Page 123 of Trust Me Always

His instant response has my arms lowering to my sides, andI clutch my phone tighter. “But I don’t have classes on Friday,” I point out. He knows this, since he memorized my schedule at the start of the year.

“I know.”

“Some Fridays I don’t even leave my dorm room.”

He nods, not taking his gaze off me. “I know that too.”

The air seems to thicken around us, and my toes curl in my socks. Unease slides down my spine, and I nibble at my lip, taking a subconscious, backward step.

“Cameron,” he whispers, reaching out for me, and I freeze, watching his fingertips as they wrap around the sleeves of the hoodie I’m wearing.

He gives a little tug, and I stumble toward him, my free, hoodie-covered hand planting on his chest.

He pushes the sleeves up and presses our palms together, and I stare at where we’re connected, noting I don’t have to spread my fingers too wide to make room for his. His skin is soft, comforting, if a little cold.

His other hand comes up, sliding along my cheek, and a small frown builds over my brow.

“Alister.” I meet his gaze, my lungs compressing in my chest. “What are you doing?”

“I have been trying to figure out what I wanted to say to you all night, and I thought maybe once I got here, it would finally come to me. Then I saw you walking by, and now that I’m standing here, I can’t remember any of it.”

“Alister…” I shake my head, shrugging from his hold.

He steps closer, but I shuffle again, putting the distance between us once more.

“We’re friends,” I breathe, my heart beating a little harder in my chest.

“No, we’re not, Cameron,” he murmurs, longing clear in his gaze.

“I have a boyfriend.” It comes out a little weak, and he’s shaking his head.

“No, you don’t.”

“I do.” I clear my throat, and this time it comes out a little stronger. “I do.”

“Then why didn’t Brady say those same words to me when I talked to him this morning?”

My head yanks back, my frown instant. “What?”

Alister’s shoulders fall, and he offers a meek smile. “I talked to Brady today.”

My chest caves, and I press the hand holding my phone against it. I feel like I’m in the middle of a maze, hoping the next turn doesn’t lead to the end.

The end of what, though, Cameron?

I swallow. “Whatdid he say?”

“I told him how I felt.”

“And what did he say?”

Creases form between Alister’s eyebrows at my question, and his gaze searches mine for a moment. “He didn’t punch me when I said I was going to come to you.”

A broken laugh leaves me, though there’s no joy in it. I feel…I don’t even know.

Panicked? Confused?

My mind is muddled, and I can’t make sense of any of this.

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