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CHAPTER SEVEN

HENLEY

W here are you, Little Rabbit?

Brooks called me after the game to tell me every delicious, fucked up detail about how he made Camden cum against the wall of the equipment shed. I’m sure my pack mate will smirk with amusement every time he passes by it now. It’s what I’d do.

I don’t know why the little beta chose Crown Well Academy to attend for his schooling, but we are thoroughly enjoying his presence. I want to tease him about his dirty little orgasm with Brooks. From the way Brooks relayed the details, Camden wanted him. He just hated the fact that he did. It makes me want to push him into possibly giving me a blow job, to see just how much he hates to want us. Which is why I’m getting increasingly annoyed that I can’t find him.

I’m a little jealous Brooks and River have gotten such a delicious taste of his fear and cum. I can’t wait for my turn. Honestly, I’m happy for my pack. We have a perfect little distraction from the stresses of school life, something only Brooks has typically because he plays football.

I think he’d be the worst of us all otherwise.

Thankful I can easily walk into the beta dorms, I stalk the little rabbit through the hallways to his bedroom. He doesn’t have a roommate according to the records I’ve looked up, which means he can happily hole up alone in his room.

Personally, I understand the need for solace, since I enjoy my alone time too. I simply don’t believe he deserves any as a liar and the son of a killer. Once we have our way, every second of every day will be filled with us pushing him to take our cocks.

I can see no better way to get our revenge. Maybe we’ll even take photos and tease him about releasing them to his father. We never would, but his fear is so delicious. Getting him killed would shorten our fun.

Picking the lock on his dorm room door, I slip inside, surprised to find it empty.

“Little Beta, where are you?” I ask, frowning in thought. The room has an air of recent vacancy, as if he just left.

His books are scattered on the table, his bed unmade against the wall with fluffy blankets that remind me of different textures. Feeling like a creeper, my brow wrinkles as I reach out to touch the blankets, also noting the fairy lights strung up in the room in lieu of harsh light bulbs.

What’s going on here? This room reminds me of a teen girl’s bedroom, complete with a candle that smells like… chamomile? Holding it in my hand as I breathe the scent in deeply, I shake my head.

This little beta is very strange.

Continuing to snoop, I skip the desk to check out his closet. Here, there are more fairy lights, pillows propped up inside, as well fluffy blankets in a tight corner. What’s so odd about it to me is that it feels like a designated area, because the clothes are all on one side of the closet to give Camden space to settle into the corner.

Why the closet, though?

I’m concerned about all of this. Betas don’t behave like this. The fairy lights are fine, if he wants low light and the aesthetic, but there’s even a book lying on top of the blankets in the closet!

This is bizarre. My mind is reeling with possibilities, one of which is if he suffers from severe anxiety. It kind of makes sense if he’s literally shutting out the world, but I feel as if that’s only part of the puzzle.

Muttering under my breath, I turn away from the closet to face the rest of the room. There has to be some other clue to tell me what I’m missing about Camden Parker.

“So many secrets,” I mutter, seeing something spilled over a textbook and his desk. I wouldn’t have thought he’d be this messy.

It makes sense that he’s secretive as Leroy’s son. He’s probably used to keeping them from his homophobic father as well. It’s a miracle he’s been able to survive to make it to the academy.

The rest of the room seems to have a reason for any clutter it may have. It feels comfortable and lived in. Walking over to the messy desk area, I hiss as I see the pills that are spilled out.

“Oh you stupid boy, what have you been up to?” I ask myself, picking up the almost empty container where the pills used to live in.

Gazing at the label on the bottle, I pull out my phone to look up what these pills are. While they’re prescription pills, it almost feels as if they’re a cheaper version of them. I’m even further confused when I see that they’re a type of knock off suppressant.

The issue is that there’s a lot of pills spilled out on the table, almost as if he was in a panic to take his next dose. We’re going to have a problem if he has an addiction to these. Is it even possible to get high from suppressants?

Typically, omegas take these for a variety of reasons, but there’s no reason for him to have a prescription for these. This beta is making himself even more interesting to me instead of less.

Cleaning up the pills because I can’t help myself, I put the top on it and place it carefully back on the table.

“Where the fuck are you?” I mutter under my breath to fill the empty space.

Pulling out my phone, I press the app that allows me to control the different cameras I have set up in this dorm building. The only place I stopped myself from using them is the bathroom, because even I have limits for privacy.

This is quickly something that I kick myself for as I see Camden walking out with someone, his hair soaking wet from the bathroom.

“Fuck me, really? Brooks' little hand job wasn’t good enough for you?” I ask the phone.

Rewinding the feed so that I can see when he walks in, I freeze the frame when someone else follows him a few minutes later. Professor Beckham Kennedy is clear as day following a student into the bathroom and then helping him out of it a long while later.

Brooks said the little rabbit loved being degraded, maybe that’s what the good professor is doing to him? Does he enjoy cleaning his shoes with his tongue before sucking his cock? I’m angry at the thought, because Camden is mine.

Well, and my pack’s. I have very strong feelings about not wanting to share him, or his apparent needs. Fuck, Camden can barely walk as the professor holds up most of his weight, and the rage I feel makes it difficult to watch the rest of the video feed.

Only we get to play with him. Everyone else needs to fuck off. Squeezing my phone so hard it almost breaks, I storm out of the room. I need to tell the guys about this development, but my possessiveness is riding me hard.

Camden needs a leash so he can’t go too far from us. I need to be able to see him at all times. Clearly, having cameras in every hallway in this dorm isn’t enough. He doesn’t deserve to have privacy to take a shit or shower because he’s using it to fuck teachers!

I’m so angry, I’m not above finding a way to bind him to me at all times. Fuck, did I lock his door? Dammit, I don’t think I did.

Remembering the doors all lock automatically when you shut them, I huff out a breath. I’m spiralling pretty badly right now, but I’m angry that I don’t know where my plaything is. I’ll have to find a way to fix that.

Me:

The little rabbit is on the run. I’ll update as soon as I can.

Brooks:

Find him, so I can feed him the load of cum I’m about to give River instead.

Snorting in amusement, it helps me pull back the roaring anger pushing me into making a possible wrong move. All the world is a series of chess moves, you just have to know what you’re willing to sacrifice.

Pulling up different options for trackers, I lean forward on one of the chairs in the lobby as I focus on stores that’ll sell them. This solves my every problem! Finding one I can inject under his skin, I enjoy the idea of marking him in the only way I can. The information of his whereabouts will be constantly refreshed to an app on my phone, so I’ll never have to feel this uncomfortable pinching sensation in my chest.

I hate not knowing where he is right now. I’ve always thought Professor Kennedy was a decent man and teacher, but he’s treading on my turf. I won’t accept his interference, which means I’ll also need to pay him a visit tomorrow during one of the breaks in his lectures.

For now, I have a tracker to buy. Standing tall, I enjoy the way people move out of the way for me as I leave the beta dorms. Camden, I hope you appreciate your freedom for now, because you’re not going to have it much longer.

* * *

Professor Kennedy is in his office when I find him the following day, and I’m in no way any less angry when I see him. All I can see in my mind is the way Camden leaned on him as he left the bathroom. Now, I’ve begun to twist the memory into a predatory manner, something I cannot stomach.

“You have a few minutes for me, Prof?” I ask, pretending to be in a good mood.

I don’t have any classes with him, and need a foot in the door before he tells me his office hours are for his current students. I need answers, which means I need him off guard.

“These are my office hours, Henley,” Professor Kennedy drawls. “I don’t recall you being enrolled in any of my classes this semester.”

“That would be correct, but I have some concerns I need to bring to your attention,” I say from the door of his office. “I figured you’d be the best person to bring them to, being that they are rumors that revolve around you.”

Professor Kennedy is a younger member of the faculty here at Crown Well, and I’ve always noticed that while he gets along with his students, he makes sure to hold onto an air of professionalism. It’s why I’m so surprised that he’d be willing to chuck his teaching position in the garbage for Camden.

What is it about this guy that makes people lose their minds over him? I won’t lie and say I’m not one of those people. I have been since I first saw him.

“I don’t appreciate whatever you’re doing right now,” Professor Kennedy says, beginning to seethe. “You should speak plainly or get the fuck out.”

Pushing away from the wall, I grab the door to swing it closed.

“I know your secret,” I tell him, enjoying the confused look on his face. “You enjoy fucking your students, don’t you? Filling their holes with your cum, using them for your every pleasure? I’m sure the dean would be appreciative of this information.”

Professor Kennedy slowly pales at my words, and I feel this strange sense of anger that he knows exactly what I’m talking about. Except, now he appears to be pitying me.

“I’ve done nothing wrong, Henley,” he says. “At least, not as far as what you’re insinuating.”

The good professor almost hesitated there, which is even more confusing. Does he know Camden’s secrets?

“Camden is missing,” I try again. “I saw you leaving the dorm bathrooms with him, which is highly inappropriate. He’s still not returned to his dorm room either?”

“I’d ask how you know this, but I’m not sure I want the answer,” Professor Kennedy says with a sigh. “Lee, you’re stalking him. God, no wonder the kid is so twitchy. I don’t know what the situation is between you, but he’s not a threat. Leave the poor boy alone. That’s all I’m able to tell you.”

“So why did you look so nervous there?” I ask. “Only guilty people pale the way you did.”

“I’m a very private person,” he reminds me. “No one wants what others think is dirty laundry aired for the world to see. Tread lightly, because I guarantee you don’t know everything you think you do.”

Thinking about that, I have to admit through my haze of anger, jealousy, and possessiveness that he may be right. However, every cell in my body is demanding that I find him, and I’ve never felt like this before.

“He has too many secrets,” I grumble. “He jumps at every sound. What does he have to be so afraid of? Nothing about him makes sense.”

“Take everything you know and toss it out,” the professor advises. “It’s probably wrong. Ask him what you need to know.”

“Yeah, I have to find him first, though!” I exclaim.

Professor Kennedy smirks as if he has all the answers. It makes me irrationally irritated. Why won’t Camden share these things with me?

Forcing myself to take a breath, I have to admit to myself that I’ve been spiralling since yesterday when I realized I couldn’t find the little rabbit. It’s all I can think about, my every thought revolves around him, making me irritated and unable to focus on anything else.

“The little rabbit is going to find a tracker injected into his ass sooner rather than later,” I complain, turning away to leave.

“He’s really under your skin,” Professor Kennedy mutters as I fling open the door.

Ignoring him and his assumptions, I leave his office.

Little rabbit, you have a lot to answer for. I despise worrying about you.

CAMDEN

My eyes feel like sandpaper as I blink my heavy lids open. I stare up at the white ceiling, thinking this must be Heaven.

Then the sounds of steady beeping fill my ears and it hits me that I’m not in Heaven.

A sob of disappointment hits me in the chest as I turn my head to the side, seeing a piece of medical equipment. I’m in the hospital.

Closing my eyes, a tear slips free. I lived to see another day, one filled with fear and pain. The constant worry that I have every moment I’m alive is going to come crashing down around me.

Despite the fear I felt in that moment, I was ready to let death take me. To finally be free from this fucked up life I’ve been tossed into.

“I can’t even fucking die right. I’m nothing but a pathetic failure,” I whisper, trying not to lose myself right now.

“Don’t talk like that about my friend.” A voice has me jolting, my head snapping over to see Jamie sitting in a chair, next to my bed. He watches me with a wary but pitying look. Just what I need.

“W-what are you doing here?” I ask, moving to scramble into a seated position, but groan as I fall back against the bed, a pounding pain starts in my head and a wave of nausea overtakes me.

“Hey, take it easy.” He says in a calm, soothing voice. “It’s okay. You're okay.” His hand rubs up and down my arm.

Brows pinching together, I force my eyes open to look at my friend. “Why are you talking to me like that?”

Jamie sits back, a guilty look on his face. “Just making sure my friend is okay,” he repeats, clearing his throat as he rubs the back of his head.

Then it hits me as I take a deep breath in hopes of helping the throbbing in my temple. The sickeningly sweet scent of well… my scent.

My eyes widen in horror as I stare at the Alpha in my room who looks back at me with guilty eyes.

“It’s okay,” he starts and I’m shaking my head.

“No, no it’s not okay. Nothing about this is okay,” I rasp out, squeezing my eyes shut. My secret is out. He knows I’m not a beta. He knows what I really am.

My eyes snap open. “Please don’t tell anyone. I beg of you.”

With the scent blockers flushed out of my system, my perfume is going off like crazy as my anxiety shoots through the roof.

If he tells Henley and his pack, then my life at Crown Well is over. If it gets back to my father, then it's a worse fate for me. I can’t. I just can’t.

“Hey. Camden, it’s okay,” he says. “I’m not going to tell anyone, okay? I promise. I’m not sure why you… you’re ah, keeping it hidden,” he frowns. “But that's your business. I’m not going to be the one to out you.”

“Really?” I look at him skeptically. “Why not?”

He cocks a brow. “Ouch, that hurts,” he chuckles. “Because I'm your friend. And friends don’t betray one another.”

“But you just met me. You don’t owe me anything.”

“Camden. Just trust me when I say you're my friend, and your secret's safe with me…. And Beckham.”

“Beckham?” I ask in confusion.

He grins. “Mr. Kennedy,” he clarifies.

“Shit.” I whisper hiss. “Was he… did he…”

“Find you?” Jamie asks and I nod. “Yes. He did. He brought you here himself. He wanted to be here when you woke up too, but because he has classes to teach today, he asked me to come sit with you.”

“Why would he ask you?” I wonder. “Because he knows you're my friend?” He’s the only one I’ve got.

Jamie licks his lips, seeming to take some time to think about his next words. “Let’s just say, we’re… close.”

“Close.” I say slowly.

“Yes.” Jamie nods. “Now that's all I’m at liberty to say or I’m going to get my ass handed to me. But that doesn’t matter. What matters is that you're safe and okay.”

I can feel the cadence of how often he repeats himself, willing me to believe it as well.

“I’m okay.” I whisper more to myself as I let my eyes drift shut.

“Camden, whatever it is, you can talk to me about it, you know. And if you don’t feel comfortable, Mr. Kennedy would be an even better option. Seeing how he’s wiser, older, and has more experience.”

“And hotter.” The words are out before I can think better of it and I slam my lips shut, attention flicking over to Jamie. Is that jealousy I see flashing through his eyes? I wonder just how close these two are.

“Thanks.” Jamie deadpans after a moment. “I thought we were friends.”

A small smile slips onto my lips. “We are.”

“Good. Now. I have no idea how to act in a situation like this. But I want you to know I’m here for you. You are wanted. And if you left this world, I’d be behind bars.”

“Why?” My brows furrow.

“Because I’d be hunting down anyone who made you feel like you had to leave,” he growls.

Emotion clogs my throat as a flash of surprise at his confession rolls over me. “Thanks.” I whisper, not knowing what else to say, but being grateful to have someone in my life who cares as much as he does. I’m not used to it.

“Don’t thank me. You're a good person, Camden. A good friend. Whatever bullshit you have going on in your life, you don’t deserve. Now, for the three fuckers who think they have the right to mess with your life. I can’t do much about them, but if you spend all of your free time with me, they can’t corner you alone.”

Fear spikes through me. Does he know what happened with Brooks?

Fuck! Brooks, River. Scent matches.

My stomach rolls at the sudden need for them. What is wrong with me? Why the fuck am I aching for them? I hate them. They’ve done nothing other than make my life hell for no fucking reason but their own personal entertainment. They’re the reason why I tried to kill myself.

No. That's a lie. As much as they’ve been fucking with me, Brooks didn’t force himself on me. I wanted it. Even though it was fucked up, I wanted him. It’s all so confusing right now.

Because that wasn’t me, right? It has to be the bond. They’re my scent matches. That's it. Because otherwise, it would be messed up.

You are messed up Camden. You loved every fucked up thing that Alpha said and did to you. Don’t deny it.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I take a few deep breaths. “Thanks.” I say eventually.

“If you didn’t think we were besties before, you sure as hell are going to now. Or be sick of me for being up your ass,” he grins playful.

I laugh at that. “I guess time will tell.”

Jamie stays with me until the nurses kick him out. After a while, the doctor, as well as a psychiatrist, pay me a visit.

The doctor goes over the severe side effects of the pills I’ve been using and how dangerous continuing them could be for me in the long run.

The psychiatrist asks me a million questions about my life, none that I answer truthfully. So instead, I lie through my teeth, telling them I didn’t want to off myself and it was just a bad moment caused by the paranoia the meds I was taking caused me.

They both suggest I stay off the scent blockers, but if I was set on keeping up with taking them, he prescribes me the brand name medication option. The ones that were legal and didn’t have as many negative side effects.

He gave me enough pills for a month. A month and that was it. He wrote me a prescription for three more refills but even with my new job I was set to start, without any insurance, these pills are in the hundreds per month. It’s absurd how expensive these are.

The pay for this job seems to be good, but I’m not sure yet on how my hours are going to be. I might just make enough money to put gas in my car and feed myself at school. The possibility that I’ll also be able to pay for the medication I’ve come to depend on to survive is very low.

The good and bad news is, I have to stay here for three days under observation. Good because that's three days safe from running into them. From coming face to face with the three men who I hate more then anything, yet can’t help but fucking crave. God, I’m fucked up. Maybe I should ask them to commit me, because clearly there’s something wrong with me.

The bad news is, I have to stay here for three days. The room is too big, too open and too plain. The smells are all off. Too sterile. I want to go back to the dorm and curl up in my nest. The blankets are scratchy and thin. Everything about this place feels wrong.

Another reason I want to leave so bad is because they won’t let me take the suppressants until after I leave.

So I get to detox only to leave and go right back on pills.

Why didn’t he just let me die?

* * *

Three days later, I’m a free man. Lovely.

I spent the first day of my stay whimpering, aching, craving an Alpha’s touch. My Alphas. The Alphas who hate me and want me gone from their school.

Day two, I spent with my head over a toilet, shaking with the chills.

And day three was spent sleeping it away.

“You okay?” Jamie asks me. True to his word, he came back and picked me up after my mandated stay.

I seriously don’t know what I did to deserve a friend like him. But seeing how I’m alone in this world, I'll take what I can get. He’s also a damn good friend.

“I’m fine.” I smile over at him. “Just tired.” It wasn’t a lie. I just want to go home, curl up in my nest and sleep the next year away.

He looks at me wearily. “Are you sure you're okay?”

“If you're wondering if I’m going to down another bottle of pills, no, I’m not.” I try my best to give him a reassuring smile.

“I sure as fuck hope not,” he growls.

I shiver at his tone. No matter how many suppressants I take, it will never stop the reaction I have to any alpha. I’m an omega. It’s in my DNA. The best it does is mask my smell.

“Sorry,” he sighs when he sees my reaction. “I’m not mad at you. Just worried.”

“I’ll be okay.”

“Just promise me, if you're in need of someone to talk to, and you're not comfortable talking to me, talk to Beckham, please.”

“I will,” I smile. “You called him Beckham again.” I tell him when we reach his car.

He looks at me over his car. “It’s his name.”

I grin wider. “Yes, but most students don’t call their professors by their first name.”

He gives me a smirk back. “I’m not most students,” is all he says before pulling open the door and getting inside.

Wasn’t that the truth.

Jamie brings me back to the beta dorms. After thanking him and promising that I’d text him later, I rush up to my dorm room. The suppressants haven’t kicked in yet, and the last thing I need is someone smelling me and knowing I have no right to be in this building.

Once I’m locked safely inside my room I quickly strip out of my clothes and head right for my nest in the closet, needing to feel the softness of the blankets.

As I snuggle into the blankets, I sigh in the smallest bit of contentment. It sure as hell beats the hospital.

Closing my eyes, I inhale the familiar comforting smells as I drift off to sleep.

* * *

Three days later, my new suppressants have finally kicked back in. I’ve been held up in my dorm room the whole time, only coming out to use the bathroom late at night when everyone is sleeping, then to use the common room kitchenette area to heat up the ramen noodles and boxed mac and cheese I had stashed in my room.

I’ve already missed too much school and can’t help but worry if I’m going to be able to catch up. Thankfully, Jamie was able to get me some missed assignments and I was able to watch some of the lectures online.

Today, I only had two classes and both of them I was able to follow along pretty easily.

Rushing across campus, I'm on high alert. Even though I don’t see them, I don’t trust that they’re not lurking nearby.

I manage to make it to Professor Kennedy’s classroom just as one of his classes was being let out.

Pressing myself to the wall, I watch as each student leaves the class, making sure not to be seen before slipping into the room, closing and yes, locking the door behind me.

Professor Kennedy sits at his desk, his head down as he looks at the papers in front of him.

“Professor Kennedy.” I call his name, causing his head to pop up.

When he sees it’s me, his eyes soften.

“Camden.” He sits back in his chair. “How are you?”

“I’m doing… better.” As good as one can be whose life seems to be crashing down around them.

“Has Jamie been with you?”

I nod, as I slowly move towards him. “He’s been a good friend.”

“I wanted to be there for you when you woke up, but,” he sighs, rubbing the back of his head.

“It’s okay,” I give him a shy smile. “You’re a teacher. You found me in a bad way. I’m just sorry you had to deal with that.”

“Don’t be.” Professor Kennedy frowns. “I’m just glad you're okay. And I’m here to talk about anything you need. Always.”

Nerves flutter in my belly as I nod, swallowing hard.

“I’m guessing you know I’m an— I’m a—” I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. Voicing this out loud feels wrong. “An omega.”

He nods slowly. “I do. And I want you to know, there’s nothing wrong with that. Whatever your reason is to hide your designation, I want you to know there’s no reason to be ashamed of being an omega.”

“I’m not ashamed.” That's partly a lie. I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “Okay, maybe a little bit. But under any other circumstances, I wouldn’t be.” My heart races faster the more I speak. “My father, he’s not a good man. The way he treats female omegas.” A shudder of repulsion runs through me. I shake my head. “And male omegas are an abomination to him. If he knew what I was.” Terror flicks through my mind at the thought. “It wouldn’t be good.”

“I’m assuming the fact that you're gay doesn’t help with a man like that?” he asks.

My eyes widen as I open and close my mouth like a damn fish. “How do you know?”

He smirks. “It’s okay Camden. There’s also nothing wrong with being gay. I’m gay,” he shrugs.

“You are?” My brows furrow.

He nods. “A gay, male omega teacher,” he grins. “Not the easiest job. It sure as fuck has it’s challenges. But I’m proud of who I am. And you can be too, at least around me. And I know no one would judge you for being you in this school.”

“No.” I insist. “I can’t, okay. I just. I can’t.” If those guys find out I’m an omega… their omega… I’m not sure what kind of hell they’re going to put me through. If anything they would think of it as a free pass to do whatever they want with me, seeing me as their property. I saw how men like that treat their scent matches. It’s not good. It’s never good.

Fuck, I’m starting to spiral and the room is trying to close in on me.

Professor Kennedy holds up his hands. “Alright. It’s okay. If you don’t want anyone knowing what you are, your secret's safe with me.”

“Jamie knows,” I whisper.

“And Jamie won’t say a word,” he insists. “I can promise you that.”

Curiosity spikes me. “Are you close with Jamie?” I find myself asking.

His body stiffens as he looks at me for a few long beats. He clears his throat. “You could say that.”

There's so much I want to ask. Are they friends, do they know one another outside school?

Or is there something more.

Could Jamie be doing something more with our Professor? Jamie is an alpha. And Beckham is an omega.

Not wanting to press or piss him off, I don’t push. “He’s a good friend.” I whisper.

“He’s a good man.” The way Professor Kennedy says that statement with so much pride has me leaning more towards there being something more going on between the two of them.

Good on Jamie. Professor Kennedy is insanely attractive. And if it wasn’t for my shit storm of a life making me feel numb right now, I'd probably be flustered in his presence like before.

“I should get going. I just wanted to thank you. For everything.”

“Don’t thank me,” he smiles. “Just promise me you're okay. And if you're not, you’ll tell me so I can help.”

Swallowing hard, tears sting my eyes. I’m not used to so many people caring about me. I’ve been alone pretty much my whole life. It feels nice. Good. Right.

“Okay.” I croak out. A part of me wants to tell him about Henley, Brooks and River, but it’s just too much to think about right now. I haven’t taken the time to really process what their being my scent matches means and right now is not the time.

“Camden.” Professor Kennedy calls out as I reach his door. I pause and turn around to face him. “Henley and his pack. If they give you a hard time, let me know.”

I nod, because what else am I going to do? I know for a fact I won’t be running to him anytime these guys cause issues for me. I’m an adult. I can deal with this myself.

Like you did so well the last time.

Leaving the classroom, I check my phone quickly to see that Jamie said he’s coming to pick me up. Something about going out to eat.

I sigh, knowing I don’t have the money for that, but don’t want to turn him down.

Then I remember I was supposed to start my job the other day. Fuck!

Quickly, I call the club. Thankfully the manager picks up, and I’m able to tell him I was sick in the hospital and that I’m so sorry for missing my first shift. They tell me it’s okay, and to come in tomorrow night.

I sigh and thank him, telling him I’ll be there.

Slipping into a bathroom, I wait in there until Jamie texts that he’s outside. “You can do this, Cam.” I tell myself in the mirror. “You will not take the easy way out. You just need to get your degree and then you're free from this life. You can do this. You’ve survived this long, what's a few more years of bullshit.”

Easier said than done when the men who're supposed to tear the world apart for you, hate you with a passion.

Would they still feel that way if they smelled me, if they knew I was theirs?

It’s not something I’m willing to risk.