Page 26 of Flawless

Of course, he made sure I was the last person he dropped off.

“I’ve been hearing a lot about you and the cop online,” he said, pulling into a visitor parking spot in my lot. “Is it serious?”

“He’s a Sheriff,” I corrected, knowing full well Dean probably already knew that. “We haven’t known each other long. But I like him, a lot. And he seems to feel the same way.” I knew Cam felt the same way about me, but I didn’t want to take anything for granted where he was concerned.

“Yeah, but he lives there and you live here. Not to mention his career and yours. So, how serious can it get, right?” He smirked. “He’s not part of our world, Rylee.”

“Maybe he’s not part of the music world, but I do want him to be part of my world. So, we’ll see how it goes. Like I said, we’re just getting to know each other. We’ll have to see if we can make the long-distance thing work.” I wanted it to, more than I’d wanted anything in a long time, but a lot would depend on how much Cam wanted it to work, and whether he could handle the travel my career demanded.

“Wouldn’t it just be easier,” he said, shifting in his seat to face me. “To be with someone who gets it? Someone who can travel with you, who loves all the same things you do⁠—”

I raised my hand. “Uh Dean, if this is about us getting back together, that’s not going to happen. Even if Cam wasn’t in the picture, you and I ended things for a reason. And honestly, we’re better off as friends.”

I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but I’d always been blunt. And I was fearless when it came to shutting guys down.

“You keep saying that, but⁠—”

My phone rang and when Eden’s name flashed across my screen, I knew I’d much rather talk to my boyfriend’s sister than my ex. “I’m so sorry, I have to take this. Thanks for the ride, Dean. See you around.” I didn’t even wait for him to object, before I jumped out of his SUV and swiped the screen to connect Eden.

“Hey, girl. Didn’t get enough of me tonight?” I teased.

We’d just seen each other at the party.

“I heard you were going home with Dean, and wanted to make sure you made it home safely.”

Since Eden had just been abducted by a guy in our industry, we all thought we could trust, I didn’t blame her for being extra cautious.

“You’re sweet to worry, but there’s no need.” I swiped my key fob to gain access to the inner lobby of my building before I said, “Dean’s persistent, but he’s not crazy.”

“Ugh, he is persistent, isn’t he? He told Austin tonight that he wouldn’t be surprised if y’all were back together by the time you hit the road again.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, that’s not happening. And I just made that crystal clear to him.” I punched the elevator button to take me to my top floor apartment. “But how are you doing, Eden? I know we got to chat tonight, but I didn’t want to get into anything too heavy with all those people around.”

If not for Austin and Cam coming to her rescue, I hated to think about what could have happened to my friend.

“I’m doing okay. I’m seeing a therapist to deal with the nightmares and all. It’ll take time, but thank God I have Austin. He makes me feel safe. I know he’d never let anything bad happen to me again.”

I envied what Eden had found with Austin. They’d been high school sweethearts who lost their chance when she married someone else. But after her husband’s death, she got her second chance with the guy who got away. Her producer, her writing partner, and now her life partner. In my mind, it didn’t get much better than that.

“Guys like that aren’t easy to find,” Eden said, slowly. “You know, the kind that put you first, and make you feel secure and protected. I know, as strong women, we’re supposed to be able to look after ourselves, and we can, but there’s nothing better than doing life with someone who makes you feel like you don’t have to do it all alone.”

Cam had already given me a small taste of that and I found myself craving more.

“If that’s your not-so-subtle way of telling me your brother would be that kind of guy, I’ve already figured that out.” I unlocked my door and dropped my clutch purse and keys on the entry table while kicking off my high heels.

Eden squealed. “I love you and my brother together! When I heard you were going home with Dean tonight, and he made it seem like y’all were getting back together, I was so bummed. That’s why I had to call. To check on you, of course, but to see if Dean was just blowing smoke.”

“Just wishful thinking on his part,” I assured her, sinking down on my sofa. “The only guy I’m interested in right now is Cam, I promise you.”

“I’m glad.” I could tell she was weighing her words carefully before she said, “I don’t know how much my brother has told you about his last relationship⁠—”

“I know the bitch cheated on him.”

“Yeah, she did.” She sighed. “And she really did a number on him. It seriously messed him up.”

I hated that Cam had been so broken up over a woman who clearly didn’t deserve him. But if he’d taken it that hard he must have really loved her.

So, was he really over her, or just trying to convince me and himself that he was?