Loyal

Chapter 19

Vera's POV 

            One week. It's been one week since I've seen Colin. It's been one week since I've heard his voice. It's been one whole freaking week. I pull my hair back, tying it into a ponytail. Working with Rebecca is a wonderful escape from him. The teams have been warming up, practicing, and all out of my view. I also made it a point to stay completely away from the side of the stadium with the locker room.

            I spend most of my days folding documents into different folders, stamping envelopes, and moving boxes around. A lot of what I do for Rebecca is merely office work, which I totally don't mind. Following Rebecca around is pretty fun too.

            "V?" Rebecca pokes her head into the doorway of our office. I swivel to face her in my chair.

            "Yes?" 

                        "You know the coaches' dinner is in a few nights, right?" she asks. I finish sealing an envelope in my lap before answering.

            "I actually have no idea what you're talking about," I say. She points a rolled up stack of papers in her fist at me.

            "Formal dress, bring a date, it'll be fun." I wince at the word date. Ugh.

            "Do I have to bring a date?" I ask, rolling my eyes. Rebecca laughs her hearty laugh.

            "I guess you don't, but you'll be the only one going stag ," she says warningly.

            "I think I'll take my chances," I smile. Just then Cameron appears in the doorway next to her.

            "I thought I'd find you here," he smiles at me, with his perfect white smile. It's refreshing to see a new face after such a busy week.

            "Hey Cam!" I exclaim, jumping up to greet him with a hug. His shoulders are so wide and muscular. Why didn't I notice that before?

            "I'll leave you two alone. Remember to lock up shop after you're done," Rebecca smiles.

            "Ahh, I'm done Rebecca. I was just about to pack up," I smile. Rebecca gives me a thumbs up before leaving the doorway as Cam comes into the small office.

            "So, what's good Cam?" I say turning back to my desk to pack up my things.

                        "Nothing, I just hadn't seen you in a while and wanted to see how things were going," he says smoothly. I zip up my purse and make sure everything on my desk is shut off.

            "Well tha's very sweet of you," I say, pulling my purse over my shoulder. "Shall we head out?"

            "Sure," he says quickly, running to open the door for me.

            "So, I was wondering if I could try asking you out to dinner again?" He says, as we walk towards the main parking lot of the stadium. I try my best to stifle a laugh, but it comes out nonetheless.

            "What's so funny?" He asks, holding another door open for me. I pull my purse up higher on my shoulder.

            "I'm honestly, really, in no shape to be going on any kind of dates," I say honestly. He nods his head.

            "It's Colin, isn't it?" My heart takes a violent lurch at hearing his name. 

            "Actually, Colin isn't an issue for me anymore," I say quietly. Cameron's face lights up.

            "Well, don't think of it as a date then. Think of it as, a fun dinner between friends," he says pleadingly. I hesitate. He isn't going to let up. We stop at the parking lot, getting ready to part ways. I look at him; he's smiling and so full of positive energy. Cameron is different from Colin. As far as I know, he isn't in the partying scene, and he doesn't have girls like Lauren chasing him around. Going out to dinner with him can't hurt.

            "Look, Cameron, just dinner," I say. He smiles, clapping his hands together.

                        "I knew you'd come through! You have my number right?" He asks. I nod remembering the business card he'd slipped to me the same day I drove Colin home.....

            "I'll text you," I say, trying not to laugh at how much he's smiling. I walk slowly to my black Honda, wondering if I made the right decision. Unlocking the door I slide into the driver's seat, suddenly getting the feeling that someone is watching me. I turn, looking over my shoulder. I shrug and buckle in, imagining what Leah would say about my dinner with Cameron.

Colin's POV

            "She just left with Cameron," Rebecca says, patting my shoulder. I tense at his name.

            "Cameron? Newton? What's he doing here?" I ask, trying not to sound pissed. Rebecca raises an eyebrow.

            "He's always here, you should know that," she says matter-of-factly. I rub my head, anxious. Space. Fucking space. I'm not good at giving fucking space. When you give someone space, shit like this happens.

            "Is something wrong Colin?" Rebecca asks. I shake my head.

                        "No, I just have some stuff to take care of is all," I say quickly, heading down the long hall leading to the parking lot. I found out Vera had been working with Rebecca a few days ago. As soon as I did, I made it part of my routine to take the long hall past her office to practice, that way I could catch a quick glimpse of her. Seeing her for those few seconds every day make being away from her more bearable. I stop at the door, watching Vera and Cam talk on the sidewalk before the parking lot. She smiles, laughing, her long black hair tied back in a ponytail, making her bright brown eyes more visible. Damn shes beautiful. I fall back to reality at the sound of Cam's voice, his laugh. I catch a few words. Dinner, friends, date. I'm going to kill this motherfucker.

            They finally separate and Cam goes the opposite way as Vera makes her way to her car. I watch her get in, sit for a while, look over her shoulder, then leave.

            Cameron, Cameron, Cameron. I thought I would never have to deal with this son of a bitch again, but it looks like I will. He knows too damn much about my past. I can't have the past creeping into my future, especially with Vera at stake. I turn away from the door, heading back to the locker room.