Sweet Cheeks (2 page)

“Are you off for the day now, dear?”

I scowl behind Mrs Winter's back, she just interrupted one of my best fantasy day dreams. Then I turn with the nicest smile plastered on my face. She is so annoying, but I don’t let my annoyance show. Never reveal your true colors to anyone. They just use it against you. I learnt that lesson a long time ago.

“Oh, yes, if that’s alright. The last batch are in the oven. Should be ready in twenty minutes.”

“Okay, dear. Thanks. Go put your feet up.”

She’s always saying that.  She’s the old lady, not me. She’s so clichéd, bleached white hair, done up in a tight bun, comfy shoes on her tiny feet, always wearing floral, oversized dresses. She could seriously do with an extreme makeover. And anyway, I don’t need to put my feet up. Unless I’m kicking them up in some crazy dance move. Oh, I should get Cam to take me dancing again. He’d probably bring
Her
along. She can’t dance for nuts. She drives me nuts, watching her clumsy ass. Bad idea. Maybe I can con this newcomer, what’s his name again? Tannie? Or is it Banner? Whatever, I could do with a date. Not like I care if I’m seen with a geek. And it’s not that I’m desperate or anything. Because I’m not. I could get a hot date if I wanted one, it’s just that all the good looking, worthwhile guys, have gone away to college. Where I should have gone.

Stupid parents.

My parents left town a couple of years ago. They went bankrupt. We lost our house, our car, my college fund and all my beautiful things. I hate them for it. I lost my life. I lost everything and everyone. Except Cam. The only good thing to come out of all that. I lived with my grandma for a while, refusing to move with my parents. I like this town. I like how it’s small and neat, and I like being around people I’ve grown up with. Grandma died last year and I was at a loss for somewhere to stay, until Cam’s mom invited me to use their spare room, and I’ve been there ever since.

Well, she kind of invited me. I sort of played the,
woe is me fiddle
, a bit, and it didn’t take much for her to offer. So it was bliss. Bliss waking up to Cam every morning. I always made sure I got up at the crack of dawn to make him breakfast, or sometimes I’d go into town to the bakery to buy him hot cinnamon rolls, his favourite. That’s when I scored the job with Mrs Winters. She was impressed with the way I could be so chipper at five in the morning, and thought I’d do well in baking seeing as I asked her a million questions every time I went in there. Not that I did that on purpose or anything.

I make my way out the door, my Gucci bag clutched in my hands. I didn’t lose everything precious. I made sure I kept a few nice things. And my Gucci bag was not getting taken. I’m still wearing my Jimmy Choo heels too. I love heels. I love the way they make my legs look even longer, and I love the stares I get from guys as I walk by. As soon as I get home I take them off, though. The extra weight from Treasure Pot makes it a bit hard on my feet.

Before
She
came back, Cam use to rub them. God his hands were magic. Just him touching my feet was better than anything I’ve ever had with anyone else. Sex included. The mind boggles at just how good he’d be in bed. I never got to find out though. Thought I might for a while, but now with Treasure Pot and
Her
back again, my chances are getting slimmer. I don’t lose hope though. I know she might slip up. I can’t wait to be there when she does. Cam won’t take her back a second time, I’m sure of that. I know how hurt and cut up he was the first time. I never thought he’d get over her. To go through that a second time would literally kill him, and I have no intention of letting that happen. He could be happy with me, I’m sure of it.

I smile at that thought as I make my way down the street to my car. I only bought it a few months ago. Dad must have got the guilts, because he gave me some of grandma’s inheritance. It wasn’t much, but enough to buy my four year old, little red beetle. I love it. It’s so me. I had one in High School. A newer model, but this one has a sunroof, which the other one never had. I squeeze into the front seat, turn my keys in the ignition and Adele pumps out. Cam bought a stereo on eBay for a bargain price and installed it for my Christmas present.

I sing along as I do the fifteen minute drive to Cam’s place. When I pull up I see a truck in the drive. I wonder if Cam’s borrowed someone else’s truck. It’s a nice new black one and looks expensive. Not sure if Cam has many rich friends, but I shrug and get out. I’ve brought home a batch of the new cookies for him, which I juggle in one hand while I unlock the door and go in.

“Cam, you home?” I call out.

No answer. I hear music in the distance and think he must be outside working. He often does that. Works in the back shed for hours. He’s so dedicated and creative.

I tiptoe to his mom’s bathroom, grabbing my towel and bath salts along the way. At least when he comes back in I’ll be smelling all lovely. And maybe, just maybe, he might run into me.
Wouldn’t that be tragic?
I picture myself baking in my towel, and him finding me in the kitchen, in his dusty, sweaty clothes. Which he’d have to take off, of course. Oh what a treat to take a hot bath with that gorgeous image swimming around in my brain. I sink down into the warm bubbles and close my eyes. Hmmmm my Cam fantasies are the best …

Cold. I’m really, really cold. Shit. I fell asleep.  The water is like ice, and it’s dark. I get up as quick as I can, minding my oversized stomach.

“Sorry Treasure Pot,” I say to my belly. “I hope you’re still cosy warm in there, cause Mama is freezing her ass off out here.”

My lips are trembling. Man, I’m cold. I wrap the huge fluffy white towel around my torso and start to warm up a bit.  I jump up and down, trying to get my panties on under my towel. I figure I’ll put the rest of my clothes on in my room, where it’s warmer. Opening the bathroom door, then the bedroom door, I’m about to make the twenty second sprint across the hall, when the door to the kitchen opens and a tall, scorching hot guy, appears.

Holy shit!
Where did he come from?

He looks like he just stepped out of my latest romance novel. Literally. I’m not kidding. His hair is short, really short, like he’s shaved it all off a month ago and it's just starting to grow back. I couldn’t say what color it is, but it’s dark. There’s a light growth of stubble on his face. Yummy stubble. I could picture that stubble rubbing up against my neck and cheeks and  ... other places. Wow. His eyes are green and so pretty. Long lashes, gorgeous high cheek bones. And the piece of resistance, a rocking body. He’s strong looking, but not Mr Universe disgusting—my muscles are bigger than my head—kind of look. He’s proportioned just right, in all the right places.

Oh my
.
I think drool just came out of my mouth.

Who the hell are you, and how did you get into my house, Mr Hot Fantasy come true man?

Not that I care or anything, with his hotness he can pull up a chair and stay as long as he likes.

Then he frowns at me.
Okay.
I think I should be frowning at him. He’s in my house. Or alright, he’s in Cam’s mom’s house, but that’s beside the point.

“Jennifer. Jennifer Jaimeson,” he spits out, like he’s blaspheming or something.

Hang on, how does he know who I am?

“And you are?” I ask, and make sure my towel is wrapped snug and tight. He might be a peeper. A hot peeper, but you never know these days.

“Tanning.”

Tanning?

No way. This can't be the Tanning I remember.

“Yeah, right,” I say, and let out a haughty laugh . “You must be his friend or something, because there’s no way you’re him.”

He crosses his arms and frowns deeper, looking even more pissed. “And why’s that?”

“Well, I mean. I mean ... look at you. You’re all ... you know.”

God, could my mouth run away with anymore rambling nonsense. I don’t ever remember acting like a bumbling idiot in front of a guy before.

Sorry Treasure Pot, mama might be getting a fever. I’ll make the hot man go away so we can get some clothes on.

I don’t really want to make him go away, he’s very nice to look at. But Treasure Pot comes first in all things.

“I’m all what?” he asks, and stands like a mountain waiting for me to reply.

“I don’t know. You’re all different. Now I have to get dressed, I’m freezing.”

He blinks at that comment, like he hasn’t realized my lips are blue and I’m only dressed in a towel. Funny, most guys would have noticed that first.

“Oh, right. Sure,” he mutters, and turns to go back towards the kitchen.

I race to my room and look for the warmest piece of clothing I own. My sweat pants and my top grandma knitted. I usually only wear it when I know no one is going to see me. It has a picture of a big panda bear on it. I love it. Grandma always called me her little panda bear. She loved them, had pictures of panda’s all over her house. I groan, I don't look my best, but it will keep Treasure Pot and me warm and that’s what counts. I can’t get sick.

After brushing through my wet tangles of blonde hair, and putting on some make- up I go out to the kitchen. Cam’s there, with Bailey and Tannie, or Tanning. Yeah, Tanning, that’s it. I think I might remember his name now. I’ll certainly remember his rocking hot body and those beautiful green eyes.

“Hey everyone,” I say all cheery. Because I am cheery. Well most of the time.

Bailey grunts at me. The usual response, but Cam's eyes light up and he smiles at me, staring at my panda sweater.

“Well look at you. All cosy. Nice sweater.”

“Thanks. Grandma made it.”

Cam’s been blocking my view of the new guy and I’m hoping he gets out of the way. Wow, that’s a first wanting to look at someone else when Cam’s right in front of me. That never happens.

Cam looks at me a little curiously, and I tilt my head and mouth,
What?
so only he can see.

He shakes his head and a smile twitches at his lips. “JJ, you remember Tanning.”

Then he moves, and I get to see the glorious sight again. Man, he’s even hotter. The hall is dimly lit, but in here it’s bright, and I can see him so well in all his Tanning glory.

“Yeah. We um ... met,” I say and give a small smile. I’m not ever shy, and I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I can’t seem to find anything else to say. I take a seat on the couch and rub over my stomach. That makes me feel better. Treasure Pot always makes me feel better.

Bailey is asking Tanning about his building apprenticeship, and I tune in to what he’s telling her. Apparently he’s taking leave from the construction company he works for in Chicago, to figure out which engineering degree he wants to do, and plans to stay home for a month to figure it out. His parents are getting their house fumigated so he needed a place to crash for a few nights.

I wish I could talk to him like she is. I hate her even more right now, if that’s even possible. Though, if I could twist it to make it look like she’s into Tanning, then maybe Cam might come back to me. That’s an idea. Although I tried that idea a few times in High School, by spreading rumours about her cheating on Cam. It never worked. Cam always believed the best about Bailey. He could never see her faults. I wish I could take his rose colored glasses off, so he'd see the real her.

Cam comes over and sits next to me. He presses his hand on my belly and I smile at him. “How’s, Treasure Pot?” he asks.

God he's so beautiful. His blue eyes are sparkling with so much kindness and warmth.

“Doing just fine. He’s been a bit quiet today. He’s only just started moving, the cold bath probably stirred him up.”

“Cold bath?”

“Yeah. I kinda fell asleep in the bath.”

“Jesus, JJ, that can be real dangerous. You need to be more careful.”

Bailey comes over and Cam drags her onto his knee. Perfect. I really need those two cuddling in my face right now.

“What’s dangerous,” she asks, and she actually looks at me with a bit of concern.

Interesting.

“JJ falling asleep in the bath.”

I shrug. “I’ve done it hundreds of times. It’s fine. Not like I’ll drown or anything. It’s only two feet of water.”

“You can drown in a puddle of water,” a deep voice interrupts, and I look up to see Tanning making his way over to us with a beer in hand.

“Yeah, see. No more baths,” Cam says, and I pout. I like baths.

Bailey smiles at him. “Jenny probably needs a bath after being on her feet all day, and it can’t hurt the baby as long as the water’s not too hot.”

I turn and frown at her.
What made her an expert on babies all of a sudden?

Cam must think the same as he looks at her strangely. “Yeah. You learn that at school or something?”

“I doubt it,” I chime in. “We never learnt about babies, except how to stop having one. So, where
did
you hear that?” I ask, and smile.

Bailey narrows her eyes, like I shouldn’t be asking that question. This is getting more interesting.

“I um ... I don’t know, saw it on Dr Phil one day,” she says, and distracts Cam by kissing his neck.