Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
KAMILA
“ T hat’s seriously the topic?”
The moderator, a soon-to-be graduate business major whose name I’ve already forgotten, checks the instructions again.
“Yes, that is the topic. Cameron and Kamila.” He tilts his head and smiles. “It'd be easier to call you guys Cam and Kam.”
My hands fist. “You’re just a freakin’ genius, aren’t you?” I say too quietly for him to hear.
“Easy,” Cameron says, his voice clearly lined with amusement and warning.
“Cam and Kam, you will be on the biting side. Team two, you will be on the licking side.” He looks at all of us. “That sounded unprofessional. Either way, you guys know what I mean.”
How the hell did this guy manage to become a moderator? And how did we get stuck with the worst side of this joke of a debate , if it can even be called that.
“You have twenty minutes to come up with your arguments, starting now.”
“This is the dumbest shit I’ve ever done in my college career,” Cameron whispers while running his hands down his face.
“I thought we would be debating about politics or contracts or anything else besides this,” I groan.
“Should ice cream be bitten or licked? Doesn’t Doctor Mills have a PhD?” Cameron and I look at each other and let out a mutual silent sarcastic laugh.
“This is ridiculous. We got biting, too. I have extremely sensitive teeth, I can hardly think about biting any type of ice cream at all.” I shiver at the thought of it.
Cameron rips the pen out of my hand and starts writing the positives of biting ice cream and the negatives of licking it.
“Luckily for you, my teeth are fine. Let’s get this shit over with.” He throws me a wink that instantly makes me want to straddle him. He’s exuding confidence, professionalism, for the most part, and power through this one meaningless assignment. How does he manage to do that?
“Stop staring at me like that, Kamila.” He lifts his eyes to the side and meets mine. “We can play later.”
Clearing my throat and dirty thoughts, I look down at the page. “I am focused.”
He smirks slightly, never stopping his pen from gliding across the page as he comes up with five points as to why the hell ice cream is better off bitten than licked.
Four hours later…
“My stomach can’t stop growling, ” I whine to Cam as we walk to our third and final debate.
He sighs. “This is why I ate all those pastries in the morning. Just relax, we’re almost at the finish line.”
Today has been a blur. We don’t get any feedback on our debates or our grade until the end of the day, so, needless to say, I’m a nervous wreck. However, I have to admit that Cameron and I are a good team. Our official nickname, which somehow stuck after the first air-headed moderator used it, is Cam and Kam . And yes, it is highly annoying, but not as annoying as my growling stomach.
The first debate was hard since we got the shit end of the stick. The second one wasn’t as stupid, but just as difficult. Hopefully the last one is about something that really matters or is connected to our class in one way or another.
We enter the room and sit in the middle row.
“It is essential to receive a college degree in order to find a stable job. Group one is pro, group two is against, you have thirty minutes,” one of the two moderators announces.
“It has nothing to do with our class, but it’s finally something worth talking about,” Cameron whispers.
“And we’re getting half an hour to prepare, meaning we’ll have about forty-five minutes of debate time,” I whisper back.
“We might be able to finish a little earlier and get to lunch sooner than expected if all goes well,” Cameron finishes my thought.
I hum. “Pastries weren’t enough?”
He smirks. “Shut up.”
An hour and twenty minutes later…
“Cam and Kam, you’re up next.”
“Lord, give me patience,” I mutter as Cameron chuckles like he has any time the moderators have called us that.
“Group two, please step forward.”
Two men and a woman sit at the table beside us. A pair of red heels with red bottoms catch my attention. They’re gorgeous, and I’m about to compliment the girl when I see her familiar face. It takes me a moment before recognition settles in. It’s Cameron’s date from the Kappa party.
Her wavy hair bounces gracefully as she takes a seat. It doesn’t surprise me that Denise is here; Cameron is a business major, and she might be too. However, I can’t help but compare myself to her. She’s the complete opposite of me: fair skin, blonde hair, thin, light green eyes, which meet mine for a fleeting moment before she looks over my head and smiles at who I’m assuming is Cameron. It occurs to me then that I never asked how they met while at the Kappa party.
My face heats, and heart races as the realization that they might’ve been dating back then hits me. I’ve avoided being anyone’s side piece my entire life, and I really hope I didn’t break that streak because I forgot to ask.
“Cameron,” I say quietly.
When he doesn’t respond, I kick him under the table.
He yelps. “What the fuck?”
My panicked-filled eyes meet his, which harden immediately.
“Are you okay?”
“Were you dating Denise when we slept together?” I can’t hide the slight edge to my voice.
His head rears back. “Of course I wasn’t.”
It looks like he’s telling the truth, but a question remains. “Then what was she to you?”
He smiles sinisterly. “Jealous much?”
Maybe. “Never.”
He nods, obviously not convinced. “We slept together a handful of times and she has connections to Kappa. We went as friends.” He squints. “Like you and Levi.”
“Good to know.”
Cam’s smile is smug.
“Don’t give me that look. It’s not like you’d want to meet any of the guys I’ve slept with either,” I spit out without thinking, and I regret it almost immediately.
His smile fades. “You’re right, I wouldn’t.” I nod in satisfaction. “Especially considering I almost fought the one I did meet.”
Oops, I might’ve forgotten about that. My body shivers at the memory.
“Touché.”
He lets out a grunt. “Focus. ”
And with that, the conversation is over.
“Students should be permitted to forgo standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in all schools and in all states, without previously written notice from a parent and/or guardian.”
My mouth drops open, and I turn to Cameron, who also seems surprised.
“Cam and Kam.” The moderator smiles. “You agree with the statement, and group two, you disagree. You may use your phones to help research your arguments and statements. You have thirty minutes, starting now, to prepare. Good luck.”
My shoulders relax immediately. This is not the first time I’ve spoken about this topic to someone, including Cameron. It is something I’m oddly passionate about.
“The closing statement is yours, Morales,” Cameron says to me.
He agreed with me back then on all the facts I’d collected in high school on the topic, and it seems like we’re still on the same page.
“Hell yeah, it is.”
Three hours later…
Cameron lifts his beer. “To a respectable eighty-eight.”
“Here, here.” We clink our glasses together, and I take my first sip. “You know I usually don’t like beer, but this one isn’t half bad.”
After we kicked ass at our last debate, Cameron and I ate lunch and received our grade. After the good news, he convinced me to let him drive us two towns over to Kingston to celebrate. I was hesitant, even so I didn’t want to break the friendly momentum we have going. We’re now sitting on stools at the bar in a cozy local pub with a fireplace near us.
Cameron clears his voice. “This is my one and only drink today, or else I won’t be able to drive us back.”
I nod at him. “How’d you find this place? ”
“Through a friend who used to go here. Do you like it?” He waits for my response as if he really cares about my answer.
Deciding to be honest, I say, “I do, it’s cozy and different from the bars near campus.”
He smiles shyly. That’s a first. “So, did you happen to get that internship at King’s Wolf?”
I raise a brow. “How did you know about?—”
“Zoey,” we both say in unison.
That girl knows how to keep big secrets yet believes that all other personal information is fair game.
“I got a call to schedule an in-person interview, and after next week, I’ll know.”
He taps his fingers on the counter. “It has something to do with their social media platforms, right?”
“Yep,” I say lightly.
He shuffles in his seat. “Well, if you and I ever manage to get along professionally after we graduate, maybe I can take a look at your resume, and you can help me with the PR for the tattoo shop I’m going to open.”
A small gasp escapes me. He spoke about this during high school, and I always thought he would change his mind. Sure, he has tattoos, but I never thought the passion ran this deep.
“No way. You’re opening one up with Ethan?”
He nods and smiles proudly. “We’re going to start looking for a space during my last semester here.”
I shake my head in disbelief. “Congratulations. How is Ethan doing?”
“He’s good. I saw him while I was back home.”
“Let him know that if he ever wants to hang out, I’m free.” I grin, remembering how goofy his cousin was when I last saw him. “He’s very talented.” And so, so hot. Not that I’d cross that line now that Cam and I have seen each other naked.
He tilts his head and narrows his eyes. “And very gay.”
What? That makes my beer go down the wrong hole, and I start coughing up a storm. The bartender brings me some water, and I quickly gulp it down. Cam is in tears, hunched over and holding his stomach while he laughs.
“When did he come out?” I ask while taking in deep breaths.
His laugh finally subsides. “About a year and a half ago.”
“Good for him. I honestly never suspected it.” All I can manage to think about is how he must be swarmed by guys who want him. Last time I saw Ethan, he had gorgeous dark brown shoulder-length hair, skin a similar tone to mine, and a six-pack.
“Neither did we,” he laughs.
“And your parents? How are they?”
Cam’s head swivels in my direction. “Good. Still together.” His voice is suddenly detached, and I’m suddenly suspicious about whether he’s telling the truth or not.
Mark and Elizabeth always seemed like the perfect couple. I saw them as made for one another. Soulmates. They were always so kind to me, inviting me over for dinner and movies almost every week. We would constantly catch them making out, which we found gross, still I would always ask myself will I ever find a love like that? That question still comes to mind every now and then, but why the hell am I thinking about it now in front of this guy?
“Why haven’t you ever had a boyfriend?” Cameron’s question catches me so off guard that I almost knock my drink off the counter.
After gathering myself, I sigh and pick my beer back up. “I’ve never felt the need to have one.” Partially true.
Cameron shakes his head. “What about wanting one?” I remain silent. “You’re telling me there’s never been one person who you’ve liked enough to date exclusively?” He gapes at me.
After contemplating, I rule to tell the truth. “The closest I ever came to liking somebody that way was Jordan. You remember him, right?”
Cameron’s expression tightens, and I’m not sure why. “Yes, I remember him.”
Thirty seconds after I down the rest of my beer, another is placed in front of me. If we’re going down this road, alcohol is necessary. I already started and there’s no going back, despite the fact that I have no idea why I’m telling him all of this in the first place.
“As you know, he was my first, and I think we had the potential to be something more. We weren’t in love, still he was the only guy I ever thought I would’ve been capable of dating at the time. I don’t have any feelings for him, nor do I believe I ever did. Nonetheless, there was chemistry.” I take another sip of beer. “But all of the guys I’ve met at Driscoll and back in the city weren’t exactly boyfriend material. If anything, they made me almost give up on dating entirely.”
Cameron tilts his head. “So you’ve never been in love before?”
A sad smile slips as I stare at my drink. “No, and I don’t plan on it anytime soon.” I clear my throat. “Even though I’ve never been in love before, it doesn’t mean I haven’t experienced heartbreak.” My eyes meet his. “And I never want to go through that amount of pain again.”
Tension crackles in the air. Unanswered questions filter through our gaze. Neither one of us is willing to voice them. Not now, maybe not ever.
He stands awkwardly. “Uh, I’m going to use the bathroom.”
“I’ll be here.” I lift my beer in cheers and chug half of it down. A small buzz hums through me, the alcohol finally doing its job.
The bartender comes back and offers me some peanuts. I take a handful, thanking the woman who can’t be older than twenty-seven. She’s attractive, covered in tattoos, with curls framing her round face.
“You two make a hot ass couple,” she says bluntly.
I let out a nervous laugh. “Thank you, but we’re not a couple.”
She hums. “It sure doesn’t look that way to me. ”
“What do you mean by that?” I ask curiously, the buzz making me a little bolder.
The woman shrugs and writes something on a napkin. “It’s nothing.” Just as I’m about to push for more information, she slides the piece of paper to me. “Call me sometime.”
My face heats as the still nameless woman winks and walks away. She must’ve noticed me checking her out. I fiddle with her number asking myself whether I should try experimenting with another woman. She’s attractive, and I am somewhat interested.
“Kami, is that you?” A familiar tall blonde man hugs me while I respond.
“Nick, what the hell are you doing here? This isn’t your scene at all.”
“Yeah, I know, but I only live a couple of blocks away, and the loaded nachos are crazy good.” He smiles brightly.
“I will definitely have to try those sometime.” I give him a polite nod. My eyes quickly roam his face. This is the person that Emma thinks I’m sleeping with, and yet I’m not attracted to him in the least. He’s not bad looking, there’s just no chemistry.
Nick takes a moment to look at me from head to toe, and his all too familiar flirtatious smile appears.
I roll my eyes internally. Not now. Not after eleven hours of debating with Cam.
Where is he, anyways? Is he taking a dump?
“So why are you here dressed like you just came from an office job? Hot date?”
I giggle. “Well, the outfit was for a project I had today?—”
“On a fucking Saturday?” He frowns.
“Unfortunately. I’m here celebrating the grade I got with my classmate.”
“So, not a date?” He smirks.
“No, not a date.” I hesitate. “But the bartender already called dibs on me tonight, sorry.”
He snaps his fingers. “Shit. Should’ve gotten here earlier. ”
The bartender’s snort sounds in the background and I bite the inside of my cheek to hide my smile.
“Hey Kamila, everything okay?” Cameron’s deep voice makes me jump.
“Um, yeah. Everything’s fine.” I meet his hardened gaze. “You were gone for a while.”
“There was a line,” he responds matter of factly and moves his attention to Nick.
“In the men’s bathroom?”
“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?” Cameron quickly switches subjects.
What is happening?
“Sure.” I shake my head, confused. “Cameron, this is Nick, you’ve probably seen him in the DJ booth at King’s Wolf. Nick, this is Cameron.”
Nick sticks his hand out. “Nice to meet you, dude.”
Cameron takes it. “Same here, dude .” The last word comes out mockingly.
They continue shaking hands and stare at each other with smug smiles. Either they need a room, or they’re going all alphahole on me right now.
Before I speak up, Cam lets go of Nick’s hand. “Well, Kamila and I were just leaving.” He drops four twenties on the counter, which is way too much for what we ordered, and grabs my hand. What the hell has come over him? “Ready to go?”
It doesn’t seem like I have much of a choice when he’s rushing to put my coat on himself. I angrily grab my tote bag. “It was nice seeing you, Nick.” I wave to the bartender and it occurs to me that she wasn’t wearing a name tag. “Wait, what’s your name?”
She laughs as Cameron pushes me out the door before she can answer.
I turn around to face him. “What was that?”
He keeps walking towards the car. “What was what?”
I sneer. “That pissing contest you were having with Nick. ”
He shrugs.
We reach the car and he starts making his way towards the driver’s side.
“Need I remind you that you’re not my fucking boyfriend. You cannot claim me like that, you have no right?—”
Cameron moves quickly, and in a couple of strides, he’s in front of me, pushing my body flesh against the passenger door. He grabs my neck lightly like he does in bed and moves his face an inch away from mine. His free hand slides up my hip, causing my breath to hitch, that is before he moves it lower towards somewhere far too inappropriate for this public of a place. Instead of moving closer to the sensitive spot, he reaches into my pocket and grabs the napkin where the bartender’s number is.
His voice is deep and raspy as he speaks. “I might not be your boyfriend.” He pulls my face closer to his. “That still doesn’t mean I like seeing not one, but two people looking like they want to devour you right in front of me.” He crumples up the napkin, tosses it to the ground, and steps on it.
My eyes widen. “You were watching the entire time?”
He lets out a low, humorless laugh that makes my blood boil.
“You are unbelievable. The fact that you think you’re entitled to claim me as yours?—”
“You might not be able to admit it to yourself right now, but from the first moment I made you come around my cock, you’ve been mine. Mine to touch. Mine to fuck. Mine to please.”
I’m stunned, yet his words make me wet and weak at the knees. I muster all my strength to speak because I am still fucking pissed.
“I am not someone or something to be claimed.”
The dead look in his eyes fades for a moment as if he just realized what he’s said to me. When I go to open my mouth, he shuts me up by crashing our lips together, letting out a tortured groan. I try to find the strength to fight back but fail. His tongue licks my lips, a request and demand. I open myself fully to him, giving into the pleasure. Our tongues lash angrily, and his hands pull in my ass to rub myself against his growing erection. He bites my bottom lip, making me moan. A group of people whistle behind us, and we break our kiss.
His brown eyes meet mine, and all I see is lust and frustration.
“Let’s go.” He moves to the driver’s seat like a man on a mission, leaving me confused, horny, and with another pair of soaked panties.