Page 6 of Camden

“Cam…”

“Say yes, Stephanie.”

“I can’t.” I stopped swaying and took a step back. His hands remained on my waist, keeping me from going too far.

His face fell briefly, but his midnight blue eyes flashed with determination before they cast down to my lips and back up to meet my eyes. “I won’t give up on this. I promise I’ll get you to change your mind.” Surprise tingled up my spine. This was new. He’d never asked me out before. Never did anything more than make a couple of flirty comments.

He must’ve had too much to drink.

That had to be it. Too much Tequila.

“I don’t want to be a game.”

He squeezed my sides. “You never would be.”

“Have a good night, Cam,” I spoke quietly, moving out of his reach. His arms fell to his sides, defeated.

“You too, beautiful.”

I turned and walked out of the reception, refusing to look back. As much as I would love to give Cam a chance, being more than his friend isn’t in the cards for me. He deserved someone more than me.

CHAPTER TWO

CAMDEN

The sandbag creakedas I landed punch after punch. When I woke up, I needed to get out of my house, out of my head. So instead of heading to the gym I’d built in my basement, I hit up the gym near the station. I needed to sweat out the alcohol from Mason’s wedding the night before.

And okay, maybe I wanted to get out some of the frustration from Steph’s refusal to give me the time of day.

I remembered the first time I saw her sitting in the corner booth of my sister’s coffee shop, sipping coffee and twirling her blonde hair. She captivated me.

Stole all of my attention.

There was something about her that made me stop and stare. She stole the breath right out of my chest. Sure, she was gorgeous. Bobbed blonde hair. Large blue eyes. Straight white teeth that bit down on her full bottom lip as she read a book.

I didn’t say anything to her that day. I didn’t introduce myself or throw her a grin. Hell, she seemed oblivious to me sitting at the counter, watching her out of the corner of my eye as I drank my coffee. She looked perfectly content to sit there unbothered, reading alone, but there was a sadness about her that I couldn’t put my finger on.

Slowly, over the months, almost every day in a non-stalker way, I watched the sadness fade. A light took its place.

I wish I could say I brought the light to her life, but truth be told, I had nothing to do with it. I hadn’t even officially met her at that point. It wasn’t until we helped Rylie move into Mason’s house that she even knew I existed. After that, I placed myself in her orbit as often as I could.

Again, in a non-stalker way.

I was always sure to be where she was. Kept her company when Mason and Rylie started sucking face. Which, much to my annoyance and pleasure, was more often than not.

We became friends.Sort of.But I wanted more than that. I thought the night of Mason’s wedding would’ve been the perfect time to make my move. To convince her to give me a chance. I mean, it was romantic. Weddings were romantic, right? The dancing, twinkly lights, and love spewing everywhere.

I knew of my reputation as a ladies’ man. And sadly, the rumors were true, or at least they used to be. I’ve had my fair share of one-night stands. Hell, I’d never even had a relationship. I’d probably be fucking terrible at it. But when you’re raised with a terrible example of what a relationship should be, you don’t exactly want to try it for yourself.

Honestly, if it weren’t for Mason’s parents, I still wouldn’t know what a healthy relationship should truly look like. Mason, much like his parents, had that relationship shit on lockdown with Rylie.

As I watched them fall for each other over the past few months, I realized maybe I could have the same happiness.

I wasn’t a piece of shit like my father.

I wouldn’t take my frustrations on my family. I used the sandbag for that. I was protective as hell, but I couldn’t imagine using my fists in any other form. I took another swing at the bag, sweat dripping from my forehead.

I didn’t want just any relationship, though. If I did, I could go out and convince almost any of my one-night stands to give me a chance. Shit, I probably had an unread text right now asking what I was doing this weekend. The problem was I couldn’t get my mind off Stephanie Monroe. I hadn’t gotten laid in months, not for the other women’s lack of trying.