Dylan's Point of View

I didn't think the west coast could get so cold, but here I was shivering as I walked down Main Street and it was barely December. I probably should have called Cameron to see if she was around, but I needed to see her anyway so I thought I would just swing by.

Outside of the diner she was talking to a guy that could have been a model except for the neck tattoo and brand on his forearm. I probably should have been concerned about her safety, but worry was not the feeling I got from seeing her talking to him. Instead, I felt jealousy which I had not been expecting. I knew that if this stranger was dangerous, Cam could take care of herself, what I worried about was that he found that attractive too.

She saw me approaching, acknowledging me by giving me a nod, but then turned back to the guy to continue her conversation. When I crossed the street to reach them, I nodded my own acknowledgement at the guy and slid my arms around Cam's waist from behind, resting my chin on her shoulder.

"I'll see you later, Gary," she ended the conversation. "I have to deal with this one."

The guy, Gary, chuckled and with a playful punch on her arm, walked back down the street.

"Who was that?" I asked as casually as I could muster, kissing her cheek.

"Gary," she replied, turning around to face me. "He does my tattoos."

Her answer only worsened my jealousy. I knew where her tattoos were; he would have had to have seen her nearly naked. "I wanted to let you know I'm going to be gone for a few days. I have to go to California for work."

"Picking up the trimmers?" she asked. She liked to show off her just how much she knew, but the way her eyes sparkled when she did made it endearing.

"How'd you know?" I had to ask because just this morning I didn't even know what a trimmer was. Not that I would ever admit that to Cameron.

She shrugged. "It's harvest season. Come on into the diner, I just ordered a milkshake."

I followed her inside although I didn't really have time. I just wanted to kiss her before I left. "Tell me a story before I go?" I sat down at the counter next to her and offered my best half-smile; the grin that got me laid throughout high school.

My charm didn't work on her because she shook her head. "I only have one story to tell you and it involves the police and why I got kicked out of my house so I think I'll save it for when we have more time."

I nodded, not really understanding how big of a deal it was for her and checked my phone. "Shit, I have to go," I said when I saw the time. "I don't want to be stuck in a car for twelve hours with a pissed off Remo."

She laughed, proving that she didn't comprehend how much the guy hated me. "Be careful," she said and leaned over to kiss me.

I pecked her lips gently, but lingered for a moment before pulling away. She tasted like chocolate.

I thought I could make it the whole trip without calling her; prove that I wasn't hopelessly attached. But drunkenly trying to clean up the blood from my nose, I realized I needed someone to bitch to. I laid on the cardboard mattress, listening to her phone ring, wondering if she'd ever pick up. It probably wasn't helping for me to run right to her. The one thing Remo said that had any validity to it was the fact that I was moving up in the drug business, but dating the sheriff's daughter. Yet, I was under the impression the weed guys were cool with Cameron. It felt like ages while the phone rang and I knew that all this thinking was pointless. The only reason I would ever leave Cameron was if being with me put her in danger.

"It's one in the fucking morning," her voice grumbled and I broke out into a smile.

"Something tells me you weren't asleep anyway," I replied.

She laughed. "What's up, Dylan?"

"I got into a fight with Remo," I told her.

The laughter died from her voice. "Shit are you alright?"

"I'm fine," I answered honestly. "We were at a bar, he was smashed. It got out of control," I tried explaining.

"Did you win?" I heard a smile creeping back into her voice.

There wasn't a winner. "Of course, the guy's ancient," I said. "Even with one arm he was no match for me."

She giggled, but then there was a moment of silence. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm alright. Goodnight, Cam."

Cameron's Point of View

I grabbed Dylan's hand as we walked. I had an appointment with Gary and he wanted to come with me. It was strange to have someone come with me, but I was glad because this tattoo was going on my ribs and I wanted a hand to hold on to for the pain. As I took his hand, he looked at me funny. The other day I had just expressed how stupid it was to "walk like a couple" because it just made things more difficult. Knowing you're together should be enough.

"My hands are cold!" I explained. "Can't feel my fucking fingers."

He chuckled and put my hand to his lips.

I was so surprised by his gesture that I hadn't noticed Bradley Martin right in front of us.

"Uh, Dylan?" she said, completely ignoring me. "Can I have a word?"

"Sure, what's up?" he shrugged.

Bradley's eyes drifted over to me and I sneered back at her.

"You can trust Cam. She won't say anything," Dylan vouched for me, still not letting go of my hand. "What's up?"

"I need a favor," she said. "I need you to get me into my dad's office."

Dylan scoffed at first, but eventually she was able to convince him to help her out.

"You need to be careful," I grumbled when she was out of earshot. "I don't trust her."

Dylan laughed, but it wasn't genuine. "Why not?"

I dragged him along to the tattoo shop. "Because she's one of those girls that knows that she's pretty," I sighed.

"You know you're pretty," he pointed out.

I rolled my eyes because he wasn't getting it. "Yeah, but I also know that I'm smart. I rely on that to figure out my problems. She uses her big eyes to get others to solve problems for her."

"Wait! You're jealous," he laughed.

"Yeah- no, maybe," I admitted.

He groaned. "You work with guys all day and I don't get on you about hanging out with them."

"I don't rearrange my life to solve their problems," I hissed.

"She's just a kid!" He retorted. "I'm just trying to help.

"We're the same age!" I pointed out.

He stopped, unable to produce a comeback. "Shit," he muttered and I knew he had forgotten I was younger than him. "Yeah, but you're wise beyond your years," he recovered.

I wanted to laugh, but I just shook my head instead.

He embraced me, crushing me against his chest. "No one is going to take me away from you."