My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 166 Closer To You

Evelyn

"What is it?" Cameron asked as we walked by the beach. This was the third time he'd asked me that question. The first two times, I'd brushed it off with, "Nothing. I just didn't sleep well last night." But this time, I knew he wouldn't let it go without a more substantial answer.

"You wouldn't understand, Cameron, even if I told you," I sighed, rubbing my arms as the wind brushed past us. The weather was sunny, yet the breeze was chillingly cold-a bizarre contrast, much like my feelings for Jacob.

I was truly shameless for wanting him back, wasn't I? God, I probably didn't have an ounce of dignity left.

"So what is it? Are you going to reveal you have some duty to nature? The second Wonder Woman?" he chuckled, clearly trying to lighten the mood as always, "Please, don't go, Evelyn-other heroes can save the world. You should just save me."

A small snicker escaped my lips at his words. I could feel Jacob's eyes on me as he sat on a beach lounge, being glared at by Mason, who lounged next to him. Clara and Dad were lying on one chair, hugging each other and enjoying the shade, properly dressed unlike my friends, who wore bikinis and shorts. Cameron and I? I wore a simple, short, flowy, and comfortable sky-blue dress, while Cameron wore white pants that reached just below his knees and a loose-fitting t-shirt that conveniently matched the color of my dress.

And then, there came Jacob.

He wore a white shirt and black pants-ever so simple and good-looking, awfully damaging to my heart like every other time.

My eyes slowly moved to him, finding him looking right back at me. The cigarette in his hand burned away, and I doubted he had taken more than two drags. His attention was too fixated on me and Cameron. He looked like he wanted to rip Cameron's throat out—I couldn't mistake that look. It was possessiveness, ownership, and a desire to claim what he believed was his.

I forced myself to look away, trying to refrain from diving deeper into my emotions.

"Why? Would you miss me?" I smiled.

"I would die of grief," he said, placing a hand on his heart and pretending to be in pain. "Please, don't do this to me."

"Oh, Cameron," I matched his dramatic tone, "I have to do this, and it's for the greater good."

"No, I won't let you go..." He tried to catch my hand, but I teasingly moved it out of his reach.

"You can't catch me anymore, Cam. I have a long way to go," I said, suppressing my laughter before taking off running. Laughing, he followed suit, trying to catch me as I increased my speed.

"Oh really? So that's the game, huh?"

"No one has ever managed to catch me, Cameron," I giggled. "You'll lose."

Well, if there was anyone who'd ever caught me, it had been Jacob—the one who had always been there to catch me every time I fell, but also the one who had pushed me off the edge, deep into endless darkness.

"Is that a challenge, Evelyn?" Cameron asked, his eyebrows rising and a grin spreading across his lips.

"Yes!" I giggled, evading Cameron's

attempts to grab me. I didn't know how good he was at this, but I was damn good: Undoubtedly, it was

Jacob who played a hand in thin et

we'd ran together too many

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times at night, during the day, in his apartment, in my locked room, on a yacht, in fields and on

beaches-everywhere. Unknowingly, he had helped me sharpen my skills.

Wait! Why was I thinking about him again?

Fuck. Evelyn-Get a hold of yourself.

"You are so sure to lose, Evelyn," Cameron chuckled, chasing after me. Another giggle escaped my lips as I ran faster, the air brushing against my skin softly, and when I sped up, it hit me harder, making my hair billow and my skin tingle.

Suddenly, I felt alive. For a second, I

forgot it was Cameron and not Jacob-it was as if my mind had dove deep into memories just as had once dove into him. And for a fraction of a second, I forgot every bad thing we'd been through every hurtful word he'd said. All wanted was his arms around me again, his lips on mine.

Cameron's voice snapped me back to reality. Before I could react, I tripped over something and fell to the ground.

"Oh shit!" I groaned as my knee hit the rocky sand, undoubtedly bruising my skin. I sat up, bringing my knee closer, examining the now red skin and the small cut that bled.

"Evelyn!" Cameron's concerned voice reached my ears. I looked up to see him rushing toward me, but then someone blocked my view-Jacob, kneeling in front of me.

"Oh god," he exclaimed, his eyes on

the cut. "Are you okay, baby?" He immediately pulled out his

handkerchief from his pocket and pressed it against the cut, making me wince. His concerned eyes met mine "It's alright," he whispered. "Not a big cut. You'll be fine. He lifted his hand and caressed my cheek. I could only watch him-my eyes refusing to look away. It felt like I was seeing him for the first time, like falling in love all over again.

His touch....I missed this.

A second later, Mason's voice cut through the air as he rushed toward us followed by Jennie and Nancy, "What happened?" "God, Evelyn! You just had to hurt yourself, didn't you?" Nancy kneeled beside me, her voice a mix of concern and exasperation. “Clara and Dad haven't noticed, have they?" I asked, glancing toward the beach lounge, relieved to find them nowhere in sight. "No, they went for a walk while you and Cameron were busy running around like five-year-olds," Jennie said, rolling her eyes. "Come on, we'll help you get back to the house."

"No, it's—" Before I could protest, I felt hands slide around my waist and under my knees, lifting me off the ground. Jacob was carrying me.

"Let's go. We need to take care of the cut," he said, his focus solely on me as if my friends didn't exist. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Cameron watching carefully, making me wonder why he hadn't come closer after Jacob stepped in.

Mason opened his mouth to say something, but Nancy gripped his hand, stopping him.

Without another word, Jacob turned and walked away from the beach with me in his arms, not caring that everyone was watching, including the boy I was trying to convince myself to date just to piss him off.