'I'm worried about Cameron,'Sharon said to Amelia. Amelia was helping Sharon pack for their trip to their hometown. In truth, Amelia was doing all the packing while she was trying to stop her from throwing away all her clothes. 'He's been down ever since that meeting with Matt. He's restless, getting up in the middle of the night and watching his previous games. 

And he won't talk about it. I've tried to get him to open up but he's soo stubborn. He'd either stay quiet or turned things sexual.' Like the other day. He had stopped her tirade with a kiss which became too heated too fast. She still blushed when she thought of it.

'Why are you blushing?'Amelia asked smilingly. 'Is it because of that thing I caught you and Cameron doing? In that room? Or the other thing? Or that day-'

'Amelia!'she exclaimed even as she giggled. Let's just say that Cameron tried to change her mind at the most inappropriate locations. Which reminded her of his stubbornness. His avoidance. Sighing, she threw herself onto her bed. 'Will he ever be willing to talk about it? I don't want it to fester. He'll definitely let it fester and probably limits his progress.'

'Maybe it will help if you don't pester him soo much. Let him stew on it. When he's ready to talk, he will,'Amelia suggested absently as she held a shirt up 'We definitely have to go shopping. We can't let the face of Elliot going out with this.' She threw the shirt as if disgusted.

'Hey, this is my favourite shirt. I've had it since forever. And please do not remind me,'she groaned as she rescued her shirt.  Technically, it's Cameron's but he won't miss it. And since she didn't know when she purloined it, it could have been forever. So who knows?

The face of Elliot comment was aimed at the ad for the photo shoot. It had been released a few days back. She had been shocked when she saw herself on the cover of a fashion magazine. It was one of the photos when she was still not smiling.  The outfit was soo chic and edgy. And her stance echoed her emotions, her bottom half showing strength while her arms depicted feminine. But it was her face that captured the attention. She had been looking away from the camera and her features were relaxed, flirting, mischievious, eager. She vaguely recalled this was when Cameron had promised her the ice cream.

In stupefaction, she read the words emblazoned under the picture. 'The Face of Elliot's new line'. Luckily, she had dressed down that day. Way down to the point where people couldn't see her hair. It was under a beanie. She'd bought the magazine and shoved it under Cameron's nose when she got into the car.

'What's this?'he asked her, not even looking at it.

'What's this?'she screeched in disbelief. She shook it into his face. 'This is the ad. You know, the one where I was forcefully drafted into without a contract? The one where apparently Elliot is soo enamored by me that he made me his 'muse'? The one where you forced a kiss out of me-'

'I didn't force a kiss out of you,'he finally cut in. 'And what is this about being the 'muse'?' He started reading the magazine. Elliot did an interview with the magazine too, describing his line and how he ''found'' her. 'He is very complimentary about you. I don't like the way some of it was phrased but I don't see why this should upset you.'

'It's because I didn't sign up for this,'she shouted, practically resisting the urge to strangle him. 'I didn't look for this-this role. I'm not represented by any firm. My interests are not protected. He could basically make a million out of me and I'll not be paid. He's probably complimentary in the interview since I'm free labor.

'And. My face is everywhere. This is just one magazine. What if the other magazines pick it up? I'll have to start caring about my looks, how I'm dressed. I don't want to do that! How do I learn, where do I buy-'

Cameron had had enough of her ranting and pulled her into his lap. She buried her face into his chest, unwilling to face the reality of her situation. Yeah, it's true, it could die off, be a one time thing, but on the off chance it didn't... she didn't want to contemplate. She wasn't comfortable being in the public's eye. She was fine with being known as Cameron's girlfriend because she wasn't the main focus. But the ad made her the focus. People are looking at her. What if they found her lacking? For now, though, she allowed herself to relax into his embrace, not complaining when he buried his face in her hair.

'I don't exactly understand your concerns,'he began. At least he's honest. 'But I can help you alleviate some of your worries. I'll talk to some people about it. Maybe my lawyer. And PR manager. You should probably ask Amelia. About the clothes and modelling world.'

'You're right,'she mumbled as she got an invisible lint off his shirt. 'But it's soo unexpected. Soo overwhelming. I was only your girlfriend before this. Now I'm his muse? I didn't sign up for that. I only signed up to be a trainee sport agent and your girlfriend. Although I didn't sign up to be Amelia's sister, I was prepared. Slightly. This-this just blew up in my face. I don't know what to do. How to react.'

'That's why you have me,'he responded gently. Slowly, the finger under her chin forced her to look at him. The warmth and strength in his eyes reassured her.

It reassured her now as well. Cameron had made good his promise and talked to his lawyer while she went to Amelia. Which she wished she had not. Amelia had used this as an opportunity to dress her up. She was forced to go shopping. For clothes! And makeup! And she had to learn how to use them. It was a laborious process which involved her hiding in her room most often then not, trying to escape the whirlwind that was Amelia.

'Even if you don't want to be reminded of it. It'll still be there to haunt you,'Amelia replied. She sent Sharon an excited smile. 'Who would have thought? My sister as the muse. For Elliot. The most sought-after designer. He doesn't need money so he doesn't do things to please people so if you get a compliment from him, you know he's genuinely happy about you-'

'Well, I like the validation but I don't need it,'she interjected. At Amelia's skeptical look, she growled. 'I don't need to pressure myself to uphold an image that isn't me. I don't need the constant calls from the press. I don't need the website that has popped up dissing me as both a model and a girlfriend. And I really don't need this on top of the trip we're taking. On top of Cameron's career switch. All I want to focus on right now is Cameron. He needs me right now. Well, need is a pretty strong word. So I'll rephrase that and say I would like to support Cameron right now because it helps to take my mind off the trip. But I don't know how. Every method that I have tried has not worked. He's big on avoidance. I've contemplated roping his mother in but that will only ostracise him. Any suggestions?'

At Amelia's lost look, she knew she'd have to turn to other sources.

  - ------------@@@@@@------------

Loud, deafening music. Sweaty bodies grinding. Swirling, throbbing lights. All the signs that he was in for a good night. And he was miserable. Cameron was currently in a club with the rest of his teammates. It was their last get together before the training camp starts. He hadn't wanted to go but Sharon had encouraged him. Her reasoning was, 'You need something to get your mind away from your future. Even if you won't let me help you. Have some fun.'

Right. Fun. He was having sooo much fun. Note the sarcasm. He'd rather be back at home, watching a movie with her. Or fighting about her ice cream intake. Or even allowing her to start on the topic of his future and then distracting her. Yeah. That was infinitely fun and enjoyable. He smiled even as he thought about it.

'What are you smiling about?'Logan asked as he slid into the booth with a woman on his arm. The woman was beautiful but she wasn't Sharon. 'And why are you sitting here all alone? Usually, you'd have a woman dangling from both of your arms by now.'

'I'm not alone. Casey's here too,'he said defensively. True, in his before-Sharon days, he was quite the lady's man. With just a look, a woman would go back with him. And not just one. But now, he had Sharon. He only wanted Sharon. And he wasn't afraid to admit it. Anyway, Sharon's not here. So I can't exactly dance and drink in abandon. Apart from the fact she will not like it, I don't want to do it without her.'

'Woah. Are my ears deceiving me? Is Cameron 'Lucky' Ballard pussy whipped?'an obnoxious voice said. It was Steve Hallow, the second string quarterback. Now that he was sidelined due to his injury, he knew he was just jumping to become the starting quarterback. Even so, he had always disliked him. He was arrogant, disrespectful, unable to listen to advice. He always stomped off the field when the coach shouted at him. With that attitude, his talent won't bring him far. And he was talented. Hard as it is for him to admit, he knew the guy was better than him but his attitude sucked. As he was showcasing now.

'In all my years, I have always looked up to him. He got all the girls, the fame, the talent. He's always on the front of the papers, be it for parties, goals scored, with girls or all three. Now, he's given up all of that for this overweight, plain girl. I mean, you can so totally bang her on the side, dude, but to publicly be in a relationship-'

'I'd stop if I was you,'Cameron heard Casey warn but the man was too full of his own shit to see his impending doom.

'-That's just dumb, dude. There are like more, better fishes in the sea. Yeah, there's more flesh but don't you feel like you're banging jello? Because it will jiggle and-'

'Shut up, you ass. He's going to- Oh, you've set him off now,'Logan sighed when Cameron had lunged over the table. 'Just so you know, it takes a reeaaalllyyyy long time for his anger to abate.'

Cameron didn't care. He was too busy beating the stuffing out of the dead man walking. How dare he made fun of Sharon?! She was the most beautiful, generous, caring woman he had ever met. She didn't deserve to be put down by this worthless excuse for a man. He tried to punch back but was too busy defending himself.

In the end, it took 3 bouncers to pull them apart and 2 bouncers plus Casey to stop him from going for him again. But it was the faint sound of Sharon's voice that pulled him back. He looked about to try and find her but she was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, Logan thrust his phone into his hand, mouthing,'Sharon on the line.'

'Hello?'he said, ignoring the idiot's ranting and the crowd.

'Cameron, are you fighting? I heard punches and groans. And Logan said you were too busy defending me to answer your phone,'Sharon demanded. He winced and tried to think of a suitable lie.

'Sir, I'm sorry but I'll have to escorts you out,'one of the bouncers said. He just nodded and walked to the door. Everyone looked shocked and amazed but he didn't care. He didn't even notice as he was focusing all his mind on Sharon.

'You did get into a fight,'she exclaimed. Before he could reply, she went on to say,'Now I don't feel soo bad asking you to buy for me pads.'

'Didn't you get them the other day?'he asked as he stopped near the door, nodding his appreciation to the bouncers, much to their bewilderment. He knew they had a tough job and usually, he wouldn't make it even harder. Luckily they'd stopped him before he did some serious damage.

'I was too shocked about the picture to grab them. And I want ice cream, cupcakes, hot cocoa-'

'I know the drill,'he said warmly. He liked that she wasn't shy to ask him and he liked it even more when he could provide comfort to her. He knew her period was an uncomfortable and painful time for her so he tried to make her as comfortable as possible. He must've have overlooked the date. 

'Thank you,'she said and he heard her smack her lips on the receiver. 'I still haven't forgotten the fight. But we will overlook it for all the stuff you can get me. See you later, hon.'

'Bye, babe,'he said.

'Ugh, I can't believe I'm saying this but Steve's right. You are pussy whipped,'Logan said in disgust as he snatched back his phone.

'It's not pussy whipped if you like it,'Casey said. The both of them had followed him out. 'What did she want?'

'How did you know it was her?'Logan asked.

'Well, you did say who called. Plus he calmed down pretty fast for it to be anyone but her. It's like me with my wife, Cassidy.' Cameron and Casey shared a look and smiled. He understood how bereft he felt to be apart from her and he commiserated. 'What did she want?'

'Pads. And ice cream and all the other junk I allow her to have during this eventful week,'he said.

'And you're going to buy it for her? Just like that?'Logan asked incredulously.

'Well, I want to be alive after this week. And what's soo wrong about buying for her pads?'

'No self respecting man would ever be willing to go down that aisle to look for it. It's just soo foreign to us men. Pads. Just saying it makes me shudder,'he said in disgust.

'You'll change your mind when you find your special someone. You'd want to make them happy and if this is one at to achieve that, you won't care,'Casey said. 'So what kind does she want?'

'She likes the long one with wings-'

'Is this what you guys have been reduced to? Talking about feminine hygiene products? On the night were supposed to have fun and paaarrrttttyyyyy?'

'As you saw just now, we weren't in a partying mood. I'd prefer to be at home with my wife than anywhere else. This is just not my scene anymore,'Casey said as they started to move to the car park. Cameron saw a flash of envy in Logan's eyes before it disappeared.

'Come on, if you're lucky, she'll feed you,'Cameron offered. Logan was his best friend. He didn't want him to feel left out. He was indecisive for a moment before he joined them.

'Ugh. Food is a good substitute for sex I guess,'he mumbled. Cameron laughed and slapped him on his back. 'Hey, that's the least you could do for scaring away my flavor of the night.'

'Well, let me tell Sharon that. She would love that.'

'No! I like my skin where it is,'he said.

'Anyway, why does she have your number?'

AN Sorry for the wait. but hope you enjoyed the chapter. let me  know what you think. Thanks!!!:)