The Trouble With You

by L A Cotton

  Cameron Chase loved me.

  Ten minutes later, I was having second thoughts.

  “I’m not sure this is—”

  “Hailee, stop.” Cameron pulled me into his arms. “They’re going to love you.” He gazed down at me with such intensity I felt my throat constrict.

  “Yeah, but—”

  “No buts. I need you, okay?” His expression softened. “Please, do this, for me.”

  Arching my brow, I let out an exasperated breath. “You’re not playing fair.” I wanted to be there for him, I did. But it wasn’t fair to use his situation against me.

  Damn him.

  “I told you once before, I’m a Raider. And Raiders never quit. Even if we have to play a little dirty sometimes.” Something flashed across his face, but it was gone before I could decipher what it was. “Ready?” he added, and I gave a little shrug. “I guess.”

  Cameron led me into his kitchen, his hand firmly around mine. “Mornin’,” he said without a care in the world. “Hailee’s going to stay for breakfast. I hope that’s okay?”

  A woman with short dark hair and Cameron’s gray-blue eyes beamed at us. “Of course, it’s okay, sweetheart. Hailee, I’m Karen, Cameron’s mom, it’s lovely to meet you.” She came over and hugged me. “And under better circumstances this time. I’m sorry you had to see that, sweetie,” she whispered, and I swallowed over the lump in my throat.

  “It’s nice to meet you too,” I said as Cameron wrapped his arm around me, guiding me over to one of the stools.

  “Hailee,” Mr. Chase said around a wary smile. “It’s nice to see you again.”

  “Hello.” I gave him a small wave as I sat down while Cameron helped his mom get some extra plates from the cabinet.

  “How was the game last night?”

  Cameron stiffened but quickly recovered. “Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that.” He came and sat down beside me, taking my hand in his, as if he needed the contact. “While Mom is going through her… treatment,” the word got stuck in his throat. “I think I should quit the team.”

  Mrs. Chase gasped, the sound almost painful, while Mr. Chase’s brows pulled tight as he shifted uncomfortably on the stool. “Son, there is no need to—”

  “Just hear me out, Dad, please.” Cameron ran a brisk hand down his face. “This week has been hell for me; my game was off. I’m angry, confused… it isn’t what I need right now or what the team needs. I want to be here for you guys, for Xander. I need to be here.” With the last word his chest heaved as if a weight had been lifted.

  “But, Son, the scouts—”

  “Don’t matter, Dad. This is more important. Mom is more important.”

  I felt like an outsider. This was a conversation Cameron should have had in private with his parents, but then he was squeezing my hand back, his eyes settling on my stunned face. He gave me a smile so vulnerable yet reassuring at the same time, I realized that, despite my reservations, he needed me here. In some bizarre turn of events, I’d given Cameron the strength he needed to vocalize his thoughts to his parents.

  “Oh, sweetheart, come here.” Mrs. Chase’s arms looped around her son’s neck as she hugged him from behind, sniffling into his shoulder. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

  I swallowed back my own tears. This was a family; three people just trying to do their best with the shitty hand they had been dealt. Cameron’s parents didn’t push him to keep up football and school because of expectation or pressure, they did it for him. Because they knew what football and his future meant to him. But it was a burden too heavy for Cameron to carry. Last night was proof of that.

  “You don’t have anything to be sorry for, Mom. I’ve made my decision. I’ll talk to Coach first thing Monday.”

  Mr. Chase was quiet, his eyes studying his son. “Don’t make any rash decisions okay, Son? This is your future. We’ll get through this, the same way we get through everything—together. If you need a break, fine. But it doesn’t have to be the end of football. Not when you’re so close to everything you’ve worked so hard for.”

  Father and son shared a long look, Cameron’s fingers still firmly entwined with my own. Eventually, Mrs. Chase broke the stifling silence by placing plates of pancakes and bacon in front of us. “I hope you’re hungry,” she said, her expression warm as she watched me and her son.

  “Mom. What’s wrong?” Cameron asked, noticing her watching us.

  “Nothing, sweetheart. I’m just glad you have Hailee.” She swallowed, a mask of sadness falling over her as she settled her gaze on me. “I’m glad my son has you.”

  I nodded, too choked up to reply.

  “I’m sorry.” Mrs. Chase smiled. “I’ve made all this food and now everyone is sad.”

  “It’s fine, Mom. Let’s eat, I’m starving.” He gave me a discreet wink and motioned for me to dig in.

  And I did.

  Because something told me no matter how scared this family was; right now, they needed to take comfort in the little things.

  “Your parents seem nice,” I said when we were back in the privacy of Cameron’s bedroom.

  “They’re good people,” he said, flopping down on the bed, pulling me with him. We landed with a soft thud, my body lying atop the length of his.

  “They were cool about me being here this morning.”

  He shrugged. “I guess I didn’t give them much warning, but I’m eighteen, Hailee. It’s not like we’re kids.” Cameron brushed his nose against mine, kissing me softly. “I’m glad you were there with me. I’ve been trying to find the words all week, but every time I’ve tried to broach the subject with them, I just couldn’t do it.”

  “You really want to quit the team?”

  “Yes… no, I don’t know.” He pressed his head back against the pillows, eyes fixed on the ceiling as he let out a ragged breath. “It’s just so much pressure, you know? If I can’t pull it together, I’m a liability—”

  “Yeah, but you don’t need to quit. Coach will understand if you need some time out, they all will.”

  “Maybe.” His eyes flicked back to mine. “Or maybe I’ve just realized there’s more to life.”

  “You love football.”

  “I do.” His eyes lit up. “But it isn’t all I want. Not like Jas—” He stopped himself.

  “It’s okay, you can talk to me about this.”

  “It’s always been his plan. We’d dominate Varsity together and then go to Penn, but everything’s different now.”

  “Different?”

  “Yeah,” he smiled but it was full of sadness. My heart clenched for the guy I’d swore I wouldn’t fall for and now I was in so deep I wasn’t sure I’d ever find my way out.

  And I was okay with that.

  More than okay.

  “There was a time when I wanted it, when I kept thinking, ‘this is the month Mom will get better’. But she never did and with every episode my dreams moved further and further away until I was no longer sure they were mine anymore.” Cameron paused, dragging his bottom lip into his teeth as if he was weighing up whether to say whatever was on his mind.

  “What?” I pushed.

  “And you happened.”

  “Me?”

  “Yeah. That first day of semester, I saw you and it was like I was seeing you for the first time again.”

  “Cameron…” I ducked my head, my cheeks burning.

  “Hey, don’t hide from me, Hailee.” His fingers slid under my jaw coaxing me back to him. “Don’t ever hide.”

  “I just… this, us, it wasn’t supposed to happen.”

  “But it did, and I meant what I said, the only thing I regret is that it didn’t happen sooner.” He tucked me into his chest, running his hand up and down my back, eliciting shivers up my spine.

  “Cameron?”

  “Yes, Sunshine?”

  “Kiss me.”

  His hand glided up to my face, angling my head back so I could see his gray-blues glittering at me. He smiled warmly, setting
off a legion of butterflies in my tummy, and said, “That I can do.”

  Cameron

  I tugged at the collar of my shirt. It was a dark gray color, rolled up at the sleeves; worlds away from my usual football jersey or polo shirt. But I wanted tonight to be perfect which is why I’d called Flick asking her for some advice.

  Taking a deep breath, I knocked on Hailee’s door, praying to God she opened it and not her mom, or even worse Mr. Ford. It swung open and my heart skipped a beat. Hailee stood there in a denim skirt, a white t-shirt that scooped low on her chest, and wedged sneakers. Her dirty blonde hair was piled high on her head, her glasses keeping the loose strands off her face. It was simple, understated, but I’d never seen anything more beautiful.

  “Hey,” I finally said finding my voice. “I got you these.” Thrusting the box of brownies at her, I rubbed the back of my neck.

  “Have you been speaking to Flick again?” Her brow quirked up.

  “Maybe.” I smiled. “She mentioned you liked them when I came by... but we didn’t get around to eating them.”

  Hailee’s cheeks flushed a deep shade of red, her eyes darkening. I leaned in, unable to resist the pull, and kissed her cheek. “I missed you.” I grazed my lips against her ear, and her fingers curled into my shirt, dragging me closer.

  “It’s only been a few hours.” She turned her head slightly, her lips hovering over mine. Electricity crackled between us, the hairs on my arms standing to attention, along with other places. I was so gone for this girl, I might as well have handed over my heart and my balls in a neat little package and told her to give them back when she was done with them.

  Stealing a quick kiss, I pulled away putting some distance between us. “We should probably get going, I made a reservation.”

  “You did?” Her mouth curved and I couldn’t resist dipping my head to claim her lips again.

  “You look beautiful, Sunshine.”

  “Cam...” Hailee sighed against my mouth, the soft noise a direct line to my dick. “Are you sure you don’t just want to stay in?” Her arms looped around my neck.

  I wanted nothing more than to take her up to her room and sink deep inside her, to lose myself in her, but I also wanted us to go out, to enjoy a night together before next week.

  “We need this.” I smiled against her. “Besides, I don’t plan on letting you out of my sight tonight.”

  Hailee pulled back, frowning. “I can’t stay out all night.”

  “Is your mom or Kent going have a problem with it?”

  “Well, no, I don’t think so, but—”

  “Go and grab a bag, Sunshine, and I’ll meet you in my truck.”

  “So bossy,” she grumbled before turning on her heel and marching back up the stairs. But I didn’t go to my truck. I waited. Unable to tear myself away from her even for a second.

  When she came down the stairs a few minutes later, I pushed off the doorjamb and went to her. “Ready?”

  She nodded. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”

  Hooking my arm around her waist, I kissed her head and said, “It’s a surprise.”

  Ten minutes later, I pulled the truck into a parking spot and cut the engine.

  “The Alley,” Hailee said. “We’re going to The Alley?”

  “Yeah, is that okay?”

  “Yeah, I mean, I love it here, but are you sure you want to be here?”

  “What’s wrong with here?”

  “Nothing, it’s nothing...” She pressed her lips together.

  “Did I do the wrong thing? It’s just Felicity said—”

  “Felicity told you to bring me here?” Hailee stared at me with disbelief.

  “Well, yeah. I wanted tonight to be perfect. She said you loved those brownies and that I should avoid wearing my football jersey and that you loved The Alley... so, here we are.”

  Her expression softened as she shuffled across the seat and leaned over to me. Cupping my face in her hands, Hailee kissed me. “It’s perfect. I just didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”

  That had my attention. “Why would I feel uncomfortable?” It was just bowling and a dinner. Nothing special.

  “Because this is Switzerland.”

  “Switzerland?” Now I was the one gawking at her.

  “Yeah.” She chuckled. “In there you won’t be Cameron Chase, wide receiver for the Raiders; you’ll just be Cameron, my date.”

  “And that’s a bad thing?” Because it sounded damn near perfect to me.

  “Well, no, I just thought... it doesn’t matter, it’s silly.”

  “Hailee, stop. Nothing you could say or do is silly. Now tell me what’s going on in that head of yours?”

  “It’s just you’re used to hanging out at Bell’s, or parties at Asher’s house. This,”—her eyes flicked over to The Alley—“isn’t exactly what you’re used to.” Hailee lowered her gaze and my chest tightened. She genuinely thought I gave two shits about where we were? We could have been in the school cafeteria surrounded by our nosy classmates and it wouldn’t have mattered.

  I stole another kiss from her before flashing her a smile. “Come on, or we’ll be late.”

  “Late, but—” Her voice drowned out as I climbed out of the truck waiting for her.

  “Ready?” I held out my hand as she came around to me, still frowning.

  “What are you planning, Cameron Chase?”

  “Why don’t you come find out?”

  Tate, the owner, met us inside. “Cameron, Hailee, glad you could make it. Your table is all set.”

  I glanced down at the girl beside me, grinning when I saw her dumbfounded expression. “Hmm, Tate,” she said quietly. “What is happening right now? And how do the two of you know each other?” Hailee looked from him up at me and back again.

  “My lips are sealed, Hailee, sorry.” He gave me a knowing smile, leading us to the diner part of the building. I’d asked for a specific booth overlooking the river. The Alley might have been Hailee’s Switzerland, but it didn’t take long before people noticed us, whispering and pointing as we followed Tate, my hand on the small of Hailee’s back.

  “Everyone’s staring,” she whispered, her posture tense. I leaned forward, brushing the shell of her ear, and replied, “Let them look.”

  I had no problem with everyone knowing she was mine. In fact, if I didn’t think she’d kick me in the balls, I would have kissed the crap out of her, giving them the show they were hoping for.

  “I hope this is okay?” Tate said as we stopped at the last booth removing the handwritten ‘reserved’ sign. It was as private as it was going to get, but Flick had shot down my first suggestion of asking Tate for exclusive use of the place. ‘Do you know Hailee at all?’, she’d asked me with an air of amusement before proceeding to tell me I just needed to be myself—not Raider Cameron, but the guy underneath the bravado—and nothing else.

  “It’s great, thank you.” I held out my hand and he shook it before leaving us to it.

  Hailee stuttered, her eyes moving from the booth to me. “What is happening right now?”

  “We’re about to eat dinner and then I’m going to kick your very cute ass at bowling.” I took her hand and gently nudged her into the booth, sliding in opposite her. “So, what’s good here?” I picked up the menu.

  “I can’t believe you had Tate reserve us a table.”

  “It could have been worse. I could have booked out the whole place just for the two of us.”

  I’d expected to see her nose wrinkle at the obscene over-the-top idea, but it didn’t. Instead, her pupils dilated, that sexy-as-fuck blush spreading up her neck. “Would you have wanted that?” I asked.

  “Maybe.” She chewed her bottom lip, desire simmering in her eyes.

  My brow rose. “Yeah? Here?” I scanned the place quickly, imagining all the places I could lay her out and—

  “Hailee?” A dark-haired guy approached the booth, his eyes darting between us.

  “Hey, Toby.” Her
expression fell.

  Toby.

  My spine went rigid as I sat up straighter.

  “Sorry, I didn’t want to interrupt, I can see you’re... busy.” He swallowed thickly. “I just wanted to apologize for what happened. You didn’t text me back and I...”

  “You need to leave, now.” I ground out, my fingers curled around the Formica table.

  “Cameron,” Hailee said gently. “It’s okay. Toby, this is Cameron, my—”

  “Her boyfriend.” I locked eyes on him, sending him a silent message. Hailee’s foot kicked me under the table and I jerked in my seat.

  “Behave,” she mouthed. “I’m sorry I didn’t text you back, Toby, but it didn’t feel right, not after...”

  “Yeah, I get it.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I just felt bad about what happened, and I wanted you to know I had no idea Thatcher was going to pull that shit. He might be my cousin but that was not cool.”

  “Are you done?” I said coolly.

  Credit to him, the guy looked me right in the eye as he said, “Yeah, I’m done.” His gaze slid back to Hailee. “And I’m sorry again. I guess I’ll see you around.”

  She gave him a little nod and he left, and I breathed a huge fucking sigh of relief.

  “You didn’t have to be so rude.” Hailee scolded, trying, and failing to keep the amusement out of her voice.

  “Rude? That was me being polite, Sunshine.”

  “Cameron, come on...” She gave me a pointed look, but I wasn’t about to waiver. Not on this.

  “Hailee.” I leaned forward, lowering my voice. “He took you to a party where you were drugged and...” The words lodged in my throat. “I’m never going to be okay with that.” He was lucky I hadn’t introduced my fist to his face.

  “I know, I just... You did some pretty shitty things to me too, Cameron.”

  Her words cut like a knife and my eyes shuttered as I inhaled a deep breath. “You’re never going let me forget, are you?” My stomach sank as I met her eyes once more, scared of what I might find there.