Game Over (Thanks For The Memories Maplewood #1)

Prologue

Today should have been a fun and exciting day for me, seeing that it was my birthday.

Yet here I was, sitting on Cameron’s couch while he watched game highlights—six beers deep with no sign of slowing down.

It was almost nine p.m., and he still hadn’t even wished me a happy birthday.

No, instead, he had told me how he had left yet another job because he “didn’t like the vibe. ” Whatever the fuck that meant.

“God, what an awful play. He needs to retire already, he’s too old for this now,” Cameron said as he downed the rest of his beer. “Babe. Get me another one,” he all but demanded as he pushed the bottle toward me.

“Get it your fucking self, Cameron. Fucking asshole.” I grabbed my phone off the table to text Emma that I was coming over. I needed my best friend. “Actually, you know what? I’m done. Beyond. Done. I should’ve put my foot down sooner, but I can’t do it anymore.”

“God, you’re being so emotional right now. Calm down. Fuck, dude. What are you even upset about this time?” He rolled his eyes like this was a normal occurrence, and I spent my time being constantly upset with him as a hobby or something.

“Cameron, what’s today?” I stared at him, waiting for something to register. Something to show he remembered—that he cared. Seconds ticked by, and he didn’t answer, the silence growing heavier between us.

“I mean, it’s Thursday?” he answered like I was the dumb one, and honestly, maybe I was for staying as long as I did and putting up with his constant bullshit.

I shook my head and let out a self-deprecating laugh because, of course, he truly forgot—why should I be surprised?

The last few years, he showed up less and less for me, but still expected me to give up everything for him and then some.

“How about it’s your girlfriend’s birthday, dipshit. Does that ring any bells in that dense skull of yours?” Maybe I was being a little mean, but I wasso fed up and hurt.

“And here you go making me the bad guy again. You’re being a real selfish bitch you know that? Everything’s always all about you.” I took in a sharp breath.

“I’m the selfish one? Me? Cameron, I gave up so much for you, which was obviously my first mistake.

I have busted my ass paying bills because you never want to work.

I pushed everyone away because of you! I consistently chose you, but when have you ever chosen me?

” I flung my arms out wide and willed the tears I could feel building up not to fall. I wouldn’t let him see me cry.

“So typical, Allie. I’ve done nothing but be a good boyfriend to you.

I never cheated on you, I didn’t check other girls out, and I took you out on dates too.

” He ticked each statement off on his finger, and with each one, his voice rose, trying to drive his point home.

I flinched. He knew that after my childhood, I hated it when people screamed.

“I’m the one who’s out of a job right now, and yet you still want me to cater to you and what you want.

You think the world revolves around you, but it doesn’t, sunshine. ”

“You know what? You’ll never grow up, and I’m done being more of a mom to you than a partner.” I stepped around him and went to grab my purse, but he gripped my upper arm to stop me.

“No one’s ever going to put up with your crazy fat ass like I did, and you know it. I’m so out of your league; you think you’ll ever find someone else? Why don’t you go home and calm down and call me tomorrow?”

I stood there staring at the spot where his hand was tightly wrapped around my bicep.

It was possible I’d have bruises from how hard he was holding me.

He still didn’t get it, and he never would.

I now realized he wanted full control of me, to let my light dim, to break my spirit and tame my heart.

I might have made the mistake of staying as long as I did, but I’d be damned if I remained here another second and let him ruin me anymore.

“Let me fucking go unless you want to lose that hand, Cameron. Right the fuck now.” I yanked it back from him. “We’re done. Done. I deserve so much more than the below ‘bare minimum’ you want to give. If you can even call it that. Delete my number and don’t ever talk to me again.”

I turned on my heel and flung his door open, for the first time not caring if it slammed into his wall, if his neighbors heard me, ignoring whatever bullshit he was spouting, and ran to my car.

I could feel the tears of frustration and hurt starting to fall as I got buckled.

I peeled out of his driveway and headed straight to Emma’s apartment, praying she had some form of alcohol on hand. Happy fucking birthday to me.