For Now (Forever Book 1) (10 page)

Camden

              Girls either talk incredibly loud or the walls at this hotel are paper-thin. As soon as Jackson and I got into our hotel room, we hear Amy telling Elaina to spill it and Karen shouts, “What?”

              It’s quiet for a few seconds before I hear Elaina start to tell them everything. I cringe remembering that Jackson is standing right next to me and can probably hear everything too. I slowly turn my head to look at him and see that he is listening. We’re quiet for a few minutes; eavesdropping. I suppress a smile; Elaina thinks that she is lucky, but I’m the lucky one. The girls seem to be happy for her.

              Jackson looks at me. “If you hurt her, you’ll have me to answer to too.”

              I hide another smile and reply, “I understand. I’m happy she has such a good guy looking out for her.”

              “She does seem to be happier tonight then when I’ve talked to her in the past few weeks. Don’t do that to her again. When you two weren’t talking, I could tell she was sad.”

              I look him in the eyes. “I promise. I only backed off because I thought it was best, but we were both miserable. Want to order some room service and a movie?” I ask, changing the subject.

              “Sure.”             

**********

              Karen, Amy and Jackson left this morning and I can tell that Elaina is already missing them. To cheer her up, I ask Elaina to show me around Des Moines. Up until she moved to Chicago, she came her with her parents for a few days every summer. 

              After seeing the State Capital, she takes me to a cafe in downtown Des Moines.

              “Favorite movie genera?” I ask once we are sitting down. We have been firing questions back and forth all morning.

              “Comedy,” she says, “What about you?”

              “Horror,” I respond.

              “Why would you want to watch a horror movie instead of a movie that can make you laugh?”

              “I just like it. I guess I’ll have to find some good horror movies to watch with you and show you how good they are.”

              She shakes her head. “I always get so scared watching them.”

              “Then I guess you’ll have to stay close to me, so I can protect you.”

              “You are so corny,” she laughs, but she smiles and I can tell she likes the idea.

              The waitress comes to take our order and we both lean back a bit. I didn’t notice until now that we were both bent over the table close to each other.

              After we order, I decide to talk to her about last night. “So, uh, you know the walls in the hotel are thin. Jackson and I heard you girls talking.”

              Her face turns bright red and she puts her head in her hands. “Oh my god, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to tell them. Amy noticed before the show, in the tour bus, that I didn’t change my shoes and she got suspicious. They won‘t say anything, I promise.”

              I reach for her hand, but pull back. “I’m not mad, I know that they wouldn’t say anything. They’re your family. They are right though, we need to be more cautious. Being around each other is okay, no one would question that, but we just need to keep some distance in front of people.” I lean in and whisper, “Later tonight in your room is another story.” I smile at her blush.

              We spend an hour and a half eating and talking.

              “I like Jackson,” I say.

              “I can tell he likes you too. The last guy I went on a date with, had no interest in getting to know him. That date ended early with a call from Amy faking an emergency.”

              I laugh. “I knew it, you girls really do that.”

              “Oh please, I’m sure you guys do that for your friends all the time. I‘m usually the one doing it for Amy. That was the only time, she ever had to do that for me.”

              “He threatened me you know.”

              “Who?” She asks with surprise.

              “Jackson. He told me that I would have to answer to him if I hurt you.”

              She smiles and replies, “He’s tough; you should be scared.”

              “Oh, I am.”

**********

              The guys decided to have dinner tonight at the hotel. Elaina is currently sitting next to Ryder and he’s holding her hand on top of the table. I keep catching myself glaring at their joined hands. I know that it’s just for show since our waiter seems to have recognized them and have taken a few pictures when he didn’t think any of us were paying attention. I should be happy because the media response has been positive and that will my make life easier with my dad, but reading articles about what a perfect couple they are, makes me grind my teeth.

              “What’s up with you?” Caleb asks, eyeing me.

              “Nothing, it’s just been a long day,” I lie.

              “Dude, you’re too serious, you need to live a little,” Ryder comments trying to grab the waiter’s attention. “Bring these two a couple of shots of your best tequila,” he says pointing at me and then at Elaina.

              “Why me?” she asks.

              “You seem to be a little tense tonight, I thought you could loosen up a little too.”

              When the waiter brings our shots, I pick up one of mine. It might help with this unnecessary jealousy that I’m feeling. I raise it to Elaina, she shrugs and picks up her shot; we clink glasses then swallow our drinks in one gulp.

              I think we are both probably at about six shots each, the guys are done eating and deicide that they want to go to the hotel’s bar.

              “I can’t possible drink anymore. I think I need to go bed,” she giggles.

              “Mike, can you please go with the guys and keep an eye on things? I’m going to make sure Elaina makes it to her room, then I need to answer a few emails from my dad.”

              Elaina’s still giggling as I take her arm and lead her towards the elevators. When we get to her door, she takes my hand and smiles at me and runs her hand through her hair.

              “Do you want to come in?” she asks, looking up at me through her long lashes.

              I pin her against the door with my body and lean down to whisper in her ear, “You have no idea how bad I want to be alone with you right now.”

              In under thirty seconds, I have us through the door and have her up against the wall. My mouth is devouring hers and my hands are helping her wrap her long, sexy legs around my waist. The soft little moans coming out of her mouth are driving me crazy.

              “The bed. Please,” she tells me and I am more than happy to comply.

              As her head hits the pillow, I hear a knock then a voice. It’s like a bucket of cold water. My dad is outside my room next door knocking.
What the hell is he doing here?

              “Oh God. I’m never going to get you alone.”

              “What is going on? Who’s that?” she asks.

              “That would be my father. I have to go find out why he’s here.”

              Her eyes widen in fear. “But won’t he be suspicious that you are coming out of my room?”

              “No I’ll just tell him what I told the guys. I’ll tell him that I got you to your room safely and made sure you had everything that you needed.” I kiss her temple and reluctantly leave her bed. I grab her key on my way out the door.

              “Hey Dad. What you are you doing here?” I ask when I see him standing outside of my door typing a message into his phone.

              “Where were you? Who’s room is that?” he asks.

              “Elaina’s. Ryder bought her a few too many drinks at dinner tonight, so I brought her up to her room and made sure she was fine before leaving her.”

              “Thank you. I’ll let your mom know that you’re taking care of her, so I can stop hearing about ‘the poor girl who has to put up with those immature boys’. Where are the guys?”

              “They went to the bar downstairs.”

              “You really need to be with him when he goes out.” He doesn’t even have to say his name for me to know that he is talking about Ryder. “And what if someone sees him out without Elaina. That could look like a boyfriend getting a little wild while his girlfriend is away.”

              “I was planning to go down to the bar now that I know that Elaina’s safely in her room,” I lie. “As far as Elaina not being there, just spin it like this; she is a trusting girlfriend because he has changed and she thinks that he should get a night out with his friends.”

              “That’s good. Maybe you should’ve gone into PR. I can’t wait to meet this girl. From the pictures in the paper, maybe Ryder has finally found someone that can actually tame him.”

              Instinctively, my fingers tighten into a fist. I clear my throat, trying to give myself a few seconds to calm down. “I’m glad that it looks that way. I don’t think that is going to happen though. He has asked her out a few times, but she isn’t interested. I really don’t think he wants anything more than a little fun with her anyways.”

              “Damn, I was hoping that something would come of this.”

              “What brings you to Iowa, Dad?” I need to get off the subject of Ryder and Elaina.

              “I wanted to meet Ellie and see how things are going. Your mother and Isabel insisted on coming with me, they’re in our suite now. We were going to come last week, but your sister was sick. Also, I wanted to let Ryder know the good news, the guy that he beat is going to drop the changes, he agreed to a settlement.”

              We make our way downstairs to the bar and meet up with the guys. Thank God that worked. He doesn’t seem to suspect anything. But damn it, if he hadn’t show up her tonight, I would be in Elaina’s bed with her right now.

Elaina

              When I wake in the morning, I feel like I was hit by a semi. The sun is too bright and it feels like there is a jackhammer going off inside my head. I start to move the blankets up over my head and I hear Cam’s soft chuckle.

              I open my eyes just wide enough to see that he’s sitting on the edge of my bed with a glass of water in his hands. He’s looking down at me with a small smile.

              “How are you feeling today?” he asks.

              “Like I want to die,” I grumble. ‘I’m going to kill Ryder the next time I see him.”

              “I’m sorry,” he whispers helping me sit up, then handing me the glass of water. I take it eagerly and take several large drinks and swallow some pills that he hands me.

              “Thank you. So what happened last night after you left here?”

              “I was able to convince my dad that I was just escorting you to your room and we had to go down to the bar with Ryder. My mom and my sister, Isabel are here too, they’re excited to meet you. They want to have brunch with you up in their suite. I can tell them no, if you don’t feel well enough yet. They would understand.”

              “No, I’d like to meet them. Can you give me twenty minutes to try to look presentable?”

              “You already look beautiful.”

              I roll my eyes as I get out of bed and head towards the bathroom.

              I know that I need to hurry to get ready, but the shower just can’t be rushed. With every minute under the warm spray, I’m feeling a little more like myself.

              Twenty minutes later, we’re leaving my room and getting on the elevator to head to brunch with Cam’s family. Now that the jackhammer has stopped beating away at my brain, I’m able to think. I’m getting very nervous about meeting Cam’s family. Though I suppose, it isn’t like meeting a boyfriend’s family because in their eyes I am just friends with their son. What are they going to think when this is all over and Cam and I are together?

              Cam reaches for my hand then thinks better of it and pulls away. “You seem nervous.”

              “Is it that obvious? I just don’t know what to expect.”

              “They’ll love you. Listen,” he says using his fingers to tilt my chin up, so I’ll meet his eyes, “I’m not sure exactly what will happen after this tour, but we will be together. And they will be happy for us. We just can’t let them know yet.”

              We’re now standing outside a door and Cam knocks without taking his eyes off of me.

              “Camden!” a beautiful older women with short blond hair, exclaims as she opens the door, “I’ve missed you so much. I haven’t heard from you much lately.” She pulls him in for a hug and he rolls his eyes before kissing her cheek.

              “I missed you too, Mom.” Then turning to look at me, he says, “Mom, this is Elaina. Elaina, this is my mom, Beverly.”

              “Elaina, I have heard so much about you. It’s great to meet you. I really hope that these boys are treating you right,” she says as she pulls me in for a hug as well.

              I smile. “You can call me Ellie. It’s nice to meet you too. The guys have been nice. Cam’s been wonderful helping me with everything.”

              She smiles at her son and pats his cheek. “I’m glad I taught you some manners.”

              Just then, an older version on Cam walks in to the room. He has the same shade of dark brown hair, though his is shorter, and the same ocean blue eyes. He’s followed by a girl about my age who’s absolutely beautiful. She has long dark hair and the same green eyes that her mother has and the same pouty lips.              

              “You must be Elaina, I’m Mitch, Ryder’s manager. This is Isabel, my daughter.”

              “Hello, you can call me Ellie. It’s nice to meet you,” I say shaking his outstretched hand.

              “Tell us about yourself,” Beverly says linking her arm through mine and leading me towards the table. I’ve never been in a hotel suite before, but this one seems to be exceptionally big. “I didn’t know what you like to eat, so I got a variety.” On a cart by the table there’s a feast.

              “Well, I just graduated with a degree in education and until I can find a teaching job, I work at my aunt’s neighborhood bar in Chicago. Though, I’m originally from Iowa.”

              “What do your parents do?”

              “My mother was a stay at home mom then went back to teaching when we were older. My father was a vet.” I’m a still a little weary talking about them.

              “So,” Cam says, coming to my rescue, “How long are you planning on staying?”

              “Your mother and I are leaving tomorrow from Minneapolis, but Isabel is going to stay a few more days.”

              “Cam, don’t interrupt,” his mother scolds, “Ellie was just telling us about herself.”

              “Oh, it is okay, there’s not really much to tell. I moved to Chicago nine years ago and I’ve been there ever since. I’m having an amazing time traveling and seeing the country. Before moving to Chicago, I had never left Iowa.”

              “Why did you move to Chicago?” Isabel asks.

              “Elaina, you don’t have to…” Cam starts to say.

              “No, Cam, it’s okay,” I realize that I will hopefully be around these people a lot since I’m seeing their son, so it would be better to get this over with. Cam reaches under the table and holds my hand to give me comfort. “I lost my parents and brother nine years ago and had to move to Chicago to live with my mom’s best friend and her son.”

              “Oh god, I’m so sorry,” Beverly whispers. She has unshed tears pooling in her eyes. “We had no idea.”

              “It’s okay. My Aunt Karen has given me a good life, she’s amazing.”

              “And her cousin, Jackson’s a huge fan of Line 9 and really fun.”

              “You just missed them actually. I was getting home sick, so Cam surprised me and flew Karen, Jackson and my best friend, Amy here for the show.”

              “Awww, Cam, you can be nice,” his sister says. Cam shoves her arm playfully.

              “Cam has been a great friend. You guys should be proud of him, he’s a hard worker and a wonderful person.” I look over at Cam and he’s smiling, but blushing a little.

              “Hey,” says Isabel, “I need to get some air. Do you want to go out on the balcony with me?”

              I look over to Cam, confused. Is she trying to give Cam alone time with his parents or get me alone? He just shrugs, so I turn to her and nod my head.

              Once we’re outside, she turns to me and asks, “So… is there anything going on with you and Ryder? I heard my mom talking to him on the phone about him asking you out.”

              I shake my head. “No, he did ask me out and I went on one real date with him, but I don’t think he actually likes me. I think it is just because I’m convenient and the only girl he can be seen with.”

              “Oh, I was just wondering.”

              “I can tell that he’s a nice guy, just maybe not ready to settle down yet.”

              “He really is a good guy. He doesn’t like to show it to people, but he has a sensitive side. One day at recess, a boy pushed me off the monkey bars and called me names because I was taking too long, Cam and Ryder saw the whole thing. Cam immediately started beating the kid up, but Ryder helped me to a bench, put his arms around me and made sure that I was okay. I was so embarrassed, but he told me that it wasn’t my fault, the kid is just a jerk. He spent that Saturday afternoon helping me on the monkey bars. I could do them faster than any kid in my class after that.”

              “That’s sweet. I wish he would show that side more often,”

              She nods her head and sighs.