Before You (Before You #1)(35)
Bre’s mouth opened, but no words came out. She couldn’t believe that Cam would be so demeaning of her dream. What happened to the Cam she knew? He’d never belittled her before. “Opening an art gallery is my dream. Just because it doesn’t rank as high as being signed by a record label in your opinion doesn’t mean it’s not important, not worthy of your attention.”
“Oh, come on. Everything I’m doing is for us, so we can be together. Can’t you see that? We both have to make sacrifices if we’re going to make our relationship work.”
“I didn’t realize that meant sacrificing my support system. I don’t feel as though you’re there for me when I need you.”
“I’m there for you. I listen to you go on and on about your shop every week, and frankly, it’s starting to bore me. Do you think I want to hear about every artist you meet, the lighting bid, or the color of stain on the hardwoods? I don’t give a f*ck. Nobody does, but I listen because I love you.”
Now that was like a slap across her face. “I didn’t realize I was something you felt you had to put up with. I thought you wanted to hear what was happening in my life, but now that I know you think my life is boring, I’ll save you the pain of hearing about it. Don’t worry, I won’t inconvenience you with the details of my small, pathetic life again,” she said sarcastically.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means that we’re over,” Bre responded, biting on her lip so she didn’t cry. “This relationship isn’t working for either of us right now.”
“Seriously? You’re dumping me on the phone because I can’t go to your party?” Cam asked incredulously.
“It’s better than by text,” Bre spat out.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You think it’s okay to cancel a weekend visit by text a few hours before your plane is supposed to land, so I don’t have any problems breaking up with you by phone. It seems generous.”
“I thought you’d be busy getting ready. I would have called if I knew you’d react like this.”
“When did you know you weren’t coming this weekend?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It does to me.”
“Fine, I knew a couple days ago.”
Bre let out a bitter laugh. “So you think it’s perfectly acceptable to withhold that information for days, and then send some weak text cancelling a few hours before you’re supposed to be here?”
“It’s not a big deal. Get over it. You’re being overly dramatic.”
“No, I’m not.” Bre walked over to the door to her office and kicked it closed. “Listen, Cam. I can’t do this anymore. I want someone to support me and be there for me, and right now you can’t be that person.”
“Fuck, Bre. Don’t make a knee-jerk decision. You’re angry right now, but don’t ruin everything before you’ve had time to think about it.”
“I’m not making a rash decision. This isn’t the first time I’ve had these thoughts. We’ve been on this path for a while.” Then, she lowered her voice. “Don’t deny it.” Saying the words calmed her fears. She could do this. She had friends that loved her. Breaking up with Cam didn’t mean she would be alone. She didn’t have to settle for a fractured long distance relationship any longer.
Cam didn’t say anything for a few moments. “Is this really what you want?” he asked, his voice soft.
“I think so,” Bre said, rubbing her forehead. “We can’t be together right now. I think we both could use some space.”
Cam sighed. “Are you breaking up with me because you want to see other people?”
Thoughts of Jax crossed through her mind, and she immediately felt guilty. She couldn’t be with Jax whether or not she and Cam were together. It would interfere with the band and hurt Cam’s dream. “No,” Bre responded, her voice louder than she intended.
“Fine, Bre. I’ll give you space, but it’s only temporary. I’m not giving up on us. In my mind, we’re still together—”
“No!” she interrupted. “I’m not letting you turn this break up into some gray area. We’re over. We’ll be friends like when we were kids, but that’s all we can be.” Her eyes swam with tears. For some reason, when she said it, she realized it was true. Cam may think it was a whim or that they would work it out, but she didn’t agree. She needed to let Cam go. If they stayed together, they would destroy each other.
“For now, but we’ll get back together. I’m sorry about your party. More than you know.”
“Bye, Cam,” Bre said softly, and she hung up the phone.
Cradling her head in her hands, she regretted not joining Michael and Sara for a drink. Maybe then she would have missed Cam’s text and enjoyed a few more hours of blissful anticipation. Now on top of the stress of pulling off a grand opening party, she had to explain Cam’s absence once again.
Over an hour later, Bre heard a knock at the door to her office. She wiped the tears from her face and wished she had some sunglasses to hide her red puffy eyes.
“Yes. Come in.”
An older gray-haired man stood at the entrance to her office. “We’re done cleaning. Do you want to lock up after we leave?”