Page 27 of His Team

“You still have that goofy smile on your face,” Taylor teases, pulling me from the fog I’m in as we walk the campus, heading to class.

The sun is beaming down on us, but there’s a chill in the air. I’m glad I put a hoodie on this morning. This beanie has been working miracles as well.

“Whatever, I’ll see you after class.” I laugh her off and shake my head.

She’s been teasing me since the texts between me and Cam started. I’m glad she hasn’t pried or tried to get me to tell her who they’re coming from. Although I can tell she wants to.

“Are we still heading to see a movie?”

I chew on my lip. Cam asked me to hang out tonight. I haven’t committed to anything yet, but I’m so tempted. It might be fun.

The only reason I haven’t agreed is because that kiss from the party has been living rent-free in my mind. My toes curl in my shoes from just thinking about it.

With Dez breathing down my neck, insisting I come home for the holidays, I can’t bring myself to give in to my feelings for Cam. I shouldn’t even be allowing them to grow. Thankfully, Cam has respected our friendship over the phone.

“I’m not sure yet. Can I think about it and let you know after class?”

“Sure. I’ll see you.” She waves as I turn off for the science building.

I’m lost in thought as I make my way to class. My morning chemistry class is the only one I have on Fridays. It’s actually one of my favorites so far. The professor has a great personality and makes the lectures fun.

I’m startled as someone wraps an arm around my head and I’m tugged into a strong side. I look up at Cameron in shock. When I look around me, I see his brother and cousin a few feet away.

I look back up at Cam as my chest heaves. He smiles back at me as he grabs my face and turns my head from side to side, pushing my hoodie back slightly. I stare back at him curiously.

“I thought you had headphones on or earbuds in or something. I was shouting your name, but you kept walking and ignoring me,” he says as he knits his brows.

“Oh, I was running through my notes for class in my head. I didn’t hear you. I wasn’t paying attention.”

“Cool, got you. You on your way to class now?”

“Yeah, you guys on a run?” I ask as I nod toward his brother and cousin.

“We were. I’m starving now, so we’re heading to get something to eat. Too bad you’re a good girl. I’d try to talk you into skipping class to join us.”

I smile back at him. “I would like to meet them both. Maybe this once I could make the exception.”

The smile drops from his face as I look over at the two waiting for him. I’m not sure what just changed, but it’s clear something has. I tug my hoodie back in place.

“You know what, on second thought. I already had breakfast, and we’re secret friends, so that’s a bad idea.”

Seeming to relax, he reaches for my hand. “Are we on for tonight? It will be fun, I promise.”

“I don’t know.”

“Come on, Amina. You said we could be friends. Friends hang out all the time. We’re just going for a bite to eat and bowling or something.”

“I don’t know. Taylor wants to go to the movies.”

“What time is the movie over? We can meet up after. It’s Friday. You don’t have class tomorrow morning.”

I think about it and almost tell him no. However, he gives me that smile and those dimples pop and I can’t deny him. When he wraps his arms around my head and pulls me into him as he rocks my body from side to side and buries his face in the top of my head, my restraint breaks.

His arms feel so comforting. Cam has this way of making me feel safe so effortlessly. I wrap my arms around him and inhale deeply.

He’s sweaty, but his cologne still clings to him. It should be illegal for a guy to be this manly in every way. I nearly cream my panties when he begins to speak.

“You know you want to hang with me. Stop overthinking things. If we’re friends, spending time together isn’t a big deal. Come on, darlin’. Hang with me tonight,” he says.

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