Hell On the Heart

So let it rain, let it pour, she don't love me anymore,
Just let it come down on me, let it come down on me,
Every word, let it hurt, even more than I deserve

-David Nail

Part XI

She had made up with her father; apologizing for sticking her nose where it didn't belong. She told him Ashton had explained everything to her; and that she wanted to a family again. Her family was everything to her— she would gladly give up anything that got in the way of that. Whether that 'anything' maybe Taylor. She said that because she got the sinking feeling her father wanted her to stay.

He wanted them to be a happy family, all living under the roof as though they were all teenagers. But the reality was Cammie was eighteen, Calvin was twenty one, and Ashton was almost twenty two. Both Calvin and Ashton decided they wanted to go to college, and Cammie would be too at the end of this semester. It just wasn't a reality that they could all live together. But she respected her father for trying to hold on.

Their family was getting along the best since her mother had died. All until two days later when Ashton told her Zach was arriving the next day.

"Tomorrow?" Cammie repeated, looking her brother in the eyes, trying to decide if she had misunderstood.

Ashton nodded. "Yeah."

Cammie blew out a breath and collapsed on the couch, her head absolutely spinning.

Ashton gave her a funny look. "Why are you acting so weird about this? He's a cool guy. You know you actually remind me a lot of him. I'm sure you'd get along great."

"Why does everyone say that?" she exploded, her thoughts spoken aloud without her intention. Ashton was now looking at her as though she were crazy. "What are you talking about?"

She clamped her hand over her mouth. "Nothing," she mumbled. "Sorry."

He didn't look like he believed her. This was her older brother— he knew how to gauge her emotions and feelings. And it didn't help that he somehow figured everything out with the smallest hints. He had a knack for that.

"No, you sound as though you've met him," he said. "Or know someone who's met him."

"Ashton I don't know what you're talking about."

"I'm not stupid Cam, I know what you're thinking. How do you know Zach?"

She shook her head. "I don't."

"You're lying," he replied, his eyes zeroed in on her.

She shrugged and broken eye contact. "Whatever Ashton."

"Cammie tell me."

"I don't have anything to tell you."

"So what will Zach say when he gets here?" he asked. The question took her off guard but she remained calm— she had, after all, been lying to her boyfriend of two and a half years successfully.

Cammie shrugged. "About what?"

"Cammie."

"Ashton quit being weird, I've no idea what you're talking about. I've never met your Zach friend."

Ashton stared at her. "Fine, I believe you."

She knew he didn't really, but at least he'd give her a break for now.

He sat back on the couch and relaxed, flipping on the TV.

About half an hour later he asked, "Cam?" he asked.

She looked up from the magazine she had been completely engrossed in.

"Ya?"

"What color are Zach's eyes?" he asked.

"Green," she answered, then returned her eyes to the magazine.

Ashton was smirking when she finally figured out what he had done.

"So you do know him?" he asked when Cammie's disbelieving eyes met hers.

"You tricked me!"

"That isn't what this is about Cammie," he looked at her evenly. "How do you know Zach?"

Cammie gave him an exasperated look but knew he would back down without knowing. "He's a friend of a friend of mine at boarding school."

Ashton raised an eyebrow.

"He came to visit my friend, and we hung out sometime is all."

"You seem to have a problem with him."

"He's kind of an ass."

Ashton looked as though he was unsure of whether to believe her.

"It's true."

"Nothing happen with you guys?'

She rolled her eyes. "No Ashton."

"Just saying," he said. "Zach has a reputation."

"For what?" she asked, his words obviously sparking more attention. Ashton eyes her warily.

"He gets around."

He saw a flash of anger cross her face but it was gone before he had time process it.

"Cam," he said again. "Did something happen? You can tell me if it did."

She shook her head. "Nothing happened Ashton, honest it didn't."

She felt sick because of her lies. Sure they were massive life changing lies but she still felt guilty. She shouldn't have to lie to him. There was no real reason to. But she had gotten so caught up in lying all the time it came as second nature. And she wouldn't tell him the truth because then he would have known she was lying when he'd asked her point blank. She didn't want his disappointment weighing on her shoulders.

"Fine."

"So he's coming tomorrow?" Cammie asked.

Ashton nodded briefly.

"Great," she muttered.

He eyed her warily. "Cammie."

"What?"

"I don't want you to lie to me," he said, locking eyes with her.

She stopped for a moment, and felt like she was about to spill her guts. She wanted to, just to get everything off her chest. But something told her it wasn't the right time. Then again, there probably was never going to be a right time.

She was still looking him straight in the eye when she said, "I'm not."

And then she walked away as if the whole conversation was completely meaningless to her.

AN: :( Cammei shouldn't be lying to Ashton. What will happen next?
*Zach's in the next chappie.