AMELIA

New day, new me. My evolution began last night when I didn't wait for Cam to pick me up from Harper's house. I took a cab back, closed the door, ignored his calls after he found out I left, and pretended to be deep asleep when he came knocking on my door. Around one in the morning, I heard his car starting again; I'm sure he ended up in a place where he could get beaten. Maybe that's what he deserves.

I vow never to succumb to the attraction and solace he radiates. That consolation doesn't last; he draws you in and then breaks you when you're comfortable around him. Mostly me.

Cameron can never be a good person. Yesterday, he put me in a position where I had to linger in a room, knowing he was in the room opposite me with the door closed, accompanied by a beautiful girl I couldn't compete with. I can only serve as a nanny to her baby brother.

It's Saturday; Jake is coming back today. I'll be happy from now on. I will put more effort into making us work better. Perhaps what happened with Cam was the wake-up call I needed to focus more on Jake and me.

Grabbing my phone, I check Jake's location. It says he's thirty minutes from home and moving. He'll be here soon.

Exuberant, I get out of bed, redo it, and rush into the bathroom. It doesn't take much time to get ready for the day. I apply light makeup and slip into a nice blue dress for him. There are still seven minutes before he arrives when I get downstairs. Not enough time to prepare food for him. Maybe when he's here, I'll do that.

Right now, all I want is to see him and hug him. I missed him. He didn't stop calling or texting since we made up over the phone that day. Last night he told me he couldn't wait to have me in his arms; he misses me too.

The first thing my eyes catch as I walk into the living room is the luggage and a backpack. Is Jake already here? Though the luggage isn't one of Jake's, because I remember he hadn't even left with anything.

Maybe he bought them from Vegas.

"Good morning."
It's Cameron's voice; I look up at him in confusion. He's in the kitchen, having coffee, cleaned up as always in a black outfit like bad news.

"Jake is already here?" I ask, confounded.

"No," Cam answers, his expression closed off. He's clearly mad. How I wish he got beaten up at his stupid fights, but unfortunately, he doesn't look weary or have any bruises, except for his knuckles, which is clearly why he's covering them with gloves.

"Whose things are these then?" I question.

"Mine."

Where is he going?

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I mock, "You liked Harper's room yesterday, so you decided to move in?"

His brows nod, his lips shrug, "Is that why you didn't answer my calls?"

Yay, look, Cameron is smart, he puzzled it up. I sarcastically thought but that's not what I said. I draw in a breath and let out, "Cameron, the world doesn't revolve around you. I have things to do."

"Like what?" he scoffs, definitely annoyed to learn he's not news anymore.

"Like preparing the return of my fiance, Cameron."

"I see." His throat shifts.

"Yes." I beam, and he brings the cup of his coffee to his lips, just as the front door opens. "Uh, look, he's here already." I force a squeal, keeping my head high, and swerve to the foyer.

He doesn't mean anything to me anymore.

As I reach the foyer, Jake is there, and behind him, Erin smiles.

"I brought him home for you," she says to me, and I can't help but feel embarrassed. The last time we talked she saw me at my most vulnerable. I behaved like a desperate girlfriend.

"Come hug me, what are you waiting for?" Jake utters, opening his arms.

Jubilant, I laugh and race over, jumping onto him. He picks me up, my legs hooking around him, my face sinking into the nook of his neck. There it is, the smell of peace, promise, and protection.

I love him. I know I do.

He pulls back his head, his hand coming to my nape, and he merges our lips. I loop my arms around him, kissing him deeply.

It's kind of weird; I don't feel that spark and butterflies I did when Cam licked that ice cream on my face yesterday.

Don't think about him. It's likely because Jake has been away for a while. My subconscious mind asserts, and I agree.

I will kiss him wildly and desperately until I rekindle that electricity. I hold onto his jaws, devouring him like he is food and I have been starving for him for weeks.

I hear Erin sighing, and I want to slow down, but then Cam clears his throat. All I wanted to do was prove to him he was not the best that he thought he was. Maybe he should watch a glimpse of what a perfect relationship is. I shove my tongue into Jake's lips, his hands grabbing my ass. I groan out an audible moan, enough for him to hear.

"You are back," Cam mutters, probably miserable, "JAKE," he then adds pressure to his tone when I intentionally hold onto Jake's mouth in mine, not letting us stop.

Chuckling, Jake parts the kisses at unhappy Cam's call and I pout.

"You really did miss me," he says, and I nod, getting down from his waist. I ignore Cam's direction and go to Erin, hugging her briefly.

"That's some hot porn I just watched," she laughs in my ear before we pull away.

Look at the level of humiliation Cam got me to stationed to.

"Welcome back," I smile at the woman and hook back the strands of my hair, mortified.

"Don't be embarrassed. He was so worried about you. He talked about you all the time. Glad he's here; he's got to tell you himself." She smiles.

I really like Erin; she's such a warm woman. I am sure she will be a good mother too.

"You should come in," I tell her.

"Thank you, but actually I have to be on my way. I have to go clean up the house and take advantage of the weekend and rest my head and the baby in here. But it is nice seeing you happy," she says and hugs me again.

"Thank you."

"Alright. See you on Monday," Jake says to her, and she gives him a departing hug too. All the while I have my eyes on Cam; he looks tensed, his hands in his pockets and his boots relentlessly tapping on the floor. Probably jealous he didn't ruin my happiness and eager to get out of here and get into Harper's panties.

Whore.

Erin leaves, and Jake shakes hands with Cam after he grabs his things.

"Where are you going, though?"

"I will be away for the weekend," Cam answers him, and my eyes roll sarcastically.

"You even know the girl's name so I know where to start from?" Jake jokes, apparently because they're used to light banter. Although not that he's not telling the truth anyway, but Cam looks like he is going to strangle Jake for playing.

He doesn't reply to that; his expression is more than solemn, it's dark. He ignores and swallows, getting Jake's smile to fade.

"You okay, man?" Jake nervously asks.

"I got to go," Cam says and turns for the door. He doesn't spare me a glance, he just leaves, shutting the door behind him.

"What's wrong with him?" Jake asks, and I shrug nervously, making sure my expression doesn't give a hint of anything.

Jake's smile returns, and he holds out his hand to me.

"Come here."