Page 25 of The Backup Plan
“Justin?”
“Oh, kid. Damn.”
Their brother called her ‘kid.’
“Tell me what you’re thinking.”
He didn’t open his eyes. “I’m thinking Cam is a great person who is probably in the worst shape of his life these last few weeks. I’m thinking he’s sort of resetting himself, and when he comes out on the other side, he could be his regular self times three. And honestly, I’m wondering what the hell you see in him right now, because I know you’re not shallow enough to fall for just pretty hair and muscles if he’s being a jerk.”
She flicked the sugar packet back. “You know, if you told me a million years ago that your buddy Cam was an artist, I probably could have put a few things together myself. I didn’t pay attention to all the pictures and TV where I guess they make him take his glasses off.”
“I always forget he’s an art major. He doesn’t talk about it much.”
“He’s an art building hobo. That’s where I see him every day, but we’ve never talked.”
“I guess you talked at the party.”
She looked down. “Not really. He kind of froze me out. But whatever, right? He doesn’t need to chat up a stranger if he doesn’t want to.”
“See, that’s what I mean. It’s not like Cam at all. He was never a party guy, but he’s not rude or even really shy. He’s balling out on game day, but every time I see him at practice or weights, he’s a shell of the guy I knew last year. Jordan leaving fucked him up.”
That was the frustration in his movements when he shook the floors and couches. That was the aura of hurt and pain that circled him like a fog. Her blood warmed a little when she thought she wasn’t wrong about those things after all, and the connection wasn’t entirely in her head.
“At least I can call him by name when I see him around now,” Avery said. “Hopefully, things get better for him.”
“Nothing with Fields, though?”
“We’re besties,” she said. “Sorry not sorry.”
“And you like Cam, even though he’s been a grumpy jerk and won’t talk to you? It doesn’t add up, Avie.”
“I was interested and Cam is obviously not, so I’m going to leave that alone for now.” She leaned forward. “As a matter of fact, maybe you and I should both avoid the art building dating pool for a while.”
“As a matter of fact, no.” He sat back and stretched. “You know, I heard Jordan ran off with an art advisor and they’re living in a desert commune, smoking hash and training coyotes.”
She found a lounge in the adjacent music building to call home during her breaks for a few days, to give herself a little time to recover her dignity. She’d been scared of worse things than Cameron Porter’s mysterious motives, and decided she wouldn’t let him keep her from the one comfortable couch she always found available.
On Wednesday, she approached the lounge and saw him sprawled on his favorite couch, and he was on his feet before she got through the door.
“Avery. I’m so sorry. Hi.”
“What? Hi, Cam.” She tossed her bag on her couch, and he reached for her elbow before she could walk away.
“I’ve been so rude to you, and I’m really sorry.”
His eyes hooked her, and she couldn’t look away.
“Thanks, I guess. I didn’t know who you were before, but my brother tells me you’ve got a lot of reasons to be stressed, so?—”
“Being stressed is no excuse for not using basic manners, but I swear I’d have been a thousand times nicer if I knew you were one of the good guys.” He dropped onto his couch and motioned for her to sit.
“The good guys?”
“Suddenly, everyone wants a piece of me, and it’s not to tell me how great I am. Football is sucking the soul from me this year, and I kind of shut down. I love this game. I don’t know what to do about this part I hate.”
“Justin said it’s been a lot, with the media and P.R. I wouldn’t want to be posed and pestered all the time, either.”
“It’s been classmates, too. Someone wanted a picture with me for their dad the other day, which doesn’t sound like much, but it feels like—I can’t think of it.”