Crush

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

Cami-

"Hey, Clay," I said as I walked up to Hunter's Camaro. I leaned against it, next to him. "What's going on?"

His eyes were downcast, arms folded, and he looked miserable and lonely despite the fresh, new style he was still sporting.

"I miss you, Cami," he finally mumbled. "A lot."

I sighed heavily. "I miss you too. Honestly, I do, but I'm not dealing well with the weirdness between us right now."

"So it's my fault then." He kicked a small rock, sending it shooting across the parking lot.

"Well, kind of, yeah." I didn't know how to make him understand. "I mean, I love the transformation you've done to yourself, but I loved you before. It was always fine with me because you were Clay—my best friend who's always been there since I was a little kid. Do I think you look hot and amazing now? Sure! But just because you've conformed to a new style, it isn't going to change the way I feel about you. I feel the same way I always did. I want my best friend back."

He lifted his head, glancing at the window where Hunter and Russ were both watching us with avid interest.

"This is our place. Why did you start bringing him here? Do you know how much it kills me to come by and see you in there laughing with him?"

"I've had other boyfriends in the past. That never stopped you from walking in and sitting down next to me before. Me being on a date with someone else doesn't make our best friend relationship null and void. You're always welcome to come join us."

"Boyfriend?" he questioned, and I didn't miss the hint of alarm in his eyes. "Is that an official thing or just random terminology you're using?"

I folded my arms and looked at him pointedly. "Yes, he's my boyfriend."

He chewed on his bottom lip and glanced away. "So, I guess that means you've been making out with him."

"That's none of your business." I couldn't believe he went there.

"It is my business," he replied angrily. "We talked about this—about the kind of guy he is and what he's really after. He only wants you for your perfect rockin' body—like half the other guys in this school who sit in the locker room and talk about all the things they'd like to do to you."

I was shocked. "What're you talking about?"

"You think he's the first?" he spat out. "He's not. Before he died, I sat and listened to Jordan Henley tell a bunch of other guys how he was going get you. They didn't know I was in there. He even made a bet with some of them about how fast he could do it too. Thankfully, fate intervened before he could get his hands on you. This guy is no different. He's only after one thing."

"And you feel you need to protect me?" I was trying to follow his thought process while still reeling from the information he was giving me.

"I'll always protect you, Cami. No matter what."

"Really?" I asked, staring him down.

He nodded.

"Then tell me, what is it you want to do with me, Clay?"

He looked at me funny, blinking a few times in confusion. "Wha . . . what do you mean?"

"I mean, what is going on in your head? You claim to have made all these changes for me, so I would notice you, correct?"

He swallowed hard, watching me closely.

"I think you're just as guilty as Jordan. You want to do the same things with me that he did, don't you? You're jealous, and you thought he'd get to me first. Now you're thinking the same thing about Hunter. You don't want me with anybody else because you want me. Admit it."