Smash Into You

Chapter 16: I Don't Wanna Love You Anymore

It turns out that Lucy meant what she said. When Lauren's day off came around and I mentioned it to Lucy that I was going to go visit Lauren she said she would take Thor on a doggy spa day. The whole nine yards. Washing him up, getting him treats, even a new chew toy. I slipped in how much I wanted her to come with me, but she only shook her head with a smile and told me to go on ahead without her.

Bummer.

So I made my way to Lauren's, playing some music to get me pumped up. Despite how easy it was sometimes to get back along with her, sometimes it required some courage and patience. The music had a great beat too it, so I was able to leave my car feeling like I could take on the world. I even took the steps two at a time as I walked up to Lauren's apartment.

I knocked on the door and waited a bit, thinking that if she was home there was no point to use my spare key. After a moment she answered, looking like she just got out of bed. I admit I had gotten up pretty early to visit her, but only so we could spend the whole day together.

"Camz?" She mumbled sleepily as she blinked a couple of times because of the sun light, "What are you doing here, I don't work today."

"Well duh!" I grinned with a roll of my eyes, "I'm here BECAUSE you don't work today. We are supposed to be hanging out today, don't you remember?"

"Uh..." she scrunched her eyebrows, thinking for a moment before telling me, "No. Actually I don't."

I huffed, and pressed, "Remember, Lucy offered laser tagging-"

"I'm busy," She interrupted, moving to close the door.

Frowning deeply, I caught the door with my hand and held it open. She looked back up at me, looking irritated. Not backing down, though, I informed, "She isn't here idiot. She offered laser tagging, I told you about how I scheduled the day off just for you and here I am."

She didn't say anything for a moment and as I grew slightly more annoyed, I bit out, "Listen, I took off a whole day for you. You aren't going to ditch me just because you are in a pissy mood, so you might as well get over it and let me in."

Her green eyes slid back to mine, but it wasn't the glare I expected. Actually, they looked slightly nervous. Blinking at her facial expression, I frowned slightly and started, "What? What's wr-"

"Who's at the door?"

My heart sank. My eyebrows came together as I looked at Lauren confused. I knew who it was. I knew it, but I just wanted her to tell me it wasn't. That's probably what my eyes said and begged for her to tell me that wasn't who I thought was in her home at such an early time of day.

But as I watched Lauren, she didn't say anything. She didn't have to. I pushed the door open the rest of the way and saw Brad make his way to the door, in just his boxers.

"Oh, morning Camila," he grinned with all his teeth, "I thought you were one of those annoying people with the pamphlets."

My jaw set and I glanced back down to Lauren who was shifting in her spot and keeping her gaze away from me. I opened my mouth and said in a flat tone, "Nah, just the best friend popping in, hoping to squeeze into her busy schedule."

The sentence bubbled with all sorts of venom, burning Lauren slightly as she flinched. I watched as Brad's arms wrapped around her from behind, tugging her against him as he barked a laugh, "My girl right here does seem to be popular all the time."

I replied to him with a strained smile that literally felt like nails across my face.

"Well, good news for you, I've got to go soon. Heading out in about thirty minutes," winking at me and plopping a nasty kiss on Lauren's cheek, he finished as he pulled away, "So you get to have her all to yourself! Lucky you!"

With another laugh, he waved before disappearing back into the apartment.

I swallowed, heart racing as I glanced back to Lauren. She stood there, not saying a word. With another strained smile, I brushed past her.

"He was just spending the night. He drank too much," Lauren blurted out, "Nothing happened."

Ignoring her, I bit out, "I'll just catch you some other time when you're not busy..."

She could have been telling the truth but it didn't matter, all I could care about was trying to stomach and forget the pain of my own heart breaking.

From the start,
I never thought I'd say this before,
but I don't wanna love you anymore