I Crave You - C.C. Wood Page 0,7

mothering him as much as possible as well as passing out lectures when necessary.

"Maybe he'll take a liking to Sierra when he's here for Sunday dinner," she commented.

Something in the vicinity of my chest twisted at her casual implication. It couldn't be my heart, but it sure felt like it. More likely, it was the guilt I felt for having to subject Sierra to him because she was my best friend and she didn't deserve that. "Yeah, maybe," I murmured.

"Oh, I have to go. Your father's two o'clock is here. Love you, Cam."

"Love you, too."

I didn't lower the phone after the line clicked, signaling that my mother had hung up. Instead, I stared at my front door, wondering why in the hell I cared if Brody hooked up with my bestie. I'd barely seen him in seven years and my pitiful high school crush was long gone.

"Whoa, what did your mom say to put that look on your face?" Sierra asked.

I shook myself out of my thoughts and shrugged. "Nothing. She's thinking of playing matchmaker for you."

Sierra's blue eyes widened. "Oh, hell no. I'm not going Sunday. I'll come down with meningitis or something."

I frowned at her. "You do realize meningitis is a serious illness and that you'd have to be in the hospital if you had it, right?"

"Shit. I meant the mumps."

"You've had all your vaccinations, Sierra. Mom and Dad made sure of that, so I don't think they'll believe it."

Sierra sighed. "Damn. Well, what creepy dude are they planning to set me up with?"

"Brody. He's Ben's older brother."

Her expression turned calculated. "Oh, really. Is he as hot as his baby bro?"

Hotter. Definitely. But I wasn't going to admit that out loud. Instead, I lifted my hand and rocked it back and forth. "So-so. He's handsome, but I don't know if I would say he's better-looking than Ben."

"There is something to be said for the bad boy turned good. Or at least, better." She cocked her head. "What's Brody like?"

Smart. Funny. Sexy. Infuriating.

I didn't utter the description aloud. "He's my brother's best friend. He lived to make my life difficult while I was in high school but I haven't seen much of him since he went to college over a decade ago. I have no idea what he's like now."

Other than the fact that he'd looked even better at thirty than he had at twenty, the last time I'd seen him in more than just passing was seven years ago at his wedding. Maybe he'd gone bald and grown a beer gut.

If only life worked like that.

"Hot or not, I'm honestly not ready to jump into anything. The last guy I dated turned me off when it comes to relationships."

Sierra had been tight-lipped about her previous boyfriend. I think she'd only mentioned him a couple of times. I didn't even remember his name.

I unlocked my front door and gestured for Sierra to follow me inside. My house was cool and dim, an oasis in the middle of my usually hectic life. If I wanted more light, I only had to open my curtains. My house was small but perfect for me. A cozy hideaway.

"Wow, this place looks great," Sierra said as she came in behind me. "You've really made it homey and peaceful."

"Thanks. You wanna put your stuff in your room or grab a drink first?"

Sierra groaned. "Room first. This bag is heavy as fuck."

I glanced back at her. "Um, Sierra, that's a rolling suitcase."

"I know," she replied, staring at me as though I'd lost a few marbles.

"So why are you carrying it?"

Her expression remained blank for a few moments until the penny dropped. "Well, shit."

"You graduated magna cum laude?"

"Shut up," she grumbled. "I've been up since five and then on the road all day. I'm tired."

It was probably true, but I didn't tease her anymore. I didn't have time for the inevitable bickerfest that would surely follow. Sierra was brilliant but sometimes she spaced out on basic things that required common sense more than book knowledge. Usually when she was tired or tipsy.

I led her down the hallway to the guest room and flipped the switch just inside the door.

"Oh, my God," Sierra sighed. "This is perfect, Cam." She dragged her suitcase into the room and looked around before her eyes came to me. "I didn't think you'd be able to fit a queen bed in here but it definitely works."

My guest room was done in shades of light blues and greens. The walls were white and I'd