Free The Way With You (The Way #2) by Anne Mercier Page B

talk to me so I didn't go into detail. If you want to know what's going on with me you need to make more time. Otherwise, you need to back the hell off. I'm tired, I'm hurting, I'm scared— all the time—and it feels as if you've deserted me ever since football started. You know it and I know it. We already had this discussion and nothing's changed. Even though I've been beaten to within an inch of my life, you still can't take ten minutes to come visit me. What does that say about us?" I ask, tears spilling down my cheeks as I admit the truth, not only to Cam, but to myself.
    Cam kneels on the floor next to the bed. "I'm sorry I'm not here for you when you need me, Olivia. I'm at practice, studying films with the coach and the guys, in class, or doing homework seventeen to eighteen hours a day and then I get up and start all over again."
    I reach for his hand. "Cam, I really do think it's time for that break. You don't have time for me and I'm tired of being angry because of it."
    "Liv…"
    I shake my head. "You know I'm right." He looks down at our hands. "When things slow down for you and you have more time, then we'll see where things stand."
    His gaze lifts to mine and those emerald eyes shine with emotion—regret, fear, remorse, and love. "I really do love you, Liv."
    I nod. "I know. But football is your life—your future. Go make it happen," I tell him, sniffling as the tears continue to fall.
    He hangs his head down for such a long time I want to ask if he's all right, but I don't. I just wait. "I hate it but you're right. This isn't fair to you—I'm not being fair to you." He looks up. "Can I—" he swallows. "Can I still call and text, make sure you're okay?"
    I nod, but we both know he won't.
    "Of course. We're still friends, right?"
    He nods and lifts his forearm up to wipe his eyes with the sleeve of his sweatshirt.
    "I’m sorry for scaring you and making you hurt," he tells me, his sadness palpable.
    "I'm sorry, too."
    "For what?"
    "For you walking in, seeing what you saw. Even if it was innocent, I would have reacted the same way you did," I confess.
    He nods, glances over at Bash who's sitting behind me, playing on his phone, his earbuds in, giving us privacy without leaving the room. I respect the hell out of him for doing that.
    "Are you two…" he asks.
    "To be honest, Cam, I don't know anything at this point. I'm scared all of the time and he's been helping me through it. He's helped me through everything."
    Cam nods. "If you two—" he breaks off. "Well, I just want you to be happy and I know I can't give you that."
    I sniffle again.
    "Can I hug you?" he asks.
    I nod.
    He wraps his arms around me, loosely, trying so hard not to hurt me though the slightest touch in certain spots sends a stabbing pain through me. I hug him back, breathing him in, thinking of how it felt to be loved by him. I swallow a sob and just cling until he pulls back.
    Regret and apology are shining in his eyes along with unshed tears. He waves a hand to get Bash's attention. Bash pulls out an earbud.
    "Thanks," Cam says.
    Bash nods.
    "Talk to you soon, Liv," Cam says to me.
    I nod and sniffle. "I'll be here."
    He turns and walks out of the bedroom and the front door closes with a soft click.
    I carefully turn to look at Bash who's already lying down on his back, his arms open and ready for me. I fall into him and cry. He soothes me and holds me until I fall asleep, not once letting go.
    Guess I didn't get the time I needed after all—but I was strong enough.

    "I felt bad doing it , but I needed to," I admit to Lex.
    She nods. "I totally understand. I'd have dumped his ass a long time ago."
    "I thought I'd have more time to figure out how to do it nicely."
    She snorts. " Is there a nice way to break up with someone? If there is, I'm sure you were more than kind."
    "I tried to be. Bash didn't leave the room, but he was respectful and put his earbuds in and ignored us."
    "And that's another topic right there," Lex