Down London Road

rejection to the suggestion. ‘We’ve only been dating a month.’
    ‘How did you meet?’ Ellie asked. I wasn’t surprised. Ellie was a hopeless romantic and looked for a love story wherever she could.
    My stomach flipped unpleasantly as I thought of Cam and Becca creating a love story together.
    What was wrong with me? I was with Malcolm and Cam was a bloody pain in the butt.
    ‘A party a friend hosted.’
    ‘You must get on well, what with Becca being an artist too?’
    His mouth quirked up at the corner. ‘We have a difference of opinion on what constitutes art, but aye, we get on well enough.’
    ‘Meaning you’re just as condescending to your girlfriend as you are to me?’ I grumbled and subsequently ignored Joss’s little noise of amusement.
    Cam flashed me a surprisingly coaxing smile. ‘You were there, Jo. Don’t tell me you didn’t think her art was shit.’
    Joss laughed outright while I just shook my head, trying not to encourage him with an answering grin. ‘You’re supposed to be her boyfriend. You’re supposed to support her, not take the piss out of her.’
    ‘You’ve met Becca, right? Like she needs anyone else blowing smoke up her arse. The girl’s the most arrogant person I’ve ever met.’
    ‘Wait –’ Ellie looked confused. ‘You don’t sound like you like her very much.’
    ‘Of course I do,’ Cam grunted. He shrugged and shot Ellie a roguish smile. ‘I find her arrogance sexy … as well as amusing.’
    I looked away, pretending interest in the customers out on the small dance floor. I wondered if Malcolm felt that way about Becca. And if he did, how did I fare in comparison? Unexceptional and insecure?
    God, I hoped not.
    ‘You okay, Jo?’ Joss asked, bringing my gaze back to them. They were all staring at me, including Cam.
    I nodded, giving Joss a soft, reassuring smile. ‘Sure.’
    Her brow furrowed. ‘Is Cole okay?’
    I flinched inwardly, aware of Cam’s body tensing at the mention of Cole’s name. I didn’t want him to know the truth about Cole. If he was so determined to see what everybody else saw when they looked at me, then I didn’t want to change his misconception. ‘He’s fine.’ I didn’t elaborate, hoping she’d drop the subject.
    Of course Joss didn’t. ‘He seemed quieter than usual on Sunday. Is everything okay with him?’
    Yes, now shut up!
‘Of course.’
    Ellie threw me a sympathetic look. ‘When Hannah hit fourteen she went into classic teen mode. Moody and quiet. It’s worse when they’re shy like Hannah and Cole because when they’re feeling down about something they become so introverted.’
    Crap.
    Cam straightened to his full height so that he stood a few inches taller than me. His eyebrows were raised in question. ‘Fourteen?’
    Thank you, Joss and Ellie
.
    ‘Cole,’ Joss explained to him, seeming way too eager to share information about me with him. I was seriously considering giving both Ellie and Braden a lump of coal for their Christmas present this year as a thank-you for turning Joss into a normal person who annoyed her friends with her terrible matchmaking skills. ‘Jo’s little brother. She takes care of him.’
    Cam’s gaze sliced to me, his eyes sharp as he took me in, in all my new colours.
    Yes, Cam, I read and write and I have a pretty good vocabulary. I’m not cheating on my rich boyfriend. I’m being a responsible adultto the teenager under my care. There go all your little preconceived notions. Asshole.
    I shrugged at the questions in his eyes.
    As for Joss, she could not be stopped. ‘We all let Jo keep her phone on her in case Cole needs her, so cut her a little slack if you see her checking it obsessively. She’s a little overprotective. She’s a really good sister.’
    Would you stop pimping me out!
I threw an accusatory look at Ellie, whose eyes grew round with confusion. ‘I blame you,’ I told her.
    Ellie sighed, the confusion melting from her gaze as understanding dawned. ‘Would it help if I trained her better?’
    ‘It would help if you hit the RESET button on her.’
    ‘Hey,’ Joss protested.
    Ellie shook her head vehemently. ‘No, I like the new Jocelyn.’
    ‘Well, I’m lost.’ Cam’s gaze bounced back and forth between us.
    Yeah, if only you’d stay lost.
‘Never mind.’ I shook my head and looked at Joss. ‘What are you doing here tonight anyway?’
    Joss smiled wickedly. ‘Just checking in.’
    I couldn’t help the irritation that settled into my eyes and