Page 83 of Hot Damn
“I’m sorry I accused you of hiding it from me.”
“It’s okay. I know things are emotional right now. With Cami getting hurt trying to protect me…” she tips her head to the side. “Why did she do that? She doesn’t really know me.”
“Because that’s the type of person she is. If it had been someone other than you, she’d have stepped in to help.”
“I guess, but you should have seen the look on her face, Dad. And when she threw her laptop at him.” A small smile tips up the sides of her mouth. “She threw it like a frisbee. It skimmed his head because he was already turning to run away but it was the coolest thing to see it fly past him.”
An answering smirk curls my lips as a vision of what she describes pops into my head. “I bet.”
“Do you think we could see if the school security system recorded it?”
My smile widens. “I think you might need to ask someone else about that. Maybe Natalie.”
“Can I?”
“I don’t see why not. I wouldn’t mind watching Cami fighting back. Although I’m not sure I want to see him grab you. Maybe we can get them to give us from the point after that?”
“He didn’t hurt me. I saw him move before he touched me so I was already twisting away like I learned in those self-defense lessons you made me take.”
“I didn’t make you take those, you asked to go!”
She grins and the vise encircling my chest loosens. “I know.”
“Are we good? Do I need to say sorry again?”
“We’re good.”
“No extra sorry necessary?”
“No. And I’m sorry for not making sure I told you earlier.”
“We both could have handled things differently and we will in the future. Or at least try.” It’s a promise I make to her and me.
“Can I ask you something?”
“You can ask me anything.”
“Is Cami your girlfriend?”
“What? No.” I jackknife upright. “What gave you that idea?”
“Well, you kind of freaked out about her being hurt yesterday and then you brought her home to take care of her…” She shrugs and I have to admit, her observations are spot on. Which makes her question legitimate.
“Huh. I did do all that, didn’t I?”
“Yes. And she’s still here.” Her hand comes up when I open my mouth. “I’m not complaining. I like her. I like spending time with her.”
“Well, that’s good, because you’re spending the next few days together.”
“What? Why? I thought I was coming to the game!” She’s up on her knees, leaning toward me. “I want to be at the game. I don’t want to stay?—”
“Whoa. Hold on.” I’ve got both hands up to stop her words. “You are coming to the game. That hasn’t changed. I only meant that I’d like to ask you to stick close to Cami when I’m not with you.”
“Oh.” She lowers to her heels and smiles. “I can do that. Do you think she’ll let me help her take video to use in her interviews?”
“You can ask.”
“I was talking to the videographer she brought to the barbecue the other week and I think I want to do something in the media. Not be a reporter or anything like that, but film making.”
