Chapter 7
CHAPTER 7
W e Meet Again
Cameron
“Man, are you ready for hell week? That shit is going to shred you to your soul,” Garrett, one of my new teammates says.
He’s a sophomore batter. So far, he’s a cool dude. We’ve been knocking back beers and shooting the shit since I arrived.
I finish the beer in my hand and nod. I heard hell week will have you feeling like your stomach has dropped out of your ass. This is why Caleb needs to get his rest. He needs to be mentally and physically ready for this.
“I’m ready. Drinking this shit might come back to bite me in the ass, but I’m ready. I’ve never been afraid of hard work.”
“Good to hear. Last year, I watched a few guys quit the first day. Couldn’t have been me. I worked my ass off to be here. I’m in this until I can’t take another breath.”
“I hear you. I’m ready to get to work.”
“I hope you didn’t schedule any classes for afternoon or evenings. I swear those dickheads in the registration office will fuck your schedule up if you don’t know better.”
“Wait, what?”
“They fuck with freshman athletes. They’re supposed to schedule morning or early afternoon classes for us, but they don’t and then take weeks to fix it or shove you in some bullshit classes you were trying to avoid,” Garrett says.
“You’re shitting me, right? I have two afternoon classes. My brother has like one. What the fuck, man?”
I’m fuming. Caleb was getting into his new routine. It’s only been a week, but with hell week, that might send him into a spiral.
What kind of fucked-up shit is this? They know we’re athletes. Caleb and I were already annoyed with the basic classes they wanted to offer us.
I might want to coast, but that shit was freshman jocks for dummies. We both opted out for our own choice of classes. Now this.
Just fucking great. I won’t have a problem changing classes, but that shit will suck if I can’t get the classes I wanted. I groan and purse my lips.
I’ll have to handle this first thing Monday. Kota might have to change a class too. No wonder Coach wanted to oversee our class scheduling.
It was one of the things Cal really wanted to do on his own. I was proud of him as he studied the course catalog and chose his personal interests and basic classes needed for his degree.
This is some bullshit though. I grab another beer as my annoyance rises. I can’t seem to catch a break.
“Don’t sweat it, man. Coach has been cracking down on them in the last two years. Someone in the office has a hard-on against the team. They’ve been trying to nail them to stop the shit.
“I’m sure you’ll be able to straighten it out faster this semester.”
“Yeah, I hope so.”
Garrett belches. “Excuse me, bro. Damn.” He shakes his head. “I’m heading for the beer pong table. You coming? My cannabis guy is over there.”
I pause and stare at him. He just said he’s all in when it comes to baseball. If he is caught with that shit in his system, he could be suspended for an entire year of eligibility.
“Don’t look so surprised, dude. Half the team gets high. You just have to know how not to get caught.
“They overlook that shit even when you do if you’re one of the boys. You and your brother have been talked about like you’re for sure one of them boys. A few hits won’t hurt. It just might get you through,” he says as he takes in my expression.
“I’ll pass.”
“Fine, suit yourself, but if you ever change your mind and need the hookup, let me know. I’ll make sure you never come up on the radar and I’ll get you the good shit.”
He slaps me on the shoulder, and we head for the room where I saw the beer pong table set up earlier. We pass by a few other team members and bump fists with them as we go. I don’t plan to smoke with Garrett, but this side of the party is rocking.
I smile and bob my head to the music. I lose Garrett as I move deeper into the game room. Not thinking much of it, I find a corner and sip my beer as I people watch.
Whoever is spinning this music is cool in my book. I love Jodeci and they have had a few of my faves in rotation. There has been a great mix of R I’ll see her when she gets in.
“All set,” I say and look up at Cam.
He takes my hand, and we start in the direction of our neighborhood. I regret the decision to walk home about two blocks in. I pull to a stop and do a little foot-to-foot dance, trying to relieve the pain.
“Those shoes killing your feet?”
“Yeah, just give me a sec. You were saying you’ve been playing baseball all your life.”
“Pretty much,” he says as he bends down and starts to unlace his boots.
I look at him curiously. He straightens as he toes them off. He then turns them to face me.
I yelp as he lifts me from my feet. My heels fall off and he lowers me into his boots. With a smile on his lips, he kneels to tie the boots to my ankles. Picking up my heels, he laces our fingers together again.
“What are you supposed to wear?” I ask.
“I have on socks. I’ll throw them out when I get home.”
“Cam, you could hurt yourself. You have to start practice next week. Please take your shoes back.”
He leans to kiss my forehead. “I’m good. So, where were we? No siblings?” he asks and winks at me.
“No, I’m an only child.”
“Where are you from? I still haven’t placed the accent. I know it’s from up North, but not sure where,” he says.
“New Jersey by way of New York. You’re hearing the New Yorker in me. I haven’t lived in New Jersey as long. Is your brother your only sibling?”
“Yup. Just me and Cal, but my cousin Dakota is pretty much like a sister.”
“That must have been fun, growing up with a twin.”
Something shifts in the air as he stiffens a bit. He doesn’t like talking about his brother. Got it. I think of something else to talk about.
However, I stumble in his big boots and almost fall on my face. He catches me and tugs me into his chest. I look up into his eyes as my heart races.
His gaze drops to my lips. He begins to lean in, but I clear my throat and step out of his hold. He releases an awkward laugh and turns, then waves me forward.
“Hop on. I’ll carry you the rest of the way.”
“Dude, I have your shoes on. I’m not about to make you carry me while I have them on my feet.”
“Hop on, Amina.”
I frown and do as he says. I need to place distance between us. I’ve told this lie that’s hanging between us for a good reason.
He carries me the rest of the way as we continue our conversation. By the time we get to my building, I feel like I’m hanging with an old friend.
Once outside the doors to my building, he puts me down on my feet. I take my heels from his hands and drop them on the ground. Then I go to take his shoes off and step into mine.
He shoves his feet into his boots and stands staring down at me. It’s like he’s holding me in a trance. I can’t look away. He lifts a hand to tuck my hair behind my ear.
“I want to hang out again. When can I see you?”
“Cam … I can’t. I like you, but?—”
My phone rings, cutting me off. I pull it out and find Dez’s name screaming back at me. This is why nothing can happen between us. I need to be rid of Dez first.
I go to look up to finish my words, but Cam crushes my lips with his, cutting my words off. I grasp the front of his shirt with my hands as he wraps his arms around me. This kiss is better than the last one.
He inhales me like a much-needed breath. I’m left breathless when he breaks the kiss. His intense blue grays seem to only be blue now.
“You feel this connection like I do. Don’t shut me out. Let’s explore it.
“I was in a rush earlier because of the alcohol. Now that I’ve sobered up, I see that was some dick shit. I’ve dated the same girl since I was fourteen.
“I might not be great at this shit, so I’m going to slow down because I want to get to know you more. Let me have your number. We can talk or text or whatever.”
“Cam—”
“Take my number.”
“Why me? You’re about to be a star on campus. If you’ve been with one girl since you were fourteen this is the time to explore, not hook up with the first girl you’re attracted to.”
“I’m more than attracted to you. And you just proved my point. I’m headed for the major leagues and you’re still shutting me down. None of that matters to you.
“I just spilled all that to you on the walk here and you’re not giving me that look. You’re trying to run,” he says.
“What look?”
“That ‘Here’s the ticket. This one is going to be a bag. If I fuck him, he’ll be my meal ticket.’”
I laugh. “You’re serious?”
“As fuck. You would be surprised how often I get that look. My own girlfriend had it more times than I’d like to admit. You see me, Cam. I like that about you.”
“Cam, my life is so complicated. I don’t think I can give you more than friendship.”
“I understand complicated, believe me. My life is more than complicated. If that’s all you can give me, I’m willing to take that. I want that.”
“Even if no one can know?”
He looks at me, puzzled. For a moment, I don’t think he’s going to answer. However, he takes in a sharp breath.
“Yeah, there’s something between us. I’ll take a secret friendship. Something tells me it will be worth it in the end. I could use a friend more than you know. Someone outside my world.”
“Okay, Cam. I’ll give you my number.”
“Good,” he says with the brightest smile, those dimples popping like little cheek craters.
I know the moment I give him my number I’ve just changed my life forever.