The Real(85)

“But the rules,” Terry said following Cameron’s lead, snapping us both out of our daze.

“Yes,” Cameron lifted his glass. “The goddamned rules. The thing is, you realize later that those rules were there for her, not you. But you followed them, because you knew she needed it, just as much as you needed her.”

Terry played along. “And this prison? Do you get out?”

Cameron tossed back the rest of his drink. “Let’s say she freed you the minute you touched her.”

Tears finally escaped as I tore my eyes away from Cameron to silently plead with Terry. He glanced my way before he spoke.

“She’s upset, Cameron. Have you made your point?”

“I’m not sure, but tell me, Terry, just look at her. When you found her on Match.com did you ever dream you’d find such a stunning woman?”

“Stop,” I said pleading with him. “Please stop.”

Cameron leaned in. “She’s one of the good ones, inside and out. A real game changer. Have you ever been the bad guy, Terry? I have, I am and it’s a sick feeling.”

“Can’t say I didn’t have a bit of a heyday when I was younger.”

Cameron smirked, his eyes emerald and ice. “Yes, definitely a heyday as you’re what, now, sixty?”

“Damn it, Cameron,” I snapped.

“Forty-eight,” Terry chuckled taking zero offense.

“Playing it safe aren’t you Abbie?” He said, his voice cracking as he turned to me.

“Terry,” I pleaded. “I took the liberty of making us dinner reservations. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all,” he answered.

“We should probably go,” I said just as Cameron smacked his palm on the table commanding our attention.

An ill feeling crept over me as my mind wandered back to Luke.

“Romance is dead, she thinks it’s dead, did you know that, Terry?”

“And what do you think?” he replied.

“I think,” Cameron swallowed, “I think people are afraid of it, but I have proof it still exists.”

“Really?” Terry said, more concerned for me than amused at that point.

“Nothing beats a picture,” Cameron said softly

I spoke up then. “My mother takes pictures. She says that there’s always more to the story.”

“Oh, there’s more,” Cameron said as his hard eyes swept me. “So much more,” he rasped out, his features softening. Can you sleep?” He croaked. “Baby, I’m not sleeping.”

Terry stood. “I’ll get us a cab.”

I nodded. “Please.”

“Of course, I’ve taken enough of your time,” Cameron said keeping his eyes glued to mine.

“It’s nice to meet you, Cameron,” Terry said. “Good luck to you. Abbie, I’m going to step outside.”

“Thank you,” I said as Terry grabbed his coat draping it over his arm and wordlessly asking my permission to leave me alone with him. I nodded and turned to Cameron as a thousand emotions ran through his features.

“Do we mean anything to you at all?”

“Don’t act like I wasn’t there,” I said defensively “I was there.”

“Are you going to fuck him?” He snapped, his fists clenching on the table. I moved to leave, and he caught me by the hand. “I’m sorry, but I can’t handle knowing he might want to and you might let him. Jesus, Abbie, are you going to let him touch you?” He broke then as I watched, paralyzed by it. “What are you doing with him?” he asked, the desperation in his voice breaking me. “I love you.”

“I’m not with him, Cameron, I’m not with anyone.”

“I’m still there, where we were,” he whispered softly. “You’re in my veins, Abbie. You should know that. I’ll never stop loving you.”

Through the large window, I watched Terry hail a cab.

“Look at me,” he whispered. “This is me at my worst. Please don’t do this to us.”

“I didn’t do this.”

“You’re right. I did. Love me anyway.”

I do.

“Cameron, where is Max?”

“He’s here,” he said motioning over his shoulder. I spotted Max ordering a drink at the bar, his eyes on our table. I hadn’t even noticed him walk in.

“Abbie,” Cameron pleaded, “please talk to me.”

I looked at the love of my life and got lost in the beautiful plains of his face, the angle of his jaw, the jade of his eyes. He was the same man I fell for, but nothing made sense. We’d been torn apart by truth and lies. “I have to go.”

He reached out to touch me, and I flinched.

“I’m still angry, Cameron.” In a shaky voice, I let a little of it take over. It was the only thing saving me from fraying. “I worked with her, your wife. You made me an adulterer. You didn’t even give me the choice.” I shook my head at the memory of it. “And I told her,” I swallowed, “I told her private things about us. Kat knew about you when we met, she knew the day you told me you loved me.” I let him see my anger, my pain. I let him see the betrayal I still felt. “I trusted you and you made damn sure of it. I begged you not to and you made a fucking fool out of me.”