoulder sweater. With her hair pulled up and face bare, she looks so different from the pictures printed in the magazines. I much prefer this Cameron—casual and not trying to impress anyone.
Kneeling, I discover a screw on the floor. “Just as I thought. The screws were loose. See?” I hold it up. “Now you want to line it back up with the hole and twist the washer while you—”
“Huh?” she asks. “Can’t you do it?”
“Yes, but it’s time for you to learn, princess.”
She folds her arms and narrows her eyes. “I can watch and learn.”
“Nope, you’ve gotta get your hands dirty every once in a while. What would you do if I wasn’t here?”
“Use the other bathroom.”
I snicker at her immediate answer. “Not happening. C’mon. It’s not that hard.”
She inhales with annoyance. “Fine.” She kneels next to me and takes the screwdriver. “Now what?”
I give her simple instructions, and she grunts with every step. It’s quite humorous, considering it’s child’s play.
“Tighten it up a bit more. That way, it won’t happen again.”
“I’m trying!” She groans, using all her strength.
“Put a little muscle into it, geez,” I tease.
Once she’s done, I check and make sure they’re secure, then smirk. “Not bad for an amateur.”
“Har har.” She gets to her feet and brushes off her knees. “I feel like I need another shower now.”
“Wait until a light bulb goes out, and I make you change that, too.”
“Do you have to mock me about everything?”
I put the screwdriver in my jeans pocket as I stand, then face her adorable pouty face. “Well, it was on my agenda for the day, but I could move my mockery to tomorrow if you’d prefer to reschedule?”
“I swear, Eli.” She huffs, busying herself by picking up towels around the bathroom. “You wouldn’t know how to have a serious conversation if it bit you in the butt.”
“Now, that’s not true.” I cross my arms, ready to play her little game. “How about we talk about why you were such a bitch to me when we were teens?”
“Me?” she snaps, quickly spinning around to scowl at me. “You’re the one who teased me every chance you got. Constantly made fun of me for every-fucking-thing, and you’re still doing it now.” She holds out her arm. “Let’s talk about that.”
“I think you have your memories twisted because you humiliated me anytime your uppity friends were around. If I recall, you started calling me trailer trash because my mom worked for your family.”
“Because you called me a Paris Hilton wannabe!”
I take a step forward as both of our tempers heat. “Well, it was true. Hell, it probably still is. You can’t even sit on a damn toilet without hurting yourself.”
“God!” She comes for me, pushing firmly against my chest with her hands. I barely flinch, which only pisses her off further. “You’re such a fucking child. Grow up.” She walks around me and storms out of the bathroom.
Well, it wouldn’t be a conversation with Cami if we weren’t screaming or annoying the fuck out of each other, but I hadn’t expected it to be on the same day I finally kissed her.
A kiss I selfishly want to relive.
Chapter Five
CAMERON
DAY 3
After a day from hell yesterday, I’m ready to start fresh. It’s day three of being at the cabin, and I’m already going stir-crazy with Elijah here. Add in my boyfriend breaking up with me, and I’m a ticking time bomb. Last thing I need is to have a full-blown Britney Spears circa 2007 breakdown.
Kendall: Babe, you okay? I heard about Zane and you.
I groan, reading my best friend’s text message. Of course, she did. Even during a freaking pandemic, the rumor mill is strong. I hadn’t told a soul—besides Eli—which means Zane’s already started running his mouth. Who knows what the hell he’s telling people because he’s known to exaggerate. Kendall Montgomery has been in my life since elementary school, and she’s my ride or die. She also loathes my brother, which cracks me up because I believe she’s secretly in love with him. While she pretends she can’t stand his know-it-all attitude, Ryan makes comments about her being beauty and brains. They’re a match made in heaven, but both are in denial.