Page 100 of Friend Zoned

“Where was this?”

“At Bullseye. She was carrying baby formula and running around like a maniac. She sees me and she freezes. I look at her up and down, and she looks away. Her phone started to ring, and whoever was on the other line didn’t help. She started crying in the middle of the aisle and said she was on her way home. Then she screams, ‘you’re my mother. Why can’t you help me? I’ve only been gone ten minutes.’ Everyone stared at her, and she started to weep. The formula fell out of her hand. It was terrible. So, I walked to her and kicked the container of formula down the aisle. Then, I stepped over her and walked away.” She cackles into the phone.

I’m not surprised by any of this, especially after what Leah told me. Camille’s mother doesn’t go out of her way for her children or anyone else. Camille has no idea who her father is. That’s something she always struggled with. Her mother wouldn’t or couldn’t give her a name. She also took out a loan in Camille’s name our junior year of college and destroyed her credit. Camille almost couldn’t register for classes for the spring semester. Her mother not wanting to babysit doesn’t come as a surprise at all. The woman is about as warm as an icicle, with the disposition of a cactus.

“Oh, well,” I say into the phone. I have neither the time nor need to talk about this now or ever again. “I’m packing for the wedding,” I tell her.

“Don’t dress like widow this time. What are you wearing?” Glad to be done with the Camille discussion, I let out a breath of relief.

“I’m not sure. I’m taking five dresses,” I tell her.

“Wear something bright and send me pictures. Have fun. Tell the coach I said hi. Come for dinner on Sunday when you get back.” If they lose Thursday’s game, he’ll have a home game on Sunday. If they win, he’ll have an evening off.

“I’ll be there. He might have a game.”

“He doesn’t know if he has a game yet? Who is running this team?” She huffs. I don’t have the time to explain it to her, not that she’ll even try to understand.

“I’ll explain later. I need to finish packing now.”

She blows me a kiss and reminds me to have fun. She ends the call, and I turn back to Aiden’s messy bed with a mountain of clothes. Instead of finishing my task, I grab my phone and call him. Like always, he picks up on the second ring.

“Hey, baby,” he says.

“My mom wants us home on Sunday for dinner. You need to win tomorrow so you can come.”

“If there was ever a reason. Oh, and I want to climb into bed with you every damn night from now on.”

“Me too. I hate the idea of not having you home tonight.” I hear loud shouting behind him. “I’ll let you go. I love you.” I blow him two kisses.

“Me, too, baby. And don’t forget to pack my stuff too.” I roll my eyes, and I hear him chuckle. “I know you’re rolling your eyes at me. Helpless man-baby, remember?”

“Hardly, but fine. I have your back.”

“I have yours.”

“I know you do. I miss you so much.”

I check the time and finish a few items before I leave. Once I shut down my computer, I change into a pair of fitted pants Angie sent. I finish the outfit with an off shoulder blue top.

“Damn,” Layla says after walking into my office. “I want to borrow that when you get back.” I ignore her, open my compact, and dab my nose.

“Call me if anything blows up, but I think everything will be okay. We’re fully staffed until I get back on Tuesday.”

“Go be with your man. Just work your magic so I can get invited next time.” My bags are already in the car, which is waiting outside. Layla wraps an arm around mine. “Everything is going to be fine. The douchebag hasn’t tried any shit, and the traitor finally got the message. The whore is probably elbow deep in baby poop, so we’re good.”

There hasn’t been a visit or a call, but there’s still a feeling in the back of my mind that something’s going to go wrong. I can’t put my finger on it, but the lack of contact has left me feeling off balance. I’d love for him to be out of my life forever, but I don’t think it will be that easy. But for now, I will look forward to this long weekend with new friends and my man.

Walker escorts me to the waiting car. This new life of mine is surreal. Who would have thought a few months ago that I’d be madly in love with a man who can literally give me anything I want? And the love and safety that I feel whenever he takes me in his arms is everything.

As if he can read my thoughts, my phone vibrates with a text.

Greenwich: I miss you

Chapter 53

Aiden

“He’s been too quiet,” I tell Jimmy while he drives me and Chastain to Montauk. Chastain’s looking down and typing on his phone. The man just got married, had a baby, and spends half his time away from home. I don’t know how he does it.

---