Page 18 of His Team

I snort. “I guess so.”

CHAPTER 6

Going On a Date

Kayleen

“Stand strong, Kay. Don’t you go calling that boy,” I chide myself as I sit in my bedroom in my parents’ house.

I’ve been sitting in the middle of my bed, warring with my thoughts and decisions since this morning when I came home. I did what I thought was the right thing. Cameron needs some space. Time to miss me and remember what he has. My mama was right.

“She better be right,” I grumble to myself.

When Mama found out how poorly Mrs. Jemma’s plan went, she gave me some advice of her own. She thinks I need to give Cam room to breathe, some space to miss what’s been by his side all along.

I’m not going to lose Cameron. Not without a fight. This is me fighting—at least, I think it is. That’s what it’s supposed to be.

I followed Mama’s advice and left Cam with something on his mind. Me. I made sure to sleep with him before giving him this break.

I do feel bad about Caleb. I get that I fucked up, but in the end, not going to college with my star athlete boyfriend will be a problem. Girls see Cam and they swoon. When they find out he’s a talented baseball player; they pounce.

I’m only setting up my insurance plan. No one knows Cam like I do when it comes to sex. That’s where I’ll always win.

“Look, he’s calling already,” I sing and smile to myself.

I knew I took a gamble this morning. When I left and left that note behind, I took the risk he would call. Cam can be stubborn and petty when he wants to be.

However, I knew things would go my way. They have to. We’re going to get married someday.

This call had to come … I freeze and frown when it’s a number I don’t recognize. It’s not Cam. Crap, he still hasn’t called.

“Hello,” I answer, confused and wondering what Cam is doing that he hasn’t called yet.

Caleb was released from the hospital. He has to be with him. That’s it.

“What’s up, Kayleen?” A deep voice comes from the other line.

I knit my brows. “JR?”

He chuckles. “Yeah, my cousin gave me your number.”

“Your cousin?”

“Yeah, Simone. That’s who invited me the other night.”

I palm my forehead. How could I have forgotten that they’re cousins? Simone was on the cheer squad with me. I think she had a crush on Caleb, but he wasn’t ready for something like that.

I pout as I think of how easy high school had been. I knew my role and played it. I was a part of the team and always thought I would be.

“What’s up? What can I do for you?” I say as I shake myself from my thoughts.

“I’m heading out first thing in the morning. I wanted to see if you’d have dinner with me. Maybe catch a movie.”

I bite my lip and try to think of a way out of this. I’m attracted to Jareil, but I don’t know if I want to date anyone else. It’s always been Cam.

“Come on. I read the energy. There’s trouble in paradise.

“At least see what else is out there. If it doesn’t work out, you can say you tried. You won’t have any what-ifs,” he coaxes smoothly.

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