I sighed and groaned as I could feel my body starting to wake. I barely registered the sound of my bedroom door opening and then closing. My blackout curtains kept my room extra dark and all I could do at that point was smell...and feel. The end of the bed dipped and creaked as her body crawled up the length of mine. I could smell her cocoa butter body wash and feel the warmth of her body through the thin sheet covering me.

When my fingers encircled her waist, drawing her closer, I sucked in a quick breath. "Where's your clothes?"

I felt her body shift with my poor dick trapped between us. Cami rested her chin on my chest and breathed, "I just got out of the shower and I didn't wanna get your bed wet with my towel."

I smoothed my hands up and down her back, causing her to shiver. I felt her fingers on my chest, moving up slowly. She curled her hands around my shoulders and shimmied her body up higher until her forehead was resting against the side of my neck. "Good morning," she sighed and I could almost picture her grin.

The last few days have been torture. Ever since we made that stupid bet about who would kiss the other first, we had been teasing the fuck out of each other. Of course the tension was hot and I wanted her more than ever, but not kissing her was killing me. 

I knew if I were to just give in, she would win and I had a pretty good idea what she would want from me. Without her in my bed every night, I had a lot of time to think about what I wanted with her and what my indecisions had cost me. It was bad enough that she was going to the reopening with Kyle. What if I waited too long and she finally came to her senses?

What if I lost her for good?

"I should go get dressed for work," she mumbled against my neck, licking and kissing her way to my ear. 

"Don't go," I blurted when she pulled back. I rolled us over and held her tightly to my chest. "Five more minutes?"

She opened her mouth to argue and normally I would've kissed her to shut her up, but now all I could do was press my lips to her neck and hope that would convince her.

"Fine," she sighed. "Five minutes."

I moved my body off of hers, shifting so that we were lying on our sides facing each other. I missed having her close to me. Ever since Saturday night when Shayne stumbled into the apartment drunk, something has been off. Shayne has been weird around me and Cami never did say what happened to make her act this way. 

Cami was awkward around her too and always being careful not to be affectionate with me when she was near us. That didn't happen often because Shayne had been spending more time away from the apartment than ever. I didn't want her to leave. I also didn't want her to feel like we were coupled up and didn't want her around. Everything was so confusing. There was only one thing I knew for certain.

I couldn't lose Cami.

Begrudgingly, I let Cami slip out of my arms and back to her own bedroom. I turned on my bedside lamp so I could sneak a glimpse of her sexy backside as she left my room. I groaned painfully when my dick twitched under the sheet. Seemed like I had been rock hard for days now with no relief in sight.

I threw off my blankets and headed off to take another cold shower. On the way, I could smell Cami's bodyspray coming from her room and fuck it all, I wanted to press her to the wall and kiss her senseless. Shit.

As I drove Cami to work a half hour later, I leaned over and held her hand in mine. "Got a busy day today?"

She shrugged and faced me more. "Maybe. We have a meeting this morning to discuss posting my article to the website. It would show the entire series and people could leave comments."

"That's good, right?"

Cami nodded. "Yes. And a lot of pressure. I'd also have to face the criticism. But ultimately it's not up to me. I'll have to wait for Meg and the other editors to decide."

"Well if it goes online, I'll definitely look it up so I can see what it's all about."

I noticed the way her face fell and when she tried to scramble away from me, I reached over and pulled her back to me. "Did I say something wrong?" I held her jaw with one hand, the other wrapped firmly around her waist as we sat parked on the curb. 

"You don't wanna read it. Believe me. It's just a story I made up…"

"About what?"

She nibbled the corner of her mouth nervously and eyes darted away. "It's stupid." She paused and then her gaze met mine once more. "I should go."

"Can I get a kiss goodbye?" I taunted, hoping she would be too flustered to argue.

Her eyes lit up and when she leaned into me, I thought I had her. Instead she pressed a quick kiss to my cheek and jumped out of my car. "Better luck next time!" Cami called with a wave as she sauntered away. 

Shit.

Not even fifteen minutes later, I was walking into the yoga studio where Shayne worked. I needed to talk to her and obviously catching her at home wasn't working. 

"Shayne!" I called as she stepped out of one of the rooms and into the long hallway. "Hey, wait up."

Shayne stood there, eyes wide as she ran a towel over her face. "Chance...what is it?"

"Can we talk...somewhere private?"

She glanced around nervously and shook her head. "Not here. I'll see you at home later."

I pulled on her arm and leaned down to speak in her ear. "You don't come home. You don't speak to me when you're there. And I need to say something to you… now."

Shayne let her head fall to the side before pulling me down the hall. We entered a small room with a couch and two tables. I followed her to the couch and sat down beside her. "I only have ten minutes before my next class."

"Then I'll just get right to it."

She nodded slowly. "Okay?"

"When we reopen the gym next week, will you still be working there?"

"Chance...I really don't know right now."

"Come on. I've been talking you up to my new boss and he wants you to stay on."

"What about you?"

I smiled. "Of course I want you there. You're my best friend. And I don't want you to leave the apartment. Cami said…"

"I kissed her."

I froze, not quite sure of what I heard. "You did what?"

Shayne took a deep breath in and out, then wrung her hands before facing me. "I kissed her, Chance. I kissed Cami when I was drunk. And I came out to her too. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

I stood up immediately, walking in a circle until I was sitting on the low table in front of her. I looked down at the floor for a few minutes, trying to gather my thoughts and really think about what I needed to say. I lifted my gaze and saw the look on her face.

She was terrified.

When I held her hands in mine, the furrow in her brow softened and her eyes didn't look quite as worried.

"I need to say something to you," I told her.

"Okay," she nodded. "I'm ready."

"I love you, Shayne. You've been my best friend for ten years. You've helped me through some bad times and I've always tried to be there for you too."

"You have," she sighed. "You've been so good to me too. Always looking out for me. And that makes me feel even worse for what I've done."

"You told me when Cami moved in that you had feelings for her and I really tried to stay away, but I just can't. I know I've teased you about revealing your crush on her, but I really never considered you a threat to what we have."

"Wow," she scoffed. "Conceited much?"

"No!" I groaned. "This is coming out all wrong. I just...I didn't think you'd ever admit your feelings to her so I wasn't worried. But now that you have...I mean, shit, once she realizes how much better you are for her than me, I stand no chance with her."

Shayne shook her head slowly. "Cami didn't kiss me back."

"She was probably shocked."

"She was. I'm sure she was shocked that I would do something so stupid. She didn't reciprocate my feelings and now I've just fucked everything up. I don't wanna lose her as my friend."

"You won't," I insisted, pulling her up to stand. "Just stop pushing us away."

Shayne nodded as she pressed her cheek to my chest. "I never meant to betray you. I know she's your girl."

"She's not," I scoffed, pulling her back by her shoulders. "I keep fucking up. I haven't asked her and I keep rejecting her when she wants sex. She's not my girl."

Shayne cocked her head and pressed her fists to her hips. "Well she could be yours if you'd quit screwing it up!"

"What about you?"

"I'll be okay," she sighed, turning me around and guiding me to the door. "I'll get past this. And Cami has already accepted me, so that means a lot to me. And I promise to stay out of your way, too."

"We don't want that. We want you around."

"I doubt that," she laughed. "Just let me know when you need some privacy and I'll be gone."

I nodded and gave her another quick hug. "I do need a favor though."

"Oh God, I'm afraid to ask!'

"It's nothing bad! I just wanted to see if you'd be my date to this reopening on Saturday."

She pressed her hand to my chest and gave me a skeptical look. "Well I know I wasn't your first choice…"

"I'm sorry for that."

"And I've decided not to come back to work at the gym when you reopen. I like it here and I think it's okay for us to be a little more independent from each other."

"I'll miss you."

"I know," she grinned. "But thank you for giving me that job, because it meant the world to me. But I think it's time for me to do this on my own."

I smiled proudly at Shayne, knowing she was taking a big step and I couldn't look out for her like I had always done in the past. But maybe that was okay. And maybe she did just need some space. 

I couldn't be mad at her for kissing Cami either. Not when I hadn't been able to be honest with Cami. She meant everything to me. And she was right. I was scared. Never had anyone looked at me the way she did. It scared the fuck out of me to think I could disappoint her somehow. 

But I was tired of being afraid. I was tired of worrying that I might hurt her or do too much. Keeping her at arm's length was hurting us both. She needed to know how I felt for her. And I had to show her how she made me feel about myself.

Now was the time to be brave.

When I got home from work that night and entered the apartment, I was surprised to hear laughing coming from the kitchen. I rounded the corner to find Cami and Shayne hugging. "What's going on here?" I asked gently.

They separated slowly, each giving each other a knowing grin. "We were just making up," Cami explained. 

I nodded, glancing between them. "So are we all good now?"

"Yes," Shayne smiled. "I promised her I'd stop avoiding you guys."

"Great!" I rubbed my hands together. "We should celebrate...pizza?"

"Go out or stay in?" Cami asked as she slipped her arm around my waist. 

"Let's go out," I suggested, tucking Cami into my side. "My treat."

"I need to change," Shayne shouted over her shoulder as she rushed to her room.

Cami wrapped both arms around my shoulders and pulled me close. "Are we okay?"

I gripped her hips and smiled down at her. "Do you mean, am I mad you didn't tell me Shayne kissed you?"

"I wasn't sure how you'd react," she shrugged and held her lower lip between her teeth.

I pressed my forehead to hers and sighed. When I lifted my hand to her face and used my thumb to pluck her lip from her teeth, I saw the way her eyes darkened. "I was a little jealous," I admitted. "Especially when I can't kiss you right now."

"You could kiss me...if you wanna lose the bet," she taunted.

"Oh you'd love that," I replied, running my hands over her ass and pulling her body tighter against mine. "Then you'd win the bet."

"And I'd get whatever I want," Cami sighed as she ran her tongue over her lips.

"Are we ready to go?" Shayne called from the front door.

"Be right there!" I called out. I returned my attention to my beautiful curvy girl, pressing kisses all over her neck. "I'm starving, baby. How about you?"

"Mmm hmm," she hummed and then moaned when I sucked her earlobe into my mouth. 

"Then let's go," I smirked as I dragged her out of the kitchen and to the front door.

….

The next few days went smoothly. The three of us were getting along better and I had adjusted to the idea that Shayne wasn't coming back to work at the gym. Everything was on schedule for the reopening and all that was left to do was for me to go home and get ready. I still hated the idea of Cami going with Kyle, but at least they'd be where I could keep an eye on them. And Kyle better keep his hands to himself.

I stepped into the apartment already tugging my shirt off as I made my way to the shower. I didn't have much time to get dressed and ready before the reception started. The bathroom was swirling with steam and the scent of Cami's cocoa butter body wash. For a second, I was tempted to wander into her room and see if she was still naked, but fuck, I didn't have time for all that. 

After a quick shower and a bit of grooming, I went to my room to get my suit on. Once dressed, I could hear Cami talking on the phone as I stepped into the hall. Shayne had already texted me to say she would meet me there later because her nail appointment was running late.

I paused at Cami's door and knocked softly when I didn't hear her speaking anymore. "Come in," she called out.

I opened the door to find her sitting at her desk, head in her hands. "You okay?" I asked gently as I moved closer.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she insisted, standing up to face me. 

"Is Kyle on his way to pick you up?"

She shook her head and stepped in front of the mirror, pulling on the tie of her bright red wrap around dress that hugged her body so perfectly. "He's not coming. He just called to cancel."

I stepped up behind her, grabbing her shoulders as she tried to remove her dress. "What the fuck do you mean cancel? So you're not going?"

She glanced up at me, catching my reflection over her shoulder in the mirror. "It's too humiliating to show up there knowing he dumped me."

"Fuck him!" I grumbled. "Go with me. I asked you before. And the offer still stands."

I stared at her as she stood there with her bra and panties exposed, her dress still on her shoulders. She looked conflicted. "Shayne is your date. I can't...I won't do that to her."

I pulled Cami around by her shoulders and made her face me. "I'll still go with Shayne. I'm not dumping her."

"So how's that gonna work?" she scowled.

"I'll have two dates," I smirked. "There's no rule that says I can't."

"Chance…"

"Put your dress back on, Cami. And you're never gonna hear me say that again."

She hesitated for only a moment before sauntering back to the mirror and tying her dress back up. She grabbed a necklace from her dresser and handed it to me to help her with. "Now you look perfect," I beamed at her reflection.

She turned to face me, her eyes bright again. "And you look so good in this suit," she praised, smoothing her hands down the front until she reached my waistband. 

"Nice try, sexy. But we have to get going," I chided her while grabbing her naughty hand and pulling her toward the front door.

We met Shayne in the parking lot and it took a little convincing but soon we were walking in as a trio and I felt pretty lucky to have my two best girls on my arms. I felt Cami stiffen up when she noticed Kyle leaning close to Alicia, both of them sipping on a glass of champagne. 

"I need to go handle some club business. You two grab a drink and look around. I'll come find you later."

I gave both girls a kiss on the cheek but Cami wouldn't let go of my hand. "Please don't say anything to Kyle," she pleaded as her big eyes peered up at me.

I pulled my hand from hers and held her face between my palms. "Kyle works for me. I have to speak to him...about work stuff."

Cami sighed heavily. "Please don't make a scene. Or threaten him. I mean it, Chance. This is embarrassing enough."

"You have nothing to be embarrassed for, baby. Kyle's the one that should be embarrassed."

"Why?" she mused, briefly glancing in his direction.

"Because he could have had the hottest date here and instead...you're mine. All mine."

I lowered my head and nuzzled her neck, wanting so badly in that moment to kiss her plump lips. Instead she pressed her mouth to my cheek and whispered, "Thank you."

I got one more big smile from her and a tight squeeze around my waist before she caught up with Shayne, each of them taking a glass of champagne to enjoy. I wove through the growing crowd, shaking hands with the members as I went. Some of them obviously taking a moment to recognize me in a suit and surprised I wasn't in my usual workout gear. 

When I stepped up between Alicia and Kyle, I suddenly remembered that morning two weeks ago, when Shayne threw them out of our apartment after I had caught him hugging Cami outside our door. They left at the same time. Now I wondered how long this had been going on.

"You two having fun?"

Kyle glanced over at me and shook his head. "Just let it go, Chance."

"You don't even know what I came over here to say," I chuckled.

"I can only imagine."

I pulled the champagne flute from his hand and smirked. "Imagine this. I need you to go demo the new portals. Show the guests how they work, how to sign in, how to weigh in, how to sync up their fitbits. Go do that and give the alcohol a break."

"But it's a party," Alicia whined. "It's supposed to be fun."

"Well in that case, you can go give tours of the ladies locker room and the new yoga studio."

She opened her mouth to argue, but I shot her look that let her know I wasn't having it. "Just for an hour. Then you can rejoin the party," I added, suddenly feeling guilty for being so harsh. It was too bad she had such bad taste in dates.

Alicia stomped off in her heels and short skirt, leaving her glass on a nearby table. I turned to face Kyle now, pretty positive this wouldn't go well. "So what are you waiting for?" I urged him. 

"This is bullshit," he scowled. "You're trying to get even with me for hurting Cami."

I chuckled menacingly, determined not to let this fucker get under my skin. "You didn't hurt Cami. You did her a favor. Now she's here with the right man. Not some kid who waited until the last damn second to make up his mind."

"Oh is that right? Well screw me for not wanting a date who just wants to eye fuck you all night!"

"Well maybe if you'd stay out of my way, you wouldn't have that problem."

"Well maybe if you'd step up and make her your girlfriend, she wouldn't come running back to me every fucking time," he seethed.

"You little fuck," I grumbled under my breath, reaching for his tie, only to have our boss step between.

"Is there a problem here, gentleman?" Mr. Charles asked quietly, pushing us apart. 

"Just having a little trouble trying to get Kyle to do his job," I stated, smoothing out my own jacket and reaching for a glass of champagne as the waiter passed by with a tray. "Sorry, Mr. Charles."

"I told you to call me Justin. And whatever Chance asked you to do, Kyle, you need to go do it."

Kyle gave me a dirty look and a frustrated sigh before moving toward the front doors to man the new portals. I explained to Justin what I had asked Kyle to do and he agreed, but also thought the staff deserved a fun night. I mainly wanted to keep Kyle out of Cami's face and pissing him off was just the cherry on top.

"It's a good turn out, right?" Justin asked as his eyes scanned the room. 

"It's great," I agreed. "So when am I gonna meet this silent partner of yours? I thought for sure he'd be here by now."

"Patience," Justin grinned. "He's running late but I can assure you, he will be here. I'll make a speech, introduce him to everyone and you. And then we can all get acquainted and celebrate. Sound good?"

I shrugged, still feeling a little uneasy with how uninvolved this mystery man was with his new business venture. He hadn't shown up once to oversee the renovations and I found that to be strange. I finished my drink and headed to the bar for something stiffer. More champagne would just give me a headache. 

I worked my way around the room with my scotch in hand. All the old members were loving all the new updates and there were several other guests interested in signing up. I got a few compliments on the life size vinyl posters hanging in the windows. Justin had insisted on using some of the promotional shots of me with his equipment to grab attention. But all it was doing was giving me lots of female attention and I was only interested in one girl.

I glanced around the room in search of my dates. Shayne and Cami were laughing together until they were interrupted by some meat head who thought it would be okay to touch my girl. Oh hell no.

I slid between them, hooking an arm around each of them as they continued to sip their alcohol. "Who's your friend?" I asked, glaring at the muscled guy currently sizing me up.

"I'm Brandon," he smirked. "And who are you?"

"Just the guy who's gonna be honest with you and tell you these ladies are not interested."

He crossed his arms over his chest and scowled. "I didn't hear them say that." 

"Well they won't," I insisted, pulling them both a little closer. "Because these girls have manners and they won't tell you to fuck off...but I will."

"Dude, come on," he groaned. "I just wanna talk to the ladies. You can't have 'em all," he laughed. 

"Actually, I can. Both of these beautiful women agreed to be my date tonight,"I bragged, leaning down to kiss Cami's cheek and hating that I couldn't do more.

"Oh come on! How about it, Blondie?" he leaned toward Shayne. "Wanna ditch this inked up businessman and be my date tonight?

"No thanks," Shayne shrugged,moving around me to stand next to Cami. "I'm taken." The guy's eyes grew wide when Shayne leaned in to kiss Cami's neck. And all I could do was stare as they giggled and hugged. Brandon seemed frustrated by the show and moved on to another unsuspecting girl.

And I just walked away. 

....

A/N: don't freak out! I swear Cami will be confronting him in the next chapter 😏 I just had to find a good place to stop. Your questions will be answered in the next part. See you then and thanks for all the love 💘