Page 24 of Unstoppable Love

And space from Cameron. From all the memories we’d shared for my entire life. There wasn’t a part of my childhood that didn’t have Cameron in it, and maybe that was part of my problem. I’d orbited around his world for so long and then tried to exit that orbit with Kip, but every time I came back here or was around Cameron, I was sucked right back in.

I shoved my hands through my hair once I was in the restroom and stared at my reflection. My cheeks were flushed from the drink and the laughter in part, but the warmth in my stomach proved a different story.

There was no way I could finally move on and chase my own dream, which he would never be a part of, if I continued to spend so much time around him.

I used the restroom and washed my hands. Opening the door with the paper towels, I looked back to make sure I tossed them into the garbage can and not on the floor and left the restroom and was immediately smacked in the face with a chest that wasn’t nearly as hard as Cam’s and didn’t belong to someone nearly as attractive as he was.

“Hey there, Ava-baby. Fancy seeing you here.”

Jimmy Morton. He was tall. Larger and wider than he’d been in high school. I avoided him at every opportunity.

Partly because the night I’d gone to Cameron’s room all those years ago, Jimmy had tried to drag me into the hayloft. Everyone had been so drunk, they didn’t notice, or they didn’t realize I hadn’t wanted to be tugged along by him.

But that moment terrified me. He’d been larger than me then and so much stronger, and I could only imagine what would have happened if he hadn’t drunkenly stumbled over a hay bale, lost his grip on me, and I’d had time to run.

I’d run straight to Cameron’s room. Not for safety, but because the thought of having something taken from me when I’d only wanted to give it to one person had me acting before I was thinking clearly.

I’d been desperate that night, and I’d done something I’d equally regretted and treasured every day since.

“Jimmy.” I pressed my back to the wall and tried to slide past him. He moved with me and placed his hand on the wall above my shoulder. His other arm hung loose at his side, but there was nothing loose or relaxed in the way he towered over me.

In theory, Jimmy was attractive. I had no doubt he’d have no problems finding someone if he were in the city, but too many women in our town, hell, the entire county, had seen this side of him. So yeah, we steered clear.

“Miss seeing you around so much.”

He would be the only reason to never return to New Haven permanently.

“That’s because I don’t live here, so if you’ll excuse me… I need to get back to Lydia.”

“Yeah. Saw her sittin’ with them Kelleys. Think they’re so much better than everyone, but they’re not, not even Cameron. You should spend some time with someone who really knows you.”

His other hand raised, settled at my hip, and I jolted, flinched from the contact of his hand on me, and then he was gone.

A wall stood in front of us.

No. Not a wall. I’d recognize that back anywhere.

“Touch her again and die,” Cameron stated, and my breath caught in my throat.

He had Jimmy slammed on the opposite wall, with his hand wrapped around his throat. Jimmy’s face was turning a light purple.

He was also glaring at Cameron, smirking. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. Ava-baby wanted me there.”

“You’re a dick, Jimmy.” It was all I could muster.

“Sounds to me like she didn’t, and you should know better than to mess with Isaiah’s little sister. You want to end up like your dad?”

Jimmy was somehow able to get his hands between them and push Cameron off. He stepped back, but stayed between Jimmy and me.

I willed my heart to slow while Jimmy ran a hand through his hair. It was slick, styled, and in his eyes, there was only malice.

“Keep the fuck away from me, Kelley. Wouldn’t want you being charged with assault, now, would you?”

“Touch her again, and I’ll gladly take the charge. I’ll sit on the bench all damn season with a broken hand and smile every fucking day knowing how I broke it, if I have to. Now get the fuck out of here.”

Jimmy grinned and then flashed me a wink as he sauntered past Cameron. “See you later, Ava-baby.”

Cameron moved toward him, but Jimmy was gone.

---