“I like you as a friend, but I don’t know if I want to get beat up by that. He’s a monster. He looks like he wants to break all of my bones, then feed them to the dogs.”
“That’s why you have to step on the gas and let’s fly the fuck out of here.”
He let out a nervous laugh. “Good idea.”
I wanted to look back, wanted to know if he was still there, watching us drive away. I wanted to know why he stopped me, why he said those things he did. And why he didn’t say the things I wanted him to say.
“Go back,” I said.
“What?” Thomas threw me a glance.
“I’m sorry, Thomas. Head back to the yard. I have to ask him something.”
“I knew it.” He sighed. “You always have this sad look in your eyes every time I see you. If he’s the only one who can remove that sadness, if he’s the only one who can make you happy, go for it. I’ll support you as a friend and drive you back.”
I reached for his hand on the steering wheel and squeezed.
“Thank you, Thomas.”
My heart jumped when I saw Cameron still standing in the same spot, as if he knew I was going to come back.
Make a choice, my dad said.
Then I will.
Chapter 25
Cameron
She was coming back. She had to, because if she didn’t, I was going after her.
There was no way I would let her go. Not with that guy. Not with any guy.
Not yet.
Not ever.
Did she expect me to let her go?
She probably did. She probably thought I had let her go completely when I left. And for a while, I had fooled myself that I could. That I did.
But one look at her that day in Rick’s office and all thoughts about letting her go went out the window.
Being with me might complicate her life more than it was already. She was already struggling, I could see that as clear as day. But I was selfish. I was greedy. I wanted her.
I wanted her anger, her annoyance, her mean streak. Every fucking thing I could get.
I was weak when it came to her. I realized that now. Fighting it just made me a miserable son of a bitch.
I had no reason to believe that she would come back to me. I had given her every reason to stay away, but something inside me…hoped. And kept wanting.
I stood in the middle of the yard, like a stupid motherfucker, waiting.
And hell…she said she never went out with guys. Who was that guy who picked her up? What was wrong with her car? She had an auto shop, for goddamn sake. What did she need a ride for? She could just ask me.
I fisted my hands, feeling the bite of my nails against my palms.
She had to come back.