Chapter 8

Zach's POV

I looked around the room and fled. Bex went after Cammie and as I walked away, I realized Grant was following me. I stopped when I reached a secret passageway near the elevator out of Sublevel 1.

"Wow, Cammie can give a speech," Grant said. I turned and glared. "What? Bri seriously deserved that. No offense or anything, but she's being a bitch."

"Well, I lied to her," I replied, defending her.

Grant sighed. "Seriously, you shouldn't have to defend her all the time. Anytime you're around any other girl, she flips out. You need to talk to her and have her fix it or dump her."

"I thought this was supposed to be making me feel better," I said, feeling a little crabby.

Grant said, "Want to hear something that will make you happy?" I nodded. "Cammie's single!" I just rolled my eyes. "Don't roll your eyes at me! She's the best girl you were ever with and you love her way more than you'll ever love Bri or anyone else. You've already wasted sixteen years not being with her. Don't waste anymore."

"You have no idea what you're talking about," I replied angrily.

Grant just rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say."

"Even if I did have feelings for Cammie, I'm engaged and she has a daughter with who knows who."

"If a girl you don't love and a daughter you would secretly love to have are stopping you from being with the women you love, you need to think about your life decisions. I'm going to town with Bex tonight so you do what you have to do," Grant said before walking away. I had no idea what to do.

Cammie's POV

I was crying in my bedroom, trying to stay away from everyone else. Why did Zach have to come back? He just made my life so much more complicated.

I was done worrying about him. I was going to worry about myself and my date with Josh. I got in the shower and dried then curled my hair. I went to bed, excited for what was ahead of me.

The next morning, I got dressed in a pink maxi dress and brown boots to try and blend in because it was nice and sunny outside. I combed through my curly hair and headed to breakfast. I sat by Bex and noticed Zach and Bri were missing.

"Where are they?" I asked.

Grant shrugged. "I yelled at Zach yesterday and haven't seem him since."

"Bri ran away after Zach left and I'm pretty sure she locked herself in her classroom," Jonas added. "Are you okay?"

"I think I'm just done. I'm done with Zach. I'm done with Bri. I'm done with being upset about something I can't change and I refuse to waste anymore of my life on any sort of feelings towards Zachary Goode," I responded honestly.

"Okay, ladies and gentlemen. We're going to get in the vans and head into town," my mom announced. I texted Josh letting him know I would meet him at the gazebo in 15 minutes. When I got off the van I hustled to the town square and saw Josh smiling with his hands in his pockets and I felt like I was 15 again.

"I thought we could relive our first date," Josh said with a smile.

I grinned. "That sounds like exactly what I need right now." Josh led me to the diner that was the location of the most carefree night of my high school experience. We sat and Josh ordered us each a burger, just like last time. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you, too," Josh replied.

A head popped over the booth. "You know what I miss? You breaking up with Cammie because she lied to you. Cammie has a daughter. Do with that what you will."

"Zach!" I said.

"Really, Cammie?" Josh asked and I nodded.

Zach grinned. "See! You're new girlfriend's a slut!"

Grant walked over. "Dude, back off."

Zach got in Josh's face. "She's a pathetic, lying slut and you know it." And fists were flying. Surprisingly, not Zach's. Josh. Zach's nose was bleeding and was probably broken.

Josh triumphantly said, "No. You're pathetic for insulting and harassing her." Zach grabbed him by the collar and pushed him to the wall.

"Want to say that again?" He snarled.

"Zach, why are you doing this?" I was almost in tears.

His face softened and then hardened again. "Bri dumped me because of you. I'm alone again."

Bex walked up. "Zach, just let him go. Now." Zach dropped Josh to the ground and stormed out.

I sat down and hugged Josh. "Are you okay?"

All Josh did was smile and say, "My hand hurts a little. Can we go to the pharmacy?" I laughed and nodded, dragging him with me. I mouthed a thank you to Bex and Grant.

Jake's POV

I was finally on a date with Sam. She was gorgeous and smart and talented. I could feel myself falling for her already. As we walked by an alley I saw Mr. Goode heading down it looking really upset.

"Can you wait a second for me, Sam?" I asked. She nodded and watched me follow him. "Mr. Goode, are you okay?"

"Not really," he mumbled.

"What's wrong?"

Mr. Goode sighed. "I'm just realizing I haven't made a good decision since I was 18 years old. All of the mistakes I've made are piling up and I just feel confused."

"If you want my advice, you don't seem confused. You seem like you don't want to accept what's in front of you," I replied.

He smiled. "I think so too but I'm not so sure it's that simple."

"Well, I think if anyone can figure it out, it's you. You can talk to me whenever you need to," I said in an attempt to comfort him.

Mr. Goode grinned. "Thanks, Jake. Now, get back to Sam. I hope it works out and don't make the same mistakes I did."

"You and Ms. Morgan?" I asked smiling.

"Shut up," he said laughing. "I've got to go. Have fun." I walked over to Sam and kissed her.

She smiled. "What was that for?"

"I just really like you and don't want you to forget that," I replied, shrugging.

Sam laughed. "Come on. We're going to miss the movie."

Chapter 8