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As I watch the guys drag Maddox upstairs, I can’t help but wonder what the hell is going on with him.
18
BLAIRE
I’m naked. In a boy’s house. I have never been naked in a boy’s house.
The hot water cascading down my body helps to relieve my nerves. Camden’s friends are nice, but tonight terrified me. When Maddox grabbed me by my wrists, my body reacted the same way it did when Harvey held me in that same position. This time, though, I fought. Though it was ultimately useless, it was the biggest difference between what happened tonight and what went down four years ago.
I didn’t fight Harvey off. To this day, I still don’t know why. I begged him to stop more times than I can remember, but he never listened. He told me I would enjoy it; that all the girls enjoyed it with him.
He was wrong.
With what happened to me, I never thought I would enjoy affection or kissing. Never thought I would come close to thinking about having sex with someone. Having someone use you and violate you in the worst way possible changes you a lot. When I was younger, I was excited about dating. My father was strict and told me I had to wait until I was sixteen before I could date, which was a couple years later than when most my friends started. After being raped by Harvey, the thought of dating or being touched made my skin crawl.
Camden came in like a wrecking ball. I never expected someone like him, and especially never expected my reaction to his affection, his hands on me, or him kissing me. I like it all and none of it reminds me of that horrible night. Camden is gentle and patient and senses my need for taking this slowly. I’m grateful to him for that.
After washing the soap off my body, I rinse the conditioner out of my hair. I was surprised to see five men living in a house together have conditioner, but am assuming it’s Levi’s or Maddox’s since the two of them have longer hair.
Once I’m thoroughly rinsed, I shut the water off and grab the towel Camden gave me. Staring at his clothes sitting on the sink, I wonder if I could convince him I’m fine to drive home. My head where I hit the bottom of the pool is still throbbing and there is a lingering headache, but I don’t feel as dizzy as I did when I was in his room and think the hot shower has helped.
Thinking it would be a useless fight, I grab his clothes and begin putting them on. He was right. They’re way too big. I’m not a short girl, coming in around five-six, but his T-shirt still comes down around mid-calf. The boxers he gave me are those brief types with the elastic band and they slide off my hips a little, but they will have to do. Spotting some toothpaste on the counter, I apply a dab to my finger and begin brushing my teeth to the best of my ability.
I bundle my wet clothes in the towel I used and head toward Camden’s bedroom. Before I can get through the threshold, someone wraps their arms around me.
“Oh my gosh, I was worried you had fallen or something while you were in there,” Emree says, her words slightly muffled since her head is tucked into my shoulder. She pulls back and comes to stand in front of me, her hands on my shoulders. “How are you? How is your head? I can’t believe that asshat threw you in the pool like that.”
“I’m fine,” I assure her. “And I don’t think he really meant for us to go into the pool. He stumbled and we kind of…ended up in there.”
She waves her hand through the air. “Doesn’t matter. What he did was stupid, and you both could have been really hurt. He’s lucky you don’t have a brain injury or something. I’d kick his ass after Camden was finished with him. I have moves. I watchedThe Karate Kid.”
Emree is one of the greatest friends. She is there to make you always laugh. “Easy there, killer, there’s no need to whip out those moves,” I tell her. “Speaking of, have you seen Camden?”
“Mateo and him were trying to find the first aid kit. Apparently, one of the guys used it and didn’t put it where they usually keep it in the downstairs bathroom.” She rolls her eyes. “Men, I swear they can’t keep anything organized.”
“Do you think you could find Conrad and see if he has anything to help with my headache?” Talking is making it worse and all I really want to do right now is go to bed. I don’t even know what time it is, but the sun has long since gone down and it’s been an exhausting day.
She smiles and rubs my arm. “Yeah, babe. Let me take your wet clothes too. Camden wanted me to throw them in their washer with his so you have something to wear tomorrow.” She reaches forward and grabs my bundled-up clothes and towel.
“Thank you,” I tell her. “If you see him, could you let him know I’ll be in his room?”
“Of course.” She heads toward the stairs and disappears as she makes her way down.
As I go into Camden’s room, I notice the scattered clothes and open books that were lying around are now put away and smile at the fact that he must have cleaned up. The bed is now made and it looks like he put fresh sheets on there as well. Deciding to take advantage of his absence, I look around. On his desk is a computer and an open math textbook with the chapter we’re currently working on in class. A picture of him as a kid and who I assume is his mother sits on the corner of the desk. She looks to be in her early thirties and is beautiful. He got his dark hair and green eyes from her. I would assume Camden is around ten in the picture and I know that is after his father left. His mother’s smile is bright, but there is worry in her eyes. I can’t imagine being a single mom like she was. With two kids so close in age and young like she looks, it must have been hard on her.
Moving along, I take in his calendar hanging on the wall beside his closet. He has notes on days he has games, practices, tests, and assignments due. I would have assumed athletes were able to slack off, but it seems Camden works hard. He mentioned he was here on a soccer scholarship, and I wonder if he struggles to keep his grades up because of the risk of losing that.
I smile as I see the copy ofThe Great Gatsbyon his bedside table. There is a bookmark stuck into the halfway spot of the book. Beside it is a pair of black-rimmed glasses.
“That’s my nighttime enjoyment.”
I jump at the sound of Camden’s voice from the open door.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt your snooping.” He smiles and I’m happy to find he isn’t mad about me looking around his room.
“Sorry, I was just looking at your pictures and stuff.” Beside his copy of the book is a photo of him in a graduation cap and gown with a young, beautiful girl on his back. I can tell both were laughing as the photo was taken. “Is this your sister?” I ask, hoping it is and not some ex-girlfriend.
He walks over and picks up the framed photo. “Yeah, that’s Trazia. This was at my high school graduation. She didn’t think I would actually be making it to college and tackled me to see the diploma to make sure it was real.” Camden smiles as he looks down at the photo before putting it back. “I brought you some Tylenol for the headache. Come sit at the desk and I’ll clean the cut on your head.”
