Beautifully Destroyed(10)

I think back to what she said about ‘him turning music on too,’ but I don’t push. Someone made this girl into who she is. These walls and issues aren’t here because of an okay life. They are here because someone completely screwed her up.

“Fate, stop. The only one who should be apologizing is me. I shouldn’t have gone off on you the way I did. Calling you those names and saying everything I did was wrong. So wrong. I knew it the moment you shut that door. You said you wished you’d come after me that night. I wish you had too. I was out there knocking back drinks, telling myself to just come back and talk to you. But I was worried you’d shut me out. So I just further screwed it up more. You have your ways of dealing, so do I. If I think someone is judging me I do exactly what they expect because…hey, it’s expected so why not?”

“That’s not really helping your case, McAlister,” she says with a smirk. People have called me that before, but coming from Fate it just sounds sexy.

“Right. Okay, well, I’m a fuck-up. It’s kind of my thing, but maybe with a little help from fate that doesn’t have to be my future.” She smirks and I know I’m getting some ground here.

“Now that’s helping your case. Nice play on my name, McAlister.” She has the sexiest and most beautiful smile when she lets it out. Not that fake shit she puts out to the world. Yeah, she looks damn sexy, but right now I see the real Fate. She’s so beautiful and this girl doesn’t even know it. She barely comes up to my shoulders, she’s slender but not a stick. She has the figure that drives us guys crazy. Her body has curves and I know every inch of her is perfect.

“If you keep saying my name that way I’m going to have a really hard time being just friends,” I say, hoping it comes off as a joke, but I’m dead serious. This girl has no idea of her abilities. Natural talent that is, and shit, I’m going to be pissed if it comes out with anyone else. Those ocean blue eyes should only ever look at me this way.

“Cameron,” she says with this big ass grin on her face.

“Fate, that really didn’t make a difference.” Her face changes and she looks either pissed or upset. What the hell did I say?

“I am not calling you Cam,” she says, never looking at me. Damn, that’s what’s got my girl all down. My girl…where in the hell did that come from? This girl has her claws in me and she doesn’t even know it. I slowly bring my hand up to her face as not to startle her. I only have it hover over her skin, but shit, I can feel the effects of being this close to her. She flinches but only slightly. It’s progress.

“I don’t want you to. People who know me call me Cameron. I want you to know me. I feel as if you already do. Don’t ever call me Cam,” I say, trying to convey my true feelings. Cam is what I tell girls I’m screwing around with to call me. I don’t want my name tainted with that shit. This girl is different. I want her to see it all. The fricking flaws, the whole Cameron, definitely not just rock star Cameron McAlister. “I’m a fucking idiot.”

“I have been saying that, glad we agree,” she says jokingly and pushes her hair to the side. It’s some messed-up shade of red and blonde but this girl pulls it off. It’s exclusive to her, it’s Fate only.

“No, well, yes. Girl, you have me all twisted with my words and shit. I meant I don’t even know your last name. I know you clearly have a thing for nature, maybe fish with all those schooling fish comments, and you like quiet. You’re eighteen, which was a huge shock. From class I know you’re smart as hell, but I don’t even know your last name.” How did that not ever come up?

“It’s just a name, Cameron. I’d rather you know me than my name.” She’s being evasive.

“Come on, give it up, Fate,” I say, grinning.

“McKenzie. Fate McKenzie,” she says with a smile that reaches her eyes and I see those walls coming down. With that it’s decided, I never want to not know this girl.

“Fate McKenzie and Cameron McAlister. Sounds like fate,” I say, nudging her.

“Lay off, McAlister.” She pushes me jokingly.

“Fine, McKenzie, now that we’ve done the I’m an asshole talk and you forgive me, can I take you to get something to eat? My treat.”

“Well, the forgiveness depends…” She trails off. She’s being coy and she knows it.

“On?” I say, hoping it’s something I can make happen.

“Depends how good dinner is,” she says with a smirk, and I just want to keep her here to myself. Screw sharing this girl with the outside world, but I did promise dinner.