Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 125852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 629(@200wpm)___ 503(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 629(@200wpm)___ 503(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
“I know.”
“Some Fridays I don’t even leave my dorm room.”
He nods, not taking his gaze off me. “I know that too.”
The air seems to thicken around us, and my toes curl in my socks. Unease slides down my spine, and I nibble at my lip, taking a subconscious, backward step.
“Cameron,” he whispers, reaching out for me, and I freeze, watching his fingertips as they wrap around the sleeves of the hoodie I’m wearing.
He gives a little tug, and I stumble toward him, my free, hoodie-covered hand planting on his chest.
He pushes the sleeves up and presses our palms together, and I stare at where we’re connected, noting I don’t have to spread my fingers too wide to make room for his. His skin is soft, comforting, if a little cold.
His other hand comes up, sliding along my cheek, and a small frown builds over my brow.
“Alister.” I meet his gaze, my lungs compressing in my chest. “What are you doing?”
“I have been trying to figure out what I wanted to say to you all night, and I thought maybe once I got here, it would finally come to me. Then I saw you walking by, and now that I’m standing here, I can’t remember any of it.”
“Alister…” I shake my head, shrugging from his hold.
He steps closer, but I shuffle again, putting the distance between us once more.
“We’re friends,” I breathe, my heart beating a little harder in my chest.
“No, we’re not, Cameron,” he murmurs, longing clear in his gaze.
“I have a boyfriend.” It comes out a little weak, and he’s shaking his head.
“No, you don’t.”
“I do.” I clear my throat, and this time it comes out a little stronger. “I do.”
“Then why didn’t Brady say those same words to me when I talked to him this morning?”
My head yanks back, my frown instant. “What?”
Alister’s shoulders fall, and he offers a meek smile. “I talked to Brady today.”
My chest caves, and I press the hand holding my phone against it. I feel like I’m in the middle of a maze, hoping the next turn doesn’t lead to the end.
The end of what, though, Cameron?
I swallow. “What did he say?”
“I told him how I felt.”
“And what did he say?”
Creases form between Alister’s eyebrows at my question, and his gaze searches mine for a moment. “He didn’t punch me when I said I was going to come to you.”
A broken laugh leaves me, though there’s no joy in it. I feel…I don’t even know.
Panicked? Confused?
My mind is muddled, and I can’t make sense of any of this.
Alister reaches out again, cupping my cheek, but I don’t lean into his touch this time.
My eyes begin to water, but I’m not sure why.
“Cameron,” he whispers, leaning closer.
He’s going to kiss me. I can see it in his eyes. He’s going to kiss me, and I don’t know if I’m going to stop him.
My eyes close, a tear warming my skin before the cool air hits it and makes me shiver.
“Cameron,” he whispers again, his breath fanning across my lips.
My phone rings, and I jolt, looking down to find Mason’s picture flashing across the screen.
“Hey.” I answer immediately, turning to the side a little.
“He’s turning onto Avix Street, about a mile from the green strip. He’s gotta drive right past your dorm to hit the highway.”
I nod. “Thanks. I owe you one.”
“We’ll cash in on that in the form of a toddler.”
A choked laugh leaves me, and I sniffle. “Make it easy on me, why don’t you?”
Mason chuckles, and I hang up, my gaze snapping to Alister’s.
My smile is faint as I whisper, “I’m sorry but I have to go.”
I spin on my heels.
“I love you, Cameron.”
His words slam into me, and my feet freeze, eyes slamming closed. “No, you don’t.”
“But I do.” The shuffle in the grass tells me he’s coming closer. “And if you would just give us a chance, I know you could love me too.”
My lip starts to wobble. “I have been honest and up front with you this entire time.”
“I know.” He nods. “I know but just think about it. Please.”
Everything he’s saying is the right thing to say. The problem is, it’s not a chance he’s asking for.
It’s a second one.
His hands fold around my forearms, and he shifts us slightly. “Say something.”
“I…” I stare into his eyes. It would be easy to give him one.
He says he’s sorry. I know he is. I not only see it, but I can feel it.
He was hurting, and that hurt led him to make a poor decision. No one is perfect, especially not brand-new adults in a new place with new people and a broken heart.
He moves in again, and the look in his eyes is too much. They’re the wrong color.
The wrong shape.
The wrong man?
My gaze moves over his shoulder, and instantly, a familiar truck a few blocks down catches my eye.