I wrap my legs tightly around him and try not to think about anything else. I want to be here. I want to figure out what’s right for me.
“Fuck, Kay. I love you so much, baby.”
“I love you too,” I whimper.
I’m so fucked. This isn’t going to end how I want it to. I know it’s not.
CHAPTER 27
Happy Birthday
Maribel
I don’t know why I’m so nervous. It’s probably because I texted Cam in the middle of the night to come meet me on this rooftop. It’s his birthday.
I wanted to give him his birthday gift in person on the day. He once told me he was born at 2:18 a.m. His brother was born at 2:34 a.m. So I texted him an hour ago and asked him to meet me up here at 2:18 a.m.
I know he and his brother have a big party tomorrow at his parents’ house. I figured this would be my shot to give him my gift and still be a part of his day. This might be his last birthday I get to be a part of.
“Hey,” his deep voice rumbles from behind me.
I turn to find him watching me closely. He has a smile on his face, but his eyes aren’t lit up like I’m used to. Concern fills me right away. Maybe I shouldn’t have texted him this late.
“Is everything okay? Did I interrupt you and Kay?”
He snorts. “I spent the day with Cal and Nicole. I haven’t seen Kay in the last two days. Nope. You didn’t interrupt anything. I was in my room alone, thinking. You saved me from my thoughts. What’s up?”
“Happy birthday,” I sing and hold my arms out to hug him.
He scoops me into his arms and holds me tighter than I’m expecting. I’m taken aback when he buries his face in my neck and starts to rock me from side to side.
“Thank you,” he chokes out.
“Hey, Cam? Is everything all right?”
He pulls away and nods his head. “Yeah, I’m good. We lighting up? You have some birthday hash or something?”
“No, but I do have a gift for you. Here,” I say, pulling the box from my pocket and handing it over to him.
He takes the box with a boyish smile on his face. Then he tears into the paper like a little kid. I watch his face as he pulls the box open and pulls out the chain from inside.
He lifts the necklace in the air and studies it. A smile comes to his face and his eyes lock with mine. This time, the smile reaches his eyes.
“A Jodeci chain? Do you know how much I wanted to get one of these? Kay and Kota said it would be corny, so I never did.” He chuckles as he puts down the box and goes to clasp the chain around his neck.
If I didn’t know him and how much he loves the group, I would have thought it corny too. However, knowing the fan he is, it’s perfect for him. I had it iced out and everything.
“You like it?” I ask, hoping he doesn’t think it’s corny now.
“I love it. I’m never taking it off. It will have to turn my neck green first.”
“That’s not going to happen. That thing wasn’t cheap to have made.”
“I bet, but where’d you get the money? Shouldn’t you be saving for whatever the plan ends up being?”
I wave him off. “Don’t worry about it. My dad gave me some money for some shit I wasn’t going to use it for, so I put it to better use.”
I don’t tell him he’s wearing part of my wedding gown budget. I’m not spending a quarter of a million on a gown for someone I want to marry. My father is tripping, thinking I plan to spend that much of anyone’s money to marry Dez.