Chapter Twenty-Eight
Camille
I think I might pass out.
After my rendezvous with Ryker in the showers the other night and again in my bed later on, I momentarily forgot what I was worried about when I went looking for him in the change room.
Until Quentin texted me this morning.
Seeing that after having his detective look into the repercussions of my getting hit in the face at the game last night has me on edge. Quentin’s in the middle of his own baseball season, so if he’s flying here, it can’t be good.
Putain, je suis foutue.
It looks like I’ll be missing classes today, so I pull up my text thread with Jasmine and send her a text.
It’s not a total lie. Quentin is visiting. But am I okay? I guess only time will tell.
I glance at the time, seeing I have about two hours until he gets here. To pass the time, I do my best to reduce the anxiety brewing in my stomach. I meditate, shower, eat, and even watch some gardening videos, but nothing seems to help.
A knock at my door has me bolting off the couch, my phone falling to the ground as I race to look into the peephole. I breathe a sigh of relief when I see it’s Quentin.
I slide the lock and let him in, doing my best to smile when I see him. “Aren’t you supposed to be playing a game with a bat and a ball?” I attempt for some humor, but he ignores me.
“Let’s sit,” he says, gesturing toward the couch.
That makes my nerves triple. I was being a tad dramatic earlier, but now I might actually puke. “Q, what’s going on? You’re scaring me. What did he find?” I ask frantically, twisting my fingers as I sit.
Quentin’s hazel eyes look so apologetic, and that alone scares me. “The video went viral,” he informs me, making my eyes bug out of my head. I don’t go on social media during the weekend. Besides, the only account I have is the team’s.
“ Ugh , tu te fous de moi ,” I whisper, putting my head in my hands. “ How bad is it?”
“You can’t see your face that clearly with the hat you were wearing, and the dyed hair helps. But those only keep the unknown eyes away.”
I inhale sharply. “What does that mean?”
“My PI guy did some investigating, and he was able to find out that Mom and Dad know. They know you’re here.”
Time stands still, everything frozen as my world changes. Just like that.
When I blink, it’s as if it’s a different place entirely. “How sure is he?”
Quentin removes his ball cap, running a hand through his hair that’s longer than it was before. “He was able to hack into their PI’s computer. He had the video, but that’s it.”
My breaths begin to come in quicker, my skin turning icy as I struggle to breathe.
“Hey , regarde-moi , Camille ,” he says calmly, holding my face between his palms, forcing me to stare into his hazel eyes. “You’re going to be okay. I swear it. They have no plans of coming here. My guy would see it. And if he ever does see that, we’ll handle it. Together.”
I nod frantically while tears spill down my cheeks. “O-okay.” My voice shakes. “What now?”
He sighs at that, and I already know I’m not going to like the answer. “No more baseball games for you. You need to lie low and stay out of public as much as possible. School’s wrapping up this week thankfully—”
“No,” I cut him off, finding my voice, surprising him and myself. While I’m still scared at what’s to potentially come, I refuse to bend to their will anymore. “I’m not hiding. If they want to come here, let them. They can’t physically force me back home.”
Quentin smirks. Then I remember my brother knows me better than anyone. He knew I’d freak out at first, and by telling me what would happen if I clung to that fear, hiding , he knew I’d come to my senses.
Smart play, brother, smart play.
“There she is. Now, you do need to be careful. I wasn’t kidding. Stay off of any videos and don’t end up on social media again. Be aware when you go out, in fact, I should get a bodyguard—”
“Not happening. I came here to escape that. I’ll stick to my friends and won’t go out alone, ever. I promise.”
Don’t get me wrong, fear is coursing through my veins at the news, and my world is different now, but I’m choosing to find a way to live with it. I have to. It’s the only way.
I could hide and sit here, scared, waiting for the day they choose to come here. Or I could do it my way. I’ll still live my life, but I’ll be more aware and strategic going forward.
“Good,” he says as he lies back on the couch. “You should move in with me, though. We’re constantly on the road for baseball right now. They’d never know where you are.”
“Going to you is the first thing they’ll do if they don’t find me here. Sorry, but no. I’m not dragging you into this,” I retort as my body begins to itch with the need for someone I know it shouldn’t.
Ryker. He makes me feel safe, and I’m craving that now more than ever.
“Always so stubborn,” he chides, shaking his head. “I’m not giving you a bodyguard, but I am going to be having one of my PIs stick around. They’ll start tomorrow to keep an eye on things from a distance, d’accord ?”
I want to argue, but I know it’s for the best. If they’re sending out someone not meant to be noticed by me, it’s a good idea if I have someone looking out for the things I can’t see.
“Fine. When are you leaving? Don’t you have a game in New York tonight?” I ask, needing him to leave so I can see Ryker .
Quentin splays a hand over his chest. “Ouch, baby sis. Trying to get rid of me so soon?”
I roll my eyes as a smile tugs at my lips. “Yes, I have things to do. I miss you, but I also need you to leave.”
“I know, I was teasing you. I do need to get going. I’m probably going to pay a fine for being late, but I don’t give a shit. I needed to come see you, and if you ever need me, I’ll be here as quickly as possible. It’s you and me, baby sis, till the end.”
Q pulls me into a hug, making me instantly feel better. He’s the reason I got out, and I’ll forever be grateful for the gift he’s given me.
“What about the girl you’re seeing?” I tease as I pull back.
His face scrunches in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“The cheerleader? I see the way you look over at her when the camera pans to you.”
“You have to swear to keep your mouth shut.” His voice is stern, devoid of joking.
“I promise.”
“I didn’t know she was a part of the dancing team. We hooked up before the season started, a one—”
“Skip those details, please.” I grimace.
“Anyways, when the season started, not only did I realize she works for the organization, which means she’s off-limits, but that she’s also the little sister of that one teammate I can’t stand. So nothing’s going on between us, as much as I wish it would.”
“No!” I squeal, all too excited about this. “You did not sleep with your enemy’s little sister! This is so juicy. You clearly still want her, and I’m sure she wants you but is too scared.”
“Are you done making my life sound like a novel?” he huffs in annoyance.
“No. Maybe it’ll be like the one book Jasmine was telling me about—a surprise pregnancy that induces forced proximity, then love. Or a marriage of convenience somehow…” I trail off, thinking of all the fun ways this could play out for him.
His face pales, devoid of the sun-kissed hue that normally exists. “Not a chance. I’d like to say this was fun, but it wasn’t. Remember what we talked about. I need to get going. Bye, baby sis, love you.”
“Thank you, Q, love you too.”
Once he’s gone, I run back to my room and retrieve my phone off the floor, needing to escape for the day before I know someone’s always watching me.
Instead of a text back, he calls.
“Hi.” My voice is quiet.
“Princess, what’s wrong?” His deep timbre wraps around me, making me feel safer already.
“I want to go somewhere far from here for the day.”
“I’ll be there within the hour to get you. Don’t wear a dress. We’re taking my bike,” he complies, no questions asked.
I try not to overthink that small tidbit but fail. Part of me believes he likes me, more than he intended to because he’s much kinder and caring toward me than anyone else. Who else would drop their plans for the day in a second because I said I needed them?