Page 52 of Her Filthy Grump

Kameron: I’ll see if I can get off early.

I’ve got to go before Mr. Campos gets a boner in my car. I drop my cell phone into my bag and run to my car.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Kameron

After retrieving the wayward kitten from the tree in Mr. and Mrs. Lee’s front yard, I lift it in the air. “Little guy, you need to stay away from heights.”

Now I’m talking to animals. The yellow furred feline mews. I roll my eyes. Next thing I know, I’ll be rescuing ducks on my lunch hour. I cradle the cat in the crook of my arm and walk up to Mrs. Lee. “Here you go, ma’am.”

“Ma’am.” She beams. “You’re the sweetest guy. Isn’t he a doll, dear?” She grasps her husband’s upper arms.

“Yes, dear. He is.” He studies her like she’s the moon, sun, and stars to him. What’s that even like?

I clear my throat. The couple must be in their eighties. “How long have you two been together?”

“We were high school sweethearts.” Mrs. Lee reaches out her feeble hand and takes the kitten from me. Her knuckles are swollen from arthritis so she’s careful not to bend her fingers.

“Wow. I can’t imagine.” My parents were together for twelve years and one month. I was the product of a screw behind the bar, and the next four kids were the result of other drunken bouts of sex.

What would it be like to marry the love of your life and want to be together? Not have to be together. My father’s second marriage was no better. He also met her at the bar, and she looked like my mom. My dad had a type.

“Son.” Mr. Lee grabs my forearm. “You will know when you find the woman who lights up the room when she walks in.” His hand shakes as he holds it out. “The world is full of hardships. You need someone who balances you out.” He let’s go and steps back as his eyes fill with moisture.

The love between these two is inspiring. Layla’s just what he describes–her smile brightens the room.

I drag my cell phone out of my back pocket. Nothing. Okay, the last time I spoke with her was ten minutes ago, right before I shimmied up the tree to retrieve the kitten. I shove my phone back into my pocket and cross my arms over my chest. “How did you keep it together all these years?”

Mrs. Lee hands the kitten to her husband and pats his back. “You make a conscious effort every day to stay true and to remain in love. It takes work. There were rough days, but I don’t ever regret making the decision to make our relationship a priority.”

“And.” Mr. Lee waggles his bushy white eyebrows. “You never go to bed angry and make lots of whoopie.”

Pink dots emerge on Mrs. Lee’s cheeks as she glances behind me. “Now, dear. He doesn’t want to hear about our lovemaking.” Seconds later, her eyes narrow. “Oh, there’s Layla. She’s the sweetest girl.”

I spin around and watch as Layla’s vehicle pulls into the driveway next to Mr. and Mrs. Lee’s.What’s she doing?

She steps out of the car, and my mouth dries. She’s dressed in the skirt she wore when we made out at Gavin’s house, and her hair shines under the beaming sun. She’s stunning–for someone else. My gut churns, and anger flashes through me.

“I bet she’s here to go out with Ethan,” Mrs. Lee sighs.

What the fuck? She’s going out on a date. Last night she was all over me, making it seem like I’m the only person she cares about, and the next night she’s going out with someone else.

“I can’t wait to hear the details.” Mr. Lee chuckles. “Ethan is so full of himself. The man’s such a lady’s man.”

There had better not be any details to tell. My teeth grind together. “I’ve got to go. If you need anything else, please let us know. And keep Whiskers here on the ground before he gets stuck again.”

“Thank you so much for all your help. You’ve been so kind.”

I swing around and go before I hear the rest. I need to set Layla straight before she goes on her date. I stomp down the sidewalk.

When she sees me, her face flushes, and she waves weakly. “Hey, Kameron.”

“What’re you doing?”

“I’m going out.” She frowns and steps backward. “Not that it’s any of your business.”

“That’s bullshit.” I grab her upper arms and stare into her eyes. “Didn’t last night mean anything to you?” My heart thuds against my ribs. How could she have sex with me, give me her virginity, and it not mean anything?