I grind my teeth and look out the window. I can’t deal with another man directing my life right now. I have enough shit to deal with when I return to California. Cam and I slept together, sure, but it was a hot and impulsive hookup. That’s it. Why is he making it so complicated?
We’ll never cross paths again, so I should blow it off and move on, but his words irk me, nonetheless.
I turn to him. “You know what?” My nostrils flare. “Fuck you.”
He jerks at my harsh words and his mouth drops open.
I said what I said. I’ve been a coward for too long, and I refuse to be that girl any longer. “Don’t pretend like you’re some goddamn gentleman now.” My blood is boiling. “Not when you were pulling my hair and spanking my ass not twelve hours ago.”
“Jesus—” he starts, eyeing our driver. His ears go pink and his eyes are wide.
I don’t care. Lifting my chin, I stare him down, and when the cab pulls up to the curb in the next instant, I swing open my door. “Thank fuck I’ll never see you again,Cameron. Good luck with your boring career and future pearl-wearing, vanilla wife.”
11
Cameron
The ferry rideto the cruise ship is uncomfortable as hell, and not because of the plastic seats or the choppy waves. Joey doesn’t want me anywhere near her; she made that clear by dropping into a seat on the opposite side of the boat. Not that I can blame her after my speech in the taxi. I may not have handled the conversation as well as I could have, but apologizing was the honorable thing to do, right? Regardless, she’s intent on giving me the cold shoulder.
In the grand scheme of things, it shouldn’t matter. We’ll never see each other again. It’s too bad, though, because the sex was incredible. Beyond incredible, really.
Hayden hated when I’d go down on her—said it was weird and unnatural. And she never liked dirty talk, like it disgusted her. But Joey? She reveled in it. I haven’t felt that good in bed in I don’t know how long. Maybe ever? And it’s not just because of the orgasm. We connected in a way I’ve never experienced. And maybe in another life—if she were older, if we lived in the same part of the country—we could have something. But that isn’t the case, so it’s time to let it go and focus on what’s in front ofme.
Joey’s words worked their way into my skin like a tick.Do what makes you happy. Life is more fulfilling that way.
Under the awning of the ferry, mostly protected from the sun, I search the horizon.What if?What would my life look like if I did what I wanted for once? For starters, I’d have to find a new place to live. My father wouldn’t let me stay in the penthouse if I quit my job. And my mom? She’s waited so long for my dad to retire, and that’ll only happen if I step up. She’ll be devastated if I leave the family business.
I throw my pipe dreams overboard just as we pull up to the dock.
Hayden is waiting for me in our cabin when I return. I toss my bag on the floor with a thud, then carefully set my camera in front of the closet, breathing through the trepidation coursing through my veins at the sight of my ex-girlfriend.
“I’m so glad you’re okay!” She shuffles close and cups my shoulders. The apples of her cheeks are pink and her eyes are bright. She looks much better than when I left her yesterday. Did she hook up with Tyler again? She leans in for a hug, but I push her away. I was so consumed with thoughts of my career and a certain leggy brunette on the ferry ride over that I failed to give much thought to what I might say once I confronted her. I was understanding when she told me she couldn’t marry me, but that was before I knew she cheated.
“What’s wrong, Cammy?” Jesus. I suddenly despise that nickname on her tongue.
“I don’t know, Hayden. Why don’t you tell me?”
She rears back, her blue eyes darting between mine. “What are you talking about?”
With a big step back, I cross my arms over my chest, like armor to my heart. “Where were you the night before last?”
She drops her focus to the floor for a heartbeat, and when she looks back at me, her face is pale. “I stayed at that club with those girls we met from Long Island.”
I nod. This much is true. “And when I went back to the room? Then what?”
Her ocean eyes expand. “I…I don’t know what you mean.”
“Don’t lie to me.” Shaking my head, I dig my phone out of my back pocket, unlock the screen, and hold it up so she can see the image. Joey and I didn’t exchange numbers or social media information, but she did send me the picture of Hayden and Tyler via AirDrop. If I didn’t have it in front of me now, I might allow myself to believe it was a bad dream.
All the color drains from her face and tears well in her eyes. Dropping to the bed, she hangs her head. “I’m so sorry,” she chokes out. The tears are already flowing.
This ought to be good. Without a word, I step closer, waiting for an explanation.
“How did—how did you find out?”
That’s what she has to say? “His girlfriend.”
“He has a girlfriend?” She gasps. She’s sobbing now, a trail of mascara staining her cheeks. “I swear I didn’t know.”
