I shake my head and stand up abruptly, feeling her presence suffocating me.Fox watches me go but doesn’t stop me.Smart choice.I can’t handle this.We’re just getting started, and she’s already trying to claw her way back into his life.
Slamming my door shut, I lean against it for a second, trying to calm my racing heart.I’ve never liked her—not even before Fox and I became a thing.She’s arrogant, self-centered, and acts like the world revolves around her.
My phone buzzes from my bed, interrupting my thoughts.I ignore it, rummaging through my wardrobe for a T-shirt to cover my naked torso.
“What do you mean you don’t want me back?!”Lexi’s shrill voice echoes through the apartment, making my blood boil.Can she not talk like a normal human being?
I groan as I yank a t-shirt over my head, her voice drilling into my ears.
“Is it because of some new chick?Is it Stacey?!”she yells, her tone softer now, almost like she’s about to cry.“It’s you that I want, babe.”
“Don’t call me that,” Fox growls, his voice dangerously low.
Every muscle in my body tenses.I want to storm out there, grab her by the arm, and throw her out myself.Fox is mine.No matter how much she purrs or begs, she’s not getting him back.
My phone buzzes again.Frustrated, I snatch it off the bed and answer without even looking at the caller ID.
“What?!”I snap.
“Cameron Brooke!”My mom’s sharp gasp echoes through the speaker, and I close my eyes in regret.Not you too.
“Mom,” I say, softening my tone.“Sorry.I’m just… tired.”
“What’s gotten into you?”she demands.“Your dad and I have been trying to reach you.Are you avoiding us?”
“No, of course not.”Lie.I’ve been dodging their calls for weeks.I know why they’re calling—to interrogate me about my love life and remind me, yet again, how they disapprove of me being gay.
“Are you okay, Cameron?”she presses.
I hear Lexi’s voice spike again from the living room and my patience snaps.“Mom, can I call you back?”
“You dare hang up on me—”
I end the call before she can finish.Tossing my phone onto the bed, I press the heels of my hands to my temples, trying to block out Lexi’s voice.
“Babe?”she says, her tone softer now.I imagine her reaching out to touch him, desperate to claw her way back into his life.
“Don’t fucking call me that,” Fox snarls.“And get your hands off me.Get out, Lexi, or I’ll throw you out myself.”
“What?”she stammers, her voice shaking.
“That’s right.I’m throwing you out.And leave my keys on your way.We’re over—I told you that weeks ago.I’m dating someone now, and we’re serious.So do yourself a favor and stay out of it.We’re done, Lexi.I’m sorry, but I’m in love with someone, and that someone isn’t you.”
My heart skips a beat.He’s in love with me.
A smile tugs at my lips despite the chaos outside.I glance at my phone, lighting up with my dad’s name on the screen.With a groan, I pick it up and answer.
“Hi, Dad.”
“Why don’t you want to talk to us, Cameron?”
“Sorry, I’m kind of busy right now,” I say, glancing toward my bedroom door.
“Busy doing what, exactly?Your mom and I have some good news to share with you,” Dad says, his tone laced with excitement.
“Good news?What is it?”I ask, already bracing myself.
I hear the front door slam shut.Lexi’s gone, finally.
