13. Gabrielle
Gabrielle
I stare at my phone, rereading Cam’s last message for the thousandth time.
Cam: I’m not. Just a long day. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?
It’s not that the words themselves are bad. They’re…fine. Normal. But something about them feels off. They’re less teasing. Less flirtatious. Less…him.
I chew my bottom lip, overthinking his messages. The way they lacked their usual playful tone. I should just brush it off. I should assume he really did just have a long day, just like he said. But still, a little bit of doubt creeps in, rooting itself inside me.
Did I say something wrong?
Maybe he regretted inviting me. Maybe he thought about it and realized having me back in his life is a mistake. Or worse, maybe this whole friends thing was a bad idea, and I should back out before I get too attached again.
“Gabrielle!”
I jump as Kinsley waves a hand in front of my face.
“Geez, Kinsley—what?” I blink, tucking my phone away and pretending I wasn’t just spiraling.
“Why do you have that sad, lost puppy look in your eyes, Gabrielle?” she asks, or more so says, like she’s scolding me.
“I don’t have any look, Kins. Just tired and thinking about this afternoon.”
“Yeah, thinking about Cam,” she says, raising her brows up and down. “So? What did he say? Did he text you something?”
I hesitate, but then sigh and pull my phone back out, handing it to her. “Here. Read for yourself.”
She snatches the phone eagerly and scans the screen. It takes all of two seconds before she scoffs.
“Okay, what exactly are you freaking out about? This is fine.”
I fold my arms. “It just feels different from how he was texting earlier. Like, I don’t know, distant?”
Kinsley groans, dragging a hand down her face. “Gab. He literally told you he had a long day. Maybe, and hear me out, he actually just had a long day.”
“Mmm, yeah, I don’t like it when you start to sound like the more reasonable one. It scares me. I guess I really do need to get a grip, huh?”
“You do, and that’s coming from me, someone who has never had a grip a day in her life,” she tells me, laughing. “Let’s get you looking cute for your just friend Cam, and get out of here so I can go watch some hot, young doctors get all sweaty and dirty on that field.”
I roll my eyes at her and then gesture for her to come on.
* * *
“Okay, I have never seen grown men take a fake sport so seriously,” Kinsley mutters as we step onto the grass.
The smell of roasted peanuts and pretzels wafts over from a nearby food cart, while a small crowd—mostly coworkers and curious tourists—gathers on the edges.
I scan the groups of doctors stretching and hyping each other up on the sidelines.
It honestly does look way too serious for a casual game.
“You’d think they were gearing up for the Super Bowl,” I whisper back, watching as one guy slaps another on the back like they’re about to storm a battlefield.
Kinsley hums. “Which one is Cam again?”
I look around and spot him instantly, standing with a small group of guys, talking animatedly. And then, as if he can feel me looking, his head turns, eyes locking onto mine.
He says something to the guys around him before turning and walking toward us.
“Oh,” Kinsley mutters. “That’s him?”
“Shut up,” I hiss under my breath.
“I mean, damn, Gab. You really undersold how hot he is, and the teenage pictures of y’all did nothing for his current level of fine.”
“Shut up.”
Before she can say anything else, Cam reaches us, his eyes never leaving mine as he steps closer.
And then, without hesitation, he pulls me into a hug.
His arms are warm and solid, and I try not to melt into him. He smells like clean laundry, faint cologne, and the outdoors.
And I hate how much I love it.
“Hey,” he murmurs against my hair.
“Hey,” I say back, my voice smaller than I want it to be.
He pulls back, but his hands linger on my arms for half a second longer before he turns to Kinsley.
“You must be the best friend,” he says, offering a hand. “Cam.”
Kinsley takes his hand, shaking it firmly. Then, without missing a beat, she smirks.
“Kinsley,” she says, introducing herself. “Man, I can’t believe I’m finally meeting the Cam.”
“The Cam, huh?” he asks, raising a brow and glancing at me with a slow smile.
I glare at Kinsley, who is way too pleased with herself. “She doesn’t mean anything by that.”
“Oh no, I think he knows what I’m implying,” Kinsley says, grinning. “You should hear how much she talks about you. I was starting to think you were imaginary for a while.”
I groan, covering my face. “I hate you.”
Kinsley winks. “Love you too, babe.”
Cam chuckles, crossing his arms. “Didn’t know I was such a hot topic of conversation.”
I shoot Kinsley a look before mumbling, “You’re really not.”
Kinsley hums. “Mmm, denial is a river, babe!” she shouts as she walks away, “I’ll give you two a moment while I go introduce myself to the walking definition of ‘tall, dark, and distraction-worthy’ over here,” leaving me alone with Cam.
I’m regretting ever bringing that girl already.
“Oh no,” he says, looking over, “she’s talking about Wes.”
Cam shakes his head, laughing a little as if he can already see the train wreck happening.
“That’s Wes?” I say, looking over at where he’s standing, gawking a little.
Why do hot people always have friends who are just as hot?
“Okay, eyes over here, Gab, don’t make me jealous of my own best friend.”
I roll my eyes, crossing my arms. “Oh, please. Like you have anything to be jealous of.”
Cam tilts his head slightly, that slow, knowing smile tugging at his lips. “Don’t I?”
I open my mouth to say something…something witty, something dismissive—but the words die before they can leave my lips. Because the way he’s looking at me? Like he wants to show me just how jealous he actually is, makes my stomach flip.
I shake off the image and steer clear of those thoughts. “I think the only people you should be jealous of are the ones I’ll be cheering on when you get tackled out there.”
“You do know there’s actually no real tackling in flag football, right? And what do I have to do to win you over, woman?” he says woundedly.
Well, that’s embarrassing. Obviously, I know nothing about sports.
I smirk, tilting my head. “A miracle? Divine intervention? A winning lottery ticket?”
Cam clutches his chest. “Brutal.”
I shrug. “I can’t give in that easily.”
His lips twitch like he’s holding back a grin, but then his expression shifts. “Alright then, let’s make a bet.”
“I’m listening,” I say.
“If I win today, you have to hang out with me tomorrow.”
I blink. “What?”
He shrugs, all casual, but I see the challenge in his smirk. “I’m off for the next two days. I figure if I win this game, I deserve a little celebration.”
“And your choice of celebration is to—just hang out with me?”
“Getting to be around you sounds like the only way I would want to spend my day, Gab.”
The butterflies in my stomach are raging at those simple words.
I raise a brow. “And if you lose?”
He leans in slightly, voice low and teasing. “Then I’ll need emotional support, and you’ll still have to hang out with me. Either way, I win.”
I scoff, shaking my head. “That’s not how bets work.”
He grins. “It is when I make the rules.”
I narrow my eyes at him, pretending to weigh my options. “Fine. But I’m picking what we do if you lose.”
Cam smirks, stepping back toward the field. “Deal. If I lose, then you get to choose, but if I win, I get to choose—and I don’t plan on losing in front of you.”
“We’ll see, Dr. Hayes.”
As the rest of the men flood onto the field, Kinsley walks back over to me, now even more giddy than usual.
She hooks her arm around mine, bouncing with excitement. “Okay, first of all, that was hot. Second of all, I’m already obsessed with whatever this ‘just friends’ nonsense is supposed to be. It adds an element of tension, and I’m living for it.”
I groan. “Kinsley—”
“No, no, let me have this,” she cuts me off, grinning. “I mean, did you hear him? Cause I did, I was eavesdropping. And that ‘getting to be around you sounds like the only way I would want to spend my day.’ was hot. That man is so far gone for you, it’s embarrassing…and sweet.”
I roll my eyes, crossing my arms. “It’s just Cam being Cam. He’s always been a flirt.”
Kinsley gives me a look. “Gabrielle, I’ve known you for years now, and I have never seen you spiral so easily like this over any guy. And I’ve definitely never seen a guy look at you the way he does.”
I glance toward the field where Cam is stretching.
Okay. Maybe I’m spiraling a little.
Kinsley follows my gaze. “Mmm, that’s a man right there. I mean, good lord. And Wes? Don’t even get me started. I feel like I need to sit down.”
“Yeah, I wish you could have seen yourself over there. I thought you were about to climb him like a tree,” I say teasingly.
Kinsley flips her hair. “You say that like I wouldn’t. That man is like 6’4, full of pure, unfiltered chaos, and I’m intrigued. He told me he liked my confidence.”
I snort. “That’s probably because no one has ever been able to match his energy before.”
“Well, I do love a challenge,” she says, eyes sparkling with mischief.
Before I can respond, a loud whistle blows from the field, signaling the start of the game. Cam turns toward us briefly, catching my eye and sending me a quick wink before jogging onto the field.
Kinsley lets out an exaggerated sigh. “I swear, if you don’t end up hooking up with that man in the very near future, I’m going to be personally offended.”
I shake my head, trying to suppress a smile. “We’re just hanging out. As friends.”
“Yeah, okay. I love when you’re delusional,” she says dryly.
I nudge her. “Shut up.”
She grins, but then her expression softens just a little.
“Hey, for real though, Gab…I know you’re nervous, and I know your track record with men is the equivalent of a dumpster fire.
But this? This could be different. I think Cam is one of the good ones.
At least from all the stories you’ve told me and how he’s acting around you now. ”
I exhale, my stomach twisting. “That’s exactly why it scares me.”
Kinsley nods knowingly. “Then just take it slow. No pressure. Just two old friends spending time together.” She pauses. “And then maybe, if the universe isn’t completely screwed, some mind-blowing sex later down the line.”
I smack her arm, but I can’t help but laugh. “You’re the worst.”
She shrugs, completely unfazed. “What? You’re the one who told me he was already amazing when you were teenagers. Imagine how much better he is now.”
I smack her arm again, my face burning. “I told you that in confidence, you traitor!”
Kinsley cackles, rubbing her arm. “Oh, please, no one can even hear me talking about how you lost your virginity to the hottest and sweetest guy to ever exist. Except…maybe that elderly couple over there, but honestly, they look like they’ve seen a thing or two in their time.”
I glare at her, my entire soul cringing. “Kinsley, shut up or I will actually kill you.”
She just grins, leaning in. “You can’t tell me you haven’t been thinking about it.
If he was that good back then, just picture him now—he’s older, more experienced, and has those steady, precise doctor hands.
The kind that knows how to take control,” she says, winking at me.
“You’ve totally thought about doing the hot doctor, don’t lie. ”
I huff, looking away. “I have not.”
I also hate the knowledge that he’s been with other women, but I brush that thought away before it tries to take over my mind and torture me.
Kinsley gasps, pointing at me. “You have! You just hesitated!”
I groan, shoving my face into my hands. “I hate you so much.”
She nudges me with her shoulder, way too pleased with herself. “You love me. And admit it, the thought has definitely crossed your mind.”
I peek at Cam on the field, watching as he jogs back after making a play, his shirt clinging to him slightly from the effort. My stomach flips in a way I refuse to acknowledge.
I clear my throat, determined to steer this conversation anywhere else.
“Oh, look, they’re starting back. What a shame, can’t talk about this anymore.”
Kinsley laughs beside me, but thankfully, she drops it…for now. Though knowing her, I won’t be hearing the end of this anytime soon.