Before You (Before You #1)(56)

“What do you mean she’s connected to the record label?” Bre questioned.

“Her uncle works there. He introduced us… I mean he introduced her to the band. I guess she’s a big fan of our music,” Cam answered, wiping his mouth with a white linen napkin.

“That sounds reasonable, Jax, and it is only one night. If it becomes too tedious for you to talk to her, you can leave her with me. I’ll hang out with her. I don’t mind. I’ve encountered all types of people in the art world. I can talk to anybody for a hour or so.”

“That sounds like a great idea. Cam, don’t you agree? I think Anna and Bre will have plenty of things to talk about. Now that I think about it, I think they have a lot in common. We should sit them right next to each other. Who knows? By the end of the night, they could be best friends. This night is becoming more and more appealing every minute. Should we make a toast to exploring new friendships?” Jax raised his beer bottle and tipped it toward Cam.

“Jax, don’t be an ass. You promised to help me. The band needs you to do this.”

Bre sensed an underlying tension at the table and neither Cam nor Jax spoke for what seemed like several minutes.

“Fine, Cam. I don’t know about the band needing this, but I’ll do it. This is the last time, though. Don’t ask again.”

“Right. I got your message loud and clear. Just pay attention to Anna tonight and everything will be fine. She likes you.”

“You think? I’m not so sure about that because I’m pretty sure she’s hung up on one person, and that person isn’t me. You want to talk about that, because I would be happy to discuss who Anna likes.” Jax used the table to push his chair away, his body tense.

“Jax, back off. This discussion is over,” Cam said, gritting his teeth.

“Whatever you say, Cam. I’ll make sure Anna enjoys herself tonight.” A trace of a smile edged with contempt rather than humor lingered on his lips.

An uncomfortable silence settled between them, only to be broken a few minutes later by the ringing of Cam’s phone. He pulled it out of his pocket and sighed. “I have to get this. I’ll be right back.”

Bre watched Cam walk to the edge of the restaurant patio to answer his phone. He looked like he was arguing with someone and he ran his hands through his hair repeatedly. After a few minutes, he put his phone in the front pocket of his black jeans and walked back toward the table. “Hey,” he smiled. “I’m sorry, but something came up again and I need to cut lunch short. Do you want to stay and eat with Jax or we can get something to go, and I’ll drop you off at my house on my way?”

Bre tried to smile reassuringly at Cam, but she couldn’t keep the irritation from her voice. “Can’t you finish lunch and take care of whatever it is after lunch? We’ll be done in less than an hour. It can’t be that urgent.”

“I’m sorry,” Cam said tersely. “It can’t wait. There’s a scheduling conflict that I need to discuss in person.”

“It’s always something.” She didn’t want to sound petulant, but she couldn’t help it. Cam always promised to spend time with her and it never happened. It was the same old story. Cam had something to do and she was left alone with Jax. She was getting sick and tired being second to anything and everything else in Cam’s life. When would she ever be his first priority? Never seemed like a realistic answer.

“Bre, seriously. I’m not doing this right now. I’ll see you back at the house in a couple hours.” Cam turned to look at Jax. “Can you get Bre home?”

“I always do.”

Cam turned to leave without saying goodbye to Bre. She watched him walk out of the restaurant without turning to look back or acknowledge her. He had already forgotten about her. Feeling Jax’s eyes on her, she absently played with her glass, refusing to look at him. She hated that he witnessed yet another careless dismissal by Cam.

He slowly rose out of his chair across the table and sat down next to her in the chair Cam had just vacated, casually stretching one arm along the back of her chair. She flinched, feeling his proximity to her body, but she didn’t want him to move his hand. He was too appealing for her peace of mind.

Afraid she would see pity in his eyes, she refused to look at him. She couldn’t stand the thought of him consoling her over yet another Cam disappearance. But even worse than him consoling her again would be seeing an I told you so look on his face. Concentrating on reading the menu, she ignored him.

Jax pulled the menu out of her hands and he turned her chin, forcing her to look at him. He leaned forward, his eyes imprisoning her. The gesture was surprisingly intimate, and she swallowed nervously before jerking her face away from his hands.

“I guess I could say I warned you that Cam would be this way, but—”

“Jax, I don’t want to talk about it. It’s none of your business.” Pushing her chair back, she stood up. “I’m ready to go. I’m not hungry.”

“Bre, sit down,” Jax said, grabbing her hand and pulling her back into her chair. “I’m not going to gloat. I want you to be happy. I don’t want to talk about Cam or us for that matter. Let’s sit here and have lunch like two friends and then we’ll take a cab back to Cam’s house. I want you to be happy.”

“I want to be alone. I’m not in the mood to deal with all this crap right now.” Bre pressed the palms of her hands against her eyes.