“Yes.” There is no hesitation in his answer.
“What if it hurts your chances of staying with the Blaze?”
He slides his hand behind my neck and pulls me close, pressing his forehead to mine. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take. I’ve never met anyone like you. I’ve never met anyone who could make me think of something besides the game. That’s worth everything.”
How do I say no to that?
It’s simple. I don’t.
I don’t want to. I can’t resist him. I have a list a mile long of reasons we should just be friends, but none of them seem to matter. He’s in this. I trust that. I can see the conviction in his eyes and hear it in his voice. I’m who he wants, and to be honest, I’m tired of fighting him on this when he’s who I want as well.
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
I nod. “Yeah. But I want to slow us down just a little. That means you sleep at your place tonight.”
“Say it.”
“Say what?” I’m being coy, and we both know it.
“Paisley,” he warns.
“I’m your girlfriend.” Saying the words makes me feel like I’m back in high school, but the way his eyes light up under the glow of the streetlamp makes that childish feeling worth it.
“Fuck yes, you are,” he says, as his lips crash with mine. He rests his palms against my cheeks as he kisses me breathless.
I don’t know how long we kiss, but when I remember that his mom is waiting for him to let her into his condo, it’s like a bucket of cold water is tossed over my head. “Cam, your mom,” I say against his lips.
“More kissing. Less talking.”
“Cameron.” I laugh, pushing at his chest, effectively breaking our kiss. “Your mom is waiting on you.”
“Oh, shit,” he mutters.
“Yeah. Oh, shit.”
“This is real, right, Paisley?” he asks softly. “I’m not going to wake up tomorrow and realize this was all just a dream?”
“It’s real. But you need to go.”
“Come on. I’ll walk you to your door.” He climbs out of the truck, and that’s when I see his mom climb out of her SUV that’s parked beside us. My face heats with embarrassment. Not the best first impression of his girlfriend.
Knowing I need to face this head-on and I have no other choice, I reach for the handle and climb out of the truck. I take my time walking to the front and meeting them on the sidewalk. As soon as I’m within arm’s reach, Cameron slides his arm around my waist.
“Mom, I have someone for you to meet,” he says. His voice is chipper and filled with wonder.
“You feeling okay, son?” Grace asks him.
He laughs. “I’m perfect. Mom, this is my girlfriend, Paisley Monroe.”
“Well, that’s a new development. A welcome one.” Grace steps forward and wraps her arms around both of us in a motherly embrace. When she pulls away, she’s smiling wide, and it may just be the lighting, but I’m pretty sure she has tears in her eyes.
“Where’s your bag?” Cameron asks.
“Oh, I just have this small one.” She points at a small suitcase at her feet.
“I’ll take that.” Cameron reaches for the bag and begins to wheel it toward his condo.