“I didn’t promise anything,” I said as I smoothed a bandage over the cut. “I was just trying to talk you off a ledge. Besides, I can’t twerk anyway.”
He reared back and his eyes widened. “Seriously? With all that ass?” He shook his head and chuckled. “What a waste.”
I smacked his arm and my lips simultaneously. “First of all, my ass ain’t that big. Second, drink your coffee or the next slap will be your face.”
“I was just playing, Cammie. Your ass ain’t huge. It ain’t Nicki Minaj big, which is way too much anyway. It’s like...um...I don’t know what it’s like, but it’s niiice.”
“You’re still drunk.”
He looked at me for a moment then chuckled and nodded. He then reached past me and set the coffee on my nightstand.
“Benji, you’re supposed to be drinking–”
His arms encircled my waist and he rested his head on my chest.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m hugging you, Cammie.”
“Why?”
“Because you saved me.”
I looked down at the way his face was on my breast. “Are you sure you’re just not trying to get up close and personal with my tits?”
His laughter made my chest shake. “I mean, that’s nice too, but no. I just wanna thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I ruffled the curls at the nape of his neck then slapped his head gently. “Don’t ever do that again.”
He remained silent and continued to hold on to me for a while before he spoke barely above a whisper. “You said I was worth it. Why?”
“Because, believe it or not, people love you.”
He nodded then turned his head so he was looking up at me. “Do you love me, Cammie?”
I sighed and reluctantly shook my head. I didn’t want him going on another drinking binge but I couldn’t lie to him either. “No Benji, I don’t.”
He looked down again and few seconds later he sniffled. “I want you to love me, Cammie.”
It was me who stayed silent this time. It was weird seeing him in such a vulnerable place and stranger still that he was revealing these feelings to me. I was sure it was only his intoxication making him say these things. Since the day we’d met all he’d ever done was flirt and come on to me in very distasteful ways. I won’t lie and say I didn’t find him attractive. He was an extremely good looking guy with a gorgeous body, but his behavior was a huge turn off.
Awhile later, after wrenching myself from his hold, I finished cleaning and dressing his wounds then we laid down to sleep. I lay in my bed staring up at the ceiling and Benji lay next to me on the floor. I was just starting to drift off when he called my name.
“Yes?”
“Remember when you said I needed a friend?”
“Yes, I remember.”
“You were right,” he whispered. For a long time he didn’t say anything else, then scared me when he called my name yet again.
“Yes, Benji.”
“Will you please be my friend, Cammie?” He sniffled a couple times and sobbed softly.
I clicked on the lamp and looked down at him. His eyes were closed and wetness trailed from the corners of them. Sliding out of bed, I moved to the floor then made him sit up. Once he did I wrapped my arms around his neck and spoke next to his ear. “Yes, Benji. I’ll be your friend.”
Chapter Eleven
~ Benji ~
I took a deep breath as I stared out of the open window in Cam’s room. For the first time in…hell I couldn’t even remember, I wasn’t suffocating. My lungs filled and emptied easier than they ever had, and I had no one to thank but the woman whose feet currently rested in my lap. I owed her my life…literally.
I stared down at her while she slept peacefully on her back. She had a silk scarf tied around her head and the blanket was pulled down, revealing her blue cotton t-shirt. Her chest rose and fell with soft breaths while one of her hands rested on her flat stomach and the other was raised above her head, balled into a tiny fist.
She was a silent and very heavy sleeper. When I’d eased into my spot twenty minutes ago she hadn’t even stirred, but I was pretty sure when she did wake up she’d kick my ass for being in her bed. I wasn’t perving, nor did I have ill intentions. I simply wanted to be close to her, and to be fair, I had tried to wake her.
I sat with my head leaning against the wall, going over the last forty-eight hours in my mind. I’d started to drift off when I felt Cam move.
She sat up and looked around the room with a frown. When her eyes landed on me, she jumped. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Sitting next to my friend.” A lot of the prior day was a blur, but that bit I remembered.
Her eyes narrowed and she snatched her feet away. “We’re not those types of friends, Benji.”
I raised a brow and smirked. “What type is that, Cammie?”
Her frown turned into a glare as she pulled her knees to her chest. “I’m trying here, Benji. Don’t ruin it. We aren’t Jay and Gabi so don’t go getting any ideas.”
“Nah, we ain’t them. We got our own–”
“Why’d you kiss her?”
I dropped my gaze to my lap. I’d been trying to figure that one out myself.
“Are you–are you in love with her or something?”
I met her gaze, and unless my eyes were playing tricks on me, hers were filled with unshed tears. “No, Cam. I’ve never even looked at Gabi that way. I still don’t. I was drunk and–”
“That’s the same excuse Jay used when he kissed her, we all know how that played out.”
I tried to take her hand but she moved it. “Cam, I’m not in love with Gabi. I felt weird as soon as I did it. I love her, sure, but not like that. Like a sister or something. I don’t know.”
“Then why did you do it? Even if you were drunk. Drunk people don’t kiss their siblings.”
I stared down at my hands and balled them into fists.
“Benji!”
“I hate him.” I looked up to find a confused expression on her face. “Not all the time, but sometimes I do. He’s always gotten everything, achieved every goal he’s reached for. His life is perfect and it pisses me off. Everything I want…he already has.”
“So you kissed his girlfriend out of spite? That’s pretty low.” The look she had now was one of disgust.
“No, that’s not why I did it. I guess I wanted to know what it was like to be him, even for a minute. In Gabi’s eyes he walks on water. I wanted that. And you’re right, it was low. I’m not a good man, Cammie. You shouldn’t have saved me.” The anchor returned, claiming its place on my chest as my thoughts began to spiral.
Cam’s cool hand on my face made me jump. She used her thumb to brush away the wetness crawling down my cheek. “Stop it. You aren’t a bad person. You made a mistake. Not one person in this world hasn’t.” She wiped my other cheek then a small smile formed on her lips.
I took her hand and returned her smile. “I think I was wrong about mean Cammie. I’m kind of liking nice Cammie.”
She snatched her hand away and pointed a finger at me. “That stops now. I only let you get away with it last night because you were all messed up, but you do not call me Cammie. That’s a huge no-no, and I will end you.”
I stared at her for a long minute then fell to my side and burst out laughing. It hurt the hell out of ribs, but I couldn’t stop. “Never mind, mean Cammie is way sexier.”
She balled up her tiny fist and punched my bicep. “God, I hate you.”
My laughter stopped and I stared up at her. “Since we’re friends now, you can’t say that anymore.”
“You don’t own me. I say what I want.” She started to get up but I grabbed her hand.
“For real.”
“Fine, but I meant what I said. Don’t call me that.”
I stood and stretched then followed behind her as she went to close the window. “That’s not really how friendship works. You can’t choose your own nickn
ame. I get to pick yours and you choose mine.”
She turned and nearly bumped into me. This was my first time seeing her without heels on. Damn she was short. She crossed her arms and looked up at me. “Okay, can I call you jackass?”
“No, that’s mean.”
“I thought you liked it when I was mean.” She smirked and stepped around me.
I trailed behind, catching up quickly as she stood in front of the dresser. “Why do you hate the name Cammie so much?”
After grabbing some clothes, she spun around and ran into me. “Because I do.”
“Come on, tell me. We’re friends now, remember. I told you stuff about me. It’s only fair.”
She let out a hard breath and leaned against the dresser. “My dad gave me that nickname before he left. It was reserved for him. When I was in high school my mom started calling me that. It always sounds condescending when she uses it. She tarnished it.”
I rested my hand on the dresser and looked down at her. “Then why don’t you let me repair it? It can be our thing. I’m the only one who gets to call you Cammie.”
Her gaze narrowed and she pursed her lips. “Mmmmm, no.” She stepped around me headed toward the bathroom.
“Come, on.”
“No.”
“Please?”
“No, Benji.” She entered the bathroom, then turned and placed a hand on my chest, stopping me in my tracks. “We’re friends now, and I understand how exciting that is for you, but can you please behave like a man instead of a puppy and stop following me?” With a pat on my shoulder, she stepped back and closed the door. The lock clicked behind her.
I stood outside, smiling like an idiot with no idea why.
The door opened and she slapped an unopened toothbrush against my chest before closing it again.
“What am I supposed to do with this without toothpaste and water?”
“Figure it out!”
~ ♥ ~
“You have to like me now.”
Cam looked up from her food and scrunched up her nose. We were having lunch at a sandwich shop off campus. “Says who?”
“It’s sort of the laws of friendship. You don’t really have a choice.”
“If you say so.” She stuffed a hot sauce covered fry in her mouth then sipped her drink.
I took a bite of my ham and Swiss and swallowed it before speaking again. “You like me.”
“Nope.”
“Yup.”
She smiled behind her straw and rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”
I laughed and leaned back in my chair, staring at her a minute. “You know, we’ve been in each other’s company for months now and have never really held a conversation.”
“That’s because we have nothing to talk about. We have absolutely nothing in common.”
“Says who?”
“No one has to say it. Cam and Benji don’t even fall into the same category.”
“Well, I beg to differ.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because I know something you don’t.”
She sat down her drink and raised a brow. “Yeah? And what’s that?”
I put on my best smile and gave her a wink. “Spoilers.”
Another eye roll is what I received in return. “You’re so full of it.”
“Maybe so, but you still like me.”
We finished our meals then Cam texted Gabi to make sure she was out before we headed back to her dorm.
I flopped back on her bed and made myself comfortable while she disappeared into the bathroom. It was weird how normal I felt hanging out with her. Her company overshadowed the painful memories and made me feel like I wasn’t such a big fuck up. I wasn’t sure how long our friendship would last, or if it was even real. It was likely that her feeling sorry for me was the only reason she’d agreed when I’d requested her friendship. Even so, I’d take what I could get. A piece of Cam was better than none.
She came out of the bathroom and frowned at me. “Why are you shirtless?”
“Why do you think? This was my plan all along. Get you to like me, and then seduce you.”
Her glare was so hard I could feel it on my skin.
My laugh only strengthened the intensity of her look. “You have no sense of humor, but we’ll fix that soon enough.” I sat up and tugged at the bandage that was still wrapped around me. “I don’t have any clean clothes here and that one’s starting to smell.”
Her gaze softened a tad as she took a seat at her desk. “You know you could just go talk to them, apologize.”
I shook my head while running my fingers through my hair. “I can’t. Not yet.”
“What are you going to do then? You can’t hide forever.”
“I thought about heading to my uncles’. He’ll probably kick my ass though. I’d like some time to heal before my next ass whoopin’.”
Cam’s phone buzzed and when she checked it her eyes bulged nearly an inch from her head. “Crap! Gabi’s on her way up here.”
I shot to my feet and stared down at Cam “I thought you texted her.”
“I did. She said she was staying at Jay’s tonight. Maybe she just needs to pick up something.”
I nodded while pulling my shirt over my head. “How far is she?”
As soon as the words left my mouth keys jingled outside the door.
Cam’s eyes widened further as she jumped from her seat. “Under the bed, now,” she said in a loud whisper, then rushed to the door and held onto the knob.
I glanced at her small bed and shook my head before whispering back. “I’m 6’5”. I’m not fitting under the bed.”
She mouthed something while pointing to the bathroom. She sucked at mouthing words but I got the gist of it and hurried inside, locking the door behind me. Seconds later both girls’ voices could be heard outside.
I laid my ear on the door to try to make out what was being said.
Gabi’s voice was muffled but Cam’s was loud and clear, meaning she was closer to the bathroom door.
“How long will you be here?”
There was a pause and then Gabi said something.
“Because, I um… have company.”
More talking from Gabi.
“We were just about to hop in the shower. Worked up a pretty good sweat.”
A smile spread across my face at the thought of Cam and I working up a sweat together. After a few more minutes there was a loud bang just below my head.
“Open up, nosy.”
I peeked out and surveyed the room. “Who’s nosy?”
Her hand went to her hip and she added the signature purse of her lips while staring up at me. “Don’t pretend that you weren’t listening.”
I laughed and pulled her hand away from her curvy hip. “Working up a sweat, huh?”
“Go sit down.”
“Bossy too? I like it.”
“Ughhh.” She threw her head back and marched away from me. “This friendship is going to be hard.”
I stayed where I was and watched her as she flopped down on the bed face first. A sinking feeling gurgled in the pit of my stomach. I shuffled over and sat next her feet. “You don’t have to do this anymore.”
She lifted her head and craned her neck to look at me. “Do what?”
“Be my friend. I’m giving you an out, if you want it.”
She pushed off the bed and sat up with her feet tucked under her butt. “Why would I want that?”
“Because…I just stood on the other side of that door and listened to you lie to your best friend. I don’t want you to lose your friendship over me, Cammie. I’m not worth–”
“If you say that again, I’ll punch you.”
One look at her pint sized hands and I had to stifle a laugh. “I’m serious, Cam. She’s your best friend.”
“She is. Which means we’ll be fine. She might be pissed when she finds out I lied to her, but she’s a pretty understanding person. She’ll forgive me. And trust me, if she knew the whole story, if they bo
th knew, they’d forgive you, too.”
“Somehow I doubt that.”
Looking me over, she sighed. “I’m smarter than I look, Benji, and I know it’s you who’s trying to find an out. Push all you want, but I’m not going anywhere. I won’t abandon you.”
“Why is saving me so important to you?”
She shrugged in response. “Just is.”
Up until a couple weeks ago she didn’t even like me. While I was sure she was a caring person, it couldn’t be that simple. There was something deeper to her quest in saving my soul. Something deeper to the Cam she let the world see. I watched her for a moment longer before easing to the floor, hoping one day I’d be privy to the part of her she hid away.
Chapter Twelve
~ Camryn ~
Lying and sneaking around was exhausting. I couldn’t comprehend how cheating spouses did it. A week of near misses with Gabi I was ready to confess my secret friendship with Benji.
He on the other hand, seemed to be having a blast. Not with the almost getting caught, but his over excitement was starting to freak me out. Every time I looked up he was grinning like...well a Benji in a brothel. And I swear to Oprah, if I woke up one more time to him watching me, I was going to gouge his eyes out.
Speaking of the handsome devil, he smiled as he walked past me, shirtless, heading for the bathroom. The bandage had been removed from his torso and the facial bruising had faded somewhat.
I watched him go inside and close the door then I flopped back on my bed and squeezed my legs together with a groan. This whole abstaining from men thing was harder than I thought it’d be. Especially with him flaunting that hard body of his. Why’d a man that fine have to be so...Benji?
I dragged myself out of bed and to my computer to scroll through listings of jobs that I wasn’t remotely qualified for. If I didn’t find something soon I was likely to end up crawling back to my mother. Either that or by some miracle find a rich guy to marry in the three weeks that remained before summer vacation.
I wonder if Benji has a trust fund. What the hell? Did I really just think that? Camryn Denise Elsbury, you are not that desperate. Get it together.
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