Cameron
A few months later
THINGS HAVE BEEN… PEACEFUL. Or as peaceful as they can be.
Work at the auto shop is fulfilling and takes up many hours of the day, leaving only a brief moment for my mother to chastise me before I hit the gym.
I give her money, avoid her drinking buddy James, and learn new things every day from my Uncle Danny.
And when I’m not working or working out, I’m with my friends. At Ground Central, Checkers, or sprawled out on Cassie’s living room floor playing cards.
Then, there are the moments I get with Atticus.
He’s started meeting me at that little house at least three times a week. We watch movies, order takeout, and spend far too long wrapped up in bed. There, he touches me. Holds me. Whispers perfectly filthy things into my ear as he pounds into me like he owns me. It’s wonderful.
Atticus has even met up with Cassie and me a few times—getting coffee or browsing the bookstore. In the beginning, I really believed something was going on between the two of them, but with how hard Atticus fucks me, I doubt he’s interested in her.
And Cassie hasn’t really mentioned being attracted to Atticus since she found out he has a girlfriend.
It’s me. I’m the girlfriend—though no one else knows it. Our relationship—though I’m not sure if I can call it that considering he hasn’t officially asked me out—is still a secret one.
Sure, I may be comfortable with our dynamic when we’re alone, but the thought of anyone else hearing of it still kind of scares me.
Because not only am I exposing myself as someone completely different from what they always envisioned me as, but I know I’m not good enough for Atticus.
When we’re hanging out, he’ll confide information about himself without meaning to. Like how he’ll have a degree soon, and how bougie and amazing his life is.
All the while, I refuse to let him inside my house due to how shabby it is. He dropped me off once, but other than that, I keep him far away. Even if it upsets him.
I know I’m not nearly as amazing as he is, and that one day he’ll see this and leave; he has no reason to stay with some small-town lackey like me. Therefore, there’s no point in coming out when he won’t be sticking around.
But until then, I’m going to eat up every moment we have together. Like just last night, for example, when he picked me up from the gym and took me to the drive-in theater.
We sat in his BMW and watched a children’s cartoon as he ran his fingertips over my thighs, and once it was over, he told me that he’d die if I didn’t spend the night with him.
If I didn’t take my clothes off and let him touch me.
It’s so good—my time with him. Mind-numbing and safe.
And since we’ve begun this dance, I’ve been able to relax. In the morning, he’ll message me to eat breakfast and go on a run, then tell me whether I can go to the gym that night or if I need to be ready to be picked up for a trip to his house in town.
He never asks me what he should order, just somehow knows what I like, and always has some show or movie planned for us to watch on the couch.
All decision-making is left up to him. He is completely in control. I firmly believe that if I ever dressed in anything other than my work uniform or gym clothes, he’d try to dictate my daily outfits too.
It’s perfect.
When he leaves, I know it will hurt so badly I’ll fall apart. I know it with everything in me.
And Atticus hasn’t met Kim, Hailey, or Michael yet. If it’s not just the two of us, it’s only ever Cassie who joins. I have the feeling that Atticus doesn’t like meeting new people.
That’s why I’m so surprised when he accepts the invitation Cassie sent to our little group chat, the one inviting him to another party. It’s Kim’s birthday, and Cassie is hosting once more.
At my party, the one she held for my new job, I don’t think Atticus ever interacted with the others. He was too busy kissing me in the guestroom. But now, it might be the perfect chance to force him into mingling. To make him more permanent in my life.
I’m staring at the message thread where he sent a simple, Alright, in response to Cassie’s invitation several days ago when a private message comes through.
Atticus 4:34 p.m.
Be ready by 8—I’ll be picking you up. Wear something nice but easily removable.
So fucking bossy. It’s like he can’t help himself, like he gets off on telling people what to do and where to go. It makes me horny.
Cameron 4:35 p.m.
*thumbs up emoji*
Uncle Danny comes out of the office, walking into the garage with steady, confident strides. He looks similar to the pictures of my Dad that I’ve found with his short black hair and dark brown eyes. Tall and strong.
“How’s the Mustang coming along?” he asks as I slip my phone back into my pocket, reaching for the closest jack so I can start the oil change I was assigned.
“Eh, I haven’t had a bunch of time to fix it up yet. Soon though,” I reply.
I would probably have made some decent progress in the past few months if it weren’t for Atticus. Instead of fixing up the car, I’ve spent my time in his bed. And on top of that, with him picking me up and dropping me off most days, I haven’t really needed a car.
Uncle Danny watches me for a moment, an assessing and curious look in his eyes. “How have you been, Cam? You seem… happier lately. Is your mom doing better?”
I want to cringe. She most definitely isn’t; I’m just not home as often for her to bother me.
“Uh, she’s the same as always,” I murmur, kneeling next to the Ford we have docked on this side of the garage.
“So what’s got you so relaxed? You smile more now.”
“I’ve just been… hanging out with friends, is all,” I lie. How can I explain to my uncle that I’m so relaxed because I have a hot guy dominating and controlling me? He’d freak out.
He hums, still watching me as he chooses to believe my bluff. “Well, I’m happy for you. And remember that you can get spare parts from the pick-apart place on the other side of town with your employee number. For the ‘Stang, I mean.”
“Right. Thanks, Uncle Danny.” I smile at him, then return to focusing on my work.
It’s nice that he cares so much that he’s gone out of his way to offer me a job that I wasn’t completely qualified for in the beginning and even gave me that beat-up Mustang.
For a moment, I wonder if Dad would have been this kind, too. If it’s a genetic thing.
Uncle Danny wanders off, speaking to another one of his employees just as my phone buzzes again. I pull it out, reading the screen.
Cassie 4:46 p.m.
Can’t wait to see you and Atticus tonight! The party is gonna rock. Is he bringing his girlfriend?
My brow furrows. I haven’t heard her mention Atticus’s girlfriend since that day at Checkers. Or, mention me, I guess.
I’m not sure what to tell her. Saying no would be a lie, because I will be there. But if I say yes, she’ll be expecting a woman to show up with him, not me.
I decide to go with the safest response.
Cameron 4:48 p.m.
Not sure. You’d have to ask him.
There. Now Atticus will have to deal with it.
I smile, already able to imagine his scowl and annoyed huff. He likes Cassie well enough, but hates people getting in his business. He’s like a grumpy lion.
Cassie replies with an energetic confirmation, and I repocket my phone.
Tonight will be fun.
Atticus trails behind me as I push open the front door of Cassie’s house. All of the normal suspects are here, which includes every person in Port Orford under the age of thirty-five.
So not many.
Lights are flashing, and the music is blaring; the wet bar has long since been utilized, even though the party should have started about thirty minutes ago.
I immediately spot Kim and Hailey dancing in the living room, with Michael drinking a bottle of water on the couch. It’s his sister’s birthday, so he’s bound to be here even though he’s nowhere near legal drinking age.
I make a beeline toward Kim, and I can feel it the moment Atticus breaks off, most likely to lean against a wall somewhere and brood.
“Cam!” Hailey greets, pulling me in for a hug that makes me wish I had a better mother. Or that Hailey was a bit older, and my mother herself.
“Hey, guys,” I say, letting Kimberly take me in her arms next.
“Thanks for coming,” she says, squeezing me tightly.
“Of course. Happy birthday!”
Kim grins, pulling away from me. “Get yourself a drink. Cassie is in the kitchen.”
I give her a nod, turning my attention to Michael, who seems to be deep in conversation with Phillip. I’m pretty sure he’s a senior in high school.
“Maybe I can join when I graduate!” Michael is saying, grinning from ear to ear.
“Yeah, man. The community center accepts anyone who is eighteen or older,” Phillip responds. “I just joined this year.”
I don’t bother interrupting them. Instead, I peer around for Atticus and find he’s already run off somewhere, so I head for the kitchen.
Cassie is by the island, lining up more of those small, plastic shot glasses.
“Hey, Cas,” I call. “No parents tonight?”
“Nope, they gave us the house again,” she tells me, smiling as she pours Crown into each little cup. “Where’s Atticus?”
“Uh,” I look around the otherwise empty room. “Not sure. He ran off.”
And I’m left alone, might I add. His aversion to meeting new people might be more serious than I thought. I’ll definitely be complaining about this later.
“We’ll find him soon enough,” Cassie jokes. “Now, shot?”
“I—”
“Yes, shots!” Grace shouts, appearing from out of thin air as she skips into the kitchen.
I’ve been able to avoid her for weeks now. I haven’t seen her more than once or twice since the last party.
“Right on,” Cassie cheers.
As we all grab a cup, Grace turns her attention to me. “I saw you at the gym the other night, Cam. Looks like those bicep curls are doing you justice.”
Her fingers trail over my bicep, nails catching the thin fabric of my blue polo shirt. It’s the nicest top I own, and paired with gray slacks, I followed Atticus’s order as best as I could.
He didn’t complain, so I think I got it right. Plus, both items can be removed in a hurry.
“Thanks,” I reply dryly, sidestepping her touch.