Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 104252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
I look up at him and search his gaze. My heart aches because I love him, but I don’t know if this is the right thing for me. Cam is safe. Cam is what my mama wants for me.
With Cam, I know we always have something to fall back on. Cam has his daddy’s business and his trust fund. Jareil’s family is really wealthy, but I get the feeling his mama doesn’t like me.
If his career goes south, I don’t know if his family would want to support us. Then there’s the fact that he’s Black. Messing around is one thing.
I don’t know what our lives would be like if we were to get married. This all feels so overwhelming. I know I love them both, it’s just different, but I know I need to make a choice.
“I don’t want to keep feeling like this,” I sob.
“Like what?”
“Like I’m dirty. Like I’m betraying the one friend I know would come running whenever I need him.”
“Friend. You keep calling him a friend. Doesn’t that tell you something?
“Why feel dirty about something that makes you feel good? We make love. I treat you like a princess. We hardly ever fight.
“Baby, I watch you laugh and smile with me. We have more than a friendship. Stop acting like you don’t already know what’s right. We are right together.”
“Don’t do that.”
“Don’t do what?” he huffs.
“Throw in my face that Cam and I fight. It’s not fair. You know what? I think we should take a break. I need to clear my head.”
JR throws his hands up and turns to walk away. I look after him with tears running down my cheeks. It feels so wrong to watch him walk away.
“Call me when you know what you want,” he calls over his shoulder.
CHAPTER 21
Call a Friend
Cameron
Practice just ended, but Coach wants to talk with me and Cal. There’s some calendar shit coming up that the team has to participate in. Caleb has come a long way, so Coach wants to give him options for this.
I come out of the shower and head for my locker. When I open it, my phone is ringing. Seeing it’s Maribel, I answer it right away. She never calls this time of day unless there’s an emergency.
“Hey, you okay?” I answer.
“I’m sorry, Cam. My car broke down again. I’m going to be late for class.”
I tuck the phone between my shoulder and my ear as I start to tug on my clothes. I hate that fucking car. She shouldn’t be riding around in that damn thing.
“Where are you? I’m on my way.”
“Are you sure? I shouldn’t have called you. I’m sorry. Never mind.”
“Amina,” I growl. “Text me your location. I’m on my way.”
I hang up and remember the meeting with Coach and Caleb. I close my eyes and throw my head back. I can’t leave her stranded.
“Fuck,” I breathe.
Thinking quickly, I come up with a plan. I’m not in Caleb’s next class. Coach can handle talking to him on his own. I just need to make sure Caleb gets to his next class without anyone trying to get too close.
“You okay?” Caleb asks from beside me.
“Yeah, listen, I’m supposed to meet up with Kay. I forgot all about it. Are you going to be all right to meet up with Coach?” I ask, dropping my voice.
“Yeah, sure. I’ll be fine.”
I feel bad for lying, but it would take longer to explain I’m rushing out to help a friend. Caleb still doesn’t know about my relationship with Maribel.
“Cool,” I murmur as I text Kota to make sure she meets Caleb at the field.
I would normally walk him to class and make sure he meets up with Dakota before I take off. I’m trusting all will go well and there will be no issues. When Kota texts me back to let me know she’ll meet him at the field, I grab my bag and rush out for my car.
I glance at the address Amina sent. Knowing exactly where she is I peel out of the parking lot to get to her. She’s my friend. I’m always going to make sure she’s taken care of.
Maribel
“Hey, are you a part of the photographers working on those calendars?” Cam asks as he works to find the problem with my car this time.
“I got an email about something like that this morning. There’s a chance to win a trip to Paris or something,” I reply.
“You should shoot mine. I’d go to Paris with you. It would be fun.”
I laugh. Theirs no way I’m going to Paris with him. Dez would kill me.
“You, sir, will be in the major leagues. You won’t have time for me and trips to Paris.”
He looks up from what he’s doing to look me in my eyes. I can see the wheels spinning. Something serious crosses his face.