CRUSH (23 page)

“No. I’m fine. I just thought we could hang out
together again.” She smiled and took a sip of her drink.

“Again?” I was so confused.

“Well, I had fun with you at the party, so I
thought we could do something together again.”

It took all the control I had not to let my jaw
drop. “Are you really this delusional, or actually insane?” I was done being
nice to this girl. She had a serious problem with accepting “no” for an answer.

“What do you mean?” She blinked, her eyes wide
and innocent.

“I mean that I keep beating you off, and you
just don’t seem to get it.” I was starting to feel a little angry. “Let me make
it plain and simple for you. Gabby, I don’t want anything to do with you. Give
it up already.”

She studied the drink in her hand. “There’s
another party this weekend. I know where you can score some good stuff. You
want to go with me?”

I stared at her, my mind going completely blank
for a moment. “Did you hear anything I just said?” Everyone at the table had
quit eating and was watching the exchange with avid interest.

She nodded. “Yes, but I think if you’ll just
give me a chance, you’ll really like what I have to offer.”

I sighed. “And what is that exactly?”

“All the things you aren’t getting from her.”
She gestured toward Cami. “Guys have needs . . .” She let her
sentence dwindle off, as Cami rose, her expression mottled.

“Leave now, Gabby,” Cami spoke up. “You aren’t
welcome here. And stay away from Hunter. He’s made it plain he’s not interested.”

Gabrielle shrugged. “You know where to find me
if you change your mind.” She stood and walked away, trailing her finger across
my back as she went.

“What the hell just happened?” I said, looking
at the others.

Russ shook his head and laughed. “She wants you
bad, dude.”

“Why?” I replied in exasperation, watching Cami
sit back down dejectedly. “I’ve never shown any interest in her whatsoever.”

“She’s never had a guy tell her no before. I
think it’s damaging her ego.”

“I think you should go for her,” Clay piped up,
snidely. “You two were made for each other.”

Cami elbowed him hard in the ribs, clearly
angry. “Stop it.”

“No, let him talk, Cami.” I looked at Clay.
“Since you seem to know Gabby so well, perhaps you can tell me how you arrived
at that conclusion. Maybe you’ve been banging her too?”

Cami choked on her food, and I absently reached
over to pat her on the back while staring pointedly at Clay. His face reddened,
and he glared at me. I knew he hated me, but I didn’t care. I also knew what
else he’d been up to—the sick prick.

“Even if I was, it wouldn’t be any of your
business,” he spat out, not denying it. I knew without a doubt he’d done
precisely that. Man, he had Cami snowed.

“Exactly,” I replied angrily. “So stay the hell
out of mine. Quit professing to know what kind of guy I am. You don’t know
crap.”

“I think lunch is over for me,” Cami threw her
sandwich back into her lunch bag. “I can’t stomach anymore of this.” She got up
from the table and left the room, depositing her bag in the garbage on the way
out.

“Quit trying to push the school hooker on me,
especially one that’s willing to sleep with you.” I scowled at Clay. “And quit
trying to get Cami to hate me. It doesn’t matter what you do or say, I won’t
leave her, and I especially won’t leave her with you.”

“She doesn’t belong with you,” he growled.

“Then that’s for
her
to decide.” I glanced at Russ. “Come on, man. Let’s get out of
here.”

“You barely even know her,” Clay called after
me.

“I know her well enough.” I was so tired of
messing with this dang kid. He had extreme issues. I wished I could make Cami
see that.

“She’ll always be mine.”

He was baiting me.

“I seriously doubt it, but feel free to keep
dreaming.”

We went through the cafeteria doors into the
adjoining hallway.

“Dude, that guy is
friggin
’
nuts,” Russ said with a nervous laugh. “Are you sure Cami is worth it?”

“She’s worth it.”

“You’re really into her—like for keeps?”
he asked.

“Yes.” I scanned the hallway, looking but not
seeing her anywhere. I continued around the corner in time to catch her
disappearing into the bathroom.

“I’ll wait here,” Russ said wisely, knowing I
would go in after her.

“Thanks, man.” I hurried and pushed the door
open. She was leaning against the wall with her arms folded. A quick glance at
the stalls showed me we were alone.

“One of these days you’re gonna walk in on
something you’ll wish you’d never seen.” She glowered. “There’s a reason
there’s a sign that says Girls outside the door. It’s meant to keep boys from
coming in so we can see to our private needs, you know.”

I gave her a lopsided grin and leaned against
the wall next to her. “You don’t look like you’re taking care of
anything . . . private. Besides, I need to know you’re okay.”

“I
am
taking care of something. I’m trying to get away from you and Clay and the
testosterone battle going on out there.”

I sighed. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean for you to
feel caught in the middle. The guy just rubs me wrong.” I wanted to tell her
what I knew, but I didn’t know how.

“Yeah? Well, I hate feeling like I’m being
forced to choose between the two of you all the time. It’s making my life very
uncomfortable.” She looked angry.

“Oh. I guess I didn’t realize there was
actually a choice. I wasn’t aware you were truly considering him.”

She raked a hand through her hair and stood in
front of the mirrors, staring at herself. “I don’t mean that kind of choice.
I’m saying I hate having to choose between my best friend and my boyfriend.”

“Your best friend wants to be your boyfriend.
You realize that, don’t you?” His little display outside her bedroom window the
other night had left no doubt about that. He was beginning to cross the lines
of depravity.

She sighed. “Yes, unfortunately.”

I moved around behind her, brushing my hands
over her shoulders. “Have you stopped to consider that maybe your boyfriend
wants to be your best friend too? The jealousy goes both ways, I’m afraid.” She
needed me to stay close to her, whether she knew it or not.

She stared at me through the reflection in the
glass. “Why do things have to be so complicated?”

“Because you’re making them that way. The
answer is very easy.”

“How so?” She looked truly curious.

“Quit thinking about what Clay and I might want
or need and search inside yourself. What do you want, Cami? That’s all that
matters. What will make you happy?”

When she didn’t answer, I let my hands drift
down, slipping them around her waist. I pulled her back against me and nuzzled
my face in her thick hair, placing small kisses there while the two of us
stared at the intimate scene in the mirror.

“Tell me what you want,” I whispered against
her.

She closed her eyes. “I want you to be honest.”

I stiffened, pausing as she opened her eyes to
lock gazes. “I want that too. I really do.”

“Then what are you afraid of?” she asked,
turning to face me.

I shook my head and stepped away. “It’s not the
right time.”

She moved, closing the distance between us
again. “What are you afraid of, Hunter?”

I swallowed, watching as she slid her hands up
my chest. “I’m afraid I’ll lose you.”

She stared for a moment before dropping them
back to her sides. “I’m afraid of that too.” She shifted away.

“Cami, I’d tell you the truth right now if I
could.” My hands were tied. I felt completely helpless.

“Then what’s stopping you? Just do it!” she
snapped. She was frustrated and so was I.

“I can’t.” I knew there was no way to make her
understand. “You’ll just have to trust me when I say that—for
now—it’s better this way.”

“And why should I trust you?” She pointed her
finger. “And don’t tell me it’s because you’d never do anything to hurt me.
You’ve already proven you can.”

I sighed. “You’re right, I suck.” I meant it.
“It’s true I’ve hurt you, but the fact of the matter was I didn’t
want
to. There’s a big difference.”

She made a grunting sound.

“Let’s table this discussion, shall we? Go out
with me tonight. We’ll talk more then.”

“I can’t, I’m working at the theater.”

“Tomorrow then?” I asked, hopefully. Seeing her
like this was tearing me up inside. Maybe by then I could come up with
something that would appease her.

“I don’t know. I’ll think about it. Can you
please give me some time alone right now?”

I stared at her for several long moments before
I nodded and left the restroom.

Cami-

I lifted my punch card and slipped it into the
time clock, glancing briefly at the schedule on the wall beside it. I was
working with Clay tonight it appeared. I was mildly surprised since we hadn’t
worked together in a while. There was also the word, “trainee,” penciled in by
my name. That confused me since I wasn’t new.

Jon walked into the breakroom carrying a bunch
of cleaning supplies to the closet.

“There’s the word trainee written by my name,”
I said casually. “What’s that for?”

“Oh, sorry. I forgot to mention you’re helping
the new guy tonight.” He deposited the items he was holding onto their
appropriate shelves.

“So you did hire someone finally. What’s his
name?”

Jon looked puzzled. “It’s your friend you told
me about, Hunter Wilder. I figured he would’ve told you. He came in and
interviewed this afternoon with Jen. She seemed quite taken with him.”

I turned away so he wouldn’t see me roll my
eyes as I deposited my purse into my employee locker. I bet she was impressed.
Hunter probably laid the charm on so thick she didn’t stand a chance.

I leaned my head against the locker and sighed
heavily. Hunter and Clay together at my job. This was going to be a long night.

“Are you okay, Cami?” Jon asked, concerned.

Straightening up, I turned, giving him a bright
smile. “I am, thanks. Just a long day at school today. I’ll be fine. Where do
you want me to train Hunter tonight?”

“I’m going to start him off with theater care.
I restocked all the cleaning supplies for you two as well. I’ll be leaving in a
bit, but Jen will be in the office if you need anything.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

Jon gave me a smile and left.

This was good. Only two people usually worked
theater care at a time. That meant Clay would be in the snack bar with Mandy or
Shane or in the ticket window. Hopefully, I could keep Hunter and him apart for
most of the night.

Of course, this also meant the two of us would
be spending a lot of time together without anyone else around. That made my
pulse race a little, but I was bound and determined to keep him at a
professional distance.

“Hey, Cami,” Clay’s voice interrupted my thoughts,
and startled, I jumped.

He gazed over me and gave a lazy half smile of
appreciation. “Did I catch you by surprise?”

“Yeah. I didn’t hear the door open.” I fidgeted
with the hem of my dark-blue uniform shirt with the red theater logo
embroidered in the upper left corner.

Clay looked at my hands curiously, before
glancing back to my face. “Are you all right? You seem nervous.”

I nodded. “I’m fine. I need to tell you
something, though.”

His eyes narrowed suspiciously. “What?”

“I’m training a new employee tonight.”

He waited for me to give him more information,
but I didn’t continue. “Who?”

“Apparently Hunter got a job here this
afternoon.”

Clay didn’t say a word, but his jaw clenched.
He walked over to his locker, opened it, pulled out his name badge, and began
fastening it to his shirt.

“Where’s he starting?” he finally asked.

“In theater care. Where are you working?”

“Snack bar,” he replied tersely.

“Please try to be civil,” I begged him. “This
is work. We need to be professional.”

He snorted. “Whatever, Cami.” He shot me a
wounded look. “I can imagine he’ll love his new job. He’s
gonna
get paid to follow you around through dark rooms. He’s probably thrilled.”

“Clay, please.”

“He always manages to find ways to infiltrate
your life even more, doesn’t he?”

I remained silent, and he made his way to the
door, flinging it open roughly only to nearly collide with Hunter on his way
in.