Nate seemed to come back from wherever he’d been. He smiled. “Yeah.”
But his smile was only half it’s normal wattage. Definitely not alright.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked.
“My brother.”
Camille slid her hand into Nate’s and squeezed. “Do you miss him?”
“Everyday.”
She bit her lip. “How do you do it . . . still find the strength to be happy and smile after losing someone you love?”
“I’d be lying if I said it was easy.” The smooth line of Nate’s mouth hardened. “I feel like I owe it to him to be happy. Like because I’m still here I need to live enough for the both of us.” He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “It sounds kinda stupid when I say it out loud.”
“I don’t think so.” Camille thought it sounded like the best thing she ever heard, and she wished she had someone to live for her. Someone to do all the things she wasn’t brave enough to write on her wall.
“I’m really sorry about your brother.”
Nate turned to face her. His eyes were bright again. “Don’t be sorry, Cami. If you remember anything I ever say let it be this. Sorry wastes time. Ty never apologized for anything and my brother knew how to live. That’s what I want. To live my life full throttle. I don’t want people to say I’m sorry when I’m gone. I want them to say, ‘that guy knew how to live’.”
Camille was quiet for a while, letting Nate’s words sink in. She finished her coffee while she pondered his philosophy. It was so simple, yet so perfect. Just live and don’t be sorry for any of it.
She stood up and held out her hand to Nate, pulling him from their bench. “I’m ready.”
“For what?”
“Teach me how to skateboard.”
A surprised smile spread across Nate’s handsome features. “Really? What changed your mind?”
“Some cute guy told me to live like I’ll never be sorry. And I’ll definitely be sorry if I pass up free skateboarding lessons.”
Nate’s grin ate up his whole face, returning his smile to its fully obnoxious level. “A cute guy, huh?”
Camille rolled her eyes. “You always focus on the wrong words.”
“I think I focus on the right ones.”
Nate put the skateboard on the pavered Moon Walk and took Camille’s hands, guiding her onto the board. He kept a tight grip on her waist as she settled her hands on his shoulders. She was almost eye level with him, and that meant she was kiss level. The thought made her dizzy and she lost her balance, forcing Nate to pull her closer as the board zoomed out from under her feet.
“I think that might be enough for your first lesson,” Nate said setting her down on her feet.
Camille’s body missed the feel of Nate’s the instant he let go of her. “One more time,” she begged.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Nate retrieved the board and helped her back onto it. “Okay, widen your stance a little. That’s it. And bend your knees.”
“Like this?”
Nate chuckled.
“What? Am I doing it wrong?”
“No.”
“Then what’s so funny?”
“I’ve never seen a pair of leopard print ballet shoes on a skateboard before.”
“They’re Tory Burch.”
“They’re hilarious.”
Camille looked down. She laughed too when she saw the mash up of her leopard flats, green tights, and pale pink skirt above the skateboard. “I sorta wish I had my camera right now.”
“Here.” Nate fished his phone from his pocket and handed it to her.
“Yours still works after our swim?”
“Waterproof,” he said smirking.
Cami had to let go of Nate’s shoulders to take the photo she wanted of their feet and the skateboard. “Don’t let go,” she said, trying to hold still.
“I got ya.”
And she truly believed he did.
16
Nate
Camille offered to give Nate a ride home once he’d walked her back to her house. Not wanting their time together to end, he’d quickly agreed. He said goodnight to Camille’s parents and followed her through the courtyard to the gated driveway, where her sleek white Range Rover Sport waited in its stall. There were two Mercedes SUVs parked next to it.
Nate whistled low. “Sweet cars.”
Cami shrugged. “I don’t know anything about cars. Are you into them?”
“Not really.”
“What kind to do you have?”
“I don’t.”
Camille paused. “Oh . . .”
Nate scratched his head. “I used to have a sweet old pickup truck that me and Ty fixed up in Cali. But I sold it after his accident. Haven’t driven since.”
Camille turned toward him. “You don’t drive at all?”
“Nope.”
“How do you get around?”
Nate knocked on the deck of his skateboard.
“So you really haven’t driven in three years?”
“No need. I’ve got a board, and I’ve always lived in cities with great public transportation.”
“Wow.”
“Wow, like what a freak, or wow like that’s impressive?”
“Just wow,” Cami replied. “I guess I just take driving for granted. I can’t really wrap my head around not doing it.”
Nate sighed, running his hand through his hair as he settled in the buttery leather seat of the Range Rover. “I know, I know. I should suck it up and drive already.”
Camille put a hand on his. “You’ll do it when you’re ready. Don’t let anyone push you.”
“Thanks, Cami.”
She nodded. “I hate being pressured into things. It’s like other people always think they know what’s best. You can’t be bullied into doing things you don’t want.”
Nate caught the slight flare of her nostrils. Camille was speaking from experience, and the desire to find out who was bullying her and beat them senseless flared in his chest.
Cami
Camille pulled into Nate’s driveway, and like clockwork he closed his eyes and leaned back against the headrest.
It was time to fight fire with fire. Camille closed her eyes too waiting to see how long it took Nate to notice she was playing his game. He interrupted the silence rather quickly. He must’ve noticed her eyes were closed because she could hear the smile in his voice when he spoke.
“Are you imagining we’re kissing too?” Nate asked.
“Maybe,” she replied, trying to hide her smirk.
“Here’s a wild idea, how ‘bout we kiss for real?”
Camille opened her eyes and flashed Nate a smile. “Maybe next time.”
He grinned like a lunatic.
“Why are you smiling like that?” she demanded. “I didn’t say yes.”
“You didn’t say no, either.” Nate leaned in. “Thanks for tonight, Cami.” He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek leaving her breathless and alone with a horde of wild butterflies in her stomach and miles of regret on her lips.
The whole drive home Camille thought of nothing but kissing Nate—definitely next time.
17
Nate
Thanks to having his skateboard back, Nate arrived at school early for a change. He was grinning like a fool as he approached Camille’s locker. He looked around to make sure the coast was clear. So far so good. Nate set his backpack on the floor and carefully pulled out his supplies, working swiftly to be sure he was finished before Camille arrived.
When he was done, Nate stepped back to admire his handy work. This is gonna work. He snapped a quick photo with his phone and started stuffing things into his backpack. He was almost done when a group of guys in his grade sauntered by. Nate glanced at the clock. Camille would be here any minute. He was in a rush to get out of the way, but one of the guys stopped him.
“Seriously, bro?”
Nate grinned. “Seriously.”
“Sorry, but she’s worth it.” Nate replied.
The boy laughed. “Well, good luck man.”
Cami
Camille rushed down the hall toward her locker. She’d gotten a late start this morning. She still hadn’t replaced her cell phone and the old alarm clock she’d dug out of her closet apparently didn’t work—which she found out the hard way when Poo woke her up with sloppy kisses demanding his breakfast.
Camille hated rushing to get ready. That was always when something went wrong, like her wig glue didn’t set or her eyelashes fell off. She had a strict routine for getting ready to ensure she’d show up at school looking as crisp and pressed as any other NOAH student.
She was so late she decided to drive to school, and kept glancing at her reflection in the rearview mirror to make sure she didn’t forget anything. But her feelings of anxiety only grew as she scurried down the hall. She kept catching strange glances from students. And they weren’t because of her hair color—which was a soft platinum blonde with wavy pink tips today. Everyone at NOAH was used to her colorful wigs and tights by now. So what was the issue?
Camille stopped short when she noticed a cluster of freshman girls in front of her locker. They were giggling and taking photos. It made Camille’s stomach drop. Did someone write something cruel on her locker?
Her first thought was, God, please don’t let Nate see it.
She pushed through the group of girls so she could see what they were gawking at. And when her eyes settled upon her locker, her knees almost gave out. Hundreds of tiny paper butterflies had been arranged to spell the world PROM with a question mark.
Nate.
She walked forward in a trance, feeling like she was in a dream world as she examined the butterflies. On closer inspection, she realized they’d been folded from the pages of a book, just like the one she’d made when she wanted to learn origami in sixth grade.
Nate’s voice suddenly broke through her daze. “I used Gone with the Wind,” he whispered. “Figured you wouldn’t mind since you said people around here read it too much anyway.”
Camille turned toward him. “Nate, you did this?”
“Yeah.” His giant smile dimmed a bit. “Wait, did you not know it was me?”
Of course she knew it was him. How many people did he think were asking her to be their prom date?
But Camille couldn’t seem to form words. Because behind Nate, a group of students were gathering, all watching her like they were waiting for some grand gesture. But this wasn’t a movie. Nate wasn’t going to sweep Camille off her feet and live happily ever after. A happy ending wasn’t in the cards for her, and with so many eyes on her, Camille felt it more than ever.
“So what do ya say?” Nate asked, nodding toward the butterflies.
But Camille barely heard him. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the Ashleys, who’d just joined the growing mob of students staring at her like she was a circus sideshow. Ashley Dupree was glaring at Camille, and suddenly all she wanted to do was disappear.
“I’m gonna be late for class,” Camille mumbled, and then ran down the hall without looking back.
Nate
Nate paced the lounge during his lunch break waiting for Camille. His stomach had been in knots since the locker incident. He couldn’t stop replaying it in his head. He thought his gesture was romantic as hell, but Cami had run from him like he had the plague. Nate loved that Camille was different from anyone he’d ever met, but it certainly threw him for a loop when it came to asking her out. He kept reminding himself that the ordinary wouldn’t be good enough for Camille. She deserved better. She deserved out of this world. But Nate was having trouble figuring out what exactly that was. Apparently not paper butterflies, moron.
Camille walked into the lounge and Nate hurried over to her.
“Hey, about this morning . . . I thought . . . I don’t know . . . Did I totally freak you out?”
“No, Nate, I’m sorry. It’s not you.”
Nate held up his hands. “You’re not about to give me the ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ speech, are you?”
“But it is me,” Camille protested. “I hate being the center of attention.”
Nate let out a sigh. He was a complete jackass. His prom-posal had pretty much guaranteed the entire school was talking about Camille right now. He should’ve guessed that wouldn’t be her thing. She already told him she didn’t like going to dances or hanging with the in-crowd. She’d basically been screaming ‘I hate attention’ at him, and what did he do? Shine a spotlight on her. Smooth, Nate!
He slumped down in a chair at their usual table, running his hands through his hair in frustration. “So, I’m an idiot.”
Camille joined him. “Nate, you’re not an idiot.”
“Really?”
“Well maybe a little bit,” she teased. “But stupid is your thing, right?”
“Yeah.” Nate gave her a half-hearted smile. “I’m sorry, Cami. I thought it would be romantic.”
“You destroyed a library book and defaced school property for me. That is sorta romantic in a criminal behavior kinda way.”
This time Nate laughed for real. “True. But I guess I can retire Criminal Nate?”
“Yeah. I think that’s a good idea. Besides, I like Regular Nate, just fine.”
Nate perked up. “Did you just admit you like me?”
“Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Too late.” Camille’s words made his chest fizz and pop. It was probably the best thing she could’ve said to him. Game on! “So, what are you doing tonight?”
“Working at Sweet Thang’s.”
“Cool. Ask me what I’m doing tonight.”
She smiled, playing along. “What are you doing tonight, Nate?”
“I have a date tonight.”
Camille froze, her forkful of salad suspended in the air. “Really?”
“Yeah. I met this really cool girl. We went swimming and skateboarding and tonight we have a date at Sweet Thang’s.”
“I take it back,” she said swatting at him. “You are an idiot!”
Both of them were laughing when Ashley Dupree’s syrupy voice interrupted. “What are you two giggling about?”
“Oh, ya know, just our love of Gone with the Wind,” Nate said.
Ashley’s face lit up. “Really? Did you know I was named after one of the characters? I just adore that book.”
Camille nearly choked on her juice with laughter. Nate had to pat her back.
“Yep, us too,” he replied sarcastically.
“Well, what a coincidence. Anyway,” Ashley smiled sweetly. “I was just stopping by to remind you to purchase your prom tickets. Clearly you’re going after that charming prom-posal, right Camille?”
“Actually, not yet,” Nate said, hoping to spare Camille the attention. But Ashley was already glaring in her direction.
“Camille LaRue! Don’t tell me you didn’t say yes to that enchanting proposal?” Ashley scolded.
Nate laughed. “It’s a little game we like to play. Besides, I like a girl who’s hard to get.”
Ashley’s hands were on her hips. “Well, if she won’t go with you, Nathan, I’d be flattered to.”
“Thanks, Ash, but I’m only going to prom if Cami does.”
Ashley huffed, tossing her glossy blonde hair over her shoulder and sashayed away.
18
Cami
Nate walked Camille home from school as usual. Her new cell phone was waiting when she arrived.
“Finally!” she exclaimed pulling the phone from the box as she shouldered open her front door.
Nate followed her inside. Camille didn’t have the energy to push him away today. Plus, even Poo liked the guy. So it seemed kind of inevitable that he was meant to be in her life at this point.
Camille knew sooner or later she’d have to tell Nate the truth about
her cancer, but secretly she was hoping he’d just figure it out on his own. She hated having that awkward conversation. And in her own twisted mind, she sort of hoped the more time they spent together before he found out, the more likely he would be to stick around after. Because as selfish as it was, Camille liked having someone to hang out with other than her parents, Ronnie or her dog.
Nate lounged on her bed with Poo, while she changed in her en suite bathroom. She could hear him babbling baby talk to Poo and it was making it impossible to keep a smile off of her face. When Camille came out of the bathroom dressed for work, Nate was studying her wall again.
“Hey,” he said. “How come you write goodbye on all your photos?”
Camille shrugged. “I dunno.” Liar.
“Well, I think you should write hello instead.”
“Hello?”
“Yeah. You know, like hello world, check me out. I just swam in the Mississippi!”
Camille laughed. “You really don’t seem to get the concept of ‘I don’t like attention’, do you?”
“I get it, but it’s not true.”
“What?”
“You like my attention,” he said flashing a grin.
Camille’s cheeks flushed. True! Very, very true. “Maybe,” she admitted.
“Just not at school?” Nate asked.
“Nate, no . . . I dunno. School just isn’t my favorite place. The girls there can be . . .”
“What?”
“Girls.”
“What’s that mean?”
“It means they’re two-faced. They’re nice to your face and then talk behind your back and I don’t want to give them anything to talk about.”
“Cami who cares what people think? Especially high school girls. We’re graduating in a few months. We’ll never see most of these people again. Let them say whatever they want. We live without apology, remember?”
“Right. I might need you to pound that into my head.”
“Want me to spell it out on your locker?” Nate teased.
The Boyfriend Series Box Set (Books 1-6): YA Contemporary Romance Novels Page 47
