Chapter Eighteen - Amanda

Amanda stared at the phone long after she’d hung up. Wow. She really needed to get a filter. Most people were used to her bluntness, but she’d never been quite that forward with a guy before. Particularly one she knew wasn’t any good for her. Or at least, that was what she’d been led to believe. Now she wasn’t so sure. Cameron was continually surprising her and challenging her expectations.

Which reminded her—

“Mom?” She went into the other room and discovered the living room mostly decorated.

“Over here,” her mom answered. She was behind the couch, plugging in a string of lights she’d wrapped around the banister. When she stood up, her cheeks were flushed, but she looked happier than she had in a long time. Amanda’s mom decorated for a living, but it was always other people’s houses. There was something about decorating their own home that seemed to put her mom at ease. “Want to help me in the kitchen for a few minutes before you go to bed?”

“Sure,” Amanda said, following her mom to a large box filled with a miniature nativity scene that would be placed in the middle of the kitchen table, in addition to more garland and fake poinsettias.

Her mom handed Amanda a poinsettia, then pointed to the small table that sat by the bay windows. “Mind putting that there for me? Make sure to center it on this.” Her mom handed her a red and green plaid rectangular mat.

Amanda walked over and first placed the mat down, then the poinsettia on top of it. She bent over so she was at eye level with the table while she centered it. Her mom would be able to tell if Amanda had skipped the last step. “Have you had any more time to think about who you want to hire to do the tree and lights this year?” she asked as she straightened up. She hoped the question had sounded casual enough that it wouldn’t spark her mom’s natural curiosity.

“I don’t usually think too much about it,” her mom said, glancing over at Amanda. “I contact Mr. Gilbert over at the community center and he keeps an eye out for someone he thinks would be a good fit.”

“Maybe we could pick someone ourselves this year.” She paused when her mom raised an eyebrow. “I mean, wouldn’t it be more meaningful if we were able to be more involved?”

Amanda’s mom studied her for a moment before saying, “I think that’s a lovely idea. Did you have someone in mind?”

“Well, the thing is…see, there’s this boy at school…”

“Ah, I should have known,” her mom said, her eyes immediately lighting up. Oh, no. Amanda knew that look.

“It’s nothing like that,” Amanda said quickly. “But his dad was laid off at work. I don’t know the details, but I’m pretty sure they could use a little extra money for the holidays.”

Her mom nodded thoughtfully. “You think he could handle as big a job as this? It’s more of a two or three-man job.”

“He’s pretty strong,” Amanda said. “Maybe he could get a friend to help him out.”

“All right. If you’ll give me his name, I’ll make a call.”

Amanda’s stomach sank. Cameron was already so touchy about the money thing, he couldn’t know it was her who had suggested it. “I’d rather if this was done anonymously. Maybe Mr. Gilbert could contact his family?”

Her mom’s lips twitched, like she was trying not to smile. “So, you do like this guy. Is he the one who was over here earlier?”

Busted.

“Please,” Amanda said, evading the question. “His family really does need the money.”

“I’ll call Mr. Gilbert in the morning.”

* * * * *

Amanda was late for school, but at least she made it. Her Jeep had been buried deep, but when the snowplow came during the night, the driver had not only plowed around her vehicle, but it looked like they had used a snow shovel around the tires and scraped the snow and ice off the windows. They had left a note under the windshield wipers that read Hope this helps! If you still can’t get out, give me a call. The driver had left a phone number, but no name.

She wasn’t sure if things like that happened in bigger cities, but she was very grateful for whoever had been driving the snowplow last night. It could have been Sandra’s dad; he sometimes helped out in emergency situations.

At lunch, Amanda asked Sandra about it.

“Nope, my dad never got called out to plow, thank goodness,” Sandra said. “He had already worked a double shift at the hospital, and if he hadn’t gotten some sleep, he probably would have taken out half a dozen cars in the process of trying to help them.”

“You’re lucky you only got stuck,” Gracie said. “My dad was in a three-car pileup when he was trying to get home from work.” The way she said it, it was like it was no big deal.

“Oh, no. Is he all right?” Amanda asked.

“Yeah. It took him a couple of hours to get home, though.”

“And yet they still made us come to school today,” Sandra complained.

“What, for a foot and a half of snow?” Amanda said, sarcasm lacing her words. “We’d need at least a few more inches to get a snow day.”

She had just shoved a forkful of salad into her mouth when she glanced up and saw Cameron at the next table. He was eating with Blair, but even though Blair was talking, Cameron’s attention was on her. She was instantly aware of ranch dressing that had dripped onto her chin and grabbed for a napkin. In her haste, however, she managed to knock over Sandra’s chocolate milk, which landed on Sandra’s plate, soaking her pizza.

“Hey,” Sandra said, leaping from the table.

“I’m so sorry.” Amanda’s cheeks burned with embarrassment as she hurried across the cafeteria to grab a stack of napkins. She’d have to buy Sandra a new slice of pizza while she was at it.

As Amanda took several napkins from the dispenser, someone said, “Let me help you.” Cameron towered over her as he emptied the dispenser of the remaining napkins.

“You think I’m going to need that many?” she asked.

“Judging from the chocolate milk waterfall dripping onto the floor, yeah.” He smiled, but it held kindness. “Why don’t you let me take care of it?” He held his hand out, as if wanting to take the napkins Amanda held.

“You don’t need to clean up my mess.”

“I know.” He didn’t lower his hand.

Amanda gave a small nod. “Okay. I need to hurry over and replace Sandra’s lunch anyway.” She handed her napkins to Cameron, their fingers brushing as she did. It was only a slight touch, but it was enough for her nerves to start exploding like fireworks. Her arm shot back. “Thanks again.” Amanda walked away and jumped back into the lunch line before Cameron could read too much into her reaction.

By the time she returned to the table, it had been wiped clean, Sandra’s lunch had been thrown away, and the bell had rung, indicating lunch was over.

“Aw, man, now you don’t even have time to eat,” Amanda said, handing Sandra the pizza.

“No worries, I’ll just eat on the way to class.” Sandra lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Besides, I didn’t mind watching Cameron wiping down the table, if you know what I mean.”

A wave of jealousy washed over Amanda. Sandra should not be checking Cameron out. But then Amanda realized…why not? He was hot. And it wasn’t like she and Cameron were dating. Or at least, not in real life. The play didn’t count. So why did she feel like he was hers, and off limits to anyone else?

Sandra must have misinterpreted Amanda’s reaction because she said, “I know, I know. He’s the self-centered, cocky jock. I was only looking, promise.”

“That’s more like it,” Amanda said, grateful Sandra hadn’t realized what had actually been going through Amanda’s mind.

“Though if that’s true, I don’t know why he was here cleaning up your mess,” Sandra said.

Amanda turned to grab her backpack and saw Cameron standing directly behind her. His expression wasn’t hard to read. The muscles in his neck bulged and his eyes—they seemed to hold more pain than anger. He spun and walked away before Amanda could stop him. She had only wanted Sandra to think she couldn’t stand Cameron. And now he thought it too. Even after all he’d done for her the past couple of days, he thought she still considered him self-centered.

Amanda needed to fix this.

“Cameron, wait,” she said, grabbing her bag and running after him. She didn’t care who saw.

Cameron turned the corner and disappeared, quickening his steps. When Amanda reached the hallway where he had turned, she didn’t see him. He was gone.

At least they had rehearsal that afternoon. He couldn’t hide from her there.