Shades of Deception

by Amanda Meadows

  “So, you're vouching that this girl isn't planning anything bad for me or you? That she's just blowing off steam?”

  Amber glared at him.

  “I said I had things under control. Which is the whole point of this conversation. Somehow, you and Hunter are under the impression that I need to be babied.”

  “Bullshit!” Caleb's face darkened.

  “Look, I know you think that Hunter was a jerk for not telling you about the takeout being on an account. But did you consider that maybe he did it on my behalf? And that he had to figure a way to accept your money without you feeling like your contribution meant nothing?”

  “But only my money is in the drawer,” Amber said. “Not yours.”

  “Because I have a prior arrangement with Hunter,” Caleb said, his eyes dangerous.

  “Which is?” Amber demanded. She immediately regretted asking.

  She held a hand over her stupid mouth. What was wrong with her tonight? Everything she did and said was inappropriate.

  Caleb looked hurt, but he stayed silent.

  “I'm so sorry! That is totally none of my business, Caleb. I'm running off at the mouth and I should just shut up.”

  Caleb studied her for a minute. He took several deep breaths and slowly relaxed. Finally, he gave her a cautious grin.

  “Does that mean I get to eat without getting beat up?”

  “That can be arranged." Amber smiled, relieved to know that the tension between them was gone, at least for now.

  She waited until Caleb had started eating before she asked the question that puzzled her the most.

  “What was he going to do with the money?”

  Caleb looked uncomfortable.

  “Maybe you should ask Hunter.” He shifted and then seemed to make a decision.

  “If it makes you feel any better, Hunter doesn't make it a habit to talk about you with me. I know he can be a controlling ass, but he would never do anything to hurt you.”

  Amber sighed and put her fork down.

  “I know! I know! I must seem like a maniac. It's just that I've never been able to rely on anyone before. It's really hard when you've had only yourself to depend on.”

  Caleb held out a hand and touched her arm.

  “Look, Amber, I get it. More than you can imagine. But you really have to figure out who your real friends are. You don't have to face all your problems alone. Let us help you.”

  Amber finished her meal in silence. Now that her anger was spent, she was surprised to discover how hungry she was. She looked up and saw that Caleb was watching her with a relieved look. He looked away quickly, as though guilty.

  “What?”

  “Um . . . Nothing really.”

  Amber smiled sweetly. “Caleb, don't make me hurt you again.”

  “Aw, come on, Amber. Don't even joke about that anymore. My leg still hurts.”

  “Oh, don't be a baby! Let me see.”

  But when Caleb pulled up his pant leg, Amber gasped and put a hand over her mouth.

  “Oh, Caleb! I feel terrible! That is going to be one nasty bruise.”

  Caleb winced. “Don't worry. I'll be fine. Just be available the next time I need a bodyguard.”

  Amber felt sick. “Seriously, Caleb, I've never intentionally hurt someone before. At least not anyone who didn't fully deserve it. You must think I'm a monster.”

  Caleb took her by the shoulders and looked her in the eyes.

  “Look, Amber. I'm a big boy and I've been in a lot of big boy fights. I've broken a few bones and shattered a few noses. I've gotten plenty of my share of lumps.”

  He shook her shoulders lightly.

  “Seriously, I'm fine. I should have never made the assumption that you were a weakling. That was one of my first lessons growing up. I'm embarrassed I let you get in that first shot.”

  He grinned and released her, heading for his room. Then he turned suddenly.

  “If anyone asks, I whacked my leg on the coffee table. I'd never live this down at the gym.”

  Amber washed up the few dishes and put away the remaining takeout leftovers. She would leave Caleb a note asking for a grocery list. She could get the things after her shift ended.

  She checked the time. Already after eight o'clock. If it wasn't after three in the morning in Paris, she would have been tempted to call Hunter. He was lucky that the two Lebas children slept in the room next to his. If not, she would have at least sent him a stream of texts. Instead, she finished her write-ups for art class and worked on her history notes.

  As she climbed into bed, she started to think about what Caleb said about her keeping things from Hunter. Would he feel obligated to say something to Hunter? Ugh! Hunter would explode if he thought that she was keeping something important from him. But she had everything under control. There was no need to involve Hunter. Was there?

  Sighing, Amber got out of bed, determined to make Caleb promise to keep the texts from Hannah a secret. But when she tiptoed to his door, his lights were already out. She padded back to bed. But now she was wide awake. Ugh! She went to get her laptop, unable to control her curiosity any longer. Had Kayla sent another e-mail? She knew she shouldn't even be looking, especially when she had to get up so early the next morning.

  Damn! There was another one. “Wish You Were Here!” Amber clicked the e-mail. Up popped another photograph. Clenching her teeth, she clicked open the file. This one was different. Kayla stood in front of a small café, holding a newspaper and pointing to something on it with one of her scarlet fingernails. Swallowing hard, Amber enlarged the photograph until she could see the date of the French paper, Le Monde. She had to translate the date using Google, but at last she had it.

  Okay, that was weird. Christmas Day. Why had Kayla sent a picture of herself in Paris on Christmas Day? Suddenly, Amber grinned. If Kayla thought that sending her a photograph on Christmas Day from Paris was going to upset her, then she had no idea that Hunter had flown here. And if she didn't know that, then wasn't that clear evidence that she and her mother had no contact with them?

  Yeah, you might have had a nice little dinner in a café, Amber thought smugly. But I had Hunter in bed. Take that you bitch! Shoving aside her laptop, Amber crawled into her covers and snuggled with Hunter's pillow.

  Chapter 5

  Amber woke up early the next morning because she was working a full day shift. When she finished showering, Caleb was already at the table eating a plate of French toast.

  “Did I miss that in the freezer?” Amber asked, her mouth watering.

  “Nope! I just made it. I made you some as well.” Caleb grinned and motioned to the top of the stove.

  “I found half a pint of cream in the fridge that was still good and we had two eggs left.”

  Amber took the plate off the warmer and sat down next to Caleb.

  “I thought all the bread was gone,” she said, slathering the toast with butter and syrup.

  “Fortunately for you, Hunter hates the end pieces from the loaves of bread. I won't let him throw them away and they get shoved to the back of the fridge.”

  Amber had a sudden inspiration.

  “Wait a second! Don't eat that last bite just yet.”

  Grabbing her phone, she scooted her own plate next to Caleb's and took a selfie highlighting the two of them with forks raised in front of the French toast.

  “What's that all about?” Caleb asked. “Can I finish now?”

  “Go ahead. I'm just sending proof to Hunter that we're not starving ourselves.”

  Caleb nodded appreciatively. “Good idea! By the way, I started on a grocery list. I'll finish it before I come by at five.”

  “Sounds good,” Amber murmured.

  She typed out her text to Hunter and attached the photo.

  Amber: Newsflash – Caleb shows survival skills and produces bountiful breakfast!

  After she finished brushing her teeth and grabbing her purse to head out the door, she noticed the return text from Hunter.

&nbs
p; Hunter: Newsflash – Responsible roommates do not need to rely on survival skills.

  Amber snarled at the phone. When it buzzed again, she almost didn't check.

  Hunter: I dreamed about you all last night.

  Amber softened. Ugh! She couldn't stay mad at him when he said stuff like that.

  Amber: I hate when you are not in bed when I wake up.

  Hunter: Have a great day at work!

  Amber: You too!

  Hunter: Are you in the car? I don't want you to be late.

  Amber ran out the door and hurried down the steps. Caleb was already in the driver seat of the Range Rover when she slid in the passenger side. As soon as he backed out of the driveway, she texted Hunter back.

  Amber: Caleb driving me now.

  Hunter: Hmm . . . Took you almost two minutes to respond. I take it Caleb was waiting on you?

  Amber: Don't ruin the good moment you had going.

  Hunter: Sorry. I just know you so well.

  Amber: I never said you were right.

  Hunter: Ha! Ha! But you didn't deny it.

  Amber: So I deny things?

  Hunter: I'm going to stop before I get in trouble. I have a meeting in five minutes anyway.

  Amber: Goodbye then.

  Hunter: Later, baby.

  Caleb tapped on the wheel with his fingers as he waited for a traffic light.

  “How's our friendly control freak this morning?”

  Amber laughed. “In a remarkably good mood. Apparently, the photograph of French toast brought up good memories for him. He was actually warm and fuzzy.”

  Caleb chuckled. “If that's the case, I'll be making a lot more French toast in the future. A happy Hunter means a happy Caleb.”

  Amber hopped out of the car when Caleb pulled up to the loading zone in front of the store.

  “See you this afternoon! Have fun at the camera shop.”

  Caleb waved as he drove off.

  As she walked in, Amber realized she was actually early. Remembering that she hadn't had any food to pack a lunch, she walked to the deli section to have a sandwich made. She purchased a couple of bottles of water and a box of animal crackers to go with it. See, she wanted to tell Hunter. I can be responsible.

  No one was in the break room. Amber laid out her purchases and took a photograph. She couldn't resist sending Hunter one more text message, even though she knew he was in a meeting and wouldn't be able to respond right away.

  Amber: Humble, responsible roommate purchases lunch ahead of time.

  She attached the photograph and hit send before putting everything back in the plastic bag and sticking it in the fridge. She used a store sticker to write her name and put it prominently on the bag. Anything unlabeled in the fridge was considered fair game for other employees.

  Amber was stuffing her purse in her locker when she heard a buzz indicating she had a message. She swiftly pulled out her phone and grinned. Hunter had sent her a smiley face. That in itself was hilarious as Hunter wasn't a fan of emoticons. But she resisted the urge to text back. He should be paying attention to his meeting. And she was going to be late if she didn't leave the break room right now.

  In the middle of the day, Amber found herself bored out of her mind. It was a slow afternoon and her particular register was at the far side of the main entrance. She was grateful when she got a small line of customers.

  “Amber! Hi!”

  Amber looked up with surprise to see Megan in her line. She gave her blue-eyed classmate a smile before helping bag the last bit of an elderly woman's order.

  Finally it was Megan's turn and Amber rang up a huge pile of cheap noodles, a half gallon of milk, and a box of cereal.

  “I didn't realize you were staying on campus during break,” she said. “I would have had you over for dinner.”

  “I work most nights,” Megan said, shrugging. She reached up to pull back a strand of coppery hair from her face.

  “What about tonight? Are you free?” She quickly put Megan's purchases in a bag while her friend searched for the correct change.

  Megan smiled and Amber noted again how pretty the girl was.

  “Are you sure? Your roommate wouldn't mind?"

  Amber smiled. “Not at all. Caleb's a nice guy. It would be fun.”

  “Should I bring anything?” Megan moved out of the way of the next customer.

  “Nope. I'll call you a bit later with details about when we'll eat.”

  Amber waved at Megan and turned to her next customer. When she clocked out at the end of her shift, she found Caleb waiting outside the break room.

  “Hey, I hope you don't mind, but I invited a classmate over for dinner.”

  Caleb grimaced. “Please tell me it's a girl. The control freak would go berserk if it was a guy. I'd be risking a matching bruise on my other shin.”

  “At least you would have matching legs,” Amber teased. “But, seriously, it's a girl.”

  She took him by the shoulders. “But I'm warning you right now not to take advantage of her. She's not a candidate for girlfriend of the week club.”

  Caleb gaped at her. “Girlfriend of the week club?”

  Oops! She hadn't meant to say it like that.

  “Well, really, Caleb. What do you expect people to think? We never see a girl more than once or twice and then she gets replaced.”

  Caleb blushed. “It isn't like that. I mean . . . Okay, so maybe I have a hard time finding the right girl.”

  Amber smirked. “Out of all those girls, there hasn't been even one that met your strict qualifications?”

  Caleb folded his arms across his chest. “Okay, I know I seem like a player but, honestly, most of these girls are the ones coming on to me.”

  “And, of course you can't disappoint them without bringing them home at least once,” Amber said, her voice light.

  Caleb bit his lip and sighed. “Look. I would love to have a great girl like you. Hunter really lucked out meeting you.”

  He shrugged. “You just don't understand. Some of those girls just want a good time. If the right girl ever comes along, then I'll change my evil ways.”

  Amber laughed.

  “I'm not attacking you, Caleb. Most of those girls seem to be airheads."

  She smiled and patted his shoulder. “But Megan is not an airhead. So behave yourself.”

  Caleb smiled. “I'm intrigued. What does she look like?”

  Amber walked over and grabbed an abandoned empty cart. Pulling her shopping list from her purse, she started down the aisle.

  “I'm warning you, Caleb. You hurt her and I'll hurt you.”

  “Point well taken.” Caleb increased his stride to catch up with her.

  "Do you want me to cook dinner tonight?”

  Amber stopped and put her hands on her hips. She frowned.

  “Are you saying I'm not a very good cook?”

  “Did I say that?” Caleb winced. “Keep your little ninja feet on the ground. Your cooking is . . . um . . . okay.”

  Amber laughed. “I'm just kidding. I'd be the first to admit that I'm not the best cook in the world. I don't think I'm going to make a very domestic wife.”

  Caleb considered Amber a moment and shrugged his shoulders.

  “Lucky for you, Hunter likes takeout. Actually, he can cook decently when he feels like it.”

  Amber pretended to be interested in a can of tomato sauce. This sudden talk about relationships and marriage, even if hypothetical, made her feel a bit weird. It brought up her encounter with Kayla. Who was she kidding? Could Hunter ever accept her with her past? For now, yes. But for marriage?

  “So I was thinking that I could do a nice chicken braised in wine sauce,” Caleb was saying beside her.

  Amber forced herself to pay attention.

  “Braised chicken in wine sauce? Sounds fabulous. Are you sure you're not trying to show off for Megan?”

  “I don't even know what Megan looks like because little ninja doubts my integrity.”

  Amber l
aughed. “You'll see soon enough. What time shall I have her come over?”

  Caleb checked the time on his phone.

  “Have her come by at six. We can get some appetizers together by then and I'll have the chicken ready for the oven.”

  Amber pushed the cart down the aisle.

  “We'd better get a move on then. We still have a good bit to get for our regular shopping list.”

  Chapter 6

  Once they returned home, Amber put away groceries while Caleb prepped for dinner. Amber watched in amazement as he quickly sliced onions, carrots, and peppers with precision. She knew he could make breakfast items like French toast. But she had never seen him put together a whole meal. Who would have thought that a boy with muscles like that would be so at home in the kitchen?

  “Um . . . Did you spend time in a cooking school?”

  Caleb looked up and grinned.

  “Mom taught me when I was just a kid. I always helped out because she was so tired when she got home from work.”

  Amber smiled. “Your mom is really great.”

  She studied Caleb, seeing him in a new light. “You've been a really good son.”

  Caleb simply smiled back. “She did everything for me. I'll always look out for her.”

  “Well, I'll have to thank her for cultivating such a good chef. If I had known, I would have pestered you before now to make dinner.”

  Caleb laughed. “This isn't going to be a new thing, you know. I'll be back to my lazy ways soon enough.”

  Amber finished putting the last of the groceries away.

  “So, what should I be doing in the way of appetizers?”

  She smiled slyly. “This may be your one and only time to get to boss me around.”

  Caleb merely checked the time and pointed.

  “There's a platter in that cabinet you can use for cheese and crackers. We'll keep it simple.”

  Amber got to work, slicing cheese, and arranging crackers on the platter. She found a nice bowl for the dark cluster of grapes Caleb had chosen. She put everything on the coffee table.

  She was setting the table in the kitchen when there was a knock on the door.

  “I'll get it,” she said, seeing that Caleb was heating a pan over the gas burner.