Page 55 of His Team

“Yeah, I’m going to hop in the shower first, if you don’t mind.”

“Take your time. I promise not to polish off the bottle.”

I laugh and wave her off as I head for my room to strip and gather my things to take my shower. I’m moving slowly as I think over my conversation with Cam. We tell each other that we love each other all the time, but I don’t think he means it like I do or knows how much I mean it.

I’ve never disrespected his relationship with Kay. Although I’ve always thought he could do better. She just sounds like everything is about her.

He loves her, but I don’t think he’s in love with her. If not for the pressure from his mother and hers, I don’t think he would still be with her. However, I read something in his face tonight when I asked about her.

It could be my stupid heart wanting something I can’t have, but Cam just sounded over it. I do my best to stay out of their relationship. It’s not like I can offer him what he needs.

Not that the chemistry between us is gone. We have plenty of that. Cam and I could light a city with the electricity that runs between us.

That’s what’s been making things so hard lately. I’ll be leaving to return home and Dez is there waiting. These feelings I have for Cam are only making my future seem more bleak.

“Why can’t you just stay away from him?” I say as I stand under the spray in the shower.

I have a ton of reasons to stay away, Dez being only one. I know Cam better than he knows himself and yet I know he’s still keeping secrets from me.

I’ve never pushed because I have no right to all his thoughts or his life. When it comes to Cam, I’m happy to have a friend I can talk to on those days when I feel alone in all of this.

I step from the shower and wrap myself in a towel. Before I can get my clothes on, my phone rings. I know right away it’s Dez. I don’t fight him on these mandatory nightly calls because he did back off some after freshman year.

“Hello,” I answer the phone.

“Good evening, Maribel. How is my fiancée doing? How was your day?”

I roll my eyes. I don’t get what the act is for. I already know who he is.

“It was fine. I’m getting ready for bed.”

“Did you receive my email? What do you think about the venues I sent over?”

“I didn’t get a chance to look them over. Today was busy. I had to get all my books and things for class.”

“Um, I want to hear your thoughts. I thought we could use one for the engagement party and the other for the wedding.”

“I’ll have a look before I go to bed. Hey, my pizza is getting cold. Can I talk to you tomorrow?”

“You’re eating pizza before bed? Careful, Maribel. I remember that tight body from when we met. I hope you haven’t ruined it in the last three years. I would hate to have to push the wedding back for you to go on a diet.”

Gah. I silently scream into the mirror. He’s such a fucking asshole.

I have to bite my tongue to keep from saying something smart. Maybe if I return a hundred pounds heavier, he’ll leave me the fuck alone. That’s it, I’m going on a beer and pizza diet.

“I’ll be fine,” I mutter into the phone instead of telling him off.

“Circumstances have afforded you time to get this all out of your system. However, I look forward to claiming all that is mine. I count down the days until you’re with me.

“I trust you’ve remained my good girl. Sleep well, Maribel. We will be together soon.”

I hang up and make a gagging sound. There isn’t enough pot for me to smoke to make me okay with calling that man my husband. Cam is right; I have at least four more months to figure this out. If I can figure out how Dakota pulled another semester, I might be able to swing at least a summer session.

There has to be a way out.

CHAPTER 20

Conflicted Heart

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