by DC Renee
“Would it surprise you if I said I wasn’t a sports kind of gal?” I asked shyly.
“Nothing? Nothing at all?” he asked incredulously.
I shook my head.
“Basketball?”
“Nope.”
“Hockey.”
“Afraid not.”
“Baseball?”
“Never been.”
“You’ve never been to a baseball game?” he asked.
“Never,” I answered.
“But baseball is America’s favorite pastime,” he all but cried. “You can’t not go to a baseball game.”
“Yet I haven’t.” I shrugged.
“We’re remedying that this weekend,” he announced.
“Huh?” I asked eloquently.
“My buddy is on the baseball team.”
“Of course, he is,” I mumbled. Because why wouldn’t Cam’s buddy be a jock? I admit I had little experience with jocks. Before Cam, the only thing I had based my judgments on were Tyler’s behavior. Cam was the complete opposite, but I still had preconceived notions of jocks that were hard to shake.
“I’m taking you to his game on Saturday.”
“I … uh … what?”
“You heard me. You. Me. Baseball. Saturday.”
“But—” I protested.
He actually put a finger to my lips to shut me up. I mean literally. If I wasn’t so shocked, I would have laughed. Who did things like that in real life? “No buts, Genevieve. We’re going to the game, eating hot dogs, popcorn, singing corny songs, and cheering whenever USC gets on base. Got it?”
I think I melted a little. Or a lot.
I nodded.
“I can’t hear you.”
“Yeah, Cam, we’re going to the game,” I said with an eye roll, but secretly, I loved this.
“Good. I’ll pick you up at twelve.”
I could only say, “Okay.”
The conversation ended after that, and we started working on the project. I think we both were being perfectionists on the assignment. I could tell you for me it was because I wanted to extend my time with Cam. For him, though? I had no clue.
*****
“Nuh-uh, nope,” Amanda said as I put on one of my USC shirts.
“What’s wrong with this shirt?” I asked.
“You’re going on a date with Cameron freaking Dents.”
“It’s not a date.”
“And the world isn’t round,” she tossed back.
“He’s just being a good friend.”
“Yeah, okay, keep being in denial.”
“He didn’t ask me on a date. He told me he wanted me to go to a baseball game. And his friend happens to play for the team. He’s probably even getting free tickets.”
“Keep telling yourself that.”
“It’s the truth.”
“Okay, five bucks says he pays for everything.”
“He’s a gentleman.”
“No, he’s taking you on a date. And ten bucks says he puts the moves on you.”
“Don’t you think he would have done so by now if he really wanted me?” I asked. I wasn’t sure if I wanted Amanda to be right or wrong. Part of me was thrilled with the potential that Cam liked me, but a larger part feared getting too close, too attached to him. He was a good friend, and I liked the easygoing relationship we had.
“That was all foreplay, Gen. This is home base,” she said with a giggle. I threw a pillow at her.
“Fine. Whatever. You’re on. Now, tell me what’s wrong with this shirt.”
“No cleavage. Here,” she said as she pulled a shirt out of my closet. “Wear the V-neck. It shows off your girls.”
I sighed but changed nevertheless then did my makeup, and when Cam called to say he was downstairs, I kissed Amanda on the cheek as she patted my butt, and I ran down to meet him.
The stadium was just off campus, so we walked there. The time was spent mostly with him telling me what to expect with the game and the differences between a professional game and a college one. He was so animated, and it was adorable. I couldn’t keep a smile off my face even if I tried.
When we got there, we had great seats. I didn’t have to know baseball to know that. I figured I had been right about his buddy giving them to him. Right when we found our seats, he told me he would get us some hot dogs. When I pushed money at him, he looked like I’d given him a disease. Needless to say, he paid for not only the hot dogs, but also the cotton candy, popcorn, fries, and candy throughout the game. I guess I owed Amanda five bucks. But again, that didn’t make it a date.
I loved the game, but I couldn’t say it was because the game was all that great. It was mostly because of Cam. Spending time with him, I loved the way he explained everything with such excitement that you’d think he was a kid opening a gift at Christmas. It was also the fact that girls gave him looks that said they wanted him right then and there, and he didn’t seem to notice. It was that he told me I had to meet his friend Julian—the baseball player—because he wanted to meet the girl who’d never been to a game and chose his to “break her baseball virginity” as Cam put it. It was the way we sat so closely that our legs, arms, and hands kept brushing, and every time that happened, I felt it all the way through my body. It was just Cam.
“I had a lot of fun,” I told him, somewhat surprising myself as he walked me back to my dorm. “Thank you for that, really. And thank you for all the food and everything. I owe you,” I said.
“You’re welcome, and you don’t owe me for anything. I was happy to do this.”
“Then thank you again,” I said because I meant it.
“You going to the Pike party tonight?” he asked out of nowhere.
“Not sure,” I told him truthfully because my plans usually depended on Amanda.
“If you come, you can meet Julian. He’ll be there, and he’s dying to meet you.”
“Oh,” I said, slightly disappointed. “We’ll see.” We arrived at my dorm. “Well, here I am. Maybe I’ll see you tonight,” I told him.
I waited to see what he’d do. I waited to see if Amanda was right. Iwaited to see if he’d kiss me. I waited to see if this was a date. I waited to see if I owed Amanda ten bucks. I waited to see what I felt about it all.
“Cool, hope to see you tonight. If not, Monday?” he asked.
“Yep,” I said and popped the “p.”
“All right. Bye, Genevieve,” he said.
“Bye, Cam,” I responded as he walked away.
I turned, walked through the dorm door and then entered my room before I let out the breath I was holding.
“Not a date?” Amanda’s called out, obviously understanding the look on my face.
“Not a date,” I confirmed.
“Then fuck him,” she said. “We’re getting ready and going out.”
“Cam’s going to be at the party.”
“Ooohh.” She stretched out the word. And then she said two words I dreaded. “Even better.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Past
Cameron
Twelve years earlier …
“YOU’RE HURTING ME,” I heard my mom whisper as I rounded the corner to the kitchen. I stopped midstep. Part of me wanted to keep moving and protect her somehow. The other part of me was scared; afraid of either what I’d find or what would happen if I witnessed whatever was going on.
I moved to look around the bend, trying to gauge the situation before barging in.
“And you’re hurting me,” I heard Charles sneer.
I chanced a peek, and I saw Charles holding my mom by her arm, his grip visibly tight. She wasn’t fighting him, though; she wasn’t trying to pull away. She did, however, keep her free hand on her stomach to protect the small bump.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to,” she protested.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to,” Charles mimicked. His tone was laced with an edge, but his words were a little slurred. Even from my vantage point, I could see his eyes were glassy.
“You didn’t mean to carry around your dead fucking husband’s picture in your wallet?” he asked. “It just fell in there? After I told you to get rid of him. He’s dead, Jessica. He’s fucking dead. I’m here.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered quietly, tears wetting her cheeks.
“I’m your husband,” Charles said. “I’m your husband,” he repeated much louder. “Not him. He’s dead. I’m not. You’re carrying my child. My child. I’m raising his kid. Providing for you, giving you both everything. And how do you repay me?”
“No one deserves to be forgotten,” my mom responded.
“He does,” he said with such finality I gasped so loudly I was afraid they’d heard me. I covered my mouth with my hand, praying I was still hidden.
I wanted to go stop him, but I didn’t know how. And honestly, I feared him. I was afraid of what he’d do if I meddled, afraid of what’d he do to my mom in retribution.
“This isn’t good for the baby,” my mom pleaded, clearly trying to drop the argument.
“Then you should have thought of that before you wished I was dead instead of him.”
“I’d never”—she raised her voice—“I’d never wish for that. I love you, Charles.”
“Save your bullshit. Fuck this,” he said as he let go of her hand, but he didn’t just drop her arm, he pushed her, shoving her thin frame. She hit the side of the countertop at the edge of her stomach. Charles didn’t bother to see what he’d done or check if she was okay. He just stormed out as my mother wrapped both her arms around her stomach.
I waited until I heard the door slam shut before I walked into the kitchen.
“It’s okay, Mommy,” I said as I wrapped my arms around her.
“Mommy’s fine,” she said but winced. I didn’t think she was, so I didn’t let go. She slowly wrapped her arms around me and patted my back. “I’m fine, baby,” she said right before she sobbed. She wasn’t fine. And I didn’t think she’d ever be fine again.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Present
Genevieve
“I DON’T WANT TO make him jealous,” I whined as Amanda dragged me to the Pike party. She had picked out my outfit, styled my hair, and done my makeup. I swear she would have gotten into the shower to make sure I shaved and scrubbed every inch of myself if I would have let her.
“Of course, you do. Nothing like a bit of good ole healthy jealousy to light a fire under his ass.”
“He doesn’t like me, so there is nothing to be jealous about. And besides, I don’t want him to like me. We’re friends.”
“Maybe he’s gay,” she mused.
“Uh, I’m pretty sure he’s not,” I responded.
“Then maybe he’s got a tiny penis.”
“Have you seen the size of him?”
“Actually, Gen, some of us don’t have the luxury of staring at eye candy all day. And some of us don’t have good friends who introduce said eye candy to them.”
“I’ll introduce you tonight.”
“Absolutely not,” she responded.
“You just said you wanted to meet him!” I cried.
“But not tonight. Tonight is about you not giving him the time of day. If he doesn’t want to take you to town, then you need to show him someone else will.”
“But I don’t want anyone to take me to town,” I said.
“Oh please, you want Cam to take you all over town.”
“Ugh, please stop with the weird sexual innuendos. Let’s just go,” I said as we reached the house.
When we got inside, we did our usual. We got drinks, headed to the dance floor, and danced for a bit. The difference this time was that Amanda didn’t find some hottie drooling all over her—not because they weren’t but because she was a woman on a mission. And the mission was me.
“That one,” she said as she pointed at a guy. “He’s been checking you out all night,” she said. “Just go flirt with him a little.”
“First, I can’t just go up to him. And second of all, if I am so damn desirable, why don’t guys approach me?” I asked, genuinely.
“You are so freaking oblivious. Guys flirt and hit on you all the time. You just don’t realize it. And you’re kind of intimidating. You don’t give off that ‘come get me’ look.”
“The what?”
“Here,” she said as she demonstrated. “This is the ‘come get me’ look,” she said as she smirked a bit, but somehow, the light smile reached her lips. She was smiling with her eyes, and her head tilted a little as if pointing directly at me. “And this is your look,” she said as she straightened up and looked uptight. “You’re too tense. Guys get nervous. Maybe Cam hasn’t put on the moves because he thinks you’ll reject him.”
“I’m pretty sure I’m comfortable around him.”
“Well, then it’s time to be comfortable with other guys too. Go get that one.”
“I don’t even see Cam. What’s the point of this?”
“The point is that you deserve to let loose and get attention from a hot guy. Oh, hey,” she said, looking over my shoulder. “Looks like you might not have to go get him after all. He’s headed this way. So … I’ll be around,” she said as she started to leave me.
“Amanda, wait,” I said just as I heard, “Hey,” right behind me.
“Hi,” I said as I turned to face him. He wasn’t bad looking. I’d give him that. And he didn’t give off the douchebag vibe.
“I’m Stan,” he said as he held out his hand.
“Genevieve,” I told him.
“You want to go get another drink?” he asked as he pointed toward the kitchen.
“I’m good with this one,” I told him.
“Okay,” he said. I wasn’t all that experienced with flirting, I’ll admit, but man, was this difficult … and we’d only just started. “I saw you dancing earlier. You looked like you had fun.”
“Yeah, my friend and I like to start the night dancing. It pumps us up—”
“Oh,” he interrupted. “I like the sound of that. What exactly does it pump you up for?”
Oh, God. I was wrong. Douchebag vibe was there, just temporary hidden. And the answer? It pumped us up so it would tide us over for when the night went downhill because they always got lame pretty quickly when you were surrounded by drunk and horny college kids.
“I really should go find my friend,” I told him and turned to leave.
“She’s fine,” he protested.
“Yeah, but we came together. I need to find her,” I said and turned.
“Come on, don’t be a fucking bitch.” Those words hurt. They hurt more than you could understand, taking me back to a time I couldn’t seem to escape. I turned more abruptly to run away before he could stop me, but I crashed into a solid wall of muscle.
“Is there a problem here?” I heard just as I looked up. His tone was angry, and maybe there was a hint of jealousy. If the situation was different, I might have mused the fact that Amanda might have been a tad bit right.
“Cam.” I whispered his name as I stepped back so we weren’t pressed together.
“Whatever, man,” Stan said. “She’s just some ugly fucking loser,” he said as he left. I flinched and blinked to keep the tears away.
“What the fuck did you just say?” Cam asked, his voice cold steel.
“Cam, don’t,” I said as I touched his arm. He looked down at me, his eyes full of concern. I shook my head. He shook his, but when he looked back up, he cursed. “Where the fuck did he go?”
“He doesn’t matter,” I said. “I … I’ve got to go,” I said as I retreated.
I pushed past people until I made my way outside. I leaned against the side of the house, sighing deeply.
“He’s just a dumb fucking asshole,” Cam said as he neared me. I didn’t hear him follow me, but I wasn’t surprised he had. He was a nice guy.
“I know … It’s just …” I trailed off. I wasn’t about to spill my guts to him and tell him that his words touched some scars buried deep ins
ide me.
“No, no second-guessing yourself,” he said as he came closer . I felt the heat of his body radiating against mine. “Look at me,” he said, and I raised my face. He had bent over a little so our faces were at the same level, his eyes penetrating mine. “You’re beautiful, absolutely fucking beautiful. That guy was just a fuckwad who lashed out because you rejected him.”
“His words … They’re—” I couldn’t believe I was about to reveal that part of my life to Cam.
“His words are bullshit,” he interrupted as he took my face in his hands. “You don’t even realize how beautiful you are, how smart, how sweet, how … everything.” He whispered that last word, and somehow, the quieter tone made it that much more impactful. At some point, his face had moved closer to mine, or maybe I had moved closer to him. Either way, our mouths were just barely apart. We stood frozen like that for a moment before I felt his lips crash against mine. It wasn’t a gentle brush; it wasn’t a safe kiss; it wasn’t restrained. It was mouths colliding, tongues dancing, lips melding. It was … wow.
And then it was over.
“Oh my God, shit. Fuck,” Cam cursed as he pulled away from me, immediately making me miss his touch, his taste. “Fuck,” he repeated. “I’m sorry. So very sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. You’re … you’re you, and I’m … shit … you deserve much better than that.”
He was rambling, and if I hadn’t been so embarrassed, I might have found comfort in that.
“It’s all right. I get it,” I said because I wanted this moment over as soon as possible.
“No, God, Genevieve, I didn’t mean it like that,” he said as he looked over my stiff posture. “I’m not a relationship kind of guy. And you’re a relationship kind of girl. And we’re friends. I like what we have, and I’d never jeopardize that. It’s definitely not because I don’t want you,” he added with a tiny smirk.
“It’s fine,” I said. “Really, I get it. We’ll forget this ever happened. Friends.”
“I’m sorry,” he said again.
“Don’t worry about it,” I said. “Thanks for saving me yet again back there with that guy.” I wanted to forget about the kiss.