Always Be My Baby - Mary Ting Page 0,1

to move, so I stood there like an idiot and watched their make out session. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The second Lucas saw me, I ran.”

Leah’s mouth dropped and her hazel eyes grew bigger. “You mean the same redhead you told me about last week? The one who couldn’t keep her paws off Lucas?”

I heaved a breath. “Yes.”

“Oh, Cammy. I’m so sorry, redhead or no.” She wrapped her arms around me.

I leaned into her shoulder and closed my eyes, hoping the tears would stop, but my heart... the dagger kept digging deeper as the reality of our relationship hit me, really hit me. Lucas and I—we were over.

Sure, we could talk about what happened. But why? I would never be able to erase the image of them kissing from my mind. How could I ever trust him again? The thought of him locking lips with hers and touching me after he made out with her gave me a horrid taste in my mouth. I didn’t even want him in the same room as me.

“What are you going to do?” Leah continued, her voice gentle.

“Over time I might be able to forgive him, but I will never be able to forget.” A soft cry seeped out of me. “I can’t believe he kissed her back. I can’t believe he cheated on me.” I sucked in air and bawled into my palms.

Leah caressed my arm. “Well, it’s his loss. I don’t mean to sound insensitive, but he’s not the one for you. It’s better to know now than later. My sister’s best friend got dumped on her wedding night. She fell into depression, and she was a mess for a couple months. Later, she found the love of her life. I promise, someone who was meant for you will come along. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon. You just wait and see.”

I believed in fate, but it was extremely difficult in my state of mind. “I know,” was all I could say.

“Let’s have girls’ night out as soon as we can all get together. Midterms are coming up, so not sure when, but I’ll call Tiffany, Julie, Vanessa, and Valerie. Okay?”

I nodded because I had nothing to say. I didn’t know if I could even make the effort to get out of the house except for going to my classes.

Chapter Two

Guilt

Lucas

There were no words I could say to make it right. Guilt slammed into me again as I tried to cover the truth of what I had done. Caroline really had kissed me, but I didn’t stop her. I freakin’ didn’t stop her, and I couldn’t understand why. Cammy and I had been going out for a year, and I really loved her. What the hell is wrong with me?

I could have blamed it on the alcohol, but I wasn’t anywhere near being buzzed. Caroline had been flirty, but she never aggressively came on to me. Cammy had warned me about Caroline more than once. She said it bothered her that Caroline and I were friends but Caroline had never tried to be friends with her. Though Cammy did attempt to make an effort to get to know Caroline. That didn’t go so well.

Caroline was not only a pledge from our sister sorority but my little sis as well. So in a way, I felt obligated to do things with her and get to know her better. I’d thought Cammy was jealous without a real reason, but after what had happened, I couldn’t say she was making things up.

“All better between you and Cammy?” Paul asked when I walked into my apartment and slammed the front door shut. He was getting a drink out of the fridge.

I stood there gripping my hair and heaving deep breaths.

“Ouch. That good, huh?”

“You left the party early?” I grabbed a beer out of the fridge and plopped on the sofa.

Paul sat next to me. “I’m too old to stay late. Besides, we’ll both be graduating soon, and I should spend my time doing something productive.”

I popped the can open and took a sip. “You’re going to Harvard Graduate School. I think you can waste a little time partying.”

He shrugged and took a gulp before he spoke. “So what happened? She refused to hear your side of the story?”

I took another sip, wishing I could start the night over. “She said she saw us flirting and that I kissed Caroline back,” I muttered. I felt guilty for hurting Cammy. “She didn’t want to talk to me. She