Story Three - Blind Date
'Come on Cammie' Bex was busy standing in front of the mirror putting her diamond earrings in. 'We're going to be late if you don't hurry up'
'I can't believe you roped me into this' Cammie emerged from her bedroom with her high heels in her hands.
'I panicked!' Bex said 'I really like this guy and when we were talking about dinner he mentioned his friend ad you've just come out of a fling-'
'You promised not to mention him' Cam gave a shiver. Bex turned around and gave Cammie a sad smile.
'I'm sorry. When you said it was a fling, I didn't think that you had feelings for him'
'He wanted one thing and I wanted another' Cam shrugged. She slipped on her heels. 'But tonight is about you and...Greg?'
'Grant'
'Oh yeah, Grant. Sorry' Cammie cringed but smiled 'I'll be a good wing woman for you'
'Thank you, Cam. I really like this guy'
...
Later on at the restaurant, Bex and Cammie were sitting waiting for their dates to arrive. Cammie felt uncomfortable in the dress that Bex had picked for her. It was an olive dress complimenting her eyes and hair. It was also very low and very tight.
'Stop overthinking this' Bex squeezed my hand 'You look amazing'
'This is why I don't do blind dates'
'But you're doing it for me which makes you the best friend a girl could have'
Bex glanced behind Cammie, a smile spread across her face.
'He's here' She whispered. Both the girls stood up and turned to greet Grant. Grant enveloped Bex into a hug, kissing her cheek. He then turned to Cammie and gave her a hug,
'It's so nice to finally meet you Cammie. Bex has told me a lot about you' Grant was extremely friendly and Cammie took a liking to him at once.
'It's so nice to meet you too' Cam replied.
'Where's your friend?' Bex asked
'He's just talking to an old friend he saw at the bar. Someone he went to Blackthorne with'
When Grant mentioned Blackthorne, Cammie gave a little shiver. It could just be a coincidence...right?
'How about we take a seat?' Bex said. Cammie nodded.
'Should we order some wine?' Grant suggested.
'Hey, don't start the party without me' Cammie once again gave a shiver at the voice from behind her. The last time she'd heard that voice, it was telling her that they weren't good in reality only in bed. Cammie turned to see Zachary Goode, the most handsome man that she's ever laid eyes on. He was charming, funny and his smirk made Cammie weak at the knees. She held her breath as Zach came into view. He greeted Bex with a handshake and then turned to Cammie, his eyes widened in shock.
'And this is Bex's friend Cammie' Grant introduced me.
'It's a pleasure to meet you Cammie' Zach offered his hand, Cammie stared at it, then looked at Zach. He had a strange look in his eyes, as if he was saying play along. Cammie cleared her throat.
'It's nice to meet you too' She croaked, shaking his hand. Cam could see his muscles tense as he sat down, muscles that had hovered over her on several occasions. You can do this Cam she said to herself.
Cammie tried to avoid looking at Zach at all costs, she focused on her food, on Bex and on Grant. Zach wasn't giving up though, Cam could feel his gaze on her, he was constantly asking questions and she'd swerve them, giving vague answers. The tension began to grow as Bex and Grant got attuned to the conversation.
'I'm just going to pop to the bathroom' Bex stood up 'Cam, you're coming' She grabbed Cam's arm and pulled her towards the bathroom.
'What the bloody hell is going on with you?' Bex whirled on her as soon as the bathroom door shut behind them
'That's Zach' Cam replied
'Yes we've established that' Bex folded her arms 'Why are you being so rude to him! He's gorgeous Cammie!'
'He's the guy I hooked up with!' Cam exclaimed, all the anger left Bex's face immediately.
'Oh Cammie' Bex pulled her into a hug 'I know that you really liked him'
'He broke up with me because he couldn't see us working in real life, only in the bedroom! But now he's out there after agreeing to go on a blind date. If he didn't want to date me then he should of just said instead of coming up with a crap excuse'
'Oh God!' Bex rubbed her forehead 'What are we going to do?'
'You stay, I'm going to get a cab home. Tell them I felt sick'
'We can leave now if you want'
'No, no. You and Grant are getting on really well. I don't want to spoil it for you'
'You sure?' Bex looked at her carefully
'Yeah it's fine. I'll probably put on a film or something. I'll call you tomorrow, okay?' Cam smiled. Bex nodded. The two girls hugged and then left the bathroom. Bex went back to the table and Cam headed towards the door.
...
It had began to rain by the time Cam had arrived home, she rushed up the stairs towards her house trying not to trip in her heels.
Once inside, Cammie changed into her comfy pjs and grabbed a tub of ice cream from the fridge. As she settled down for the evening, there was a series of knocks on her door.
Cammie looked through the peephole and sighed.
She opened the door.
'What are doing here, Zach?' She folded her arms. The rain had got a lot harder since she was outside and subsequently Zach was dripping wet, his clothes clinging to him.
'Can I come in? It's freezing' His teeth were chattering. Cam bit her lip but allowed him in. Zach stepped inside, dripping on the carpet.
'Let me get you a towel' Cammie moved off into her bathroom and got a spare, fluffy towel. She paused for a moment and glanced at her wardrobe. With a sigh she grabbed some clothes that were in a box. Then she made her way back to Zach. Whilst she was gone, Zach had removed his shirt revealing his toned muscles.
'Here' She handed him the towel and the clothes 'You left these here'
'I've been looking for this hoodie' He said with a chuckle. Cammie felt a knot in her stomach, Zach's smile always had an effect on her, but his smirk could do far more.
'You can use the bathroom, if you want' She said.
'Thanks' Zach said. Cammie gave a weak smile. Cam realised that her evening wasn't going to be quiet how she expected. She sat down on the sofa trying not to freak out. Zach emerged towel drying his hair.
'So…' He began
'So?' She replied
'Why did you say that you were sick?' Zach asked, his piercing green eyes made Cam feel hot even though he was across the room. She shrugged.
'It wasn't what I signed up for'
'The blind date, or me?' He smirked
'Both' She retorted. Zach moved across the room, slowly and confidently and sat down next to her.
'I'm sorry again for how things ended between us' He offered. Cam laughed
'You said that we only worked in the bedroom. Do you know how shit I felt after that?' Cam spun on him, feelings that she had suppressed were bubbling up to the surface.
'I don't do relationships, and I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression'
'You played me!' Cam snapped. Zach's jaw tensed 'You made me feel special and then you just left'
'I don't do relationships' He repeated
'That's bullshit!' Cam hissed 'The things that we talked about, the things you shared with me. You don't just do that if it's a hookup'
'I'm not good for you Cam. I knew that I was going to hurt you, it happens constantly. Anyone I allow to get close gets hurt. It was best that I ended it before-' Zach cut himself off
'Before what?' I dared to ask
'Before I started to fall for you' He looked at her carefully. Silenced passed between them.
'Have you?' She whispered. Zach sighed.
'Yes. But I'm only going to hurt you'
'Then why did you come here tonight?' Cam could feel the tears brimming.
'Because I wanted to see if you still had feelings too' He looked at her carefully 'Do you?'
'I-' Cammie stopped herself. 'I don't' She said looking away 'I can't be with someone who could hurt me'
Zach sighed and stood up. He gathered his sodden clothes and headed towards the door.
'Take care of yourself Cammie' He said before heading out the door and into the rain.
Cam sat there, staring at the door and allowing her tears to fall. She had told Zach that she had no feelings for him, but that was a lie. Cammie cared about him so much but knew that he was broken. She couldn't be the one to fix him because he was the one that broke her.
The End
Author's note: Thank you all so much for your positive reactions to 'Just Strangers' I don't usually do one-shot stories so I'm glad that you are enjoying it. See you next time xxx
