Chapter 38
Chapter Thirty-Eight
CAMERON
R oxy’s bright pink neon sign flickers as I make my way towards the silver doors. Will’s voice rises above all the chatter in the restaurant once I step in.
“Yo, Kahlo! Over here.”
He’s waving at me as if I’m fifty feet away from him instead of just ten. Huffing out a breath, I sit across from him.
Will claps my hand. “Hey Cam, long time no see.”
“Yeah, sorry, I’ve been busy lately.” I fail to mention why.
Will stares, and I know he’s waiting for me to explain why I’ve been MIA the past week. I’m not in the mood for that conversation. I was hoping I’d be able to hop into the pool today for some time to clear my head, but it’s only been two days since my cold cleared up, and some symptoms are still lingering.
He doesn’t wait much longer to break the silence. “Why did you disappear on me and Zo for the last couple of days? She’s been worried about you.”
Putting my menu down, I look him in the eye. “It’s been a crazy week. I got sick for a day and had some other personal things going on.”
Before Will asks another question, a waitress comes by to take our order. She looks older than most college students, late twenties if I had to guess. Her eyes broaden at the sight of us. She stares without saying a word, to the point where it’s getting extremely awkward and kind of annoying. Luckily, she has her name tag on. The name is unfortunate though, poor woman.
“Hey Bernadette, we’re ready whenever you are,” I say hesitantly.
She clears her throat. “Sorry, it’s been a long day and well, I just started working here and am a little nervous.”
“No worries,” I brush it off.
“It also doesn’t help that guys over the age of twenty-one who look like the both of you don’t come here very often.” Bernadette laughs quietly.
Will replies while I roll my eyes. Roxy’s is in a college town, so that is most definitely a lie.
“Thank you for the compliment, I always appreciate an extra ego boost.”
What the fuck is he talking about? Is he going to mention anything about his relationship or reveal that we’re only twenty?
“I’m currently taken, although my friend Cameron over here is unattached.”
He waves toward me, and I give him a fuck you look.
“Well, Cameron, what can I get for you tonight?”
Bernadette, even with her hapless name, is attractive, blonde, blue-eyed, and definitely not shy. A couple of months ago, I would’ve flirted and asked for her number in a heartbeat, yet now, all I feel is discomfort and indifference.
“A BLT with fries on the side and some water, please.”
“No problem, and you…” She waits for Will’s name.
“Will.”
She takes down his order and picks up our menus. Bernie then leans her upper body down, exposing the top of her breasts, and seductively says, “I get off at ten-thirty, in case you’re interested.”
She stands and gives me a wink before walking away. Deciding on not saying that there’s no way in hell I’m meeting her at that time, I pretend to look bored. Actually, I’m not pretending because that did absolutely nothing for me.
“You’re welcome.” Will crosses his arm, looking all too happy with himself.
“I’m not going to hook up with her.” I stare at him angrily.
Will examines me like I’m insane. “Why the hell not? She’s attractive, and you’re single.”
“You lied about our age.”
He wags his finger. “No, she just assumed, and you didn’t correct her either.”
“Because I already knew I wasn’t interested.”
He looks between my eyes and grins. Fuck. “It’s Kamila, isn’t it?”
My heart gallops at the mere mention of her name. I keep my face indifferent. “What makes you say that?”
He looks at me like I’m an idiot. “Oh, please. It’s so motherfucking obvious that there’s something more than just sex going on there, and it’s enough to make you reject other girls too.”
My annoyance towards the topic rises, and apparently, I’m feeling confrontational tonight because I ask Will the long awaited question. He was so fucked up that night, he barely understood a word I said, so I’m not even sure if he’ll remember.
“Why did you ask that question at the Kappa party? Even Zo seemed annoyed at the time.”
“I admit, it was a real dick move on my part, so I’m sorry about that, but you wouldn’t talk to Zo or me about her at all. I wanted to see if my very intelligent girlfriend was right about you two, and she was.”
The ever-so-nosey Zoey always seems to get involved somehow.
“Apology accepted. How are you two doing, by the way?”
“I told her I loved her, and she said it back; we’re thinking about moving in together next semester,” he says quickly and rolls his eyes. “You’re avoiding the subject.”
“Congratulations. I’m happy for you guys,” I say dryly .
I’m not telling him a thing. This should be something Kamila hears first, not Will.
He opens his mouth to speak, but Bernie interrupts us by bringing out the food. I avoid all eye contact.
Will takes a bite of his burger. “I guess I’ll get to the point then.”
“You’ve been spending too much time with Zoey. I feel like I’m talking to the male version of her,” I say indifferently.
“Are you in love with your ex's twin sister?”
His direct question catches me by surprise and at the worst time possible. Next thing I know, I’m barely able to breathe. A fry is lodged in my throat. A wheezing sound comes from somewhere inside of me when I try to communicate what’s happening, and the panic kicks in when I’m unable to form words.
Think Cameron, think . Before I attempt to do the Heimlich on myself with a chair or table, I hear Will’s voice.
“Holy shit, you’re actually choking.” He yells for help.
Somebody quickly pulls me out of my seat and hits me on the back three times. More wheezing. When nothing comes out, I feel arms wrapping around me and harsh movements around my diaphragm.
One.
Two.
Three.
Out pops the fry.
Gasping for air and grabbing ahold of the table, feeling too light-headed to move, a wave of nausea hits me.
“I called 911,” a female voice says.
Saliva gathers in my mouth and I barely make it to the garbage can before throwing up everything I’d just eaten.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m getting checked on by paramedics while refusing to go to the nearest hospital. There’s no bruising, pain, or signs of severe damage done around the area. I was lucky enough to get the Heimlich done by Bernadette, who is apparently very experienced with the maneuver .
Will waits near the ambulance while the EMTs do their final checkups.
“Oh my God, Cameron.” Zoey’s now bent over, touching my head, her curly hair is up in a bun, and she’s wearing workout clothes. “I ran here as fast as I could. Are you okay? Any broken ribs or signs of internal bleeding?” She turns to the paramedics while Will comes up behind her. “You’re taking him to the hospital, right?” The playful side of Zo disappears and her future med student voice makes an appearance for the first time since I’ve known her.
“He refuses to go to the emergency room, Miss.”
Zoey throws her arms up. “What if you’re injured, Cam?”
The paramedic, whose name I’ve unfortunately forgotten due to me zoning in and out, reassures Zo that there’s only minor swelling in my throat and that the maneuver was performed gently and safely.
I haven’t said a word since the incident to anyone except to answer the paramedics’ questions. There’s only one thing on my mind right now, and it isn’t the pain in my throat or the disgusting taste in my mouth. The devil on my shoulder isn’t here to give me advice on how to handle what I’m about to admit for the first time. In fact, he’s been quiet for a while now, and I believe I know why.
“I’m falling for her,” I say a little too loudly, making the paramedic jump. My eyes flash to Will’s. “But there’s so much more to the story that neither one of you knows.”
“You can always trust us, dude.” Will wraps his arms around Zoey’s waist, and she nods in agreement.
A jolt of jealousy hits me. I’m jealous of their easy-going relationship. How I wish things could be that simple between Kamila and me. How the only person I want comfort from after this ridiculous night isn’t here. How I want to hold her, to wrap my arms around her and have her tell me more stories about her life from the past two and a half years. The two and a half years I spent without her in my life, the only reminder of her being in the mornings. I took her sassiness, company, care, and loyalty for granted. That’s why that stupid little voice is gone. It only ever started when we parted ways. Now, I want her back in my life. No, I need her in my life.
It’s time.
If I want anything like what Will and Zoey have, it’s time to face my past.
The question is, will she ever be able to forgive me?