Page 50 of What Should Have Been Ours

Parker watches me for a second longer before stepping back, holding his hands up in mock surrender. “Of course. Just be careful, Gab. Not everyone is as nice as me.”

My face falls, and I let out a dry laugh. “Nice? That’s what we’re calling being a disgusting douchebag?”

He smirks, winking as he backs away. “I’ll see you around, Gabrielle.”

I exhale as soon as he’s gone. My stomach still twisted with the sick feeling I always get around William.

I don’t owe him anything. I don’t owe him explanations. But the fact that he felt the need and right to pry at all?

Infuriating.

My phone buzzes.

Dr. Hot Chocolate: Are you ignoring me? Rude.

I huff out a small laugh, shaking my head as I type back.

Gabrielle: You’re so needy.

Dr. Hot Chocolate: For your attention.

My stomach flips, and Parker was right.

Someone has caught my attention. And I seem to be desperate for his too.

18

Cameron

Wes is sprawled out on my couch like this is his place, one arm draped over the back, the other shoveling a box of sweet tarts into his mouth like he hasn’t eaten in days, and the game’s on.

“You’re quiet,” Wes says, not looking away from the screen. “That’s concerning.”

I huff out a laugh, stretching my legs out in front of me. “I’m literally sitting here watching the game.”

“Yeah, but I can see you thinking too hard from over here, and it’s hurting me.” He looks over, narrowing his eyes. “What’s going on in that underdeveloped brain of yours?”

I shake my head, laughing in disbelief. “First…rude, and second, if you must know what I’m thinking about, I took your advice…I’m taking Gabrielle out on a date tomorrow.”

Wes perks up, tossing a sweet tart at me. “Ahh, there it is. Well, look at you. Finally growing a pair and making a serious move.”

I roll my eyes. “It’s not like that. I mean, it kind of is, but she doesn’t really know it’s a date yet.”

Silence.

Then Wes turns to me slowly, blinking. “You’re kidding, right?”

I frown. “What?”

“What?” He throws his hands up a little. “You’re taking a girl on a date without actually telling her it’s a date? How dumb can you be?”

I shrug. “I figured I’d ease her into it.”

Wes stares at me like I just told him I’m one of those people who think the Earth is flat. “Ease her into it? Cam. Bud. My guy. You do not just casually take a woman you’re into on a date and hope she figures it out.”

“It’s not that big of a deal.”

“It is a big deal,” he argues, pointing at me. “Because if she doesn’t know it’s a date, then you’re just out here taking her on a friendship outing while you’re secretly making heart eyes at her. And that’s weird, Cam. Not romantic…a little odd, honestly. We’re trying to keep this one, your words, remember?”