Hell on the Heart

Callin' you name it's a waste of my breath
There's no reachin' you across this cold and empty bed
Stirrin' up ashes, tryin' to find passion
Where there's no love left
It's like trying to put smoke back in this cigarette

-Jason Aldean

Part VII

Cammie had convinced her father not to make her come home until winter, telling him that she need to finish her school work and tie up some loose ends.

She had called her father and he had informed her that Calvin was officially out of jail and he was on parole, back under his roof.

She was excited to see her brother. Both her brothers. Although she had many questions for Ashton, now that she knew what she had learned from Zach.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come?" Taylor asked as she tried to finish packing her things.

She nodded. "I just can't deal with you meeting them now Tay," she said, in the nicest way possible. "Not this time."

"We've been dating for three years and I've never met you're parents."

She sighed. "I know and it's inconvenient but my dad said he and my mom are going through a rough patch," she said, easily making the lie of the top of her head. "I don't want you there for that."

"I want to support you."

She sighed. "Taylor, please just drop it."

He let out a frustrated groan but didn't say anything before he walked out of her room, saying a brief goodbye.

"Somebody's angry," A voice said from the doorway, somehow not surprising her.

She rolled her eyes, "please. He doesn't get angry. He never does."

"Oh because you like it rough right?" he said. "That's why you're shacking up with me."

"Shut up," she snapped, her tone very annoyed and she was not in the mood for Zach's bullshit.

But then she heard the door close and the next thing she knew, she felt Zach's arms closing in around her waist. He touched his lips to the back of her neck in a feather light kiss.

"You're over thinking things," he muttered in her ear, using his sweet tone that he knew softened her up.

She shook her head and continued to pile things into her bag. She then felt an overwhelming sadness overcome her.

"I can't do this to him anymore." She said and felt like she was ready to burst with tears.

Zach didn't sit with her, instead standing in front of gauging her reactions.

"And that means. . .?"

"I don't think I can do this with you anymore. I don't want to."

It looked as though a dark storm cloud had come over Zach's face.

"You're really choosing him over me?" he asked, his voice flat. His tone surprised her as she thought he'd joke about it. But he sounded serious.

"I think I have to."

"Why?" the question stumped her.

"Because I love him," it was the same excuse she'd been giving him for weeks.

"You could love me," he countered, looking her dead in the eyes.

She bit her lips and looked away, to her clothes tucked neatly away in her suitcase. "But I don't."

He sighed. "I don't get you Cammie."

"Fine, leave."

"You know I'm not going to be back here after break," he added, a hint of desperation creeping into his voice.

She took a deep breath. "I know."

"You know Taylor's my best friend," he started. "I would do anything for him. I—"

"Then why do you keep trying to take me away from him?" she snapped. "Doesn't sound like a best friend to me."

Zach eyed her carefully. "Because I'm selfish. I love myself more than I love him."

"Fine," she said, but secretly she was slightly relieved at him for finally giving her the answer she knew all along. "Then you can go someone who loves themselves as much as you."

"I already did."

She glared at him. "I am not selfish."

"Oh really?" he wondered. "You don't cheat on your boyfriend with his best friend? You don't tell said boyfriend about your family? That you have a brother who was in jail?"

"That is none of your business," she hissed.

"It became my business when you began to tell me all about it. You told me everything. You can't even tell Taylor you don't have a mother."

That sent her over the edge. "GET OUT!" She screamed.

Zach knew he was pushing too far with the comment about her mother, as he knew she was extremely sensitive about it. But right now he was being selfish and he wanted her.

"Bye," he snapped, his voice sharp with impatience. And then he stormed out the door, slamming loudly behind him.

AN: Another Chapter :) Yay. So we see Zach and Cammie's relationship some more :) And how they interact and how they really feel about one another. Or at least how Zach feels. Next chapter will be about the Morgan Family ;)

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