Page 18

I replay the last sixty seconds, and well, shit. I guess my response should have been more along the lines of “I don’t have a boyfriend,” but I seem to have messed that part up, haven’t I ?

“Cameron,” he snaps.

“What?” I snap back.

“You’re not dating Brady.”

I purse my lips, glaring due to the nerve of this guy. Obviously, it’s not a command, more him stating what he thinks is a fact. Technically, it is one, but he doesn’t know that. Well, not for certain anyway. “Who I do or don’t date is none of your business.”

“Bullshit. I want you, and I’m not giving up on the idea of you being by my side when all this is over.”

“By the time what is over?”

“I don’t know, this class, this year. I don’t really have a timeline here.” He grins.

“I’m asking you for space to figure out what I want.”

“Space will push me further away. I can’t give you that.”

“You will respect my choices, Alister.”

“You just said you like me!”

“I like you but I don’t trust you!”

“Let me prove to you that you can.”

“Stop.”

“Please, Cameron.”

“I said, stop,” I hiss, noticing a few eyes pretending not to look this way now.

“Just tell me you’ll give me a chance. Go on a date with me. A real date and I’ll show you?—”

“I swear to god.”

“—that I’m not that guy. I can be what you need?—”

“I have what I need!” I shout as I shoot to my feet.

And then I freeze.

“Is there a problem back there?” Professor Gilroy calls out, standing from where he’s helping another pair.

My face is turning red, from anger and embarrassment and straight-up frustration.

I swiftly shove my shit in my bag and take off down the steps, vaguely aware of Alister telling the teacher everything is fine as I push out the double doors and into the hall.

I run to the end, barging out into the afternoon sun, and then tip my head back with a growl.

My god, why is he so damn…I don’t even know!

I groan again, gripping the straps of my bag, and hustle toward the café. I need some caffeine. And sugar. Maybe some carbs.

Yes. Coffee and a cookie and then to the cafeteria I go. I’m aware I could get coffee there, but I’d rather not have the stuff that tastes like my dad made it at five in the morning and reheated it five hours later.

I don’t bother preordering my drink, since I left class with about ten minutes to spare, and as soon as I have my goods in hand, I stomp on over to the dining hall. It doesn’t open for dinner for another two hours, but hopefully there’s still some items on the grab-and-go wall.

“Cameron!”

My head whips around, and I glare, quickening my steps toward the building. I’m so close I can taste the processed cheese from here.

“Cameron, wait, damn it!” Alister yells, yet again gaining the attention of those around us.

I can tell he’s jogging by the sound of his voice and use my long-ass legs to my advantage, speed-walking like a motherfucker.

“I’m going to catch you! No reason to avoid me.”

People snicker, and I feel my face heat.

I’m almost there, my hand shooting out to grip the railing and use it like a catapult, but just as my palm closes around the painted metal, I catch something out of the corner of my eye to my left.

There’s no time to think it through, no time to second-guess.

I cut to the right, and I’m only about four feet from them when they notice me.

Mason smiles, but I’m pretty sure a frown begins to form just as fast. I can’t say for sure though because I’m already launching myself at his best friend, one of my best friends, and the man doesn’t let me down—not that I thought for a moment he would .

Not that I had a second to think this through much at all if we’re being real.

Instantly and without hesitation, Brady catches me under my thighs. My legs lace around him like I’m a spider monkey, and his chin lifts just a bit, so he can meet my eyes, a hint of worry working its way into his own.

“Sorry,” I manage to mumble as my hands weave their way around his neck, and then I crush my lips to his. I kiss him, and I don’t stop, putting on a good and believable show. And Brady doesn’t disappoint, simply trusting me in the moment and following my lead.

Only when a few people shout out catcalls do I pull back.

Brady licks the seam of his lips, brow lifting as he stares at me.

“Am I gonna fuck up your bed game if I ask to stretch out your fake boyfriend idea for a while?” I whisper.

Brady shakes his head, a question in his eyes, but then I’m yanked from his arms with a yelp.

Brady drops his shit, shoving Alister so hard, he falls on his ass, but Alister gets back up, and before I can move, Chase’s arms lock around me, holding me still.

“Quit with this shit already!” Alister seethes, not cowering from the man who has a good sixty pounds on him, not to mention being nearly a head taller. “I get it. Leave her alone. Wait for her to come to me. Just…stop fucking kissing her.”

“I’ll kiss her anytime I want…any where I want, if you feel me.” Brady smirks.

“See?” Alister shouts. “And you’re supposed to be her friend! Everyone knows you’re nothing but a player. You screw anything that walks and then you do the walking. There is no way she would actually date you.”

Chase’s hand clamps over my mouth before I even get a chance to attempt to speak.

I look to Brady, hating Alister’s words on his behalf, but settle a little when I find his smirk is still in place .

“You done, bitter baby?” Brady cocks his head mockingly.

Alister turns my way, his eyes seeming to dive deep down and search for the truth of what’s really happening here. He must not find the answer because little creases form along his forehead.

I wait for him to snap at me, to call out more lies in front of all the people watching, and there are a lot of people watching, but he doesn’t do that.

He clears his throat and offers a small smile. “I’ll make sure my part is done for the project. I’ll see you Thursday, okay?”

I try not to frown as I nod in response.

Alister nods back, grabs his backpack, and walks away.

It’s not until he’s far, far away—Ari having made her way to us and the rest of the onlookers going back to whatever the hell they were doing before we became a sideshow—that the boys look between Brady and me with wide, what the fuck eyes.

“Right.” I clear my throat, wiping the lipstick that must be all over my mouth if the sight of Brady’s tells me anything—really need to switch to the long-wear shit. “So…I guess Brady is my boyfriend now.”

I’ve never wanted to have a camera at the ready more than I do in this moment.

Their expressions are priceless.

Brady tells them what happened at the party the other day, and they start to laugh. They don’t ask questions, don’t offer opinions, but simply wrap their arms around me and Ari and lead us toward the cafeteria.

Guess the boys need a sandwich too.

After we all find food to grab, we make our way over to a long table and set it out in the middle to share.

Everyone starts to sit, but I pause, facing Brady.

“What’s the matter?” He reads the concern in my expression with ease.

“I’m sorry he said all that about you.”

Understanding dawns and he shakes his head. “Don’t stress on my behalf. People can say whatever they want about me. It doesn’t change anything.”

“How are you not bothered? I’m pissed.”

Brady smiles, tugging my hair gently. “Because it’s a bunch of bullshit, Cammie Baby. That’s how.”

I frown and he grins wider, motioning for me to sit, so I join the others on the picnic-style table.

Brady sits with one leg on either side of the bench seat, tucking me back into his chest, and whispers in my ear, “I’m gonna be so good at this fake-boyfriend stuff.”

I laugh as I settle into him, and I can’t help but look around the room with a smile.

This, right here, this is what we talked about for years.

It’s a random Thursday, we’re in a cafeteria sharing pound cake slices and nearly soggy sandwiches, but it’s exactly what we were looking forward to all our teenage years. I think it’s safe to say that junior year here at Avix University is guaranteed to be an interesting one.

The question I want the answer to the most, though?

How the hell is it going to end?