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)
“It’s my turn. I get to pick the next song,” Cam says.
He gave me more than the first five songs and we’ve been vibing out to my choice of playlist. I try not to laugh because I know what he’s changing the music to.
At this point, I probably know all these songs by heart as well. I’m expecting him to go with one of the more upbeat songs like “Get On Up,” but “Stay” begins to play.
I look up as he stands, holding his hand out to me. Those blue-gray eyes suck me right in. I place my hand into his and he tugs me from my seat.
Pulling me into his chest, he begins to sway me to the song. It’s not hard to get caught up in the moment as his strong arms wrap around me. I allow myself to think of what it would be like to be his.
He places his chin on the top of my head, causing me to reel it back in. This is my friend. This song isn’t meant to tell me anything.
I’m projecting my feelings onto him. My heart becomes heavy, and I have to fight back tears. He doesn’t understand how hard this is for me, but he clearly needs me to be his person.
So I stay. I stay and lock my feelings down deep. Cam can never know how I feel. I’ll take all these emotions to the grave.
If I don’t it could be the end of us both. I will never pull him into my mess. These stolen moments will have to do.
I wish things could be different, Cam. I really do.
CHAPTER 25
Who Is She?
Kayleen
My stomach is twisted in knots. I sit deep in my feelings as the game is in full swing. I try to cheer and look like a good girlfriend, but her words have been ringing in my ears.
Oh, so nice to meet you. I’m Maribel, Cameron’s future wife.
I don’t know if it’s jealousy on my part or the ring of confidence she had in her tone. She is beautiful in that exotic way black women have about them. I believed her more when she said she was Cam’s future wife than I did when she said she was far from his type. The girl I stole him from looked more like her than me.
“You okay?” Dakota asks as she places a hand on my arm.
“Mm-hm. I’m fine.”
“I’m sure she was only teasing. Don’t look so upset.”
“I’m not,” I say harsher than I mean to.
“Oh my God, yes, Cam. Let’s fucking go,” Maribel screams, cutting off my next words to Kota.
I focus on the field. Cameron has hit a home run, and the crowd is going crazy. However, it’s Maribel’s voice I hear the most, not because she’s in my row or because she’s louder than everyone else, but because, for once, I’m not confident that what’s mine is safe.
Who is the girl?
Cameron
“Oh my God, why do I keep running to the bathroom?” Joelle groans as she jumps up.
“Maybe because you’ve been drinking up all their damn beer like you don’t have any home training,” Maribel calls after her. “Or you’re doing some weird shit in their bathroom like smelling their towels or some shit.”
“I’m going with option number two,” Taylor giggles.
I snort a laugh and shake my head. I switched to water a while ago. I may smoke and drink more than I used to, but I never overdo it.
Besides, the tension in this place could be cut with a knife. I could have strangled Kota when she invited Nicole and all her friends over to my place after the game. I’ll admit, Amina is on one tonight.
However, I don’t think she’s joking to be mean—that’s not her vibe. I know her well enough to know it’s one of her quirks. Not to mention, she’s dialing it down when it comes to Kay.
I’m starting to see it as more of a nervous mechanism. This shit is uncomfortable for her and her way of coping is her sarcasm.
I’ll be honest, I’m not helping. I’ve been matching her energy all night. It’s hard not to.
“Oh my God, you’re like the female version of Cam,” Kota laughs, shaking her head.
“That all depends. When’s your birthday, Perry? If I’m older, he’s a male version of me. I would be the original.”
I smirk because she already knows my birthday and that I’m older. Besides, she was skipped a year. I have a full year and change on her, given that her birthday is in October.
“We were born in April,” Cal answers before I can.
He’s been trying to stay involved in the conversation all night. Although he’s been distracted by Nicole, and Maribel’s sarcasm has given him a challenge, I haven’t missed Nicole helping him.
Nicky has fast turned into one of my favorite people. She’s replacing me as one of the most important people on his team. I had thought I would be jealous if this day ever came.