[Crush 01.0] Crush Read online

  I chuckled wryly to myself. I was so stupid. This had seemed like it would be an easy playtime for me—lay low, party, chill. I hadn’t really planned on knowing people well enough to actually like them, or to have them like me either. I was starting to feel like I was part of them. Now I was falling hard for this girl, and it didn’t seem like anything I told my brain made it want to change. If Cami had been a girl in my old high school, I would’ve grabbed onto her with both hands and never let go. She was different—the kind of girl a guy would want to keep all to himself.

  Ugh, I should quit sitting here mooning like a lovesick kid. This was getting ridiculous. I barely knew her.

  I rubbed my temples and glanced over to the stack of papers sitting beside my bed. I still needed to go through them and do my homework for school as well. Maybe I could get Chris to do my assignments. I snorted, that request probably wouldn’t go over too well. I hated doing all this class work.

  I groaned as I pulled myself out of bed and went to my desk chair. It was going to be a long night.

  “So I want you to check out your cameras and carry them with you all week. Take pictures of anything in and around the school that catches your eye. Concentrate on building the composition of your images. I want a triangular aspect to your shots, something with three points of interest, which allows the eye to circle through the picture with ease as we discussed in class today.”

  I was stoked as I listened to Mr. Adams give this assignment. I liked taking pictures and seeing what the camera caught when people weren’t looking. Of course, the biggest reason I was excited was because I couldn’t wait to get shots of Cami.

  “No digital cameras either,” Mr. Adams continued. “I want you in the dark room developing this film.”

  I glanced at Cami who was alphabetically seated in the desk next to me. “You ready to pose for some pictures, Goody?”

  “Pose?” she asked, giving me a confused smile.

  “You heard him. We’re supposed to take pictures of things around the school that catch our eye. You’re what catches mine.” I glanced over her and gave my tried and true sexy grin of appreciation.

  She blushed right on cue. Heck yeah, I thought. I’ve still got it.

  “I don’t think that’s what he meant, Hunter.” She laughed sweetly as she closed her notebook.

  I shrugged. “I don’t care. I don’t have any pictures of you, and I want some. You like me enough to do this, right?”

  She shook her head in amazement, a wide grin plastered across her face. “You really aren’t going to give this up, are you?”

  “Nope. Not until I hear you say you like me. It’s not that difficult, Cami. Even grade school kids can do it. In fact . . . ,” I reached into my binder and pulled out a pad of sticky notes I used to keep track of assignments and started writing on it.

  “What’re you doing?” she asked, leaning to look.

  “No peeking,” I teased, shielding it with my other hand while I continued. When I was finished I peeled off the top paper and stuck it on the front of her notebook. “Do you like me? Check a box, yes or no. I can’t make it any simpler.”

  Cami busted up laughing, causing several others in the class to glance at us, but I didn’t care. She was gorgeous, mesmerizing even, and I could’ve stared at her smile all day long.

  She shook her head as she stood and walked past me. “Come on, let’s go get our cameras.”

  “You forgot to check your little box thingy on the paper,” I said pointing, and she paused, looking over her shoulder. “It’s easy. You just take your pen and put in a check. It’s a line really, no biggie. No one sweats over a line.” I pulled another paper off and demonstrated how to make a check. “See just like that.”

  She was still grinning as she turned and continued to the front of the room.

  “Do you need me to show you again?” I called after her. I couldn’t help chuckling under my breath. She was so fun to tease.

  I got up and followed after her to where the cameras were lined up on the shelf. They were all identical, so I didn’t spend any time choosing, instead just grabbing one and then getting in line behind her to put the serial number and my name on the sign-out sheet.

  Her hair was full of its usual natural bounce and curl again today, and I touched it lightly. She looked at me questioningly. I smiled softly. “Just admiring the view. How’re you feeling? Not catching a cold or anything are you?”

  She shook her head slightly. “I’m feeling pretty okay, actually.”

  “That’s good. I was worried you might get sick afterward.”

  We both took turns signing the paper before leaving the classroom together.

  “You want to walk around and take pictures with me?” I asked, looking for any excuse to spend more time with her.

  “Sure, I enjoy the entertainment your company provides.” She bit her lip in an attempt to hide her grin.

  “Ah, so I’m just the comic relief, then. I get it.” I bumped her with my arm and she laughed.

  “Where do you want to wander first?”

  “Let’s go over by the football field,” I suggested. “I bet we could find some good shots over by the field house and stuff. They have the track equipment set up out there for practice.”

  “Did you ever do track?” she asked as we headed in that direction.

  I shook my head. “No, just football and basketball. I did try baseball once with one of my buddies. It was all right, but not really my thing.”

  “I bet you were really good at basketball. You’re so tall. How tall are you?”

  “Six foot three, and I was one of the shorter ones on the team.”

  “Did you play a lot?”

  “Yeah, I was a starter—top scorer, actually.”

  “And were you a starter in football?”

  “Yep. I played both ways. Offensive tackle, defensive end.”

  “Why’d you quit playing?”

  I shrugged and gave a little sigh. I wanted to tell her I hadn’t quit, that I’d been a first team all star every single year before things changed. I wanted to tell her why things were different now. “Got in with the wrong crowd, after my parents died, I guess.” I hated lying to her. Telling her these things was going to kill my conscience.

  “I’m sorry about your parents. How’d they die?”

  “Car accident into a river,” I said casually, repeating the history, which had been drilled into my head.

  Her face went white. “Oh my gosh! Yesterday . . . that must’ve been horrible for you.”

  My mind scrambled for a second, trying to keep up. “What? Oh! You falling in the water? No, it’s okay.”

  She looked away. “It must’ve brought so many uncomfortable memories to the surface. I’m so sorry.” She seemed distraught.

  I slipped the camera strap around my neck and pulled her into an alcove behind the building.

  “Listen, Cami,” I said as I squeezed both of her shoulders. “Don’t feel bad. I honestly never even thought of my parents once yesterday. Any concern I felt was strictly in regards to you and your wellbeing. I won’t lie, it was a scary thing to see, but only because I care about you.” I pulled her closer, and she slid her arms easily around my waist, laying her head against my chest.

  I wrapped mine around her tightly and allowed one hand to drift up the back of her neck, sinking my fingers into her soft curls.

  She lifted her face. “I’m glad you were there.”

  Our eyes locked, and I felt something strong flare between us. I knew she felt it too because the desire was written in her eyes.

  I wanted to kiss her so badly my mouth watered in anticipation. My gaze traveled down to her glossy lips, and the tip of her tongue darted out, licking them slightly. Her breathing increased, and I knew then she wanted me as badly as I wanted her.

  It took every ounce of will power I had to lift my chin and place it on the top of her head. I briefly hugged her tighter for one moment longer before I released her.


  “Come on. We better go take pictures before someone stumbles on us hiding back here.” I walked away without waiting to see if she was following.

  Chapter Twelve

  Cami-

  I couldn’t help my disappointment as I followed after Hunter. I wasn’t going to lie to myself. He was hot, and I desperately wanted him to kiss me with those amazing looking lips of his. For some reason though, he still seemed reluctant, but I couldn’t fathom why. If you liked someone you did what you had to do to be with him or her. Right? I wasn’t any big expert on relationships, but it seemed easy enough.

  I sighed with frustration, and the sound came out a little louder than I intended, causing Hunter to pause and look at me. He waited until I was beside him, and he loosely draped his arm around my shoulders, giving me a gentle squeeze.

  He didn’t say anything as we continued toward the field, but his actions spoke of attraction. He clearly didn’t care who saw him with me, and I wondered if there was a way I could up my game, maybe tempt him into action a little faster.

  That scared me, though. Given the tiny bit of information I knew about his past, I imagined he was probably a fire that would light fast—so quick it would consume me whole. Maybe I should be content to stand back and let him work through whatever issues he had. Let nature take its course, so to speak.

  Hunter dropped his arm and faced the school, taking a picture of the wide sweeping grounds and buildings, which sprawled behind us. He adjusted his location and took some more of the athletic fields and structures. I wasn’t sure what he found so fascinating about the place, but I lifted my camera and started looking through the view finder for things I found interesting, snapping the occasional picture of trees and plant life before casually turning and firing off several of him standing with his camera up to his eye.

  He lowered it. “Did you just take a bunch of pictures of me?” he asked, a sly grin spreading across his face as if he were extremely pleased.

  “I don’t think so . . . ,” I replied innocently. “ . . . unless I caught you by accident when I was focusing on those buildings over there.” I pointed past him, and he looked at the jumble of plain, brick walls across the parking lot.

  “Uh huh. Sure.” He lifted his camera and pointed it directly at me, clicking several times in succession.

  I smiled and he continued to shoot away. “What’re you doing?”

  “I’m taking your picture.” He paused. “Did you hear that? Your picture—not the ugly buildings behind you. I just want to show you how it’s done.”

  My goodness he could make me feel so giddy. I couldn’t stop smiling as I walked onto the track, shrinking down to take some images of the hurdles lined up on it.

  I heard him beside me and looked over as he continued clicking.

  I shook my head. “Mr. Adams is going to be mad that you used up all your film on me.”

  “So, I’ll buy him more film.” He shrugged it off as if it were no concern. “I like taking pictures of you.”

  “Well, I hope they don’t turn out too scary.”

  “Not possible,” he said assuredly before lowering the camera. We started walking around the track together, making our way to where the giant pole vaulting pad was set up. “You should grab the pole and pretend like you’re gonna go for it, and I’ll take a shot.”

  I laughed, running over and jumping on the giant foam mattress, flopping back against it. “This is about as close as you’re gonna get! I have no desire to attempt a pole vault.”

  He looked at me with a smoky stare I could feel all the way to my toes. “This works too.” He lifted his camera and took one single shot. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are with your hair spread out around you like that?”

  I shook my head very slowly. “Nope. Guess you’ll have to show me.”

  He swallowed thickly, removing his camera from around his neck and setting it carefully on the ground. “That could be dangerous.”

  “I thought you liked danger. Wasn’t it you who accused me of not having a real life just a few days ago—making fun of the parties I attend and the friends I have?”

  “That was wrong. I shouldn’t have said those things.” His eyes never left me, and I noticed he was clenching and unclenching his fists as he stood watching. He looked hungry, but hungry more like a predator hiding in the grass, waiting for the perfect time to pounce on his victim. It both thrilled and scared me.

  I was no queen of seduction, but suddenly wished I was—wished I knew how to make him close the distance between us. “Hunter,” I whispered, not knowing what else to say.

  That was the magic word.

  He was on the pad in an instant, stretched beside me, leaning over as he slid his hand up my arm and into my hair. “You’re so gorgeous.” I felt his hand trembling, and he lowered his lips toward my mouth, but at the last second he quickly lifted them to brush against my forehead instead.

  I was so confused and frustrated. No one had ever looked at me the way he did—no one had ever made my insides flip the way he could. Yet, he seemed so reluctant to seal the deal. I was tired of beating around the bush.

  “Kiss me, Hunter,” I demanded, not caring if it was the right thing to say anymore. I slid my hands up his muscle-lined arms, linking them around his neck.

  He groaned, releasing a big sigh. “I want to, Goody. You have no idea how much I want to.”

  His words made my heart sing.

  “I can’t kiss you, though.”

  And my heart crashed.

  “Why not? What would be so terrible about kissing me?”

  He laughed wryly. “Nothing I can think of.”

  “Then for heaven’s sake, what’s stopping you?” I felt like a little girl stomping her foot because she wasn’t getting what she wanted.

  He moved closer, and I could feel his breath on mine as he stared at my lips. I knew the exact moment he decided, and I lifted my mouth to meet his.

  “Well, isn’t this cozy?” Clay’s voice interrupted, and I fell back onto the mat with an exasperated groan as Hunter turned toward him, releasing me as he sat up.

  I’d never wanted to punch Clay so badly.

  “Can we help you with something, Bradley?” Hunter asked as he looked him over.

  I sat up, seeing Clay standing there in another set of designer clothes. His body was tense, face flushed, and his mouth was set in an angry grimace.

  “What are you doing out here with him, Cami?” he demanded. “We discussed this.”

  “Excuse me?” Hunter asked, and I could see things were quickly going from bad to worse.

  “I’m here because I want to be. Why are you here, Clay?” I scooted over, sitting at the end of the mattress.

  “Why? Because someone needs to protect you, and it’s obviously not going to be him. You are aware half the school can see the two of you canoodling here together, aren’t you?” He waved his hand in the direction of the heavily windowed buildings before turning back to Hunter. “You moved in for the kill pretty fast. I told her you were only after one thing.”

  I thought my eyes were going to bug out of my head, I was so incredible angry.

  Hunter folded his arms casually and studied Clay. “You have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said rather calmly. “But this is my advice—walk away before you make things any worse.”

  Clay was livid, his face almost purple with rage. “And leave you to pick up where you left off? I don’t think so.”

  “Actually, I was referring to the damage you’re doing to your friendship with her right now.” He looked at me. “Cami, was I forcing you to do anything?”

  I blushed and shook my head. “No. It was probably more the other way around—me forcing you to do something you didn’t want.”

  Hunter placed his hand on my arm. “You weren’t forcing me. I’m going to leave you here so you can discuss things with your friend. Are you okay with that? I’ll stay if you need me.”

  I blew out an exasperated sigh. I did
n’t want him to go, but I knew Clay and I needed to have this out. “I’ll be fine.”

  Hunter stood and grabbed his camera off the ground, glancing between Clay and me. “Text me later, okay?”

  I nodded, watching him as he walked away. I waited until he was out of earshot before I spoke up.

  “You have the worst timing ever. What possessed you to come barging out here like that?”

  He joined me on the mat, hunching over dejectedly. “I didn’t like what I was seeing. I was running something to another teacher, and I saw you two walking together, emerging from a hidden corner, him wrapping his arms around you, taking pictures. I knew he was after you. Do you see it now?”

  “What you saw, Clay, was me trying to coerce him, not the other way around. I wanted him to kiss me.”

  “Why?”

  I gave a choked laugh. “Because I like him. I thought that was obvious.”

  “He’s a player, Cami.”

  “No, he’s not. You’re the one who’s placing that label on him.”

  “The whole school says the same thing.” He looked at me incredulously.

  “And what does the whole school say about you? Does that mean it’s true?”

  His face fell as he considered my words.

  “Do you know why I’ve been friends with you all these years?” I asked.

  He shook his head.

  “Because I like you. I don’t care what anyone else thinks about you, I think you’re fabulous. I don’t care what anyone else thinks about me, either.”

  “You care what he thinks about you,” he replied, loosely gesturing to where we could still see Hunter’s retreating figure walking across campus.

  “I do, but only because I like him. I can tell you right now that yes, he has his hang ups. I know he’s not perfect, but I like him, and I don’t care what anyone else says about him. I’m going to form my own opinions.”

  He stood up and faced me. “I don’t understand. You claim to like me and know me, then why can’t you see what’s right in front of you?”

  “What do you mean?” I knew where this was heading, and I wished there was some way I could correct the course.