True Colors (The Masks #1)(48)

Shit!

I cleared my throat. “It’s Eric’s, our next door neighbor’s. His mom had a party last night and there wasn’t room for his car, so he asked if he could park here.” I shrugged. “I didn’t see any harm in it, so I said yes.”

Seth looked unconvinced.

“He didn’t want to leave it on the road. Big deal.” I flicked my hand.

Seth’s eyebrow arched, just the way Dad’s did when he didn’t believe me.

I rolled my eyes. “Oh please, as if he’d be here. The guy’s like a God, he barely knows I exist.” My insides thrummed as I mentally begged big brother to believe me. I hoped Mom hadn’t blabbed about Eric taking me hiking.

Crossing my arms, I decided to change tactics and gave my brother a pointed look. “Seth, I’ve got my period, okay?” Surely that would freak him out. He used to hate it when Layla and Holly were so open about that kind of thing. “I’m tired, I’m cranky and I just want to be home alone. Let me enjoy this. Please.”

As I expected, he took an instant step away from me. His hands went into his pockets as he reluctantly sighed. “Alright.”

“I’ll tell Dad you came to check up on me.” Although he didn’t want me to see it, the thought made Seth happy. It didn’t matter how old he was, Seth liked being Mom and Dad’s golden boy.

He walked back to the door and eased it open, turning to look at me. “Call me if you need anything.”

I grinned. “I’m cool, Seth. You go worry about your own girls.”

He left with a snicker.

As soon as the door clicked shut, I tipped my head back with a sigh.

“Who was that?” Eric’s voice made me jump. I spun to face him and noticed his shirtless form coming down the hall. Seriously! Was he trying to torture me?

His jeans sat low on his hips, letting me see the full glory of his carved torso. I wanted to study every contour of his bare skin, but I pulled my eyes away. “It was just my brother checking up on me.”

Eric grimaced. “Does he mind that I’m here?”

“He doesn’t know that you’re here.” I scratched the back of my neck, suddenly feeling awkward. “I told him you parked in our driveway last night because your mom was having a party and there was no space left in yours.”

He looked impressed by my quick thinking, but also really uncomfortable that I’d lied. “Look I can leave. I don’t want you to get in trouble or anything.”

Looking to the floor, I tried not to let his words sting. I knew he was looking out for me, but I really didn’t want him to go...unless he didn’t want to stay. I shrugged, going for nonchalance. “You can leave if you want, but I’d prefer you to stay.”

His eyes lit with a grin as he stepped towards me. “Then I’ll stay.” He kissed my forehead and it took every ounce of willpower not to run my finger down that dip from his chest to his navel.

I curled my fingers into a fist, commanding them to behave.

“Want some breakfast?” I needed something to distract me.

“Sure.” Eric nodded and followed me into the kitchen. We worked in silence, me getting out milk and yoghurt while he chopped up the fresh fruit. I pulled out Mom’s homemade granola and a couple of bowls and we were soon sitting at the kitchen table quietly munching our food. Thankfully, or regrettably, Eric had pulled on a T-shirt before we sat down to eat. The image of his half-naked body was burned into my brain though...and would probably stay there for all eternity.

We ate in comfortable silence...at least Eric looked comfortable, gazing past me at the clear blue sky and looking relaxed. I pushed the cereal around with the tip of my spoon, willing myself to take another mouthful and just forget it. But I couldn’t. I was so used to swallowing down my emotions and just going along to keep people happy, but this was just ridiculous. I didn’t care if this was about to get awkward; I needed to know where I stood.

“Do you not want me?”

Eric jolted with surprise, looking at me as though I’d just sprouted two green antennae.

I closed my eyes with a huff, dropping my spoon into my cereal.

“Sorry. I’m just trying to figure out what happened in my bed this morning. I thought...” I desperately wanted to look at him, to figure out what he might be thinking, but I forced my eyes to remain on the table. I wanted to read him so bad right now. “I must have imagined it.” My voice quivered.

There was a long, painful pause before Eric finally reached for my chin, forcing me to face him.

“Caity.” His eyes were filled with longing. “I had to go and have a cold shower. An ice cold shower.” He looked pained. “This morning was most definitely not about me not wanting you.”

I frowned. “Then what was it about?”

A half smile pushed at his lips as he tipped his head to the side, looking almost bashful. Reaching for my wrist, he gently tugged me towards him and nestled me onto his lap.

“My mother has spent her life jumping into bed with guys before she even knew them. It’s gotten her divorced twice, nearly married three more times after that and I’ve spent years having different guys - some jerks, some really cool - traipse in and out of my life.” He rested his chin on my shoulder. “I don’t want to be like that. If my mom had just managed to control herself, she wouldn’t have ended up with such a mangled heart.”