Free Ten Year Crush by Toshia Slade Page B

door, I go to step inside when Brandon's hand on my arm stops me.
    “Gabby, I’m going to head on home. You and I can get some rest.” He smiles big showing his teeth, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
    A stab of disappointment hits me in the chest. I need Brandon. I need him to try to take the images of Cam from my mind, the feel of him pressed up against me — Enough! “Oh, okay. I’ll see you Sunday? I work tomorrow.” I wrap my arms around his neck.
    “I should be free, but I’ll let you know something tomorrow.” He kisses my lips. “Night, babe. Talk to you later.” He turns and heads for his car.
    What the hell? Why is he in such a rush to leave?
    “Night,” I whisper to myself.
    I move quietly through the house, knowing that Tiff is already asleep. She had to work today after class, so I know she’s worn out. Plus, I’m not sure how I feel about everything that happened tonight and really don’t want to relive what happened on the dance floor. I need time before I talk to her and get her input and thoughts on the situation.
    Once in my room I strip out of my clothes, leaving on my panties and slip on a comfy t-shirt. Climbing in my bed, I curl up on my side and hug a pillow to my chest.
    My thoughts go back to Cam. I thought I was doing so good, moving on. I stopped thinking about him constantly and the hurt started to ease. It helped that I hadn’t seen much of him since I started seeing Brandon. Brandon helps a lot too, being with him I don’t have much time to think.
    Why did Cam have to kiss me? All of the years spent wanting him to kiss me, and when I’ve finally moved on and I’m trying to get him out of my heart and mind, he comes pushing his way back in.
    Even back when I first met Cam, he affected me as if no one ever has. Is he always going to have this hold on me? Am I ever going to be able to break the chains he has wrapped around my heart?
    I wish Brandon were here to hold me and make me forget. Take the memory of Cam’s lips and hands on me. A tear falls down my cheek. Wiping it away, I bury my head in my pillow and scream.
    “FUCKING, CAMRON TAYLOR!”

Chapter Nine
    *Cam*
     
    I wake up with a pounding headache and the previous night comes flooding back. Oh, shit ! I kissed Gabby, and then she brought up the douchebag, so I went and found a willing girl. Sara. She’s been on me for weeks, since I first went into the bar, and I’ve avoided all her advances, until last night. Sighing, I scrub my face with my hands.
    Maybe Josh is right. I need to grow the fuck up. This shit isn’t working. I’m miserable. Gabby isn’t in my life at all now. If I truly love her, then why can’t I make a relationship work? I need to get my shit together and get my girl. That’s what Gabby is and always will be, MY GIRL ! I was just too fucking stupid and scared to do anything about it. I know that asshole she calls ‘boyfriend’ is up to something. I just hope he doesn’t hurt her too bad. He’ll show his true colors, and then I’ll swoop in and save the day. Nobody will love and treat her the way that I can. Why didn’t I see it sooner?
    Climbing out of bed, I head to the shower, hitting play on my iPod. Love and Theft’s “Thinking of You” comes on.
    “You all got that right.” Although, I know what it’s like to kiss Gabby, and its fuckin’ amazing.
    After taking a shower and dressing, I head into the kitchen to find something to eat and soak up the half bottle of Jack I drank last night. Josh is sitting at the island eating a sandwich.
    “Cam, we need to talk.”
    I don’t say anything in response. I just continue pulling out everything to make a sandwich too.
    “I’m sick of you going out, getting trashed, and then either calling me to come get you or you bringing back a different girl each night to fuck. This shit is going to blow up in your face. I know why you’re doing it and it’s stupid. You chose to close the door on that.”
    “I know. Some stuff happened