Loyal

Chapter 65

Vera's POV

             "Vera?" Cam's voice falters. He's asking for me, as if there's a  possibility that I'm not the person before him, in this small closet, half naked with Colin. Colin stands up and gives Cam a smug look, slowly zipping up his pants.

                        "Cam! I'm, I...it's not what it looks like!" I exclaim quickly, trying to fan my face. My dress is mostly up now, and I reach to the back to quickly zip it up as much as I can. It's so fucking hot in this small space. I look up to Colin and then to Cam. The cloudiness in my head beginning to clear up.

            "It's exactly what it looks like," Colin says, challenging Cam. "Why are you lying, baby girl? What do you have to hide? What do we have to hide?" Cam looks to me questioningly.

            "I'm so sorry...I....Colin, I have to go," I say quickly. He looks down at me pleadingly, the smug look on his face disappearing. I feel dirty, ashamed, bare, how could I let Cam see me like this? How can I disrespect him like this? After all he's done for me, just trying to be a good friend, I embarrass him this way. Still hobbling, I make my way to the entrance of the small closet, peeking around Cam to see if anyone else is in the hall. 

                        "Vera, what..."

            "I have to go," I turn to leave, but Colin grabs my arm.

                        "You're going to go with this punk?" Colin exclaims, his expression darkening.

            "You got a problem with that Kaep?" Cam challenges, stepping forward. He lets go of my hand and moves past me to get to Cam. 

                        "This bitch used me," Colin snaps, pointing a violent finger to Cam. "That's right, you a bitch. Fuckin lame ass bitch who can't do shit for himself. Hatin ass bitch," they come face to face with one another, and I can feel tension heightening between them.

            "Stop!" I exclaim, trying to shove them apart. It's no easy task with my small frame and half zipped dress. 

                        "I don't give a fuck about you Cam, talkin about Vera doesn't know about my past. Does she know about yours?" Colin is disgusted now, moving away from Cam. 

                        "Don't do this Vera. Don't go with this punk," he says, cupping my face in his hands. I feel tears coming from my eyes as I pull away from him. I let my body get the best of me, in the heat of the moment, I gave into him. We didn't even talk anything out, discuss all the bullshit that's kept us apart for so long. 

            "Colin...I can't," I say. I need to get home; I need to get away from him. I need to sober up, to think clearly.

                        "If you go...." Colin says slowly.

            "Vera," Cam says, reaching out to me. I turn away from Colin, wiping the tears from my eyes. Both of them pulling on me is too much to bear. 

                        "Vera!" Colin calls. I follow Cam out to the main hallway, leaving Colin behind in the coat closet.

            Stupid. So stupid. Why did I do that? Why? Cam makes his way out of the convention center; his stride is much quicker than mine. I scurry to keep up, lifting up my skirt so that my feet can move quickly. Something seems off. 

            "Cam?" I call out to Cam, but he keeps walking. He's upset. Fuck. I follow him outside where his car is already at the curb, the valet waiting with his key. Unlocking the car, Cam makes his way to the other side, not bothering to open my door. I swing the passenger side open and climb in. As soon as we get into the car, Cam pushes the ignition, flooring the gas pedal. I fly forward against the dashboard in surprise. He didn't even wait for me to buckle my seatbelt. 

            "Cam!" I exclaim, pushing myself back. Cam speeds off into the nearly empty streets of San Francisco, his silver car a bullet on the pavement.