Page 21 of Instant Bond

“You want to pick me up every Friday night?”

“Yes. I’ll worry too much otherwise.”

“Isn’t that going to be kind of a pain in the ass?” I asked, but his offer was actually perfect. I hated riding the bus, and I loved being near him. It was definitely a win-win.

“No.” And that was that.

“Um, okay, if you say so. I really appreciate it. And picking me up today, too.”

“It’s no problem at all, Cameron. I’ve really wanted to see you.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. I know I’ve been turning you down a lot, but it’s not because I don’t want to see you or anything.”

“I know that. And you were open in the beginning about not having a lot of time, so I understand. I told you I’ll take whatever you can give me.”

I wished I could give him a hell of a lot more. It would be easier once Ty knew about him and he could come over sometimes in the evenings. Yet another reason for me to introduce them.

On the way home, we chatted about our jobs. Karter described his career to me, and the degrees he’d gotten at his mother’s insistence. Apparently she hadn’t wanted to give him access to his trust fund without them. So he’d gotten them, and he’d ended up with a cushy executive position at the company because of them.

It was really impressive to me that he’d worked so hard, but my own education story was radically different.

“Um, I didn’t go to college or anything. Actually, I dropped out of high school to take care of Ty, so…” I trailed off, peeking over at him to try and gauge his reaction. He glanced over, briefly meeting my eyes.

“I’m sure that was a very difficult decision for you. I really admire how much you’ve sacrificed to make sure that Ty has everything he needs. Your drive is incredible.”

“You seriously mean that?” I asked. “I mean, you don’t think I’m a loser for not having a degree?”

“Of course I don’t. Do you think I could be so inconsiderate? No, don’t answer that,” he quickly added, shaking his head as he stared at the road ahead. “Do you believe I could ever think so lowly of you?” He reworded the question.

“I… Hope you wouldn’t.”

“I wouldn’t. Everything I learn about you only amazes me more and more.”

It was nice, hearing someone praise me. Especially when that someone was a person I thought so highly of, and liked so much. But it made me afraid for the time when I would inevitably disappoint him.

When we arrived at my apartment, he looked at me questioningly.

“Well, riding home with you saved some time, and Ty won’t be getting dropped off for another half hour or so,” I said. His face instantly lit up, which in turn had my chest fluttering. “So you can come in for a little bit if you want.”

Once we were inside, he headed right to the couch to sit, patting the space next to him in invitation. At times he seemed so sophisticated and mature, and sometimes he was just a complete goofball. Both sides of him appealed to me so much I didn’t know what to do about it.

“I know I’m kind of a sucky host for not offering you a drink or anything but all I have is Kool-Aid and chocolate milk.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “I don’t need a drink. All I need is you.”

When I sat next to him, he put his arm around me, gently nudging me into the position we’d sat in before. I didn’t mind. For having such a firm, hard body, he was supremely snuggly.

“Sorry we don’t really have enough time for… You know,” I said. I wasn’t just apologizing to him. I was really, really sorry. Now that I’d done it again after so long, I didn’t want to go another half decade or more.

“I don’t have a clue what you could possibly mean, Cameron,” he said, his tone obviously mocking me. I couldn’t help but giggle.

“You definitely know what I mean. You’re telling me you haven’t thought about doing anything with me since the other day?”

“I’ve barely thought of anything else,” he admitted, grinning down at me. “But there’s no point in complaining about the time we don’t have together.”

“You’re so high-minded,” I scoffed, sighing. “If I didn’t think that the girls who run the daycare would drop Ty off the second my pants were down, I’d be in your lap.”

“Are you trying to torture me?” He asked, and I bit my lower lip to try and hold in my laugh.

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