Chapter 6: Rules

Cam ran house meetings with a legal pad, a bag of pretzels and total seriousness.

We sat around the kitchen table at seven, and he clicked his pen twice.

"Item one," he said.

"Dishes."

"Jude cooks, so I do dishes," I said.

"Jude cooks, so Jude does nothing else," Cam said.

"Item two. Quiet hours."

"We're not in a dorm," I said.

"You are in my house," Cam said.

"Item three."

He looked up and gave Jude a very big, very warm smile.

"Item three is gratitude."

Jude, who had been staring at his hands, glanced up with horror on his face.

"What?"

"Man, I haven't said it properly," Cam said.

"Lucinda's been through hell."

"I should have been the one who showed up, and you did instead."

"You waited outside that party, Jude."

"I didn't wait," Jude said.

"You waited," Cam said.

"She told me. That's the guy I trust with my little sister."

Under the table, Jude's knee found mine, and went rigid.

I did not look at him.

"Cam," Jude said.

"I need to say something."

"Say it after the pretzels," Cam said, and shook the bag.

"I'm serious. It's about Luce."

"I know it is."

"Which is why you get the front seat on Sunday when we drive to the lake."

"I'm giving you the good seat, man."

I bit my cheek so hard it hurt.

Jude put both hands flat on the table.

"Cam, listen."

Cam's phone rang.

He glanced at it and his face changed.

"It's my advisor," he said.

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