at my house all week and, although I have had Owen’s door closed, I kind of thought he would catch on at some point. He hasn’t.
Today, Natasha and Adrian picked me up from work. I had the afternoon off and we went to Natasha’s and picked out a dress. It’s weird that I feel so comfortable with the two of them. They sat on the bed while I tried on dress after dress and they worked out what I was going to wear with which shoes and bag. They’re normal. Refreshingly normal.
Then we went out to lunch and we laughed like old friends. It was strange having Max, Natasha’s security guard, with us. Even Adrian has a guard. It turns out Adrian is gay and beautiful, and I can see him and I becoming good friends. And Natasha… well, she is just so lovely and genuine—the kind of girl I would be friends with even if we didn’t know the Stanton boys. I’m still not sure about Joshua. Only time will tell what happens there.
The pressure is amped up, though. Not only have I lied to Cameron, but his family seem to be making such an effort to make me feel welcome, and I really like them, so now I’m effectively lying to them too.
This is a big fucking mess.
I hold the phone in my hand. I’m working tonight and I haven’t told Cameron yet. He sent me a text asking me to come over because he was making dinner. We’ve spent every night together since we hooked up. I dial his number and he answers on the first ring.
“Hey, Bloss. How did the dress shopping go?” His voice is happy and jovial.
My heart flips in my chest at the sound of his voice. I adore him. “Hi, babe. Tash’s wardrobe shopping was good. We went out for lunch afterwards.”
“It seems you have them wrapped around your finger.”
I giggle.
“Natasha rang me this afternoon and told me not to fuck things up with you.”
My stomach drops. I’m the only one who is going to fuck this up.
“Cam, I can’t come over tonight.”
“Why not?”
“I’m working.”
“What?” He hesitates as he puts the puzzle together. “At the club?” he snaps.
I swallow my nerves. “Yes, I start at ten.”
“No!” He pauses for a moment. “I don’t want you going there at all.”
“Cam.”
“Ashley, I fucking mean it. You do not go there. Call in with your resignation right now.” He snarls.
“Cameron, I need the money.”
“You are not working there. I’m not having my fucking girlfriend working in a brothel.”
My heart somersaults in my chest. “Girlfriend?” I whisper.
“Yes, you are my fucking girlfriend, so get used to it.”
“Cam, listen to me. I can’t just leave.”
“Ashley, so help me fucking God, if you go there tonight we are through.”
“Is that a threat?” I snap.
“That’s a fucking promise.” He growls.
His anger has gone from zero to ten in a second.
“Cameron, you can’t tell me what to do. It’s bar work and nothing else.”
“I don’t want those sleazy men looking at you. You’re mine to look at. Ring in with your resignation.”
My anger bursts. “Need I remind you that you are one of those sleazy men, Cameron? I can’t give up a job for a man who has a membership at the same club. I’m not that stupid,” I yell.
He stays silent for a moment as he thinks.
“Hand in your resignation and I will cancel my membership.”
I close my eyes as tears fill them. Why is he making everything so hard?
I need this job.
“Cameron, I can’t do that,” I whisper. “I need this job. Why don’t you come with me and sit at the bar?”
“I’m not sitting at the fucking bar watching other men drool over you. I will end up killing someone.”
“Cameron...” I beg.
“Resign.” Then he hangs up.
The rain pours down as I stand at the door and knock. It’s 10.30pm.
Cameron opens the door, his face falls in relief and he takes me into his arms, holding me close. “I resigned,” I whisper. “I’m not going back baby.” I cling to him like my life depends on it.
He kisses me and it’s the most beautiful kiss he has ever gifted me with. My eyes instantly fill with tears.
Tonight Cameron showed me that I have absolutely no control over my emotions with him. The thought of him leaving me was unbearable.
He kisses me again and I melt into his arms.
He’s driving this ship and all I can do is hang on and hope to survive the ride.