“drew Stfu!”

He answered on the second ring. “Hey… I’m really sorry to bother you this late,” you said, voice shaky. “My car broke down and I don’t know who else to call.”

“I’m on my way. Send me your location. Stay in the car.”

Twenty minutes later his truck pulled up behind you. He got out in the rain, hoodie already drenched, and helped you into his passenger seat without a word. The drive back was quiet but thick with tension. You could feel him glancing at you, jaw tight.

When you reached the apartment building, he parked and killed the engine. “Come to my place,” he said. “You can stay until we figure out your car in the morning.”

You followed him inside, dripping water on his floor. He disappeared and returned with a towel and one of his t-shirts. “Dry off. You’re freezing.”

You changed in his bathroom, the oversized shirt hitting mid-thigh. When you stepped out, he was in the kitchen pouring you a glass of water, still in his damp hoodie. The air between you felt electric. “You didn’t have to come get me,” you whispered.

He set the glass down and looked at you, eyes dark. “I wanted to.”

The tension that had been building for months finally snapped. You stepped closer. He met you halfway. This time when you rose to kiss him, he didn’t stop you.

His mouth crashed down on yours in a hungry kiss, all the restraint he’d been clinging to completely gone. His hands slid under the shirt, gripping your waist and pulling you flush against him. You moaned softly into his mouth as he lifted you onto the kitchen counter, stepping between your thighs.

“I’ve wanted this for so fucking long,” he groaned against your lips, his voice rough. “Tried so hard to be good… but I can’t anymore.”

He carried you to his bedroom, laying you down on his bed like you were something precious. His hands moved slowly at first, peeling the shirt off you, kissing every inch of skin he revealed: your neck, your breasts, your stomach. He took his time, sucking gently on your nipples until you were arching and whimpering, his stubble scraping perfectly against your skin.

When he finally settled between your thighs, he looked up at you with heated eyes. “Been thinking about tasting you for months.”

He ate you out in slow, deep licks followed by messy, hungry sucking on your clit. Two thick fingers curled inside you, stroking that perfect spot while his mouth worked you over. You came hard on his tongue, thighs shaking around his head, but he didn’t stop until you were panting for him.

He shed the rest of his clothes and climbed over you. His was thick and heavy as he rubbed himself against your soaked folds. “Look at me, baby,” he murmured.

Your eyes locked as he pushed inside you, inch by inch, stretching you open. The groan that left him was low and wrecked. “So tight… fuck, baby.”

He started slow, rolling his hips in a rhythm that made your toes curl. Every thrust felt deliberate; he was savoring the moment he’d denied himself for so long. You wrapped your legs around his waist, nails digging into his broad back as he leaned down to kiss you again, tongues sliding together.

His pace gradually quickened, hips snapping harder, the wet sound of skin meeting skin filling the room. “You feel even better than I imagined,” he rasped against your neck, biting down gently. “Been driving me crazy every time I see your pretty face.”

You moaned his name, clenching around him. He cursed and fucked you deeper, one hand sliding between you to rub your clit. “Come for me again,” he growled. “Want to feel you.”

You shattered around him, crying out as your orgasm hit hard. He followed moments later, burying himself to the hilt with a deep, guttural moan, hips jerking as he came inside you. He stayed buried deep, holding you close, pressing soft kisses to your lips, your forehead, your cheeks.

BEFORE THE CASE

“You’re so smart, Cameron. Devastatingly intelligent. And yet, you can’t see that your parents would rend the heavens themselves--with Olympus and every god of land and sea—just to see you win. Why would they allow you to drop the mantle they carried like a generational bruise?

“Why would they allow you to know what struggle feels like, when they broke every stronghold in advance so you would never touch the ground? Your mind may have gotten you to the threshold but know this—your parents kicked down the door, cleared the smoke, and crowned you before you took your first breath. So, shine on, Golden Boy. Blind the world with your power and privilege, and unusual allegiance to these deranged institutions while proclaiming justice and peace.

You’re a walking contradiction, Cade.”

I – The Grant

Attending university seemed like a star in the Milky Way—only achievable by rocket science and calculations reviewed by experts. An opportunity, a chance, that seemed few and far between. But when the letter of her acceptance on a full-ride academic scholarship to her top-choice university arrived at her door like a gift from the divine, she knew favor was on her side.

Four years. Grueling. Tiresome. Rewarding.

Because of the sleepless nights, budgets wound tighter than a spring, and the prayers of a righteous mother, grace carried her across the stage on a rainy day in May with her neck heavy with medallions and heart swelling with pride. That day rolled out the red carpet toward the bigger dream—law school.

Months of preparation for the LSAT tore her away from friends. It left margaritas unmade at the restaurant, had seats on airplanes empty, and library seats too accustomed to her favorite pair of leggings. Tears watered the seeds planted by her mother’s gentle affirmations and grandmother’s wildest dreams.

Lael Cosette was accepted to law school.

But not without its own trials and tribulations. Partial scholarship. Merit-based support fell short. Until a new opportunity arose.

Another opportunity to gather the ducks lost along the way. Another chance to bridge the gap between hope and reality. A scholarship. Endowed by private sponsors of the university’s law program. Willing and generous enough to provide $50,000 for a young pupil to refuel the tank drained by capitalism and lack of caffeine.

She applied. With fervor and zeal. Only for devastation to weigh her down like a blanket the moment her joint study session was disrupted by the email. Tears welled in her eyes and fell down her cheeks like a waterfall, flooding the flashcards half-bent under the weight of her forearms.

“Hey, hey.” Warmth filled her space, but that didn’t stop the shiver that ran down her spine. His cologne was soft as it flooded her senses. “What happened?” He bowed before her reverently, palms heavy against her thighs as he whispered the sweetest somethings.

Lael mumbled incoherently behind damp hands, “Nothing. Didn’t pass the exam.”

Lie. She passed. Aced it. He knew she was lying. And didn’t press. The beginning of deterioration.

She found out weeks later that he, Cameron Cade, was named the victor in the eyes of the scholarship board. $50,000 ground to liquid gold and spoon-fed to a man who’d only eaten from silver since his first breath.

Closeness met distance. Coolness suffocated warmth. Understanding was crushed under bitterness.

Until nothing remained of a once destined union written in the stars.

II – The Firm

She arrived with fury in her eyes and lightning beneath her wings. Vengeance on her mind and violence in her fingertips.

There was something to prove. To others? No. To herself? Everything. That reclamation didn’t come from firm handshakes and fake smiles that dropped the moment she turned her back.

It was earned. Through preparation. Through discipline. Through something that cost her.

She’d given up enough. What was something else?

Junior Associate. Not the big dog—not yet. But her bite was still strong. Dangerous.

And she smiled at that. Her weapons were still on the blacksmith’s anvil. At rest until they were meant to be wielded.

Until then—she’d do what she’d done best. Fight. And win.

III – The Case

Power didn’t boom like thunder crackling through the night sky in Cade Cosette Merrin Lowell Shaw.

It didn’t scream or announce itself.

It hummed and crackled low in the steady pulse of a pressure cooker, squeezing tension to the surface. Lived in glass walls and marble floors that squeaked beneath the soles of expensive Italian leather shoes and red bottoms, required uniforms on a battlefield where brilliance sharpened itself for battle.

It lingered beneath the morning sun, encapsulated by glass, trembling as the footsteps of mighty titans thundered down the hallway, the light bending toward their shadows in reverence as they turned a sharp corner.

The conference room, the pit that swallowed five giants every day once the horizon dipped below the curve of Earth, rattled as they entered, one by one.

Cade. Cosette. Merrin. Lowell. Shaw.

Five names carved into black stone like scripture. Five legacies. Five storms learning, unwillingly, to orbit.

And yet power didn’t shift here; it circled. Slow. Predatory. Waiting for one misstep between Lael Cosette and Cameron Cade.

Lael stood at the head of the long oak table crafted by artisan hands, fingers resting on a stack of organized files—stillness masquerading as calm beneath a rabid storm. Stillness that lied. The kind of predator that maintains itself before a vicious kill.

She heard him before he spoke. The quiet, confident cadence. The soft exhale of someone who never had to raise his voice to command a room.

“Your prosecution was…” Cameron paused, searching for the right word, as if the right word would bend her spine a fraction. “…unfair.”

Lael didn’t turn. Didn’t blink. Dark eyes remained locked on the pages before her, though she no longer saw a single word.

Her nostrils flared. Her finger paused on the page. Her spine stood rigid.

Instead, she saw him—his privileged posture, his polished certainty, his lineage stitched into every syllable like a watermark he didn’t know he carried.

A humorless laugh slipped from her throat. Hit the ground with a heavy thud—something between a laugh and a long-forgotten wound unraveling.

“Grow a thicker layer of skin, Cade,” she retorted, her voice velvet dipped in venom. The metal barrel of a pen was heavier than legal textbooks and more expensive than the overtly large gold watch that wrapped around his wrist. “Part of the game. You either know how to play, or you don’t. Do you?”

She didn’t have to look up to know he was straining. Jaw wound tight like a string. Fingers clenching at his side. Inhaling and exhaling like an amateur student in a yoga class—bit off more than he could chew.

Cameron’s exhale was heavy. Rugged as the carpet beneath their feet, that yelped with each press of her heel into the fabric. His nostrils flared. Foot tapped against the ground like a bull ready to charge at its prey. “I play it well. It’s how I know you’re playin’ dirty, and for what? Unfair.”

Her palm hovered over the pen until it clattered against the glass table. A crack in the foundation. Vulnerability leaking at the seams.

“So was the scholarship.” Heat struck behind her eyes. The Earth was scorched by a ring of fire, blazing everything in its path like vengeance armed with flames. It destroyed the tender ground and plowed toward the seas—he stepped back.

She inhaled deeply.

The storms rolled in. Heavy. Powerful. Flooded her until she sank beneath words lodged in her throat.

She didn’t say anything else. But he heard her clearly.

The fire seared the seas with rage.

You, Cameron Cade, are insufferable.

IV – The Revelation

They were alone.

No conference table. No observers. No buffer of glass or marble.

Lael circled her desk slowly. Her nails whispered against the dark wood as she planted herself in front of him

Firm. Immovable. Unshakeable.

“You’re not Ares.

You are not an immovable god haloed with the reverence of patrons. Administrations don’t bend at the whisper of your name. Governments don’t flee like you’re vengeance in cashmere and Italian leather.

No, Cameron.

I am vengeance. I am war manifested, justice personified. I am the verdict you never prepared for.”

She didn’t raise her voice.

“And you.”

A pause.

“You are Achilles. A presumably mighty warrior with a simple weakness that will destroy you from root to tip. And that weakness, Cameron Cade, is you.”

Silence.

“You think you’re the storm. I’m the weather.”

Another pause. Smaller now. Equally heavy.

“I am the hell and the high water you should have learned to flee.”

He opened his mouth. Closed it.

“And yet,” she continued, quieter, “Here I stand. Across from a man, the bright-eyed heir to an empire undeserving, waiting for life to spoon-feed him another victory he didn’t bleed for. Who mistakes inheritance for merit.”

She looked at him then. Finally.

“Tell me, Cameron. Where are your wounds?”

V – The Verdict

“I’m sorry.”

The words were quiet. Not rehearsed. Not elevated. Quiet.

“I am so sorry.”

Lael didn’t respond. Couldn’t. Not with a heavy sob bundled in her throat, waiting for her jaw to unhinge, desperate for release.

“I didn’t know,” he continued. “I didn’t need it. But that doesn’t change anything. I don’t get to undo it. I don’t get to make it right.” His breath caught on words he’d never thought he’d say. “I am so sorry you suffered because of my name.”

Silence pressed in.

Cameron took a step.

Then another.

He stopped just short of her space, like he was checking if the distance mattered—it did. It mattered the moment they stepped on campus nearly ten years ago and it mattered now, when the flames settled to embers, pulsing under tension.

She trembled then, finally. An involuntary break. Her lip bobbed as her eyes searched his face, searched for a lie, and an opportunity to yell “gotcha!” Darkness scoured the seas for, quick and sharp, looking for the smallest fraction of a tell that showed a slither of disingenuousness. Something, a justification, that she could tear open.

Humility.

She came face-to-face with humility. Pity, maybe? No, not that. Humility. Raw and open, waiting for salt to be dumped in a wound where he’d never known to be cut.

His eyes had changed. Not piercing like the seas hiding the lost kingdom. Softer now. Open sky. A place where nothing was sheathed.

When he lifted his hand, it was slow. Deliberate. His thumb brushed the tear from her cheek before it fell, then caught another at her waterline, her dark eyeliner sliding down his skin.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered again. Softer. Familiar. “I’m sorry, baby.”

Lael turned away from him, her cheek brushing against his suit jacket.

Some victories weren’t meant to be shared.

Only understood.

For now, that was enough.

-

Choosing to study in Cameron’s room this time rather than the library was proving to be impossible. With him being fortunate enough to have his own single, you two got comfortable on his bed. Crossing your legs, you sat at the head of his bed. He rested his back against the wall, facing the door. You weren’t even twenty minutes in yet before he started begging you to come to his football game. Specifically, for you to come sit in the family and friends section again. In his own words: “this one is important for real”.

“For me at least?!”

“No”.

“Please?”

“No!”

“Pl-”

Fully looking up from your notebook now, you glared at him before he could utter the word. “Cam, no. I already told you I’m not doing that shit again! The regular bleachers will do just fine”. You already planned to go, however you had been adamant on not sitting in the same section. Assuming that meant you weren’t going at all, Cameron made sure to lay it on thick. He learned early on in your friendship that there was an 85% success rate if he annoyed you enough to the point you’d give in.

He laughed, swatting your ankle. “C’Monnn, I promise this time will be different”. Pausing as the moment replayed in his head, he let out another snicker. “I swear on everything I’ll make sure you don’t get hit with the ball”.

You kicked at his shin, trying to conceal your laughter. “It’s not funny! The bruise is just now starting to fade”. The first-and last-time you sat front row in the family & friends section, the ball ended up striking you just above your hip.

Wrapping his hand around your calf, he gave it a squeeze. Sporting a soft smile while rubbing your skin, he voiced, “I’m sorry”. Shifting to a serious tone now, his grip trailed up, stopping below your knee. “Please come… I need you there tomorrow”.

Gnawing on your bottom lip, you contemplated, taking in his expression. He was talented in that way, able to make you crack with one pleading look and that soft drop in his voice. Begrudgingly, you mumbled, “fine. But I am NOT sitting in the front row, I don’t care”.

A wide grin spread across his features before he pounced, pulling you onto his lap to trap you in a bear hug. “Thank you”. Making a small noise of surprise, you immediately slid your hands up his back. Folding your knees beside his hips for comfort, you straddled him. He lingered, absentmindedly rubbing along your hips and savoring the scent of your fragrance.

With your cheek pressed against his chest, a faint smile ghosted your lips. Wincing when his thumb accidentally swiped across your bruise, you shifted in his lap. Bringing your hands to his abdomen, you gave him a gentle nudge. “Cam”.

Quickly uttering, “sorry”, he repositioned his hands on your thighs. He leaned back, peering in the direction of your bruise before lifting his gaze. “You good?” You nodded, eyes falling to his lips for a split second. Suddenly, aware of the compromising position, you began to move off his lap. Once you slipped out of his grasp, his gaze followed while you situated yourself at the head of his bed. Glancing down, he swallowed hard, using a pillow to cover himself so you wouldn’t notice the tent growing in his sweats.

You two had been dancing around the tension for years. Never placing a name on it or giving the feelings that began to simmer over time any attention. Nothing ever happened but you both shared the same thought. It wasn’t worth losing each other if things went wrong. The friendship was too important. Plus, in your mind, if there was something on his end, it was just lust. And the thought of that alone hurt more than discovering whether or not he truly felt the same so you remained comfortable in the unknown.

“You owe me by the way”.

He was waiting for that to come. Lips curling into a smile, he asked, “What do you want?”

Continuing to write, you kept your attention focused on the page in front of you, not sparing him a glance while responding. “That’s for you to figure out, I’m sure you’ll come up with something!” Pausing your movements to raise your head, you caution, “you’ll still owe me if I’m not satisfied though so choose wisely”. You finished with a curt smile before resuming your writing.

Uttering in a hushed tone, “you’re something else for real”, he shook his head in amusement.

Ears perking up a bit, you hummed, “what was that?”

Throwing his hands up in defense, he quickly voiced, “Nothing! Didn’t say anything”.

………………

Any chance he could, Cameron would glance over towards the family and friends section, anticipating your arrival. You’d leave him on his toes a lot, but this was the one thing he could never predict with you. He started to note you’d either come fairly early or exactly when the game started but you’d never be late. Not even five minutes. Despite knowing this, he couldn’t help the pit that formed in his stomach until he saw your face.

Completely unaware of how much weight he had placed on you showing up, you would simply show up whenever you happened to finish getting ready. Avoiding coming in late was the only somewhat strict guideline you held yourself to. No matter how many times you’d watch him play, it never became repetitive. If anything, each game was different. Cameron was consistently sharp as a player, seemingly excelling with every play.

Football has always been the focal point of his life. To any bystander, they would see him and think he was great. To you, all you saw was his drive to become perfect. He’s never stopped. And he’d never allow himself to. Any broken bones or concussions were just a bump in the road. Cameron remained in his place as the most persistent person you’ve ever met.

A part of you was always on edge, terrified even that something would happen to him on the field one day. However, you couldn’t bring yourself to stop watching. Not when he slipped into that state of raw, unbridled focus. To say he’s grown since you were kids would be an understatement.

Just as warm up was winding down, Cameron watched you saunter into the stands. Spotting someone you knew, you took a seat next to them, sparking up conversation. Recognizing the crew neck you wore was the one with #5 embroidered on the wrists, he smiled at the sight. The sheer amount of merch you had accumulated continued to grow and was getting a bit ridiculous at this point, but you weren’t complaining. The quality was unmatched. Each item he’d give you would either fall in pajama territory or your closet depending on the style.

As predicted, the game ended with Cameron as the MVP, bringing in another win for the team. Making your way out of the stadium, you and your classmate paused for a moment to catch up before you left.

“Sooo what’s up with you and Cam?! How long you been on that?”

Brows furrowing in confusion now, your mood shifted as soon as the words left her mouth. Smile dwindling a bit, you questioned, “what do you mean…?” You knew what she meant but there was a reason you never outwardly spoke about him unless prompted. Majority of people who were privy of your friendship automatically assumed it was more than that. Nor would they believe it when you two clarified you’re just friends.

“How long have y’all been fucking? Or are y’all actually together?!”

“Neither actually. We’re just friends, it’s not like that”. Maintaining your composure, you were waiting for her to voice the real reason for asking.

Her expression immediately lighting up, she asked, “would you mind hooking me up then?? He looks too good around campus, I can’t believe you haven’t fucked at all!”

Forcing out a short laugh, you nodded. “You cool with me giving him your number?” Trying to ignore the twinge of discomfort settling in your stomach, you kept a tight lipped smile.

Nodding, she hummed, “Mhm, that works!”, rolling her eyes afterwards. “My brother refuses to set me up with him, I’ve stopped asking him that shit”.

Finding yourself growing increasingly uncomfortable, you let out another laugh. “No problem. I’ll see later, I have to go!” Right on cue, your phone started ringing as you began to walk back to your car.

“Hey”

“Hey, you still here?!”

“About to leave, why?”

“Give me ten minutes! Don’t leave yet”.

“I’m giving you eight, hurry up”. Hearing his laughter ring out through the phone before you hung up, a small smile came to your face. Occasionally, he would take up the opportunity to ride back to campus with you if he chose to ride with one of his teammates to the field instead of driving.

Knowing you always parked as close as possible, Cameron made a beeline for your car. Distance closing in, he saw you clearly, distracted on your phone. Taking this as a chance to scare you, he ducked down, gradually getting closer until he ran up to your window, slapping his hands on the glass. Jumping at the sudden noise, you clutched your heart, turning to see him bubbling with laughter. You glared at him, shaking your head in amusement before cracking the window. “Yea, have fun walking back to your dorm. I’m not giving you a ride!”

He swiftly rounded the car, pulling on the handle to see you had already locked it. “Wait chill, unlock the door!” Deciding to partake in the antics, you kept your finger on the button, unlocking it for a split second before locking it again. You did it one more time, laughing as he attempted to open it again before finally letting him in. He climbed in, throwing his travel bag in the back before shifting the seat as far as it could go for leg room.

The scent of his body wash immediately striking your senses, you involuntarily clench your legs. You took in his appearance, baggy gray sweats riding low on his hips with a plain white wife beater on. Gaze trailing down his bicep towards the prominent veins displayed on his forearm, you questioned, “it’s hardly 55 degrees right now, you’re not cold?”

He shook his head, expressing, “nope”, as his eyes scanned over your outfit. Lips turning up into a smile, he reached over the console, grabbing your wrist to get a clear view. This was the first time he’d ever seen you wear any of the merch he gave you with his personal number on it. Heart speeding up, he was silent for a moment. “You wore this one for me?”

Unbeknownst to him, you always wore the engraved items of clothing in private. Briefly glancing in the direction he was looking, you peered back up, almost able to see the gears turning in his head. “No, I wore it because it’s cold out. Plus, it’s comfortable”. After he chuckled at your response, you playfully pushed at his knee, rolling your eyes. “Duh I wore it for you. Didn’t you say this one was important?”

Laughing again, he nodded. “There were several scouts watching today”. You knew there was always a range of them at every game, but he wouldn’t have mentioned it unless some were from his top choices.

Many from other teams have come to scout him except for the ones he anticipated the most up until this point. “Wait… which ones from your lineup?”

A slow grin forming, he responded, “first and second”.

Unable to contain your excitement, you urged, “get out, I need to give you a hug!”, before promptly opening your door to step out. Cameron met you halfway, immediately wrapping his arms around your lower back to pull you flush against him. Bringing your hands up to reach his broad shoulders, you embraced him. Reveling in your hold, he nuzzled into your shoulder, lowering his grip to your hips.

Noticing he was reluctant to part, you ran one of your hands down his arm, caressing his bicep while mumbling, “I’m happy for you”.

Feeling him smile against you, his voice was muffled. “Knew you would be”. After another second, he lifted his head. Peering down at the sincere expression that had settled over your features, his mind was quiet. Through all the chaos that accompanied the sport, you were at the center of it, grounding him back in reality.

It was moments like these where confusion would strike you a bit. Cameron was an open book. You were well acquainted with all his cues at this stage in your friendship, yet you could never decipher what he was thinking when his eyes glazed over like this. Giving his arms a gentle squeeze, you asked, “ready to leave now?”

Nodding in response, he chimed, “I could drive if you want”.

“Yea, absolutely not Cam. You drive crazy!”

He scoffed, “Me?! I’m probably the safest driver you know”.

Amused, you raised a brow at his quip, shaking your head in disagreement against his chest. “Not even by a long shot”. Aware of him still keeping you in his grasp, you remarked, “so… you plan to let me go or…?” After he begrudgingly parted you two shared a small laugh, getting back in the car to leave.

Once you returned back to campus, a thought sprung to your mind. Shutting the car off, you casually mentioned, “oh by the way I have a number for you”.

“The girl you were sitting with…?” You nod, unlocking your phone to find it. Before you could even start the search, he quickly voiced, “I don’t want it”. At the sound of this you peered over to see his face fell flat.

Confused and slightly intrigued, you confirmed, “you sure?”

“Positive”. Jaw clenching now, he added, “I’m not getting involved with Brian’s sister. I don’t want her”. He studied your features in acknowledgement, biting his tongue.

Assuming it was nothing more than a boundary thing with his teammate, you shrugged, leaving it off with an “ok”.

Both proceeding to walk in the direction of the dorms now, Cameron asked, “can I come up tonight?”

You nodded, sending a quick message to your roommate. While Cameron was lucky enough to be alone, you were lucky enough to share an apartment with your best friend. It had just become a courtesy at this point to give a heads up even though she’d never care, occupied in her own bedroom or the living room.

Upon entering the space, Cameron made himself comfortable on the bed while you searched your dresser for pajamas. “What about the movies?” Humming in confusion, you turned to face him. “Going to the theatre, is that acceptable for you? I know you’ve been wanting to see the movie that just came out”.

Ears perking up in interest, you questioned, “when?”

“This Friday work? We can go after my practice, get food afterwards?”

A genuine smile finding its way to your face, you shook your head in approval, “Yea, I’m satisfied with that”, before venturing off towards the bathroom to change. When you left his view, Cameron’s grin widened. Nothing granted him more pleasure than making you happy.

After a few moments, you returned, wearing a loose fitting top with sweatpants, ready for sleep. Dimming the lights now, you cozy up under the covers next to him. Both mindlessly discussing how your day went while scrolling on your phones, you began drifting off. Cameron followed suit, having it in mind that he was going to rest his eyes for a bit before heading out. You two ended up falling into a deep slumber, periodically shifting your bodies throughout the night to get comfortable.

At some point, he turned to his side, slinging his arm around your mid-section. Loosely grasping his forearm, you gravitated towards his body, shuffling back against him. You stayed in that position for a few hours, unconsciously moving your body again to flip around, nuzzling into his side. He kept his arm wrapped around you, pulling you as close as possible.

Once morning came, Cameron woke up first. His eyes gradually opened, adjusting to the light peeking through your curtains until they dropped to your figure. Curled next to him, you had your face pressed onto his chest, arm resting along his abdomen. Staying quiet and still, he admired the view, feeling his heart swell. Sure, there had been other instances in the past where you two happened to fall asleep in the same bed but none like this. He’d stay like this all day, just watching the soft rise and fall of your body for comfort.

Your alarm beginning to ring out now, his thoughts were cut short. Eyes still shut, you groggily shifted, reaching to turn the sound off before bringing your arm back to its position. Slowly becoming aware, your brows furrowed in confusion. You repeatedly pat his stomach, feeling the hard planes of his abdomen underneath your fingertips. Quickly coming to the realization after a few seconds, you blinked, pushing yourself up into a seated position.

Giving him a playful shove, you turned your attention to him. Mumbling out, “How come you didn’t say anything? I didn’t know I was all over you like that”, you saw a small grin on his face.

Bypassing the twinge of emptiness, he felt when you pulled away, he casually shrugged, “I didn’t mind”. He watched as you checked the time on your phone, setting it back down with a tired groan. “What time is your class?”

“12:30 today. You?”

“Eleven”.

“Cam that’s in an hour…”

“So?”

Voicing, “What do you mean so?!”, you shoved him again, laughing at his sense of urgency. “You need to leave right now to get ready. I refuse to be the reason you’re late!”

“Damn you’re kicking me out already?! Bedside service sucks here”.

More laughter bubbling out, you urged, “yes, it does, now get up! There’s extra toothbrushes in the bathroom”. He chuckled, finally moving to head to the bathroom. Before he left, you told him to just text you the details for the movie later.

………………

Friday

Cameron now found himself in a predicament. His teammates had drilled into his head the best way to celebrate several of their top picks showing up was an impromptu party. Tonight. He didn’t want to reschedule, nor did he want to cancel on you but in that moment at practice he thought: what better way to celebrate that…?

“Ik this is last minute, but you mind if we go on Sunday? I’m exhausted rn, I’m just going to sleep in tn.”

“No, that’s fine. I understand”.

“I’m sorry, I’ll make it up to you I swearr”.

“Cam it’s fine, get ur rest. I’ll talk to you tmr”.

“You’re not mad, are you??”

“No, just take care of yourself pls. Hope you get some good sleep!”.

The guilt was quick to set in and stayed throughout the evening. As soon as he sent the first message, he felt the pit simmering in his stomach, increasing by the hour. After practice was over, he sat on his bed, contemplating whether it was the right move to actually go to the party. Damage had already been done the moment he rescheduled so in his mind, things couldn’t possibly get worse if he showed his face for an hour or two. He never lied to you, let alone left you as an afterthought so what was different now? Why did it feel so heavy?

On the opposing end, you felt a pang of disappointment when the notification popped up but brushed it off. Tried too at least. Placing your focus back on the show you were watching with your roommate, your mind drifted. It felt like there was something else he was omitting but he would’ve told you. Gnawing on your lip as anxiety began to creep in, you were quiet, thinking about what else it could be. He’ll probably tell me later.

Poorly hiding your concern, your best friend peered over, taking in the worry painted on your features. Momentarily dragged out of your thoughts, you felt a nudge on your shoulder. You Glanced over at her, releasing a small hum. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing”.

“Girl…”

“Nothing, seriously. I just… I don’t know”. You passed her your phone, showing the messages. “Am I tripping for feeling like something’s a little bit off?! Be honest”. She took a moment to read the thread, and you watched as her neutral expression morphed into one of discontent.

Shaking her head, she handed it back to you. “He’s hiding something, guarantee it”. Your face fell at her words. Despite seeing that coming, a part of you was hoping she’d lie. At least then you could really convince yourself not to overthink. Attempting to cushion her words, she encouraged, “fuck him though, don’t even give it a second thought! Come out with me tonight!” Seeing your apprehension, she grasped your hand, continuing, “pleaseee, I’ll make sure you have fun! It’ll take your mind off it!”

A smile ghosting your lips at her insistence, you caved. “Ok, fine! Where are we going?”

Gleefully squeezing your hand now, she grinned.

“Some party happening near the hub I think?? I don’t know who’s hosting but my friend said it should be a good turnout. We’ll see for ourselves though!” Checking the time on her phone, she mumbled, “oh shit…”, before launching off the couch. “Start getting ready now, we’re going to pregame!” Turning on her heels to head toward her room, she yelled out, “wear something slutty!”

Loudly laughing at her excitement, you sprung off the couch, shouting back “I will”, through your laughter.

………….

You were three shots in by the time you two arrived at the party and sure enough, the place was packed. Though you were a bit tipsy, you could’ve sworn that you’d been here before. The house looked way too familiar but not enough for you to spare more than a second thought. Immediately upon walking in, the aroma of smoke filled your nostrils accompanying the heavy bass leaking from the speakers as the music blasted.

With your arms linked, you two shuffled deeper into the house, stopping for a moment to converse with a few mutual friends. After a couple more interactions, both of you managed to navigate through the sea of people, finding the kitchen. Giggling at your best friends reaction once she spotted her drink of choice, you lost your footing for a second. Bumping into somebody hard, you turned your head a bit, muttering out, “oops, sorry about that!”

After hearing your name called, you fully swiveled, searching around to figure out who said it before looking up directly in front of you. “Brian, hey! What are you doing here?!” Pulling him in for a brief hug, he chuckled. “I’m hosting! Glad you could come”.

“Oh! I didn’t know you were having a party tonight”. It took a second for you to make the connection, but it slowly dawned on you as he continued.

“What do you mean? Cam didn’t tell you?? He said you couldn’t come!”

Keeping a smile plastered on your face, you dismissed the anger bubbling inside upon realizing he lied, twice. Shaking your head, you voiced “nope! He’s here?”

“Yea, he’s on the couch!” Eyeing you up and down, he added, “you look good by the way” ignoring him uttering “really good” under his breath, you simply nodded.

“Thanks”. Looking around to see where your friend was, you stopped in your tracks after his voice rung out again.

“You know Cam said you were off limits, but you mind if I get your number really quick…?”

“Sorry, he said what?!”

“He told us you were off limits but shit, he’ll just have to understand”.

Sobering up by the second you confirmed, “He told all of you I’m off limits?!” Once he nodded, he asked for your number again and you decided in that moment, why not? Promptly making your way out of the kitchen now, you went off to figure out where your friend might have wandered. Your mind was racing now, trying to decipher what could’ve possibly motivated Cameron to act like this.

Crossing another pathway throughout the house, your heart sunk as you caught a clear glimpse of the couch. Even at a distance you could make out Cameron’s figure. The couch had several other people occupying it and one of those happened to be Brian’s sister. Music deafening out and the people surrounding the area suddenly going out of focus, you stood there, blinking at the scene unfolding. With both her arms curled around his, she shuffled her body close, leaning against his side to murmur something in his ear. He looked disinterested, not particularly focused on her or anything going on around him and you could tell by her mannerisms that she was drunk, yet you had no time to form a thought.

“There you are, I lost you girl! Having fun yet?!”

The sound of her voice was barely enough to pull you out of the trance you were in. For a split moment, he locked eyes with you during a scan of the room. Unsure if he was seeing correctly, he squinted, eyes widening once he realized. Heart lurching, the familiar lump began forming in your throat. Quickly looking away, your vision started to blur, tears threatening to spill. Frantically looking around to find the closest exit, you urgently muttered, “I need air, I need to leave”.

Before you broke your gaze, she followed your line of sight, smile dropping and mouth parting once she saw. Immediately understanding, she linked your arms again, keeping a solid grip while she wordlessly started leading you through the crowd, out the back door. You couldn’t wipe the droplets beginning to roll down your cheeks fast enough.

………………

Unable to shake the gnawing feeling of guilt, he regretted coming to the party as soon as he crossed the threshold. He was about to walk back but was stopped by one of his homeboy’s sparking a conversation. The atmosphere was no help, only proving to be more irritating than anything. Passed up going to the movies for this shit…

Deciding to take refuge on the couch, he was quiet, only contributing to the conversations here and there. But to really top things off, it was impossible for him to stop thinking about you. About how much he’d rather be celebrating with you, alone. Consistently checking his phone to see if you might’ve messaged him again, his knee started bouncing with nerves. Wonder what she’s doing right now…

He wasn’t allowed more than fifteen minutes of peace before Brian’s sister attempted to saunter over sensually, plopping down into the little space available next to him. Any thin thread of patience he had left the moment she touched him. Brows furrowing in disgust, he was about to brush her off, standing fully to leave the party but then his eyes found you. Dawning on him how bad this shit looked, he swiftly stood up, abruptly pushing her off to barrel through the crowd.

Disappearing as quickly as he saw you, he no longer saw which direction you went. Fuck, please pick up... Heart racing now, Cameron rushed through, getting outside to call you. No answer. Call again, no answer. Sprinting to his car, he sped back to campus.

“I’m sorry”.

“Where are you??!”

“I’m coming to find you”.

“Please talk to me, let me explain”.

After several calls and messages, you put your phone on dnd, disregarding them. Fortunate enough to catch a ride back with your roommate and her current fling, she asked if you were good to walk to the apartment alone. Ensuring you were, she stayed behind while you stepped out, making your way toward that path. Frankly being completely alone right now sounded nice. You needed to clear your thoughts.

Despite being upset that he lied, the one thing that stood out to you was the “off limits” statement. There was no questioning whether or not that was true because after a bit of reflection, you realized just how obvious it was. You weren’t around all of his teammates much but the few that would circulate around him always averted their gaze, keeping interactions short and to the point. In this moment you wanted nothing to do with Cameron. At All. But the only thing you wanted right now was an explanation. Some semblance of truth that might explain his behavior.

Settling into the comfort of your room now, you sighed. Taking a seat on your bed, you finally let the tears flow freely, actively trying to wipe them as they came. It was ridiculous to even cry about something so trivial, but you couldn’t shake the image of him with Brian’s sister. The steeping knot that set in your stomach seeing him comfortable with another woman. Maybe he lied about that too…

Hearing a faint knock on the door, you grabbed a tissue, patting your eyes before stepping out of your room. Assuming it was your roommate coming up to grab something, you swung open the door, only to be met with Cameron. His heart twisted when you came into view. Spotting your tear stained cheeks, he fought the urge to reach out and swipe them away. Face growing rigid at the sight of him, you quickly motioned to shut the door. He placed his hand on it, halting the movement.

“Please, I’m not here to upset you. I just want to apologize”. Taking a few steps back from the door, you moved into the kitchen, leaning against the counter for balance. Stepping into the apartment now, he rounded the other side, leaving a gap between you two. He knew better than to crowd your space when you were angry with him, having learned that lesson the last time.

“I’m giving you five minutes. Hurry up”.

“My intention wasn’t to hurt you I didn’t— I wasn’t thinking when I accepted that invite, I’m sorry. I fucked up, I know that, but I promise—-”

Your frustration was rising with each word. Sharply cutting him off, you interjected, “what was it then hm? To lie for the sake of lying?!”

“No, that was a mistake. I should’ve told you the truth”.

“But you didn’t… for whatever fucking reason. I could promise you I wouldn’t have cared if you said off rip you didn’t want to go tonight anymore. Matter fact, let’s see…” You held out your hand, using your fingers to begin counting how many times he lied. “Instead of flat out telling me you’d rather go to an impromptu party, you told me you were going to sleep in. Hell, who knows if you were actually exhausted so lie number two?? Told your friend I couldn’t come, lie number three-”

His solemn expression morphed into confusion as you continued. Heart rate speeding up, he grew deeply concerned about what else Brian possibly told you. “But my favorite one— “, you paused to laugh, using air quotes now. “‘I’m not getting involved with Brian’s sister. I don’t want her’”. Brows furrowing now after listing them, you gazed at him, utterly puzzled.

He shook his head, rounding the counter to level with you. “That last statement was not a lie, I don’t. I know how it looked but I promise you she was drunk, I pushed her off me. You know I don’t want her”. You glanced down, fighting back the urge to cry as he continued. Cautiously stepping closer, he earnestly pleaded, “please believe that. The other two were lies and I apologize for even putting you in this position but please—”. He reached for your hand, soothing the back of it with his thumb.

For a brief moment you softened into his touch, resolve slipping until the words “off limit” rung in your mind. Anger spiking, you shoved him away, pushing him at his chest. “Don’t touch me!” Tears fell as your mind raced. Stepping out of his proximity, you headed into the living room, creating as much distance as possible.

He turned, watching you pace. Taken back by your demeanor, he was trying to understand what you were thinking. Anything to rationalize why you were so upset. Facing him now, you stopped, mumbling in a hushed tone, “why would you—”, pausing to clutch your stomach. “Why did you tell your teammates I’m off limits…?”

Mind going blank, Cameron felt his heart drop to his stomach. “It’s not like that— it’s not what you think, I swear”. He met you in the living room, pain flashing in his eyes when you took a step back. “I don’t want them to hurt you, that’s all—”.

“But it’s ok when you do it…?” Words sending a direct pang of guilt up his spine, Cameron shook his head. “Is that why you lied…?” He was frozen. Throat burning now, a hard lump formed.

You urged yourself to continue, trying to dismiss how excruciating the knot had grown with every thought. Voice cracking, you managed to stutter out, “how— how long have you been waiting for an opportunity…? Is that how you see me…? This…?”, motioning between the two of you. “A quick fuck??”

The silence was loud. Cameron couldn’t conjure up any thought. Struggling to breathe now, he felt like someone had punched him in his chest, winding him of air. Scrambling to stop that notion from going any farther in your brain, he frantically emphasized, “no… no, no, listen that’s not what this is to me, I’m not— “. He couldn’t help himself from coming closer, reaching out to soothe you.

It was too late. That idea had already been fully adopted, seeping into your conscious and jumbling with your own feelings for him. You were becoming increasingly distressed, throat constricting before another wave of fresh tears streamed down your face. Shaking your head in disbelief, you took another small step backwards, muttering, “stop”.

Obliging for fear of upsetting you further, Cameron stopped, dropping his extended arm. “You know how much you mean to me…? Our connection…? How could you think— when have I given you the impression that’s how I view our friendship?! I would never see you like that…”. Hearing his voice break, you were almost on the verge of pulling him in for a hug. It was clear you wouldn’t be able to rationalize your thoughts and feelings with him around you. “I don’t see you like that”.

“Please leave…”

Standing there in shock, Cameron couldn’t remember the last time he felt this gut wrenched. Reluctantly walking a few steps back, he clenched his jaw, turning to leave out. The closer he came to his dorm, the worse he felt. Once he reached his room, an uncomfortable, stinging ache took root in his chest. Vision blurring, he ran a hand down his face, rubbing his eyes to prevent any tears from coming. He didn’t care how damaged things felt right now, determined to repair it no matter what.

Eventually you calmed down enough to think without tears welling in your eyes. You laid in bed, chronologically replaying the day in your head. Confused even more now, his demeanor throughout the conversation continued flashing. And while you were Initially unsure about whether he was being honest, you weighed that single factor. The one thing he could never mask was his hurt. Not with you. He never tried to.

The following morning, Cameron had to force himself not to call or text you, wanting to respect your space. Deciding to continue with his routine, he buried the growing concern steeping into his mind as each day passed without a word from you. There was only one other time in your friendship where you weren’t speaking to each other. That instance was in middle school and ended up lasting for one week.

This, however, was becoming uncharted territory, having reached the seven day mark. Now, beginning to stay up longer than normal, Cameron’s sleep gradually deteriorating. It took everything in him just to wait for a call. A text. Anything from you indicating you were ready to talk but it never came. The anxiety from simply missing your presence peaked on day twelve at his next home game.

Since that night, you went into overdrive, making yourself busy to avoid that feeling. The lingering craving of wanting him around, needing him next to you, combined with the disappointment you felt. Knowing exactly what you felt when looking at him went far beyond the platonic realm, you refused to indulge. Not if there was any shred of him that only viewed you in a sexual manner, completely disregarding the essence of your connection. Unable to bring yourself to go to his game, you stayed in, choosing those hours to study. To make matters worse, you received a message from an unknown number, grimacing when you realized who it was. You rolled your eyes at the tacky line, fully regretting giving him your information in the heat of the moment. At least that decision to block him came quickly with zero contemplation.

First down came and went and you still weren’t here. Cameron had come to terms with the fact that you weren’t coming. But he didn’t anticipate that throwing him off to the degree it did. One mistake was rare and barely tolerable depending on the severity. Three was a major fuck up in his eyes. He couldn’t reconcile with misalignment in his life. Not with you, not with football, and certainly not at the same time. They still won the game but that didn’t matter to him. Knowing that wasn’t his best was enough to send him down a spiral.

His homeboys noticed his mood shift and suggested going to another party as a remedy. Cameron knew that wouldn’t do anything to take his mind off of the game… nor make the ache that had twisted into a wrench in his chest disappear. But at least it’d keep him busy. Being around other people and thinking about you felt more productive than doing that while he was alone. It was unavoidable though.

Smoking outside with two of his teammates, Cameron only started listening when one of them mentioned Brian.

“He will not shut the fuck up about her”

“At all. It’s starting to piss me off, for real!”

Chiming in, Cameron asked, “who?”

“Some girl he met at his party a couple weeks ago. He trying to be mysterious and shit, talking about she’s cool with his sister”.

Settled into a low buzz now, Cameron completely tuned out everything else they started saying. Falling quiet again, he felt a twinge of jealousy spark, quickly rolling into a steady buildup of anger. It was easy putting two and two together that you were the girl they spoke of. Going back into the party to confront him, he kept it in the back of his mind not to take it past a simple conversation. Despite this, his temper increased the longer it took to find him. Hardly gentle as he glided past people, he stopped upon hearing a random voice yell his name. “Yoooo Cam! Man, what’s up with you?!”

Growing tense, he clenched his jaw, hardening his facial expression as the person approached, walking up to his side. “Haven’t seen you fumble that bad in second quarter before-”. Cameron heard the ringing in his ears become increasingly loud, blocking out the music and conversations around him. He began to move again, ignoring the voice before he reached his tipping point. “Is it the bitch you hang with all the time? What’s her name? She stop giving you pussy or somethi—“, and that final statement was enough to drive him there.

Swinging around to piece him in his jaw, Cameron delivered two more strikes, knocking him off balance. The guy stumbled, landing on the floor before another hit connected. Still moving in to punch him again, Camerons teammates stopped him. Forced to back off now, he jolted out of their grasp, moving to leave the party. He couldn’t bring himself to care about the inevitable consequences of his actions nor about the people standing around murmuring in a hushed tone at the commotion. Not with you flooding his mind.

Traveling back to campus as quickly as possible, he went directly to your apartment. He was contemplating for a minute, standing at the door wondering if he should just leave instead. But before he could talk himself out of it, he knocked. Ears perking up from the couch, you glanced over in the direction. Heading over to open it now, your breath hitched as Cameron came into view. You took in his appearance, worry falling onto your features at the sight of his red eyes sending a quiet plea. “Can we talk? Please…?”

Silently, you nodded, giving him space to come in. He shut the door, beginning to follow as you led him to your room. Sitting on the bed now, you crossed your legs, waiting for him to sit down too. Cameron tentatively walked over, placing himself right in front of you. Quietly asking, “what happened…?”, you were concerned looking at him.

From the side view of his face, you couldn’t fully decipher what was going on, he just seemed off. Gaze scaling down his arm, you reached out, grasping his forearm to look at his knuckle. Heart clenching, you dragged his hand into your lap, gently running your thumb along the light bruise forming. “You got into a fight?”

Cameron finally turned to look at you, his voice catching in his throat when he did. He was fixated on your soft expression and the warmth from your touch before he urged himself to speak. “A small one but that’s not why I came here”. You peered at him intently, almost forgetting why you were initially upset in the first place. Bringing your other hand over to faintly trace the skin on his wrist out of reflex, you signaled you were listening.

“I came to apologize again and tell you the truth…” He gripped your hand, squeezing before voicing, “no matter what though… promise me we’ll still be ok”. His face growing serious now, you became nervous to hear what he had to say.

Mumbling, “I promise”, your heart beat sped up.

“I went about things the wrong way. I’m sorry for how that night went… for making you cry”. A pang of guilt hit his stomach when the image flashed in his head. Tilting your head, you analyzed his expression. You quietly reached the understanding that all of his apologies were genuine, the pain in his eyes unmistakably reflected with his words.

Offering him a small smile, “I forgive you”, dropped from your lips.

“You haven’t heard the truth yet though”

Laughing at his response, you doubled down. “And? I still accept your apology. But continue, I might revoke that depending on how bad it is”. You saw him crack his first smile, visibly relaxing once you lightened the mood. He then gazed in your lap, memorizing how the pads of your fingertips felt along his skin in case things went south again. Feeling an onset of anxiety creep in, he tensed up.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

You were weary now. Cameron was hardly ever this serious. This was your first time seeing him so nervous to tell you something.

Bringing his gaze back to your face, he started, “I meant everything I said when we spoke. The only reason I told them you’re off limits is because I don’t think they’d give you the love you deserve. I don’t ever want you thinking I’m just waiting for an opportunity. That’s not how I feel about you… or what I’m thinking when I look at you”.

Upon seeing his eyes gloss over, you gave him a reassuring squeeze. “What are you thinking about right now…?”

“How much I missed you… how receptive you’d be if I tell you how I really feel”

“Don’t make me guess…” you were curious, rubbing his arm as you urged, “tell me”.

“I need you… Whether I’m with you or simply hearing your voice, that’s all I need”. Cameron felt his heart sink. Maybe it wasn’t too late to say he was joking but he had already gotten this far. “I’m in love with you”.

Looking at him in a state of shock, your smile faded. “Cam…” He grasped your other hand before you could pull away.

Panicked at your reaction, he declared “nothing has to change, we can forget about this conversation, I promise”. Fixing your gaze on his arms, you were quiet. “I just wanted you to know how I really feel about you…” A surge of emotions coming on now, you felt your heart skip a beat. Certain that he made things worse, Cameron started pleading. “Fuck, I’m sorry”. Feeling his throat tighten, he quietly begged, “please, don’t shut me out again, I’m sorry”.

Disconnecting from him, you moved off the bed. Cameron prepared to leave until you walked in between his legs, wrapping your arms around his shoulders. Easing into your body, he circled your waist, pulling you close. Still too far apart for his liking, he brought his hands down to your thighs, hauling you up onto his lap. Both lingering in the soothing embrace, you ran your nails along his upper back. Voice muffled, you filled the silence. “What if I feel the same way?” He smiled into your skin, dragging a hand up your spine in response.

Lifting his head to peer at you, he questioned “do you?”

“What do you think…?” You cupped his jaw, turning his head to plant a kiss on his cheek. “I need you just as bad”. Heat creeped up Cameron’s neck from the gesture. He returned it, moving his hands down to squeeze your hips. Stopping yourself from grinding against him, you changed the subject. “Are you staying tonight?”

“You should know better than to ask that. I’m not going anywhere”. Starting to pepper your neck with pecks, he couldn’t hold back his smile. “You don’t know you’re stuck with me now? I got to show you?”

His pecks growing ticklish, a small laugh escaped you. “Nooo, I already was! Is it too late to take it back?!” He paused, staring at you with a blank expression before his smile widened. Clutching your waist for a single moment, he started tickling one side, drawing out more laughter. You squirmed in his lap, but he reinforced his hold, keeping one arm wrapped around your lower back.

He ignored your attempt at pushing his hand away, continuing his movements. A chuckle falling past his lips, he teased, “say that again?!” You started shifting uncontrollably, gripping his arm.

Bubbling out, “s-stop!”, your head fell to his shoulder. Before you could catch your breath, he swiftly switched sides, clutching you closer as his opposite hand began moving.

“Nah say that shit again, I didn’t hear you!” Squeezing your eyes shut as his chuckling rang out, you started patting his arm.

Stuttering out, “p-please”, you involuntarily cinched your knees beside him. Shortly after that, he stopped, reveling as you tried catching your breath. You playfully pushed at his chest, warning, “wait until later. Trust, I’m not forgetting this!”

Nipping at your neck, he goaded, “counting on that”. Emitting a faint moan, your hands dropped to his abdomen. Cameron clenched his jaw, rubbing the flesh on your thighs. He had to wait. Needed to wait until you initiated. Then he’d allow himself to indulge but until then he was grateful taking any instance of closeness from you.

“Go take a shower first, I’m not letting you sleep in my bed with outside clothes”.

“Yes ma’am”.

You had already been ready for bed by the time Cameron showed up at the door. A loose fitting shirt emulating his jersey with a pair of black shorts and fuzzy socks. Finding amusement in the fact he hadn’t made a single comment on it yet, you patiently waited, knowing it was coming at some point. While he was in the shower, you went ahead and grabbed an ice pack and a pair of his sweats from the stash of clothes he kept here.

Hearing footsteps now, you peered in that direction, subtly clenching your thighs when he appeared. With just a towel hanging low on his hips, your eyes focused on his happy trail then down to the imprint curved into the material. Silently exchanging a look, you handed him the pants, turning your body to the side while he got dressed. After a substantial amount of time, you asked, “are you done?” Instead of giving a response, Cameron launched on you, hovering above your back. “This is your second strike by the way”. Shifting under his full weight, you felt the fabric rub along your skin, brushing against his dick in the process. You twisted your hands in the sheets, a swirl of arousal pooling in your stomach. “Move”, slipped out breathier than you’d like.

Staying impossibly still, he leaned in towards your ear. “Say please”.

Biting back a moan, you stated, “No”. Your breath caught in your throat when his length twitched against your ass.

He might’ve just been high on emotions, but Cameron could’ve sworn you moulded perfectly against him. “I’m not moving then”.

Savoring how heavy he felt pressed into your body, you tried crossing your legs to alleviate the pressure building between them. You knew the desire would be bad when it came down to it, but you couldn’t have prepared for this at all. Already feeling your head spin, you plead, “Cam…”

Cameron finally took heed when he saw how flustered you were becoming. Gliding off to sit next to you now, he watched as you sat up, reaching for the ice pack on your nightstand. You wordlessly straddle his lap, pulling his arm in between the space to study his knuckle. “What happened…?” Gazing up after placing the ice over the swelling, you included, “and don’t be vague either”. For as long as you’ve known him, he had always been mild-mannered, not easy to enrage. And if he ever did have those moments, they had been few and far between on the field.

Resting his other hand on your thigh, he began kneading the skin for comfort. “random person ended up approaching me at a party talking about my performance in the game then mentioned you, that’s it”

You were curious but you wouldn’t even bother asking Cameron what the guy said. He wouldn’t budge if it was something disrespectful. Seeing his mood shift, he averted his gaze and went quiet. To prevent him from falling into the same pattern of overthinking, you attempted to nudge him. Softening your voice to ask, “is it the game…?”, you started wondering if you could’ve been the cause. “Or me…?”

At the sound of your tone, Cameron raised his head, spotting a glint of worry behind your eyes. Shaking his head, he encompassed your waist. “It’s not you I just— I should’ve done better… the amount of mistakes I made…”. His mind veered off, replaying each one in full detail.

Drifting your hand to his abdomen, you soothingly rubbed along the planes on his stomach. “How many?”

“Three…” he looked down at his hand, avoiding your gaze again.

You shook your head at his answer. “You push yourself way too hard”. Cupping his jaw to tip his face up, you rubbed circles into his skin, continuing to speak. “Making a few mistakes in one game doesn’t reflect on your value as a player. I’d be a tad concerned if you never made any mistakes at all”.

Staring at you with a smitten gaze, he cracked a smile. “How do you do that hm?”

Spotting the playful glimmer in his eyes, you raised a brow. “Do what?”

“Always saying the right stuff. No matter the situation, you always do that… how?”

You shrug, “I have my moments, I don’t know”, ending your response with a smile.

Cameron laughed, shifting the ice pack off his hand to wrap both his arms around you. Pulling you in for a hug, he muttered into your neck, “thank you”.

Flush against him now, your arms circled his neck. “You’re welcome”.

His hands trailed up your spine, running along the fabric of your shirt. This one had his number engraved on both sides. “I like the pajamas by the way, you look good”. He couldn’t see the vindicated smile that had formed on your face, but he felt the vibration from your laugh.

“Thank you, I like them too”.

Cameron realized out of all the evenings he spent with you, not once has he seen you wear it for sleep. “Had no idea you wore the merch to bed. I bet you do this shit a lot don’t you?”

“Don’t get cocky!” You both laughed after you spoke. After a small pause, you reluctantly admitted, “but yes... maybe”. Knowing there was a minuscule chance you’d regret telling him the reason, you did so anyway. “Makes me feel close to you… and it really is just comfortable honestly”.

Warmth filling his chest now, Cameron leaned back to get a look at you with a heavy glaze of affection in his eyes. Wetting his lips, he asked, “you missed me…?”

Holding back tears at the expression he wore, you swallowed the lump in your throat, nodding. Adjusting your place in his lap to get even closer, you whispered, “Talking to you, watching you play, all of it…”. Cameron pressed a kiss to your cheek, moving his hands down to massage your thighs. You did the same, peppering kisses across his jaw before placing a light one on his mouth. As soon as you pulled back, he followed, reconnecting your lips.

Feeling his hands drift up to your ass, you moaned when his length grazed the fabric of your shorts. Pulsing around nothing, a dull ache set in your core. You deepened the kiss, bringing one hand over to rest in his cheek. Cameron groaned, twitching underneath you as a sharp pang of thirst hit his stomach. Spurred on now, you rolled your hips, grounding against his dick at a gradual pace. Parting for air, you continued your movements, watching his reaction with every motion.

The sight was enough to send your mind reeling. Eyes hanging low and mouth parted, Cameron guided you back and forth. Slipping your hand down to his neck, you tip his jaw up slightly, tracing your thumb across the skin. The two of you exchanging soft breaths while staring, a whimper spilled out of you when one particular circle caused him to nudge your clit. Despite the boundaries of the fabric being thin, it was still too much.

Momentarily disconnecting from him to pull your shirt off, Cameron’s breath hitched. Eyes dropping to your breast, he squeezed your hips, mumbling in a hushed tone, “so beautiful”. You circled his shoulders again, leaning in flush against him now. He lapped at the sensitive spot below your ear, sucking and nipping to form a love bite. Mouth falling open to let a moan out, your movement faltered. Your nails raked along his skin as he traveled up to your jaw, inching towards your lips.

Cameron trailed his hands back down to your ass, finding a steady flow grinding you back and forth. The friction paired with the glide of his tongue began to cause your arousal to seep through the material. Dropping one of your arms to grasp his bicep, you clung to him as the pressure grew. He briefly parted to teasingly bite your bottom lip before reattaching. Starting to knead your flesh again, he brought out another moan from you.

Knowing he was close to the edge, Cameron halted your movements, attempting to prolong it until he no longer could. Breathing heavy, he checked, “you want to continue...?”

You nodded, responding “yes”, before involuntarily cinching your legs beside him.

“Can I taste you then…?” He already looked halfway intoxicated taking in your features. Rubbing smooth circles into the skin on your waist, his voice came out in a quiet tone. “Want to make you feel good…”.

You thumb at his bottom lip, the image of his face stuffed between your legs sending a tingle through your stomach. Nodding again, you moved out of his lap to lay down. He settled on top of you in between your legs, planting lingering kisses on your neck. Grasping his arms, your mouth parted when he sucked on your breast. Cameron flicked his tongue over your nipple, gently swirling the bud in between his teeth before drawing his attention to next, giving it the same love. Treading lower now, he showered your stomach with pecks until reaching the waistband of your shorts. His eyes were glued as he slowly dragged them off your legs.

Wetting his lips at the sight, he parted your thighs. Lying on the bed now, he drew his gaze up your body, leaving open mouthed kisses on each leg. Rubbing his forearms circled around your flesh, you met his eyes with a soft smile. Any sort of constraint he had flew out the window when he tasted you. Licking a long stripe from your entrance to clit, he rolls his tongue around it. You drop one hand in the sheets, bracing yourself after seeing the switch behind his pupils.

Dipping back down to stuff you, Cameron’s nose nudged your clit with every curl of his tongue. Setting a steady rhythm, his groan reverberated through your body. Chest rising and falling, you squeezed his arm, breathing out a quiet, “fuck”. He watched your reactions closely, noting the involuntary twitch in your thighs when he lapped at your bud. The way your bottom lip quivered before you bit it.

Your head lolled back into the pillows when he tightened his hold, pushing your thighs flush against him. Alternating between slow and fast movements, he gathered your arousal with every stroke. Back arching now, you twisted your hand in the sheets, attempting to roll your hips in tandem. The pressure in your stomach growing immensely, you released a shaky moan, shutting your eyes. Cameron flattened his tongue on your clit, motioning his head side to side before increasing the pace.

Relentless in his pursuit to make you orgasm, he latched onto your bud, rapidly flicking his tongue around it. Reaching a hand up to simultaneously massage your breast, he rolled each nipple between his thumb and index finger before palming one. Bringing your hand out of the sheets, you clung to him, digging your nails into his arm. Brows furrowing, you plead, “d- don’t stop”. Cameron was aching, desperate for relief as he twitched in his sweats. The friction from the covers only made it worse.

With another stimulating flick of his tongue triggering your orgasm, your thighs trembled around his head. Emitting a loud moan, you writhed under him while he continued. He smothered himself, delving in between your folds to catch all of your juices. Through the aftershocks of pleasure, the vibration from his groan caused you to peer down. The sight made your stomach tense again, sending a tremor up your spine. Mouth moving slowly now, his eyes were closed to fully savor everything you gave him. Squeezing his arms, you uttered, “Cam- “.

Cameron opened his eyes, the sound of your voice catching his attention. He massaged each breast again before grabbing your hip. Reluctantly detaching, he lifted himself up from his position. Palming your thighs, his voice held a rasp. “Too much?” Still in a dazed state, you were silent for a second as you looked at him. Everything about him was enough to send a spiral through your core but seeing him look so sated with half his face covered in your slick was an entirely different experience.

Needy for more, you shook your head no, reaching out for him. Eager to close the distance, he settled on top of you, melding your lips together. Tasting yourself on his tongue sent another whirl of heat through your stomach. Trailing your nails along his back, you parted to breathe out, “lay down”. He listened, rolling off to lay next to you. Cameron watched you kneel next to him, dipping your finger in the waistband of his sweats. “Can I…?” Immediately nodding in response, his heart raced at the thought.

You had already assumed he must’ve been well endowed from a few glimpses of his print, yet you still weren’t prepared when you tugged on his pants. Cameron saw the gears turning in your head. Your thighs shifted for relief when he came into view. Lengthy with a slight curve, good girth, and a few prominent veins throbbing when he twitched. Throwing your leg over his waist to straddle him now, you sat on his lap, placing your hands on his chest. He grasped your hips, letting out a harsh breath as you glide his dick in between your folds. After taking a minute to admire how he looked, you sealed your lips over his, continuing the back and forth motion.

Breathing out against his lips, “you want to feel what you do to me?”, Cameron twitched, feeling a bead of precum dribble out onto his abdomen.

Begging with his eyes, he murmured a low, “please”.

Running your hand up his neck to cup his jaw, you tilted his head, pressing a line of kisses on his cheek. Once you reached his ear you sweetened your tone. “Please what…?” You released a quiet moan when he unintentionally caused his tip to graze your clit from a desperate jerk of his hips.

Applying more pressure to your waist, it took everything in him not to buck his hips in sync. “Please let me feel you…”. He tilted his head in your direction, nudging your cheek with his nose. “Please…”.

Turning your head to connect your lips, the kiss quickly deepened. Lifting your hips to leave enough space, you nipped at his bottom lip, voicing, “go ahead”. Cameron took your cue, reaching underneath your thigh to line himself up with your entrance. Beginning to gradually descend, you kept your gaze focused on his face to distract yourself from the increasing stretch. Lips parted in awe with his eyes zoned in on yours, he was officially gone. You blinked a few times, clenching around his dick after he fully bottomed out. Though the pressure was there, your arousal had soothed the feeling. Doing an experimental roll to test the pain, all you were met with was pleasure coiling tight in your stomach.

Unable to hold in a throaty groan, his hands wandered down to your ass then your thighs, gripping on for some sort of stability. Eyes threatening to roll back, he shut them. It was too much. The warmth and wetness coming from your walls… how perfect you looked in this position… then you started to move. Raising till just his tip was left inside, you came back down in one motion. Feeling you trail your hand over towards his cheek, Cameron heard you moan out, “look at me”. He listened, grunting when you repeated the action.

Both of your hands gravitating down to his chest, you start a steady rocking motion. Fluttering around his length, you moan, “Keep them just like that”. His eyes appearing even more hooded at this angle, he maintained heavy eye contact, watching you gyrate on him. “Can u do something for me baby?” Your voice was breathless, trying to contain how close you were already.

Cameron nodded, “anything”.

“Tell me when you’re close”. You did one last roll of your hips, planting your hands towards his shoulders. Digging your knees firmly into the bed, you repeatedly bounced up and down, gaining extra traction with his guidance. Watching as he struggled keeping his eyes open now, your lips quivered when he skimmed your g-spot. His breath was staggered, each slip back down sending a ripple of arousal traveling through his body. Pulsating at the feeling, you whimper, “F-fuck, Cam”. The vulgar wet noise increasing with every impale only spurred you on.

His gaze drifted lower, zoning in on your arousal pooling at the base of his dick. Hoarsely stuttering, “I-I’m close baby”, Cameron pulled you in flush against him. Firmly curling one arm around your waist, he gripped the back of your thigh with his free hand. Your head dropped to his shoulder, a high pitched moan tumbling out at the skin to skin contact. Continuing to guide your hips in a rocking motion, he kept your body locked in place, beginning to thrust upward, meeting you each time you sunk back down.

Chiming against his ear, “hold it”, your stomach thrummed as the knot tightened, threatening to come undone with every angled thrust. Vision slipping and the noises becoming uncontrollable now, you clawed down his abdomen. He flexed under your touch, speeding up the pace.

Everything felt too good. Your breasts swaying on his chest… your uneven pants for air flowing out directly into his ear drum… the rhythmic pattern of your pulses… everything. Through the influx of sensation, Cameron twitched, mumbling something incoherent in response. Sounding like a mixture of a groan and a plea, he repeated himself. “I can’t—”, exhaling with a grunt.

Voice trembling with your unsteady breath, you moan, “You said you’d do anything…”

Upon hearing your tone, Cameron quickly jumbled off, “I will, f-fuck I will, you know that”.

Whimpering, “show me”, that was all Cameron needed. He caught you off guard, snapping his hips up at an alarming speed now. Desperately grasping onto his arm, your body shook. Before your impending orgasm completely took over, you managed to stutter, “you can—, o-oh fuck, you can cum Cam! You can cum baby!”

As his entire body tensed, he was able to murmur a quiet, “thank you”, finishing with a hoarse groan. The sudden feeling of your palm resting on his cheek paired with one more drag of your hips made him swell. Nothing measured up to the way you felt wrapped around him. You clamped down hard, warmth oozing from your core and treading throughout your body, you closed your eyes. Shuddering, he coated your walls, prolonging your orgasm. You two came back down after several moments of listening to the quick thrum of your heartbeats. Starting to rub soft circles onto your skin, he kissed your shoulder. “How do you feel?”

Emitting a sigh of content, you hum, “like I could run ten laps. Of course, not physically right now but internally? Yeah”. Snickering when his laugh vibrated against your body, you lifted your head. “What about you hm?”

“Feel the exact same”. You leaned in, pressing a lingering kiss on his lips before resting your head back on his shoulder.

After cleaning up and getting comfortable under the covers now, you draped your leg over his hip. You focused on his chest, eyes absentmindedly following the movement of your finger trailing side to side. With his head slightly tilted down to see you clearly, Cameron was staring. He held onto your thigh, pondering over the proper way to make things official. Assuming that was already clear and asking outright at the moment both seemed too casual for options but he needed you to know he was serious. Breaking the silence, he blurted, “Can I take you out on a date today?” Heart rate speeding up when you lifted your eyes to meet his gaze, he cleared his throat, adding “in the evening I mean. For dinner if you’re free…?”

Lips curling into a smile, you noticed the thread of nervousness in his voice. Refraining from making a joke, you simply nodded, “and where will we be going?”

“I have a new place in mind. I promise you’ll like it though”.

“Oh, I see…”, you squinted, humming in response. “You must be trying to surprise me if that’s all the info I get”.

“I am”. He chuckled, “don’t expect me to tell you, it’s not going to work!”

You were well versed in pulling information out of him. “I won’t pry, I swear!” Despite his words, it would be extremely easy to get it out of him if you persisted. Deciding against doing so, you’d let him have this one and simmer in your curiosity until later. Your face subtly began to morph into concern when you spotted his eye bags. Making sure you were seeing properly, you tipped his chin downward, getting a closer look. “Have you been sleeping…?”

He hesitated before voicing, “Yeah”.

“Cam…”

His eyes briefly glanced away. “I have… not well but I have”. Seeing a small frown develop now, he tried to offset the mood with a laugh. “What? How bad do they look?!”

“It’s not that they look bad, I just— “, you paused, moving your hand back down to his chest. “I didn’t think you’d be losing sleep”.

“Shit I already knew when I left that night. Was gonna call you out of reflex so many times but I was really trying to give you space”. Breaking into a fit of laughter, you leaned against him, hiding your face. He began laughing with you, confused at your reaction. “What?”

After your laugh died down, you moved back, admitting, “I was too. I almost caved on like the third day, but I figured you wouldn’t feel like talking and I didn’t know what to say…”

“So, we went two weeks…” Briefly exchanging a similar look when the realization set in that the misery was mutual, you both immediately broke into a fit of laughter. “That can never happen again. Everything felt off during that time”.

Cameron chuckled when you extended your pinky. “Promise me right now that if we ever find ourselves no contact again, one of us will break the ice if it reaches three days”.

“I’m never letting that happen again but— “, he connected your pinkies, “I promise”. You leaned in, pressing a kiss on them to seal the deal. He did the same, muttering, “just for good measure”, before giving your lips a peck. Smiling against his mouth, you gave him another. Then one more until he caressed your cheek, pulling you closer.

Thank you for reading, feedback is always appreciated!

The walls between your apartments were paper-thin. Some nights he could hear you moving around, the soft hum of music, the occasional laugh. Then one evening he heard you on the phone, voice excited and hushed.

“Oh my god, he’s so hot. Like… stupid sexy. The way his arms look when he’s carrying groceries? I can’t even function when I see him.”

He froze in his kitchen, glass of water halfway to his mouth. You kept going, giggling about how tall he was, how his voice sounded when he said good morning. He wasn’t sure if you were talking about him. There were a few other guys in the building. But the thought that it might be… it did something to him. He went to bed that night trying not to think about it. Failed.

A few days later, there was a knock on his door. You stood there in an oversized t-shirt and shorts, looking nervous but determined. “Hey… I’m really sorry to bother you, but my shower is completely screwed up. The pressure is insane, and it keeps spraying everywhere. I think the head is broken? I don’t know who else to ask.”

He didn’t even hesitate. “Let me grab my tools.”

Twenty minutes later he was in your bathroom, shirt sleeves rolled up, working on the shower head. You hovered in the doorway watching him. Of course the damn thing sprayed the second he loosened it. Cold water soaked through his shirt instantly, plastering the fabric to his chest and stomach.

You bit your lip, eyes wide. “Oh no, I’m so sorry-”

He chuckled, water dripping from his hair. “Occupational hazard of playing handyman.”

When he finally fixed it, he wiped his hands on his jeans and turned to you. The air felt thicker than it should’ve in the small, steamy bathroom. “You got a boyfriend who can help with this stuff next time?” he asked, trying to sound casual.

You shook your head quickly. “No boyfriend.”

He nodded slowly, something warm and dangerous flickering in his chest. “Well… knock on my door anytime you need anything. I mean it.”

After that, the tension between you grew. You started talking more in the hallway. He started leaving his door open when he knew you’d be coming home. Little conversations turned into longer ones, leaning against doorframes, laughing about nothing, eyes catching for seconds too long.

One evening you caught him in the hall after work. He looked tired but handsome in his button-down, sleeves once again rolled up. You talked about your terrible day, and he listened like it actually mattered. The space between you kept shrinking. You couldn’t take it anymore.

Standing on your tiptoes, heart hammering, you leaned in to kiss him — close enough that you could feel the warmth of his breath. He gently caught your shoulders, stopping you. “Sweetheart…” His voice was low, rough with restraint. He pulled back just enough, eyes dark and conflicted. “I can’t.”

You froze.

“I’m too old for you,” he said softly, almost regretfully. He leaned down and pressed a gentle, lingering kiss to your forehead instead. The tenderness of it made your chest ache. “You deserve someone closer to your age.” Then he stepped back, gave you one last long look, and disappeared into his apartment, door clicking shut behind him.

He leaned back against the closed door, heart pounding harder than it had in years. The feeling of your breath so close, the way you’d looked up at him with those hopeful, glossy eyes… He couldn’t stop thinking about you. Couldn’t stop imagining what would’ve happened if he’d let you kiss him.

He dragged a hand down his face and cursed under his breath. "Fuck."

all good things come to an end, but why this soon? was she not deserving of relaxation? maybe the voice was coming from the hallway and had nothing to do with her entirely. yeah, that was it. she doesn’t open her eyes, doesn’t even stir.

again. closer this time.

“hey!”

it must have been how sisyphus felt, rolling that boulder up the hill and watching gravity ruin his progress. instead, she was rolling blunts and watching everyone around her fail to recognize just how much she craved a moment’s silence. with much effort and soft grunts to show it, she opened her eyes.

“i said, i was lookin’ for you.”

overhead stood cameron, arms crossed over his chest, signature smile brightening the room. he could read her like no other, yet here he stood, uncaring and undeterred by her glare, going as far as to reach down and gently shove her temple with his fingertips.

“get up. let’s go get ice cream,” he spoke as he invaded her personal space, taking the other end of the bathtub, forcing her to close her legs and make room for his much longer ones. in fruitless protest, she untied his shoelaces. cameron reached over and yanked her ballet flats clean off, tossing them over the edge of the bathtub.

“cam!” the girl whined, exasperated. he didn’t stop there, wrapping his large hands around her ankles to tug her down, crawling over her. his golden crucifix swung above her. staring for too long might have made her cross eyed, so she looked him in the eye. “i’m not in the mood for your games.”

“what games?” his tone was gentler now. he knew what she needed. he always did. “you look like you’re gonna either cry or make someone cry, and i’m trying not to have either of those things happen.”

anyone else would have been flustered. he was so handsome. smooth cheekbones and lively green eyes. and so close. more than anyone who calls themself a friend should be. her? not even remotely shaken. she was so used to him disrespecting her bubble, he could be nose to nose with her and she wouldn’t bat at eye. cameron tilted his head and tipped closer. she blinked up at him with wide eyes. her breath came out shaky. yup, wouldn’t even bat an eye.

“it’s okay if you don’t wanna talk,” he reassured, his softened approach working far more than it should. “but we should get ice cream.”

“i don’t wanna talk about it.” a pause, and then: “i do want ice cream.”

the ice cream parlor was empty aside from them. cameron paid for both cups and took the table by the window. for a minute, they simply ate, humming in acknowledgment of their chosen flavors. then, he gestured to his own two scoops, and asked, “wanna try mine?”

“yeah. let me see,” she answered, expectantly standing to lean over the table, eating the ice cream from the spoonful cameron offered. it was good. sweet, creamy, a little hint of mango, some pistachio. she knew it to be. it came as no shock to her; it wasn’t her first time having that flavor. he would never know that, though. what did surprise her was cameron using his own mouth to clean his spoon of ice cream and lip gloss residue, sticking his tongue out to dip into the plastic like it was his last bite. she glanced down, then up again. his cup was more than full. he was tasting her.

“what?” cameron quirked a brow, feeding himself another spoonful. her mouth opens and shuts wordlessly. his realization came with a smugness, a knowing grin. “oh. yeah. you taste good, too.”

still, she was speechless. her cheeks burned. if she was more alert, she would think of using the ice cream to cool down. but no, all that played in her mind was the image of him licking up what she left behind.

“is that okay?” he looked worried now, second guessing his confidence, brows furrowing into concern, eyes reading her countenance for anger, or any emotion at all.

“is what okay?” she breathed out, finally able to conjure up words.

“is it okay that i… wanted to taste you?”

her eyes lingered on his mouth for many, many seconds. finally, they trailed up, meeting his with a realization of her own glinting behind her lashes.

YOU AND CAMERON have a perfect relationship, one that people both envy and adore. Everyone on campus says he’s so sweet to you, how he’d never raise his voice even in the slightest, he even let you do his makeup when you wanted to try out something new. You two went on shopping sprees nearly every month and yet it seemed like his pockets were never ending. He made sure you keep up with your maintenance too. Hair always done, nails always done, lashes always done, toes always done. Whatever you asked he gave.

It wasn’t like he did it for no reason since he knew you always did same for him. Haircuts? Paid for. Manicures to keep his hands clean after games? Paid for. New games you know he’d like? Paid for. You both kept each other looking in the best shape possible. And that was one of the main reasons why everyone around knew you both as that ‘it couple’.

Now, it was around three in the morning when Cameron had arrived home. After a stressful day of practice, all the boy wanted to do was come home, shower, and lay with you. When he walked through the door, he placed his duffle bag next to the door and slid off his shoes. The first thing he did was scan the living room for you, which he found you on the couch, writing something in your notebook while a random true crime documentary played on the tv. What he noticed right after you was the loads of boxes and bags next to the sofa.

Cameron raised an eyebrow yet didn’t question it, he walked over to you. You were lying on the couch with your back against it, legs folded up and the journal in your hand. With a sigh, he parted your legs some more and laid right in between them. His head against your stomach while his arms wrapped around your waist. The boy lifted up just a little to peck your lips three times and then laying back down in his original position, “I missed you today.”

You let out a hum of acknowledgment before speaking, “I missed you too. What’d you do today? You weren’t answering me your phone like usual.” Your eyebrow raised in slight speculation. You knew Cameron would never cheat on you, but then again he was an athlete, one of the best actually. So you couldn’t help but worry sometimes.

“Coach had us workin’ extra hard. You know our final game comin’ up soon.” Cameron mumbled against your skin. His grip around your waist relaxed as your manicured nails moved to his freshly buzzed hair. A sigh of content left his lips and he practically melted into you, “What you did today, mama?”

You shrugged, “I went shopping, then I got my toes done since I got my nails done last week. And thennn I went out for brunch with my girls, and yeah. That’s all.” You listed out everything so casually like you hadn’t spent hundreds of dollars only in one day. See the problem was that you were always spoiled, starting from your family all the way down Cameron. So a limit was never a thing for you. Yet sometimes, Cameron couldn’t help but be annoyed at how much you spent, he knew he was apart of the problem but he was beginning to think it was time for a change.

“Youn’ think that’s a lot of money? You done spent damn near a thousand in the span of two days, and I know you writin’ another shopping list in that notebook.” His tone was soft but held authority in a way that made you freeze. Cameron’s head lifted, his chin now resting on your stomach so that he could look at your reaction to his words.

You blinked a few times, like you were trying to comprehend what seemed like the unknown language of saving money, “Sooo…?”

“So maybe we should start savin’. Youn’ think so?” Your deep brown eyes stared into his green irses. A small furrow in between your eyebrows. You looked at the boy lile he had grown two heads, saving wasn’t even in your vocabulary. You slowly began to sit up which caused Cameron to sit up too.

“Uhm no…” Your tone was unsure, like you were hoping he wouldn’t actually be serious about this. Who would you be without new things every other week? From your words, a furrow also formed in Cameron’s eyebrows. He couldn’t help but feel like you were being irrational right now.

“What you mean no? Baby, you gotta understand that we still payin’ rent for this apartment, we still got bills to pay, we got other shit we need to be worryin’ about. We can’t be blowin’ money cause you wanna buy some new shit every time it comes out.” His tone held softness, one that prevented the conversation into an argument. You felt like he was trying to gentle parent you at this point.

You stood up from the seat, placing your notebook on the coffee table, “I don’t wanna have this conversation.” That was his problem with you. Whenever something didn’t go your way you always ran away from your problems.

Irritation spiked in his blood, the conversation just added more stress on his back that just mixed in with that stress from practice. He could hear you rummaging in the kitchen, doing God knows what. Cameron stood up from the couch, he stretched out his long legs and walked to the kitchen. When you came in view, your back was towards him. He knew he couldn’t stay mad at you for too long and so did you. His arms slowly circled around your waist and rested his chin on your shoulder, “Why you mad, mama?” The boy questioned. His breath tickled against your skin.

He knew you were in the wrong, but he’d correct that attitude later. When you didn’t reply, he began pressing kisses down your neck, “Youn’ hear me talkin’ to you? Tell me why you mad, baby. Lemme make it better.” Cameron pressed a kiss on your sweet spot before sucking on it, his tongue swiped over the skin in a way that had you moaning under your breath. When he pulled away, the brown skin had a purple bruise.

“You ignorin’ me? You mad at me, baby?” He questioned, “I’m the problem?” The undertone of sarcasm had your panties unwillingly dampening. “Hmm?” He hummed out, a silence passed as he waited for a reply. He was met back with silence, and that surprisingly made him smile against your skin, “Bet.” Just like that, he flipped you around so that you were facing him. Cameron’s arms wrapped around you to lift you up and placing you on the white marble counter.

“Wait, Cam—” You didn’t even get to reply before his lips smashed into yours. You froze in shock before automatically melting into the kiss, your hands came up to cup his cheeks while his hand moved to grip the back of your neck and tilt for head for him. His tongue swiped over your plump bottom lip for entrance which you gladly accepted.

Your tongues slid together, the taste of mint was faint on his tongue. You moaned into the kiss as the way his teeth grazed against your bottom lip. His hand moved to grip your jaw, his grip was gentle yet dominating. When you pulled away to catch your breath, he held your jaw so that your mouth could stay open. Then he spat in your mouth and sucked his spit back off your tongue.

“Cam, I— Don’t say shit to me. You wanted to ignore me so keep that same energy, lay down.” You sat there for a minute, shocked that this was the same boy who was just sweet talking you. Due to you taking too long for him, he laid you down himself. He pulled down your pink shorts, the pink hello kitty panties coming visible. A quiet snort leaves his lips before he became serious again. He pulled down his own basketball shorts and ripped your panties right in half.

Your wetness glimmered under the kitchen lights. He took his bottom lip in between his teeth, he lifted your legs until your knees touched your ears, “Pretty ass pussy.” He whispered. Cameron’s hand wrapped around his aching length before he slid the tip against your slit. The pre-cum mixed in with your slickness, “You ain’t hear me? Say thank you.”

“Thank you…” You say breathlessly, your heart was pounding in your chest from anticipation. A hiss left your lips as he slid inside of you. No matter how many times you both had sex you’d never get used to his girth. Cameron slid in so slow to the point where you could feel every vein sand twitch, “Ouu fuckkk.” You moaned out, your head falling back against the counter.

“There we go.” He coo’d. Then, he began thrusting in and out, his pace got faster and faster. He gripped underneath your knees to keep you in the position, “This what you wanted? Catchin’ an attitude for what? Huh? I been told you to cut that shit out.” He said through gritted teeth. His thrusts were so hard that the counter creaked underneath.

The sound of skin slapping together filled the kitchen, along with the wetness that harmonized against your moans and his groans, “Open this pussy. You hear me?” He watched as your face twisted in pleasure. Your jaw fell slack and moans left your lips like you couldn’t stop them.

“Yesss, yesss! I hear you, Cam.” You mewled, more wetness spewed from your entrance. He had never been this aggressive with you, clearly he had some built up pressure that he was finally releasing.

“That’s not me, get it right.” His hand came up to gently smack your cheek. Tears formed in the corner of your eyes from the overwhelming pleasure. Your mouth opened but nothing but moaned left your lips. Cameron’s hands moved to lift up your shirt, it was like he was in a trance at the way your breasts bounced up and down.

“Okayyy, okay. I hear you, daddy. I’m listening.” Your hands scrambled to grip the end of the counter you tried to push your body upwards but that didn’t help anything. With a tsk, his hand wrapped around your neck and pulled your upper body upwards. You nipples brushed against his torso that had your back arching into him.

Cameron looked eye contact with you, his eyes held a mix of love and lust, “Don’t run from me, mama. You hurtin’ my feelings when you run from this dick. Take it like a big girl, you got it.” He pressed a kiss on your jawline, then one on your cheek, then one on your nose. Lastly, he connected your lips. Your tongues moved together simultaneously, swapping saliva while his thrusts never slowed down.

When he pulled away, a string of saliva connected you two together. Cameron’s other hand came down to rub your clit, the sensitivity made your body jerk forward, “Cammmn Cam, Cam, oh my goshhh!”

“I know baby, let it out for, daddy.”

lol thank my bf for this chapter cause boyyy I had a time last night 😭