I smile at her. "I told him only this morning that I'm giving him another chance, so I guess that makes us an item again, yes."
She exhales loudly. "Thank you, dear god," she calls to the heavens, arms thrown up theatrically. "It was an unbearable spectacle."
Thally giggles. "I'm crossing my fingers that this time, it's going to work."
"It is, I am now certain of that. You should have seen him take care of me after the incident with Kieran," I tell them. "Delsin made me stay in bed, served me breakfast, massaged my back ... and did a lot of other things."
"A lot of other things? Does that mean many new positions?" Thally asks with an amused smirk.
My cheeks grow hot. "That, too," I admit shyly.
They both laugh. "Tell us more about that," Hailey demands.
"No way. I'm not going to let you guys be witness to my sex life," I refuse. "That's just between Delsin and me. What we do and how we do it."
They just laugh harder at that.
"You know what? I'm going for a swim now," I announce with a grin and walk over to the pool to jump in. The water has exactly the right temperature, and I enjoy the feel of it as I move up and down the length of the pool. Both my friends watch me lazily.
"It's nice that you have a good time in there, but excuse me, who are you?" a man asks from the edge suddenly.
I swim over to him and look up. "I could ask you the same question," I say and step out of the pool.
He raises his eyebrows. "I'm the owner of this house."
"Oh god, Mister Rough ... I am Camille Brooks, Delsins girlfriend, and he's out getting something secret done, but he allowed me to invite my friends over," I explain sheepishly and hold out my hand.
He seems to look me up and down, seizing me up. Then he takes my hand and shakes it. "That means you are Caramel?"
I nod. "Yes, that's what he calls me. And these are my friends Hailey and Thalia."
He looks at them briefly. "Hi, ladies."
I suddenly feel quite naked in my bikini. And I would have wished to meet his father with Delsin present to introduce me properly.
"Well, Camille, just keep swimming and you enjoy yourselves. I'm going to wait for Delsin inside," he says.
"Thanks, Mister Rough."
"Please call me Devin," he smiles.
I keep nodding and return his smile, feeling awkward. When he turns away and walks into the house, I take a deep breath. Then I go back to my friends and sit down in the deck chair again. "That was awkward," I murmur.
"Delsin's dad is damn hot," Thally remarks.
"And out of your league," I remind her. "I ought to call Delsin. He might want to know that his father arrived." I pick up my phone and dial his number.
"Caramel, what's up?" he greets me.
"I just had an unexpected encounter with your dad. He suddenly appeared at the poolside," I tell him.
"What? My father is there?" he asks, sounding surprised.
"Yes, if his name is Devin Rough and he looks like an older version of you, then it's him."
"Shit," he swears. "I thought he wouldn't be here before tomorrow. I'll be home as soon as I can, okay? Just don't talk to him and stay out of his way until I'm there."
"He went into the house, so don't worry. At first I thought he would throw me out, but he merely told us to enjoy ourselves," I tell him, still a little perplexed.
Delsin sighs. "I'll be there in an hour or two. Love ya, bye."
"Bye."
He hangs up and I smile briefly at the curt endearment.
"What did he say?" Hailey asks.
"He said I shouldn't talk to his dad until he gets here."
"Maybe he wants to protect you from his dad," Thally muses.
"Why would I need to be protected from his father?" I ask, dumbfounded.
"Because he is a goddamn star, and maybe Delsin is afraid his dad will want to screw you?" Hailey jokes.
Thally and I howl with laughter at that. We laugh until our stomachs ache and we gasp for breath.
"I don't think that Devin Rough has the hots for me," I finally gasp.
"The way he was seizing you up, it's entirely possible," Hailey giggles.
"You're crazy," Thally laughs.
We talk about Devin Rough for a while longer, because both of them have seen him in the halfpipe before, while I haven't. Skating has never held any special interest for me, but Hailey and Thally have been to several tournaments with their former boyfriends.
"Miss Brooks?" Mister Rough calls me after a while.
I get up and walk towards the terrace door. "Yes, Mister Rough? I mean, Devin?" I ask when I have stepped into the living room. I'm glad I am no longer dripping wet.
"Did Delsin tell you when he would be home, by any chance?" he wants to know.
"I spoke to him on the phone and he said he might need another hour or two. So ..."
He nods. "Great. So it won't be that long anymore."
"I'll go back to my friends again," I let him know.
"Delsin told you to stay out of my way, didn't he?" Devin smiles.
I blush.
"Yeah, that's what I thought. I don't see him that often, but when he has a girlfriend, he doesn't like to leave her alone with me."
"I don't know why he thought ..." I start to apologize.
"You know you are the nicest girl I've met so far?" Devin asks.
"No, I didn't."
"Delsin's last girlfriend was rather ... different. So I'm glad they're no longer together! Anyway, it’s been a few years now," he tells me.
"I don't know anything about his former girlfriends. But to be honest, I'm not even interested in them anyway."
The front door opens and I can hear footsteps. That must be Delsin. Thank god, I think.
"Caramel?" he calls.
"In the living room," I answer loudly.
He comes in and towards me. After breathing a kiss on my temple, he finally acknowledges his father's presence. "Hi, dad." He holds out his hand.
Devin takes it and pulls Delsin into an embrace. "It's good to see you, Delsin."
"Am I missing a family reunion?" a different voice asks.
I turn my head and see Ave walk in.
"Oh my god!" I squeal and run into his open arms.
Ave lifts me up and whirls me around once. "I couldn't let you have a great time in Texas without me. I couldn't sit around lonely in Miami," he explains with a laugh.
"It is awesome that you came here," I decide when he has set me down again.
"I agree. I can finally get to know your hometown and ... hey, I wouldn't want to miss watching Delsin when he keeps his promise and works on the farm," he chuckles.
"You're going to work with me, right at my side, Ave. I told Camille's mother already," Delsin counters.
"Sneaky bastard," Avery grumbles.
I look at Delsin. "Was that the surprise you were talking about this morning?" I ask.
He nods at me. "Yep."
Then I grab Ave's hand and drag him after me, to the terrace door. "We're spending the day at the pool."
"I'll be with you in a bit," Delsin says and sits down with his father.
"See you soon." I smile at Delsin before I drag Ave out into the sunshine.
"What is Delsin's father doing here?" Ave wants to know.
"I have no idea. He suddenly appeared at the poolside," I say.
Ave whistles. "He rarely shows up where Delsin is. Maybe there's some kind of problem?"
"But maybe he simply wanted to see his son," I reply pensively. "Well, Delsin will find out soon enough."
"Oh my god, Avery!" Hailey squeals and jumps up from her deck chair.
"What's up with her?" he murmurs to me.
"Sexual frustration. Beware of her clutches," I grin.
He takes a quick step backwards to stand behind me. "Hi, Hailey. Hello, Thally," he greets them.
Thally throws us a glance over the rim of her shades. "To be honest, I would have thought you'd be here
earlier."
Ave laughs softly. "Delsin didn't want me to come earlier; he wanted to win Sweetie over first. But now I am here and everything will be alright," he jokes.
I join his laughter. "Weirdo."
"I think I'll go change now, seeing as you are all half-naked. I don't want to be the only one who's fully dressed," he says.
"Just take off your t-shirt and you're done. You're wearing shorts, so that's fine, isn't it?" Hailey suggests, studying him closely.
"I will go change, because I see that I might be needing my chastity belt today," he teases her.
Her face falls and Avery disappears into the house.
Thally and I start to giggle simultaneously.
Hailey blows a strand of hair from her face and sits back down. "How come you all see me as a horny bitch all of a sudden?"
"Because that's what you are?" Thally counters with a leer. I sit down on one of the deck chairs.
"I'm not horny, you little meanies," she pouts.
"Yeah, sure." Thally jeers. "You tried to catch Steve's eye, then you flirted with this George when we were out two days ago, and now you all but jump Ave the moment he shows his face ... So if anyone's horny - or rather, sexually frustrated - then that person is you, my dear Hailey," Thally states in an amused tone.
"Say something, Camille," Hailey demands, but I raise my hands in defense. "I'm going to stay out of this particular discussion."
"Yeah, yeah," Hailey grumbles. She lies back with a pout. "I simply didn't have sex in a long time."
"That doesn't justify throwing yourself at anything male that happens to pass you on the street," Thally says.
"And if you start hitting on Delsin, I'll drown you in this pool with my own hands," I chime in, but not menacingly. I'm only teasing her.
She smiles at me with an innocent look. "One night with Delsin Rough was enough for me; I don't need another one."
"Point taken." I lie back, Thally leafs through her magazine, and Hailey keeps pouting, for joking about it hasn't alleviated her frustration.
"How about hitting the town tonight?" she then asks.
"I think Ave will be too tired. He's had a long trip. But we could go out tomorrow night, or we could have a barbecue tonight, if that's okay with Delsin and Ave," I suggest.
"Do you think it'll be okay with his dad?"
"Maybe we can talk him into it," I say.
"What would be okay or not okay with my dad?" Delsin's deep voice comes from the direction of the house. He saunters over to where we lie.
"That we're having a barbecue tonight, and that the girls stay over," I say.
"But that doesn't help me, Cami," Hailey remarks.
"Alright, then we won't," I say, irritated by now.
"Why don't you want to do it anymore now?" Delsin wants to know and sits down on the end of my deck chair.
"Because Hailey ... wants to go out and find the love of her life," I explain with a giggle.
She throws her small pillow against my head, which only makes me giggle more. "You dumbass. I do not want to find love or anything, I just want to ..."
"... have sex," Thally finishes the sentence for her without looking up from her magazine.
Hailey blushes furiously and we all laugh, we can't help it. If this was a TV cartoon, steam would be coming from her ears now.
Delsin merely looks at her with a raised eyebrow, but he doesn't say anything. Whatever he might say would only embarrass her more.
***
Delsin and Ave have gone shopping. Now I am alone in the house with Devin Rough, but I still stay out of his way. Hailey and Thally have left and are changing and dressing up for tonight. I don't even know why Delsin and Ave thought they needed to go shopping again, because I know we still have groceries galore in the fridge. Maybe Delsin simply needs a little man time after having been around women only for a while. I am sitting on the back terrace with my tablet and read.
"Would you like a beer, too?" Devin's voice distracts me from my e-book.
I raise my eyes. "Thanks, but no, not right now."
"Okay." Then he sits down in a chair next to me. "What are you reading?"
"The Fault in our Stars. A book about a terminally ill girl," I sum up the contents.
"Sounds sad."
"It is indeed, but it is also a beautiful love story," I explain and close the reader app.
Devin is studying me. "For how long have you and Delsin been a couple?"
"In a way, we only became one this morning, but that's a long story," I smile.
The hissing sound of opening the beer bottle echoes awkwardly. He takes a large sip from the bottle. "I have a lot of time to spare."
I take a deep breath. "Actually, I don't think I want to talk about it. Maybe you'd see him in a different light. I don't want to interfere with your father-son-relationship."
"Let me guess: You and Delsin were together, then he did something to screw it up, and you ended it. But then he started to fight for you."
Why do all parents have those sensors that tell them what's going on? I ask myself. "That's the short version, yes."
He nods slowly. "Delsin panics easily, and then he's prone to messing things up, but you shouldn't be too hard on him, given that you're only his second or third girlfriend, Miss Brooks."
"Call me Camille, Mister Rough ... I mean Devin."
"I like that better, to be honest. If you call me Devin, I don't feel quite so old, even though I already have two synthetic knee joints," he smiles.
I giggle. "And you still ride your board with those knee joints?"
"I can't help it. It's one of the few things I'm good at, and skating made me rich. I only hope that Delsin stops competing and concentrates on his studies soon," he sighs.
"Delsin seems rather assiduous in his studies. I mean, he got all his credits without any problems," I tell him. "The only annoying thing is those women who keep throwing themselves at him."
"Are you jealous, Camille?"
I let my eyes roam the yard before I nod. "Yes. We've had a few arguments over that, too. It's really irritating how these girls won't stop their act, despite knowing that he is with me. Delsin is far too popular with the girls," I sigh.
"Like me when I was young. I don't know what Delsin has told you about me, but a lot is only stories his mother told him. I loved Tammy - that is his mother - but then this groupie got in the way ... That woman was chasing after me, even though she knew Tammy and I were together. Well ... she was a scheming bitch, and so she managed to stage a scene that Tammy then stumbled upon. Anyway, Tammy left me because of this, and eight months later, I get a letter saying she had a baby. Delsin. I thought we would have a chance of getting together again, but she had already married someone else. I didn't want to wedge my way into this family, because it was obvious that Delsin had a stepdad who treated him like his own son. I saw my son for the first time when he was three, and I've always been the money man, but nothing more. Only when Delsin got older, we started building something that could be called a relationship. But he doesn't really trust me," Devin tells me. "Now that he is twenty-three, I am still trying to show him that I want to be his dad."
"And he doesn't let you?" I ask.
"Not really, no. He told me that he was in Austin, so I came here hoping I could spend some time with him. But he refused me."
"I'm sorry," I say. It makes me sad that Delsin won't give his father a real chance. "But Delsin told me that you're both rarely interested in what the other one in doing."
Devin shakes his head. "So far, Delsin has blocked every attempt on my part. Maybe he'll let me be part of his life some day." Then he leans close. "It would be nice if I were invited to your wedding, in case you're going to tie the knot at some point. Will you promise me that?"
I stare back at him with wide eyes. My mouth opens and shuts again. Our wedding? Delsin and me ... getting married? What? "Um ... yeah, if that day should come, I'll take care of sending you an invitation," I stammer.
/>
His rolling laughter vibrates in my ears and I smile shyly. "You're really sweet, Camille. I'm glad Delsin has found such a nice girl."
Okay, now my cheeks must be flaming red. "Thank you, Devin."
Chapter 14
My birthday is approaching and by now, we are all back in Miami. After the college in Austin did not accept my application, mom and dad insisted that I finish my studies here, and I am okay with that now, because I want to be with Delsin.
Hailey has become virtually settled, ever since she met this guy Logan at a bar. She stopped going out with all kinds of guys, and instead is trying to have a long-distance relationship with him. He seems to be nice, but I haven't seen him more than twice, so I cannot really tell yet. All I can say is that he's not my type. He is blond and has a beard, both no-gos for me, but his hairstyle is cool. His hair is on the longish side and he had it combed back when I met him. That was eight weeks ago. And by now, I am finally certain that I really love Delsin. The realization came slowly. To my surprise, Delsin enjoyed working on the farm, once we got back there. I can still see him unload the hay for the horses with Steve. Delsin wearing jeans, boots and a Stetson, no shirt; now that was an awesome sight. With every passing day, he had a more certain place in my heart, and he kept showing me that he meant what he said, that I was the most important person to him. And he deleted all the phone numbers of his former escapades.
Today I spent the day on the beach with Thally. It was nice, but also far too hot for my taste. Late in the afternoon, we drove home because we both felt that some of our fellow students were annoying. Once we came home, we showered and dressed up, because we want to celebrate tonight. After all, my teenage years are coming to the end at midnight. I want to leave stuff from the past behind when I start a new decade. I know I can trust Delsin, and I know he would go to the ends of the world for me. Tonight, at midnight, I plan on telling him what I feel for him. I want to say the three magic words, want to tell him that I now know I really do love him.
"Are you ready, Cami?" Thally interrupts my thoughts.
I look at myself in the mirror before I look at her. "If you let me come like this, then yes, I am ready."
She looks me up and down. "Red neckholder dress, black heeled sandals, hot hairstyle. Looks good, so I guess I can take you," she grins.
Rough: Daunting Temptation (Coral Gables Series Book 1) Page 20
