Chapter 52 Zhuri
fifty-two
Zhuri
“Nice shot, Cam,” Venda says as we sit back down on the bench. “Can’t believe that didn’t go in.”
“New York has a damn good goalie,” he chuckles, more at ease than I’ve seen him in days.
Tonight’s game against the Neon is much less tense than the game against the Wyverns. Our teammates have had a few days to sit with the news of our relationship—Bet and Sid’s as well—and while things aren’t perfect, it also doesn’t feel like we’re under a microscope.
The change won’t be immediate, but they’re starting to come around, and that’s all we could have hoped for.
The clock is running down when the Neon’s center gets a breakaway, heading straight toward Lev, but Reggie knocks him into the boards before he can take the shot. When the buzzer sounds to signal the end of the game, we all collectively let out a sigh of relief.
Close games are nerve-wracking, so winning 2-1 tonight means it was closer than we wanted, but the fact that we won after our outing three nights ago shows me we’re getting our team back on track.
Back in the locker room, I shower and gather my things before finding some of my teammates in the hallway.
“Nice job tonight,” I smile at Bruno, Lev, Asher, and Theo. “You crushed it in the net, Morozov.”
Lev chuckles. “It’s easy when they can’t get a good shot off.”
“Your goal in the second period looked great, Bruno,” I add.
“Thanks,” he says before stating, “I’m sorry for how I was the other day.”
“Totally fine,” I reply with a small smile. “Everything happened so suddenly. I’m surprised the reactions weren’t worse, truthfully.”
Bruno sighs. “Yeah, but still. I was friends with Michael, though, so the entire thing caught me off guard. I didn’t think he’d be capable of doing something like that, much less without telling anyone.”
“He didn’t tell you about us?”
“No.” He shakes his head. “Never said a damn word. For what it’s worth, though, Cameron has seemed really happy lately. You seem to make him happy.”
“He makes me happy, too,” I grin. “Go home and get some sleep, gentlemen. Don’t forget we’re flying out to Toronto tomorrow for our game against the Titans in a few days.”
We say our goodbyes, and the four of them head down the hall and out of sight right as Cameron struts out of the locker room.
“Hey, baby girl,” he smiles, walking up and wrapping his arms around my low back.
“Hey, Cammy.” I give him a quick kiss. “Ready to get out of here?”
Cam bites his lip as his eyes heat up. “Ready to get you home and into my bed, Zhuri baby. Ready to spend all night worshipping this perfect body.”
“Going to spend all night filling me up with your gorgeous cock, baby?”
“Zhuri,” he practically growls. “Keep talking like that, and I’ll bend you over right here. I know how much you love the idea of getting caught, so if that’s not what you want, get your sexy ass out to my car so I can get you out of here. Every minute I’m not inside you right now is torture.”
I rest my head on his shoulder and laugh. “Get me home, Cam. I don’t think our teammates want a show.”
Cameron intertwines our fingers as we exit the arena and walk toward the players’ parking lot. I spot his black Aston Martin and find a figure standing next to it.
I point that out to him. “Who is that?”
Cameron follows my gaze and stiffens immediately. He lets go of my hand and steps closer to his car. “How the fuck did you get in here, Tata?”
Ah, I guess I’m finally going to get the displeasure of meeting Ivor Kova?i?.
“Security knows me, Cameron. Now watch how you’re speaking to me.”
“You know what? No. Why are you here?”
Ivor crosses his arms. “You refuse to answer my calls.”
“There’s a fucking reason for that,” Cameron scoffs. “I’m tired of listening to your shit.”
I watch as his dad’s nostrils flare. “This new league—”
“—is great,” Cam cuts him off. “I think it’s great.
” He continues to walk past him, unlocking his car and opening the passenger door for me before rounding to the driver’s side.
“I’ve been happy lately, and you’re not fucking it up for me.
I’m going home. I’ll reach out to you when and only when I want to talk. ”
Cameron slides into the driver’s seat and slams his door shut. I continue walking toward the passenger side, but stop as I step next to Ivor.
“I hope you realize you brought this on yourself, Ivor. All you’ve done is push Cameron away, and actions have consequences.”
Ivor looks at me with pure disdain. “I’m not getting chastised by someone like you.” His lips curl up in a sneer on the last word, and my blood boils over now.
“Someone like me? Someone like a woman? Someone who’s black?
Or someone who’s dating your son?” His eyes widen in surprise, and I take delight in that.
“That’s right. I’m Cameron’s girlfriend, and I know all about what a piece of shit you’ve been to him his entire life.
If it weren’t for his mother, I don’t know where he’d be right now because he certainly never got any great parenting from you. ”
“Watch yourself,” he seethes.
“No,” I assert. “You’ve used Cameron as a punching bag far too long, and it ends now.
As long as I’m around, I’ll make sure he knows how incredible he is.
How kind and generous. How loved. Because he is.
He is so loved by everyone around him, especially me.
Eventually, there will come a day when he doesn’t think about you, but I’ll still be there, loving him and supporting him, and you’ll have to sit with the knowledge that you pushed your son away because you’re a self-absorbed dick.
Now, go. It’s clear Cam doesn’t want you here. ”
“I will not listen to orders from some bi–”
Ivor doesn’t get to finish his statement before Cam is out of the car and forcefully pushing him away from me. “Do not speak to my girlfriend that way. You can say whatever shit you want to say to me, but I draw the line at you berating the woman I love.”
“Love?” he scoffs, nose turned up in the air. “What has your mother done to you?”
“My mother is the reason I’m the man I am today.
The man acknowledging his depression—caused by all the issues you’ve instilled in me—and seeking treatment for it.
The man finally allowing himself to open up to his friends and girlfriend, who have all been nothing but supportive.
” He steps closer to his father, staring into his eyes.
“You have been nothing but a goddamn cancer in my life, and I’m tired of shrinking myself down just to appease you. I don’t need you.”
Without waiting for a response, Cameron helps me into the passenger seat before sliding around to the driver’s side.
Once the door closes behind him, he immediately leans over and kisses me hard. “Fuck, I love you. That was so fucking hot, Z.”
“I love you, too, Cam.” I give him one more kiss. “Now, why don’t we get out of here so we can spend the rest of the night in your bed?”