Page 99 of The Drop

"I don't want you to be nice just because you feel sorry for me, Cami," I say, frustrated, turning back before we reach the main bar. "I want you not to be mad at me anymore."

"I can't just pretend I’m not hurt," she pouts, crossing her arms and cocking her hip defensively.

"I know! And I'm not asking you to, because I messed up; I did something wrong. I just want you to hear me out and know how sorry I am," I let out in exasperation.

"Why didn't you tell me, B?" she asks, looking down disappointedly. "You tell me everything."

"I thought you would judge me for it. You have such a strong opinion about him sleeping around. I didn't want you to think I was just another stupid hookup."

"I would never think you were stupid, B. I might have judged a little, but we could have talked about it."

"Well, I know that now." Sighing, I say, "I got so caught up in it that when it turned into more than just sleeping together, I got worried about how you'd take it, and then it just got away from me."

"So it was more than just hooking up?" she asks, leaning against an empty table. I move to lean next to her.

"It was never just hooking up, I don't think." I play with the edge of my sweater dress. "Do you ever feel like someone just fits you, like you don't have to think about it you just are?"

"Yeah," she hums, then looks at me and squeezes my hand. "I always felt that way with us."

"Me too." I squeeze back tightly. "I'm sorry, Cam."

She nods against me, and we hold each other a bit longer. We've been apart before, but never without talking like this.

"So, now I’d have to share you with Grant?" she huffs, kicking my shoe with hers. I laugh sadly, shaking my head.

"I'm sorry, B." She pulls me in for a hug, and I accept it. "If it’s any consolation, he's at the guy's apartment staying in every night."

"So that's where you were going?" I snort. We step back from each other, and I worry she might walk away.

"Are you here with other girls?" she asks, looking away as if she’s not bothered.

"Cami." I laugh and pull her back in for another hug. "Come on." I led her behind me into the main bar, over to the girls. Savannah still has Adam’s attention while Bear is chatting with Gunnar. He notices me and Cami together and comes over to hug me.

"I'm sorry," he whispers into my hair. "Bear pointed out that I've been a jerk for not checking in on you."

"You're forgiven," I say, nodding at him when we pull away. "I'm sorry about everything, too, and thanks for looking after Cami."

"She's been a handful, I won't lie." He covers his mouth to whisper to me.

"Hey." She playfully slaps his arm as Savannah approaches us.

"You remember Cami, right?" I introduce them just in case, hoping they get along.

"Yes! I meant to ask you the night we went out. Where was your skirt from? I loved it," Savannah says excitedly, and just like that, I see Cami relax.

A couple of hours pass, and I'm tipsy and happy with my friends. I can’t help but glance around for Grant now and then, but I don’t spot him.

Why am I disappointed? I told him to leave.

Like someone summoned him, he suddenly appears. He whispers something to Gunnar, whose eyes widen, and then he walks over and grabs Adam's shoulder while he’s talking to Savannah and me.

"We've got to head to the rink," Gunnar says.

“Did you hit your head? We lost. Let us commiserate in peace,” Adam whines. “Grant, tell him.”

“We all need to go to the rink now,” Grant states with authority. It’s hot. Damn, why is he so attractive? Tipsy Brooke is starting to break through. I need to stop drinking.

“You too, Brooke,” he says, looking directly at me. Hot, so hot.

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