Bender (The Core Four #1)(25)
I looked down, and that was when I noticed the ice pack resting on his leg. I instinctively went toward him to check on it but stopped short. He was eyeing me like he was wondering what I was doing. Instead I walked in front of the couch and around to the back. I was certain I looked like a crazy person walking random circles in the living room, but I couldn’t play off that I made a move in his direction.
“Just remember to keep the ice on for twenty and off for twenty.”
He glanced at me over his shoulder, a weird look marring his hard features. “I work in the fitness industry, I know how to take care of a pulled muscle.”
He didn’t mean what he said in a snooty tone, but I sighed. “Are you going to be okay?” I asked moving toward the stairs.
He’d turned away to look at the television. “It’s fine, I’m fine. I just need to ice it and work it out.”
“K,” was all I responded with.
I climbed the stairs and started rummaging through my messy closet. Deciding on a light blue maxi dress that I coupled with some flat sandals, I figured it would be the perfect outfit for the park. I didn’t want it to overdressed, but I didn’t want to seem like I didn’t care either. Hopping in the shower, I cleaned every crevice of my body, shaved my legs, and pumiced my feet. I tended to walk around barefoot a lot so the soles of my feet were on the rougher side. When I stepped out, I wrapped my body in a towel and darted across the hall to my room. I hadn’t realized, until I was putting on my makeup and doing my hair, that I was really excited to see Luke. He gave me butterflies. He was also the first person since my high school boyfriend who made me feel pretty.
I styled my hair half up and half down, so it cascaded down my back in long blond waves. The makeup I applied had a natural glow to it. My cheeks were a soft pink, a little mascara was applied on my lashes, and a very light rose-colored lip gloss finished my lips. Looking in the mirror even I had to admit to myself that I looked good. I looked…happy, excited, fresh. Luke was doing this to me. It was nice.
As I walked down the stairs, I breezed past Camden who was in the fridge looking for something to eat. I took a quick peek at him and noticed his nostrils flare slightly. Did he just smell the air?
“There’s some sweet potato soup in the Tupperware on the bottom shelf that I made the other day if you’d like it. It’s healthy so I figured you might want some,” I offered, as I sat down on one of the stool and adjusted my sandals.
Camden was looking at me in such an odd way, but he eventually turned back to the fridge and dug out the bowl. When he lifted the lid, he grunted in what I could only assume was approval. “This doesn’t look half bad. Thanks for offering.”
I snickered. “That’s because it’s not. I can cook, you know. Just because you like to control everything doesn’t mean that others are incapable of making healthy foods for your royal mouth to taste. And…you’re welcome.”
That honestly all came out harsher than I’d intended, but whatever. He regarded me for a few short moments before he continued moving about the kitchen and heating up the leftover soup. While his back was turned to me he said, “You uh, look nice. You goin’ out?”
I gaped at him. Like full on, fish out of water, mouth hanging open, gaped. Did Camden Brooks just compliment me? Now that was a strange concept. And it was one that made me flush from head to toe. I wasn’t even sure if I should acknowledge it, or if we were supposed to pretend that it never happened. I was also a little curious about the tiny butterflies I’d had in my stomach over thoughts of Luke, and how they had now sprouted hummingbird wings and were fluttering so fast that I felt the need to check my pulse. Pay attention Keegan. There was a question associated with his compliment. What was it again? When I brought my head up after fidgeting with the straps of my shoes, I was greeted by that deep chocolate brown color that was becoming all too familiar. His brow rose, reminding me that I still hadn’t answered him.
“Are you going out?” he repeated but in a slower way, annunciating every word.
Snap out of it woman! “Umm, yeah. Luke is coming by to pick me up.”
He was mulling over something. “You two seem to be seeing a lot of each other.”
It was a statement, not a question. I responded anyway. “Yes, we’ve been out a few times.”
The heat of his stare was making me uncomfortable and squirmy. “Hmph.”
What. On. Earth? Just drop it Keegan. Thankfully a knock sounded at the door and saved me from asking. I answered the door and was handed a beautiful bouquet of wild flowers. Luke was beaming. His dusty blue eyes went from my face, down my dress, and back up again. He smiled approvingly.
“You look stunning, as always.” Luke leaned in and kissed me on my cheek.
“Thank you so much. These are gorgeous. Why don’t you come in so I can put them in some water and then we can take off?” I stepped aside and let him in.
Luke stopped short just inside the door and was watching Camden inhale his soup.
“What is Brooks doing here?” Luke asked.
Hadn’t I told him that Camden and I lived together? I thought about it, but the more I jogged my memory, I’d come to realize I hadn’t said anything about it. Oops!
“He lives here. Camden is my roommate.” I pushed inside of the kitchen and started digging for a vase. The quicker I got the flowers in water, the quicker we could leave.