Cammie Healy - Jennifer Foor Page 0,32
world.
“I didn’t mean to piss you off. I was only teasing. The Wes I used to know liked jokes.”
“Cammie, you never knew me. No offense, but you were too stuck up to notice me, the guy with the bucked teeth and acne. You wouldn’t have been caught in the same room with me.”
“Geesh, you make me sound like a monster. You were my brother’s friend. I wasn’t interested in hanging out with Josh.”
“Back then I had the biggest crush on you. He used to tell me he’d kick my ass over it. I knew you’d never see me as someone you could like, but it was nice imagining it in my head.”
I put my hand up. “Please spare me the details of what you did to my image. I think I get the gist.”
Wes began to chuckle loudly. “Yeah, well, it wasn’t as bad as you’re making it out.”
“So, Callie. She says you two are talking. What’s up with that? Have you decided to try for a different sister?”
Wes pulled into the parking lot of the branch. He left the truck on but put it in the parked position. “I’ve been visiting for the past few weekends. Let’s just say your sister is interested.”
“So you’re not?”
“You ever heard the saying don’t sleep where you shit? Maybe it’s eat where you shit. No matter, I know it will lead to nothing, so I’d rather not burn any bridges.”
“Yeah, like I’ve done with my teacher. I get it. I think you should probably let her know that. When we spoke she said you were talking.”
“You and I are talking right now, that doesn’t mean we’re together.”
“True.”
He tapped on the steering wheel again, seeming to want to keep his eyes focused outside rather than on me. “I won’t be long. I just need to make sure everything is going good.”
“Take your time. I’m in no hurry to get back to the ranch.”
He gave me a snarky grin. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
When Wes climbed out of the truck I had time to think about things. My life was a mess. I had to face my parents. Certain my mother had filled my father in, I was determined to steer clear of them for the next few hours.
Against my better judgment I decided to check my messages, at least my emails. I’d turned in some assignments before leaving and hoped my grades were reflected.
After logging onto the school website, I filled out my user ID and password. I had three emails. The first was from an assignment portal as verification that my work had been turned in. The second was regarding a meeting I was to have with the admissions advisor. That couldn’t be good. The third message was from James. He’d sent it from his college account.
I opened it with shaking fingers, knowing whatever he would say was going to tear out my heart.
Dearest Cammie:
I’m assuming you’ve left the campus. I paid a visit to your dorm only to find you’ve packed your things and vacated. I’ve had some time to reevaluate our situation, or rather, your current situation. I must urge you to terminate the pregnancy. Having a child won’t benefit either of us. I can’t risk losing everything I have. Make the right choice.
James
That was all it said. Terminate your pregnancy.
I was so angry I tossed my phone on the floor. He had a lot of nerve sending me that message. My blood was boiling. If he were in front of me I may have strangled him to death.
Wes returned shortly after my nervous breakdown. It only took a few seconds for him to gather I wasn’t in my right state of mind. “You okay?”
“Not really.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“Not really.”
He let out an air-filled laugh and started the truck. “Are you hungry?”
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten. The mere mention of food caused my stomach to growl. “Yeah, I could eat.”
“Good. I’ll treat you to my favorite barbeque.”
“I have my own money.”
“I insist.”
I was familiar with the place he’d taken us to eat at. The smell of smoked meat filled my nostrils. In all honesty, I was so hungry I could have closed my eyes and floated inside.
Wes took a seat across from me. He picked up two menus, handing me one before opening his own. “Do you mind the smell of onions?”
“Love them.”
“Good,” he agreed. “I like them on everything. Before you say something smart, I don’t eat this way on dates.”
“Oh, so I’m just an old