Free A Twist of Fate by Christa Simpson Page A

so sure," Aliah announced, knowing I
wasn’t.
    "Well, we haven't exactly talked about it yet," I
admitted.  "I was just hoping that he'd agree to what I wanted."
    "Yeah, I see how that worked out for you last time."
 Aliah's words were as sharp as her wit and as harsh as the colourful streaks
in her dark brown hair.
    "Ugh!  I can't take it anymore!" I hollered.
    "Leave the poor girl alone," Maddie urged.  "She's
been through enough this weekend."
    "She’s delusional," Aliah blurted.
    I slammed my hand onto the seat beside me and leaned forward,
until my face dipped into the front seat.  "That's it!  Stop the car."
    "I promise I'll stop in one minute," Maddie swore. 
"But I don’t want to get stuck in a snow bank.”
    Jessica looked up from her cell phone.  “Edwin says Cam will
stop at a place they saw up ahead.  It’s less than a kilometre from here."
    I bit my tongue, silently fuming to myself, planning my escape
from the car the second it rolled to a stop.  Ignoring the others, I watched as
Maddie pulled the car into the parking lot, then I jumped the second she had
her foot on the brake, dove out my door and headed straight for the building.
    Cam came running in after me, seeing that something was
wrong.  "Hey, what's up?" He looked so concerned.
    I sighed and stared at the floor.  I couldn't very well tell
him what we were arguing about.  It would crush him.  "Aliah's being a
total bitch.  I can't stand her right now."
    "I see," he said, with a smirk.
    It was so heartfelt that I nearly burst into laughter.
    "So, I've been thinking.  I know maybe now's not the
best time," he said, "but I've learned that waiting isn't necessarily
the right way to go either."
    "Spit it out, Cameron."  I let a smile slip from
my mouth, as I yanked on his jacket collar and pulled him closer to me.
    "I know I only asked you to stay at my place for the
holidays, but I have to admit that I was hoping you wouldn't want to leave."
    My smile grew wider.  "What are you saying?"  I
wanted to hear the words come from his lips and see the satisfaction when he
heard my answer.
    "Will you move in with me?"
    I flung my arms over his shoulders, while a joyous smile erupted
from my lips.  "I’d love that."
    Cam kissed me, exhilaration spilling from him as he lifted
me into his arms.  I was so happy to see his smile and feel his body pressed
against mine.
    Hunter approached us, having waited for us to finish.  I
could tell from the look on his face that he had overheard our conversation.  "Do
you mind if Aliah rides with us the rest of the way?" he asked Cam.
    Cam gazed at me in question and I nodded.  "Sure."
    “Cool.”  Hunter instantly turned away and disappeared out of
the building.
    I kissed Cam again and squeezed him a little closer.  I was glad
Hunter had asked, because I couldn’t stand another minute with Aliah.  Cam
smirked, reading my thoughts, then bound our hands together and led me outside
into the blustery weather.  When I walked toward the car, Cam didn’t want to
let go.  He extended his arm out, clutching onto my hand as long as possible until
our fingers pulled apart.
    I smiled back at him.  “I’ll see you at home?”
    “Home,” he repeated.  “I like the sound of that.”  Cameron
turned away and got into his car.
    As I gripped the cold, passenger handle on Maddie’s car door,
Edwin startled me.
    "Hey," he said.
    I pulled on the door and Edwin held it open.  I didn’t want
to allow him to be all chivalrous toward me but, when he leaned closer, I had
no other option but to drop down onto the seat.
    Edwin stuck his head inside the car.  "Do you mind if I
ride with you guys?"
    Maddie glanced over her shoulder.  "That's up to
Abby."
    I brought my left hand to my chin, as though I was thinking
about it, my only intention to flash him my ring.  It didn’t seem to scare him
off.  "I don’t care," I said.  Then I slid my butt to the far end of
the bench seat, while my heart screamed: