Chapter 5
CAMMIE
I was at my desk studying, the only light on in the room was the little desk lamp. Faith and Angela had long gone back to their rooms and Rose was asleep. She was sprawled out like a starfish, her head buried beneath her pillow.
My cell chimed with a text. Absently, I picked it up.
Then I gasped. My gaze flicked to Rose to make sure she didn’t stir.
Hey
Oh my God. It was Zeb. How did I know this? Because he programmed himself in as Z.
I’d gotten ready for bed, put on a flannel sleep shirt and thick fleece socks, then hadn’t been able to resist putting Zeb’s sweatshirt back on top. Rose didn’t say a word, just smiled.
My fingers shook and I had to take a breath before I typed a reply.
Hey
Did I wake you?
Studying
Coming to the game Saturday?
And miss the star quarterback?
You found out
My roommate freaked when she saw me in your sweatshirt
Meet me outside the locker room after the game
What? I stared down at my phone, put my fingers to my lips.
I hadn’t really dated much. A boy in high school, but that had been young stuff.
I’d had to meet him at the movies because my dad–or protective older brother when he visited–had to drive me.
We’d kissed and he touched my boob over my sweater, but it hadn’t really been anything special.
I hadn’t felt half of what I did right now just from texting with Zeb.
While it had been three years ago, there was a big difference between Luke and Zeb. Luke had been a fumbling boy and Zeb was a man. A huge, great smelling man.
Lifting the neck of his sweatshirt, I sniffed and had to shift in my seat.
I glanced down and saw my fuzzy socks. They were blue and white striped.
They were ridiculous looking, but warm. I was a virgin.
An inexperienced, nerdy student who knew exactly what she wanted out of college, didn’t like to party the years away and had the ability to lose a pencil in her hair.
My little bit of excitement fizzled out. I didn’t want to make any assumptions, especially with Zeb. Popular. Attractive. Friendly. Maybe he wasn’t into me, only wanted an extra study session.
I shouldn’t assume because I’d feel like crap if Rose was wrong.
Need more help with genomes?
I wanna see my girl
Oh my God. I held my breath and typed.
The girl from the library?
Yeah
My excitement burst like a blown tire on a freeway. My heart dropped and I felt like I was swerving toward a ditch.
You, Cameron. I’m into you
If emotional whiplash was a real thing, I had it.
Why?
If Rose was awake, she’d probably smack me in the back of the head and then hijack my cell.
But I needed to know. I was risk averse and I didn’t have time to risk my heart.
My mother had been married to a guy who’d been physically and emotionally abusive to her.
She’d had Beau, my brother, with him. They’d divorced and she’d gotten away from him.
A few years later, she met my dad, who was a good guy.
I loved him. Mom loved him. Beau hadn’t killed him when they started dating, so he approved.
While I never met Mom’s first husband, he had an impact on me.
Mom always told me to never be completely reliant on a man.
While it could be the strongest bond of love, a woman needed to be able to support herself in a career she liked and was good at and be able to support herself if she had to.
Mom had neither money or a career when she divorced him and struggled hard when Beau was young.
She didn’t want me to repeat that, which was a good lesson. I was going to be a teacher. Nothing was going to stop me, especially not a boy. I didn’t want to blow my semester by getting my heart broken either. I had to be smart from the start.
Why? Because you’re smart. And so fucking pretty.
Say you’ll come see me after the game.
I wanted to go. I did. So much. If Rose found out I said no, she’d stop being my friend. She’d probably even move out. I bit my lip. Thought of Zeb smiling at me across the table in the library.
And took a chance.
OK
Good girl. And sweetheart, wear my sweatshirt
I set the phone down and couldn’t help smiling. Studying was going to be impossible so I gave up. I switched off the light, climbed beneath my blankets, and thought about Zeb as I slipped my fingers into my panties and whispered his name when I made myself come.