Hell on the Heart

So you stole my world, Now I'm just a phony
Remembering the girl
Leaves me down and lonely, We'll send it in a letter
Make yourself feel better

- Gary Allen

Part III

By the time Taylor woke up again, at a much more reasonable hour, Cammie was already gone. She did that often, disappearing after they'd spent a night together, only to disappear the next morning without so much as a note. But she'd reappear later, not offering an explanation despite him asking.

She never told him that almost every morning she ran to a diner five miles away and waited for her brother to call, just so she wouldn't be recognized by any of her class mates.

There were so many things she didn't tell him, things she wanted to tell him but couldn't— wouldn't.

She loved him, and she knew he loved her; but she wasn't ready for that to end. She'd prolong the inevitable as long as possible.

"Hey Cam," Taylor said, as he sat next to her at the lunch table. "Where'd you get off to this morning?" He didn't expect her to answer; he never did. He just thought he was being polite in asking. Or maybe he hoped that maybe one time she'd tell him anyway.

She shrugged and didn't answer. She could have said she went on a run, which was true. But she didn't, instead lying to him the whole time.

"I missed you," he said, and kissed her cheek.

She smiled at his affection. "I know," she replied, in a sweet voice.

"You sure know how to make a guy feel cheap," he joked. "Taking off every morning after we make love."

Cammie had always thought it was weird that he called it that. But Taylor was raised a Christian and insisted they called it that. But she guessed that since they were in love it made sense. It was just a bit weird when it was said out loud.

She laughed, and kissed him briefly. "You know I love you."

He smiled. "I know."

She nudged his shoulder affectionately.

His fingers trailed along her thigh when he jerked, as if suddenly remembering something.

"What is it?" Cammie asked, turning away from her food. "What did you forget?"

He smiled briefly at how easy she could read him.

"My friend from back home is coming to visit," he said. "I totally blanked."

"Zach?" Cammie asked, referring to the friend she had heard so much about.

Taylor smile, "the one and only. You're going to love him Cam."

She laughed and shook her head. "I thought he was an asshole.'

Taylor shrugged. "He is. You guys share the same sense of humor though," he said. "Got the whole mystery vibe."

"We've been dating for years, Tay."

His eyes softened. "And I still feel like you're holding back."

Cammie looked away. They'd had this conversation before. He knew—or had some sort of six sense— that she was hiding something. But she never owned up to it. She knew it annoyed him, and made him a bit angry. And honestly, maybe if he actually showed the anger she would have told him, and then she'd know he wasn't so damned perfect.

The main problem with her and Taylor was that they had never had an argument. Sure a little spat, but never an argument.

What kind of couple didn't have fights? He always diffused his temper before he could get angry and reform back into his sweet boyfriend self.

And she had to admit; it got a bit aggravating.

"Anyway," Cammie said. "When's he getting here?"

"Now," Taylor muttered. "I'm meeting him at the front gate."

He pecked her on the lips. "I'll catch up with you later."

As it turned out he caught up with her after school. She was in the courtyard, doing her literature homework.

"Cammie!" Taylor's voice called, cutting through the cool autumn night. "There you are."

She looked up, seeing Taylor and another tall and gorgeous boy walking towards her.

The boy had the whole dark and handsome thing going on. His dark hair fell in waves over his forehead and his skin was evenly tanned, his eyes an intoxicating color green.

And for some reason, when she looked into those eyes, she felt as though she'd seen them before.

"Zach," he said to the boy. "This is my long-term girlfriend, Cammie. Cammie this is my best friend from home, Zach."

He grinned at her, in a way that would make any girl's heart melt. It even worked on her; right before she reminded herself she had a boyfriend— whom happened to be standing right next to her.

She smiled back, with her naturally perfect straight teeth, and her blue eyes sparkled.

"Nice to see Tay wasn't talking about an imaginary friend all these years," she said, giving her boyfriend a playful look.

"Thanks Cam," he muttered.

She grinned at him before returning her attention to Zach.

"Same," he murmured, a smirk pulling at his lips. He decided he liked this girl. She was hot, and Taylor had obviously landed a good one. It was a shame she was off limits.

When she turned back to mutter something to Taylor he appraised her again, right from her toes, up her long tight covered legs, over the curves of her body, right up to her electric grey-blue eyes.

Those eyes, Zach thought for a moment. What the fuck? He thought to himself. Why does she seem familiar?

He studied her eyes again and racked his brain or memories. He was still looking at them when her gaze met his and he cleared his throat.

"Sorry, you just look familiar."

She smiled a bit, "it's weird because I feel the same way."

Taylor looked between the two of them, slightly confused.

Then Zach asked a question that made her bones go cold, "do you have a brother?"

Cammie blinked. Once, then twice. "Um, no."

It was all rushing back to Zach now. "Yeah, Ashton. Ashton Morgan he said he had a little—"

"I don't have a brother," she repeated, glancing at her boyfriend, who seemed confused.

"Oh," Zach said.

"Ashton Morgan?" Taylor then asked. "The one you went backpacking with around Europe?"

Fuck.

"Yeah, he said he had a little sister," Zach continued. "Named Cammie."

"Coincidence?" Cammie said easily, but her eyes were trained on Zach. He looked back at her, seeing her blue eyes darken a shade, and looked almost threatening.

"Must be," Taylor said, much to her relief. "Cam doesn't have any siblings."

Zach looked at Cammie, who was giving him a steady glare. He decided that he would do better not to point out the fact that Ashton and Cammie had the exact same eyes.

"I guess," he said, still looking at Cammie.

Her shoulders relaxed and she smiled at him again, although her eyes were still cautious.

"I've actually got to get going," she said.

"Where?" Taylor asked. "I thought we could all get dinner and —"

"I'm meeting with Mace, sorry Tay," she said. She reached up and kissed him gently. "Another time. Bye Zach," she said, brushing past him and walking away, not looking back at the boys.

"You're right," Zach said. "She's a mystery."

Taylor nodded his head. "I don't know what she's hiding."

I do, Zach thought.

"Maybe it's nothing."

Zach decided he wouldn't tell Taylor about just how certain he was that Cammie and Ashton were sibling before he talked with Cammie himself.

AN: Coincidence my ass. Jeez Taylor's a dumb shit. Oh well we don't want him finding out just yet ... :P
So what do we think of Zach?
Next chapter will be much more interesting. I SWEAR. :)
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PS thank you to all my lovely reviewers :):)

Loved all the reviews :D