“I thought I explained it pretty fucking well with the fish scenario,” he says. “French Angel Fish,” he states and I give him a confused look. “That book you gave me to read, well, I did. They are monogamous and very territorial, that’s you for me. You’re my French Angel Fish. Fate is fate, and you’re mine, babe,” he says as he pushes a piece of my hair out of my face.
“I just got out-fished by a rock star,” I say in complete awe of this man. “How can I argue with that?”
“You can’t, babe, you can’t stop fate. My fate is falling for you, and man, have I fallen.” His words make me panic, he knows my issues with certain words and I feel like he knows exactly how to keep me out of the red. That also scares the crap out of me because it means everything I’m feeling is real. I couldn’t dream someone more perfect than him. All I do is ruin things and now his band has been my latest destruction.
“I’m sorry you had to get rid of Dex because of me,” I say to him and I truly mean it. I don’t know if I did something to mislead Dex, but I feel responsible for them having to find a new band member.
“Fate, Dex wasn’t our first bassist, the next one might not even be our last. Scott and I started this band together and brought in a bassist and another guitarist when we needed them,” he says to me, holding my shoulders, looking into my eyes.
“Still.”
“Fate, there are many things in life that are out of our control and his actions are just one of them. This isn’t the first issue we’ve had but it will be the last one.” His hand falls against my cheek, causing an intense heat from his touch. “None of that matters. You matter. I keep worrying one day I’m going to wake up to find that this is all just a dream. That I dreamed of this amazing girl who damn near wrecked me. That’s the worst feeling. It’s like waiting for the other shoe to drop. Sometimes I just can’t shake it. But this…” he says, caressing my cheek. “This is my way to know it’s real.”
Gently, I place my hand over his. “I’m real and you’re stuck with me until the end of the school year.”
“I’m hoping forever,” he says and for once, I don’t feel like that’s impossible.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Continuing to tug on the dress, Cameron just grabs my hands to distract me. His touch does that and now that he’s caught on, he uses it. Especially when he can feel me stressing about things. Clarissa had come out for a few days during the Christmas holidays but had to leave yesterday on Christmas Eve. She had offered to work so some of the others with small children could stay home. Even on Christmas, she still has to go out and protect kids. It’s sad that some holidays aren’t filled with happiness.
So here I stand in front of Scott’s parents’ house, getting ready to meet the closest thing to parents my boyfriend has. Yes, I’ve started using that term and I have to admit it’s grown on me. I’ve put a stop to him not touching me in public. If we do it at home, he can do it out here. When we walk in, there is a cheer from the family who is sitting around in what looks to be the living room. It is enormous. Seriously, I think it’s the size of Clarissa’s entire main floor of her house, and it’s just one room.
Before I know what is happening, I’m being pulled from Cameron and hugged tightly by a woman in her mid-fifties. I can see Cameron’s face and it has got panic written all over it. “Mom, I told you not to,” Scott says and his mom lets go immediately.
“Oh, I forgot. I am so sorry. I am just so excited to finally meet you. The boys talk about you often and, well, Cecilia is always going on about you as well. I just feel like I already know you. I’m sorry, dear.” She looks so disturbed by her actions, but I can say I didn’t flinch.
“Actually, it’s okay,” I say, and Cameron looks at me as if he doesn’t believe me. “No, really, I’m not sure what they’ve said, but if Scott told you about touching, then you know enough. I’ve been working on it and I’m doing much better,” I say, and Cameron gives me an unsure look. I mouth the word ‘therapy’ to him, and he nods. I’ve been seeing a victim’s councilor here and I have to say it’s been so helpful. She’s been teaching me it’s not about the touch but the intent behind it that usually sets me off. When I’m unsure of the person, I panic without thinking. So, instead, I need to drill it into my head until they give me a reason to feel that way, to just kind of roll with it.