Page 83 of Fractured Souls
Ouch. Aiden’s wrong, though. It’s not pointless. Not even a little.
Even if our relationship remains the same as it is, firmly in the friend zone, I can safely say all of it—the confusion, the wondering, the tying myself in knots—all of it’s worth it for one of his smiles. Having Bo in my life is worth everything to me.
“It isn’t pointless, but I respect that you feel that way.”
Aiden’s violet eyes seem to darken. “Are we done here?”
“Oh uh, yeah, sorry, um . . . yeah, sorry.” I clear my throat and watch Aiden grab his shirt and bottle. I fucked up, I fear. I always do this. I just word vomit on people. He’s for sure quitting this gym. He didn’t even ask me to come down here, I just came down, and I wasn’t thinking—
“Camden.” Aiden stops on the steps, turning toward me. There’s a scar running down his cheek, but it only adds to the handsomeness of his face. “I’ll see you after the holidays, okay? I’ve got some work to do, but I’ll be back.”
I smile so wide it hurts. “Yes. Uh, after New Year’s.”
He watches me for a moment. “Look, I don’t know you, and honestly after all of that it seems like a blessing.”So mean. Damn. “If I were you, though, I’d go for it. What’s the point of all this? You’re twisting yourself into knots for nothing.”
I grin, walking to him with my arms open. He ducks out of the way. “No. Absolutely not. Why would we, that was stupid of me.” I laugh.
I follow him up the stairs and watch him go off toward the showers, then I walk to the front desk, surprised when I see afamiliar face at the counter. They weren’t supposed to be here for another half hour. Sam, thankfully, is letting me dip out a little early today so I can ride up with them to the lakehouse. “Hey, Cam,” Jamie says.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, Noah and Bo are grabbing groceries and lots of alcohol for the week. I asked if they could drop me off here while they did that. Grocery stores are hell on earth. Are you busy?”
“Oh no, not really. I’m all packed. Bo was going to bring my bag.” I’m looking forward to this week. I don’t really take many days off or vacations, so Sam was more than happy to let me go early today. I just love this job. I’m grateful to be doing something I love with a boss who cares about the people around her. “What’s up?”
“I want to know if you can help me with something.”
“What’s that?”
Jamie’s tan cheeks brighten with a blush. “I have some health issues. My back, I uh, want to work out. I want to like, tighten shit up, you know? I just can’t do anything strenuous, but I want results. I don’t want to diet like crazy, though, I’m not into that.”
“I wouldn’t ask you to do that. Diets don’t work. Being mindful and balanced is always better. I can share some recipes if you want, depending on what your thing is.”
“My thing?”
“Spicy, sweet, chocolate . . . like that.”
“Oh well, I mean, I don’t think food is the problem. I just want things to look better.” He leans against the desk. “And I don’t want to be in a ton of pain after. I have a lot of chronic pain issues, but there has to be some things I can do, right?” Jamie shakes his head, looking irritated. “My boyfriend only runs, and he has a damn four pack.” He rolls his eyes. “I just want to look better.”
The vulnerability in his voice catches me off guard. “Nothing wrong with that.” I get him signed up, and unlike Aiden he actually answers all of my questions without glaring a hole in my face. “Can you be my emergency contact? Since you’re here.” I don’t think I’ve ever been anyone’s emergency contact.
“Yeah, of course.”
Typing his information in, I have to ask, because Bo hasn’t really talked about his date. “So um, when I left, did Bo have a good time?”
“Subtle.” Jamie smirks, leaning over the desk to watch what I’m typing. “Are you asking if Sawyer and Bo have seen each other since?” Am I?
“He hasn’t talked about it at all. So I’m just curious.”
“Uh-huh.” He rests his elbows on my counter. “What about you and Amira?”
My face flames. Ugh, I do not want to think about that. “There’s nothing there. Just friends,” I say firmly, just wanting to forget that night. I can’t believe I unloaded on her like I did. I sent her a fruit basket with an apology. I feel like shit, and she’s right, I have to stop dating to escape.
As I finish up his paperwork and hand him his keycard, Jamie’s dark eyes watch me. “What?”
“Nothing you want to share? Nothing else?”
I glare at him.
