Trust in Me(62)

            “Why were you crying?” I asked. “Wait. Did that fucker hurt you, because I will—”

            “No! Not at all.”

            “Then why?” I held my breath as she turned her cheek into my palm. “Talk to me?”

            “I don’t know. I guess I was just being a girl.”

            My brows shot up “You sure that’s all?”

            “Yes,” she whispered.

            There was more, there had to be, but how did one ask a question like that? I didn’t know. “You okay?”

            Shortcake nodded.

            I moved my hand down, brushing my thumb over her lip by accident, but when I did, she inhaled softly. Our eyes locked. The same feeling I had while we were at the party hit me in the chest. I wanted to kiss her. I wanted to make her forget Tony and the party and all those tears. But the first time I kissed her I didn’t want her to taste her own tears.

            Closing the space between us, I pressed my forehead to hers and let out a tired breath. “You drive me fucking insane sometimes.”

            “Sorry.”

            I pulled back, searching her face. “Don’t run off like that again, okay? I was worried shitless when I couldn’t find you and no one knew where you were.”

            Shortcake stared at me and then she scooted forward, pressing a kiss to my cheek, surprising the ever-loving shit out of me. My eyes widened as I leaned back, unable to look away from her. I started to say screw the not kissing part right now, but I stopped myself. “Avery?”

            “Cam?”

            With all seriousness, I held her gaze. “Go out on a date with me.”

            There was a tiny second of hesitation where her lips parted and two tiny pink spots bloomed on her cheeks, but then she spoke and at first I didn’t think I heard her right, but I did.

            “Yes,” she said.





Fifteen

            When Brittany cornered me outside of sports management the following Wednesday, I really had no idea what she wanted.

            “Can we talk?” she asked, huddled down in her neon-pink hoodie. Short strands of blonde hair framed her face.

            “Sure.” I guided her over to one of the empty benches. “Is Avery okay?”

            Her lips tipped up as she leaned forward. The faint smell of smoke lingered on her clothes. In her hand, she turned a lighter over. “She’s as okay as Avery ever is.”

            I turned my head toward her, frowning slightly. “What does that mean?”

            Her eyes fastened on mine. “Come on, Cam. As much as you hang out with Avery . . .” She trailed off, shaking her head as her lips pursed. “Anyway, she told me that she finally told you yes? That she’d go out with you?”

            My frown faded, but I really had no idea where this conversation was going. “Yes, she did. We’re going out Saturday night.” Or at least I believed so. “Unless she’s changed her mind and is planning to bail on me.”

            Brittany shook her head. “No. I don’t think she’s going to bail.”

            “Think?”

            She laughed. “Well, you never really know with her.”

            “That’s true.” I paused, turning toward her. “So, I doubt you wanted to confirm that she said yes.”

            “No.” She took a deep breath as she sat back, twisting the blue lighter between her fingers. “I’m going to be straight with you, okay?”