All the Pretty Lies Read online

  Trying to shake it off, I turn, taking two steps at a time as I climb onto the front porch of my own cabin. I reach for the doorknob, my hand pausing when I see a sock dangling on the knob. Knowing what that means, I drop my hand and step back.

  “Well, fuck,” I grumble.

  “A sock on the door. Are you fucking serious?” I spin around to see Tripp and Camila at the bottom of the steps.

  “What’s that mean?” Camila asks.

  “It means that Brock and April are fucking and we can’t go inside.”

  “That’s what I thought.” She giggles.

  “They better wrap it the fuck up soon. I’m exhausted.”

  “You guys can crash with us,” Camila offers. “We have an extra bed and since she’s in there.” She points to the cabin. “April’s bed is free too.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Tripp wastes no time heading for the cabin next to ours.

  I hesitate for a moment before climbing off the front porch and following the two next door.

  CHAPTER TEN

  POPPY

  “WHAT THE HELL?” I STEP out of the bathroom after brushing my teeth and changing into my pajamas to see Camila, Tripp, and Callum all standing inside the cabin. “What are you guys doing?”

  “Your friend took over our cabin so we’re crashing in yours,” Tripp announces, climbing into the top bunk above Camila’s.

  “Come again?”

  “Brock and April. They put a sock on the door,” Callum explains.

  “People actually do that?” I crinkle my nose.

  “Well, I’m guessing after the way you interrupted them last night they didn’t want to take any chances.”

  I give Callum a pointed stare. I’m embarrassed enough about what happened last night. Puking all over the floor while my best friend and one of the most popular guys in school were getting it on was obviously not one of my finer moments. I certainly don’t need him reminding me.

  “So what?” I question after a long moment. “It’s your cabin too. Just go inside and tell them to wrap it up.”

  “No can do.” Tripp’s head appears from the top bunk. “Everybody knows that when there’s a sock on the door, you do not go inside. Bro code.”

  “Bro code.” I look at him like he has five heads.

  “Yep. Afraid it’s unbreakable.” Callum shrugs, pulling my gaze back to him for a moment.

  “I’m gonna go get changed.” Camila gives me a smile and wink as she squeezes past me and into the bathroom.

  “Whatever,” I grumble, knowing there’s not much I can do about it. I’d be lying if I said having Callum sleeping in the same cabin as me didn’t excite me a little. But after tonight and spending time with Ethan, I feel more focused than ever.

  I’ve explained away my feelings where Callum is concerned as nothing more than it feels nice to have someone pay me the kind of attention he’s paid me over the last couple of days. I’m sure I’d get a little swept away no matter who it was. It’s hard not to when someone is behaving as if their world begins and ends with you.

  But it’s not real. A fact I’d do good to remember going forward. Though it’s nearly impossible. Because sometimes, when he looks at me, it feels real. As ridiculous as that sounds. Guess it just goes to show what a good actor he is. Clearly I need some work.

  Without a word, I pass Callum and climb into my bunk. As I reach down to grab my blanket, the bed dips next to me.

  “What are you doing?” I whisper hiss, trying to stay quiet as to not be overhead by Tripp.

  “Getting into bed,” he says like it should be obvious.

  “Um, your bed is up there.” I point to the bunk above mine.

  “No, that’s April’s bed.”

  “And? Isn’t she in your cabin?”

  “At the moment, but I don’t want to risk her coming back here in the middle of the night and freaking out when she finds a random dude sleeping in her bed.”

  “One, you aren’t a random dude. And two, there’s little chance she’s coming back here tonight. So why don’t you go ahead and sleep in her bunk?”

  “Nah.” He squeezes in next to me, his legs so long he has to bend them to fit into the bed comfortably.

  “Callum,” I start to object when he reaches up and tugs me down so that we’re laying on our sides facing each other, our noses inches apart.

  “We’re together, remember?” he quietly reminds me. “People might think it’s weird if I opt to sleep in a bunk alone instead of in the one with my girlfriend.”

  “Tripp is sleeping in his own bed,” I point out.

  “Tripp and Camila are fucking, not dating. That’s different.”

  “How is that different?”

  “It just is.” He half shrugs. “When you’re fucking, you don’t care about snuggling. When you’re dating, you do.”

  “Is that so?” I arch a brow, not completely convinced by his logic.

  “Just do me a favor and try to relax.” He grins but I barely catch it given the dim lighting of the room.

  The bathroom door opens and right as I’m about to lift my head to look back at Camila, Callum leans in and kisses me. I freeze, uncertain how to respond. Do I kiss him back?

  It’s one thing when we’re purposely putting on a show. But this? This feels way more intimate than that.

  Before I can really even react, Callum pulls back.

  “Come here.” He tugs me in closer, his arm going around my waist as I rest my head on his bicep.

  I try to mentally talk myself down.

  It’s just for show.

  It’s just for show.

  It’s just for show.

  But if that’s the case, why does it feel so good?

  “You’re so tense,” he murmurs into my hair. The room goes darker when Camila flips off the bedside lamp and climbs into her bed. “It’s not like we haven’t shared a bed before.”

  “Yeah, when we were like ten. That’s way different,” I whisper.

  “Not really.” His lips press against my forehead. “Okay, maybe a little. But it’s nice.”

  “Nice?” I question.

  “Yeah.” He readjusts, the arm I’m lying on coming up to wrap around my shoulders.

  He’s completely engulfing me. I can feel him everywhere. Smell nothing but him. It’s overwhelming and honestly, a little frightening. Though I’m not sure I really understand why.

  Clearly, I’m struggling to compartmentalize my feelings.

  I shake off the thought and focus on Ethan. On the way he smiled at me as he showed me how to put a worm on a hook. On the way he touched me as he was teaching me how to cast my line. On how I kept catching him staring at me as I stood there, looking out at the water, waiting for a tug on the line that would tell me I had a bite.

  He’s never looked at me like that before. Sure, he’s smiled and maybe even flirted a little, but this was completely different.

  I squeeze my eyes tighter and try to keep my thoughts there, but it’s damn near impossible to do with Callum wrapped around me. The feel of his heartbeat against my hand resting on his chest. The warmth of his breath in my hair. The way his fingers move ever so slightly against my shoulder blade, stroking my skin.

  I’m really not sure what game he’s playing at this point, but whatever it is, he’s a pro. So much so that I’m wondering if maybe I’m the one being played and not the one playing everyone else with this ruse Callum cooked up.

  My mind continues to spiral as I lay, cramped on this tiny twin mattress with a guy that up until a few days ago, I couldn’t even tolerate enough to look at.

  It’s crazy how quickly things can change.

  I relax slightly as Callum’s breathing evens out and his body goes completely slack. I pull back, opening my eyes to look at his sleeping face. Camila didn’t shut the bathroom light off, so I can see him well enough to study him while no one is looking.

  He’s beautiful. Which is not a word I would use to typically describe someone like Callum Hanson
. Gorgeous. Sexy. Arrogantly hot. Those would be more appropriate. But right now, beautiful is the one word that seems to fit the most.

  There’s something to be said about watching a person as they sleep. Watching them in their most peaceful and relaxed form. It’s like the façade fades away and you can see who they really are. And what I see makes me think things I most certainly should not be thinking.

  I close my eyes again, the weight of my eyelids too heavy to peel back open once they’re shut.

  IT’S HOT. TOO HOT. My eyes flutter open and land on Callum who’s still asleep. His arm is draped over my middle and one of his legs is thrown over top of mine. I swear his body heat feels suffocating yet oddly comforting at the same time.

  I attempt to scoot out from under his hold but his arm tightens around me and he tugs me closer.

  “Five more minutes, P,” he murmurs, his voice thick with sleep.

  I tilt my head, verifying that Tripp and Camila are still sleeping before turning back to him.

  “I need to go to the bathroom.” I wiggle against his hold.

  “You can go in five minutes.”

  “Callum,” I groan. “I really need to go.”

  His grip on me doesn’t loosen. In fact, it grows tighter. And while I really do need to use the restroom, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying this a little bit.

  Though it does confuse me.

  There’s no one to put on a show for. No one awake to see what we’re doing. He should be eager to let me get up. So why is he acting like it’s the last thing he wants to do?

  Deciding there’s no point in fighting him, as I probably couldn’t escape even if I tried, I relax into his embrace and give myself a few moments to enjoy his nearness. I know I shouldn’t. I know this is only a game and that letting myself feel anything for Callum is something I will surely regret. But I can’t help it. As much as I try to tell myself that I feel nothing, the truth is I feel so much more than nothing.

  I have to convince myself that these confused feelings are only a product of what we’re doing and that once it’s over, I’ll snap back to reality, but it’s hard to wrap my head around. This was a bad idea. I should have known myself well enough to know I couldn’t go through with this without getting my heart involved.

  Because even though I’ve spent the last four years trying to convince myself and everyone else that I hate Callum Hanson, it was never the truth. I wanted to hate him. I tried to hate him. But despite my best efforts, I could never quite seem to muster the emotion.

  He was my best friend for my entire childhood. My first crush. The boy who used to make me feel on top of the world with a simple smile. Feelings like that don’t go away, no matter how deeply you bury them. I knew all of this and yet I still agreed to this ludicrous plan. I should have known it wouldn’t take long for all those feelings to resurface. For the memories to flood back in. For me to remember why he meant so much to me once upon a time.

  My stomach turns on itself and unease slides through me.

  “Let me up, Callum.” I place my hands on his chest and push back.

  “It hasn’t been five minutes.” I can hear the smile in his voice.

  “It doesn’t matter. My bladder is growing impatient.”

  “Fine,” he grumbles, kissing me on the forehead before releasing his hold on me. I waste no time rolling out of the bed, glancing behind me moments later as I slip into the bathroom to see Callum on his back, his arms propped behind his head, his eyes locked on me.

  My skin heats.

  Quickly closing the door, I make quick work of using the restroom before washing my hands and splashing a little water on my face. When I finally glance up and catch sight of my reflection in the mirror, I cringe.

  My hair is wild, knotted and flipped out in all different directions. My cheeks are flushed. And even though I washed my make-up off last night, there’s still a tiny bit remaining under my eyes.

  Grabbing a make-up removing wipe, I gently stroke the black smears away, tossing it into the trashcan before picking up my toothbrush and slathering it with as much toothpaste as it will hold.

  I brush my teeth for longer than is necessary, then spend even more time brushing out my hair. I’m stalling. I know it. But to be honest, I’m nervous to go back out into that room.

  I would guess at least ten minutes have passed when I finally get up enough nerve to leave the bathroom. When I do, I’m surprised to see Callum sitting up, his legs dangling over the side of the mattress.

  “Took you long enough.” He grins at me.

  “I had to brush my teeth and wash my face.” I shrug, crossing the small room before stopping in front of my suitcase. Leaning down, I flip the lid open and start rummaging inside for something to wear.

  “Shorts and a tank,” he tells me.

  I glance back to see him watching me. “Shorts and a tank?”

  “We’re going to hike some of the trails today.”

  “We are?” I arch a brow at him.

  “Ethan invited us, remember?”

  I don’t know how I had forgotten, but now that he mentions it, I do remember him saying something about it right before we left.

  “Oh, that’s right. Well, he said if Heidi was feeling better.”

  “My money is she’s feeling just fine. She probably drank too much yesterday afternoon. Did you see her and her friends yesterday on the beach? They were throwing back shots before noon.”

  “I must have missed that.”

  “You really are the most unobservant person I’ve ever met.”

  “Shut up. I am not.” I grab a pair of cutoff jean shorts and a navy tank out of my suitcase. Deciding to wear a bathing suit underneath in case we hit the lake after, I pull out a white one piece and drape it over my arm.

  “Why the hell are you two up so early?” Tripp’s voice pulls my attention to the other side of the room as his head pops up over the railing of the top bunk.

  “It’s after nine,” I tell him.

  “Exactly.” He collapses back down on a loud sigh.

  “Go get changed.” Callum’s voice is lower this time. “We can head next door so I can get ready as soon as you’re done. I would hope by now the coast is clear.” He grins, reminding me of why he was here to begin with.

  I’m not sure if I want to tit punch April for that one or give her a big hug. I’m kind of undecided at the moment.

  “Okay.” I nod, turning to head back into the bathroom.

  “IT’S HOT OUT THIS MORNING,” I observe as I follow Callum next door to his cabin. “You sure you want to go hiking? It’s so muggy.”

  He stops on the front porch just shy of the door and turns toward me.

  “We’ve gained some momentum. We don’t want to lose it now.”

  “Right.” I shuffle my feet, not sure why I’m so hesitant to agree. “Well, it looks like the sock is gone.” I gesture toward the door.

  “Thank fuck.” He blows out a breath, turning to push the door open moments later. It swings open with a loud creak, the sun pouring inside the otherwise dim cabin.

  Callum waits until I follow him inside before kicking the door. It closes on a loud thud, jarring the front wall of the cabin.

  “What the fuck?” I look to my left to see Ethan shoot up in the top bunk, nearly knocking his head against the ceiling. His sleepy gaze goes from Callum to me, then back to Callum.

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you,” Callum says in a way that says that’s exactly what he meant to do. Though I’m not sure it was Ethan he was trying to wake up so much as it was April and Brock.

  “What time is it?”

  “Like nine-thirty,” Callum answers before I can.

  “Shit.” Ethan rubs his eyes with the backs of his hands. “I gotta get up. I’m supposed to meet Heidi this morning.”

  “Yeah, we’re gonna join you, if that’s still cool.” Callum wraps his arm over my shoulders.

  “Yeah, of course.” He stretches his arms, twisting his b
ody from side to side. “Where’d you sleep last night?”

  “Crashed with Poppy. Fuckers had a sock on the door when we got back last night.”

  “They put a sock on the door?” He chokes back a laugh as he glances to the other set of bunks.

  My gaze follows his and I spot April and Brock sound asleep, their limbs tangled together. It doesn’t surprise me that neither of them stirred. April has always slept like the dead. Seems like Brock might be just as deep of a sleeper.

  “Fuck yeah they did.” Callum snorts.

  “That’s low.”

  “I’m guessing it was gone by the time you got back up here.”

  “Yeah, we were down at the dock until like four-thirty.”

  “You feel up to hiking on less than five hours of sleep?”

  “I’ll be fine.” He kicks his feet over the edge, positioning them on the ladder. He takes two steps then jumps down to the floor.

  “Okay, cool. Well, I’m just gonna get changed. Okay if Poppy hangs out here with you?”

  My stomach clenches.

  “Yeah, fine by me.” Ethan’s gaze comes to mine, a lazy smile tugging at his lips.

  “Okay.” Callum kisses my temple. “I’ll be ready in five.”

  “Okay.” I shuffle from one foot to the other, feeling a bit out of place as he turns and disappears inside the bathroom.

  “So...” Ethan runs a hand through his messy hair.

  “So...” I look around the room.

  “You and Callum seem to be getting kind of serious.”

  “Well, it’s only been like four days.” I shrug indifferently.

  “A lot can happen in four days. Especially when you spend pretty much every waking moment together.”

  “I assume you’re talking about you and Heidi.”

  “Yes and no.”

  I don’t pretend to know what that means.

  “You really like her.” It’s a statement, not a question.

  “I wouldn’t say I really like her. She’s fun and we’re having a good time together but...” He hesitates.

  “But what?”