Red Roses & Red Flags [ONC 2023]

Chapter 8

 Cammie was eager to hear about my night with Wilder. She brought me to the usual diner we visited on Sunday mornings. Cammie's hair was messy, and she refused to remove her sunglasses. Clearly, she had drunk too much at the Hallowe'en party. Would I be in a similar state if I had stayed at the bar?

"So," Cammie stretched out the word. I knew where this was going. "I didn't see much of you at the party. You and Wilder seemed to hit it off."

"He brought me to a bar for beer and burgers," I said.

"You're a vegetarian, babe," she said.

"I had a plate of fries."

Cammie chuckled as she took a sip of her coffee. I checked my phone for a text from Wilder. He had been sending me messages all morning. My heart fluttered every time I saw a notification. Once again, how did he have this power over me?

"So, only food?" Cammie asked. "You didn't do anything freaky?"

"You won't be mad at me?" I asked.

"Why would I be mad at you?"

"Because he is Roy's brother."

Cammie giggled and shook her head.

"I'm not one for drama, so I won't make it a big deal," she said. "I just want you to have fun."

"It was fun," I said.

"I want all the details."

I described to her my time at Wilder's apartment. I told her about red flag number seventeen. Cammie's jaw dropped. She pushed her glasses off her face and rested them on top of her head. There were bags under her wide eyes.

"Seriously?" she asked. "That is not cool."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Harley, that is pretty much rape," she said. "Consent is always sexy."

I let out a deep breath and scratched the back of my neck.

"I never thought of it like that," I said.

"If he knew you were uncomfortable, he should have stopped," she said. "No girl wants a guy to force his cock down her throat against her will!"

I bit down on my lip. Did she just shout that inside a dinner full of people? I buried my face in my hands.

"Maybe I was not clear enough," I said.

Cammie shook her head.

"No," she said. "Don't start victim blaming."

"I am seeing him tonight," I said.

"No," she said. "I am no longer Team Wilder. Stop talking to him. Don't waste your time with a walking red flag."

It amazed me that Cammie saw how toxic Wilder was before I could admit it to myself. My judgment was cloudy from his good looks and bad-boy aesthetics. On the outside, Wilder was everything I looked for in a man. On the inside, he was cold and dark.

"I'll give him one more shot," I said. "I did have fun. He just made a mistake."

"A big mistake," Cammie said. "Don't see him again. This will only get worse."

I pressed my lips into a line. She was not giving Wilder a chance. I should not have given him a second opportunity, especially after displaying eighteen red flags. If I could go back in time, I would shake myself until I developed some common sense.

"I thought you said you were not one for drama," I said. "Don't be dramatic about Wilder."

"I am not being dramatic," Cammie said. "I am making sure that someone is not taking advantage of you and abusing you."

"I'm not being abused."

"Wilder forcing himself to suck his dick is abuse. Don't make excuses for him."

I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. My phone vibrated again, rattling the cutlery on the table. Before I could reach for the cell, Cammie snatched it. She did not look at the screen but set it down on the booth beside her purse.

"No more toxic men," Cammie said. "At least, none over brunch."

"I always like red flags with my pancakes," I said. "Makes them taste sweeter."

Cammie giggled and shook her head. "You never seem to learn."

"One day I will," I said. "I promise."