Page 94 of Please Save Me

“One.” I could feel his gaze burning into the side of my head.

At the end of his countdown, I plucked another novel off the shelf and added it to the other one.

“You gonna give those to me?” he challenged.

A victorious smirk twisted my lips, and I shook my head.

“You realize you’re gonna be in trouble later, right?” he added.

“You’re not going to do anything. Maybe if you smacked my ass instead of spoiling me, I’d know how to act.”

“I ain’t gonna do anything here, we’re in public.” He leaned in close, pressing his nose to mine. “But once we’re home, you’re gonna be lucky if I don’t strip you down, strap you to a chair, and give you anattitude adjustment.”

A thrill coursed through me as excitement burned in my veins. I hadn’t wanted sex before… but now? Maybe.

I made a show of holding my books closer as I sauntered up to the register, leaving him to trail behind me. When we reached the counter, and the likely underpaid cashier rang me up, I tried to pay, but Cameron plucked my debit card out of my fingers and slipped it into his pocket.

He seemed a little uneasy as he watched the cashier, but I had no idea why.

Eventually, the receipt machine screeched, and the worker handed Cameron the receipt. The two held eye contact for a moment, and I swore Cameron wasn’t breathing.

“Is there something else you need?” the girl asked.

“I, uh, you go to my church, right?” he continued.

Was he embarrassed to be seen with me?

She nodded, brown ponytail bobbing as she did. “Every week for the last four years.”

Cameron swallowed hard as he reached for the plastic bag on the counter. “Is there, uh, anything you want to say about any of this?”

Cam was a very charismatic man. He could strike up a conversation with anyone, and I’d never really seen him be awkward until now. Maybe he was worried about what the church would say about him toting around an unwed baby mama.

“No, but have a nice day.” she chimed.

Cameron nodded before leaning in and kissing me once more. It wasn’t soft or sensual like normal; instead, it was quick and almost automatic.

“She uh–This is Mason,” he explained, gesturing to me. “And that’s my baby.”

She stared at him, not like I’d do any different.

“Congratulations?” she offered.

I nudged him with my elbow, and he cast me a downward glance.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I hissed.

Cameron’s eyes darted nervously around the room as a subtle flush crept up his neck. He cleared his throat.

“I, uh, I just wanted to let the world know who you are and that I got you pregnant–”

I snatched the bag from his hand before heading toward the door as fast as possible, which, unfortunately, wasn’t very fast right now. My palm met the metal handle as I pushed the door open, and the bell above me chimed. Before I was even out the door, Cameron was behind me.

“Mae, I don’t want you carrying that.” He placed a hand on my shoulder. “Quit having a hissy fit, and let me help you.”

I stopped dead in my tracks as I tried to process what the hell he just told me.

“... A pissywhat?”

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