Chloe drove home, the angry, bitter tears that flowed freely nearly blinding her. She couldn’t believe how mean Cam had been. The awful things he’d said. The awfully embarrassing and true things he’d said. She felt like she was fourteen all over again. That funny-looking, flat-chested girl with the dorky glasses and braces, she’d tried her best to capture Cam’s attention when all along, he’d merely tolerated her. Talked about her with his family and friends. Probably made rude remarks about her, too.
God.
She was such a fool. Even worse, it only took her thirteen years to figure it out.
Wiping the back of her hand across her eyes, she squinted, tried her best to focus on the road before her. Did everyone really know she’d had a crush on Cam? And why hadn’t they ever said anything? If not Mac, then at least Jane, or any of the other girlfriends she’d had in high school.
Had they all enjoyed making fun of her behind her back? Did they think her pitiful, especially since she still had feelings for Cam?
She couldn’t believe how stupid she was. If she could go dive under the covers and not come out until the end of summer when school resumed, she’d be just fine with that. Facing everyone, knowing that they’d been aware of her crush on Cam all this time, was just…too humiliating to comprehend.
Flashing lights appeared in her rearview mirror and she groaned, pulling over at the next turnout. She furiously wiped at her face, not wanting to look like a crying, pathetic fool. Odds were she knew who pulled her over and she didn’t want him asking any questions.
A knock sounded on her window and she rolled it down, irritated to see it was indeed the local deputy Mike Vargas. He was a friend, someone she’d known forever. “Give me a break,” she muttered.
“Nice to see you, too, Miss Dawson.” He tipped his hat, peering closely at her. “You okay?”
“I’m fine, just trying to get home.” She shot him an irritated glare when he slapped his ticket book against his thigh. “I know I wasn’t speeding, Mike, so you can’t give me a ticket.”
He paused, his careful cop gaze meeting hers. “No, you weren’t speeding. You were driving seventeen miles below the speed limit. I could ticket you for that alone.”
“No way.” Great, so she was a lawbreaker because she drove under the speed limit?
“Yep.” He nodded, looking extremely pleased. Must’ve been a boring night if he couldn’t find anything else to do but harass her. “I clocked you going thirteen miles per hour for the last ten minutes. You didn’t even notice me behind you.” He paused, peering at her intently. “You know this winding road better than the back of your hand, Chloe. Why such a slow poke? Something on your mind?”
No way could she say a word to Mike, not that she ever would. He was the biggest gossip of their close-knit group. “I’m just…tired. Now tell me I can go or else I’m out of here whether you like it or not.”
He cocked a brow. “Do that and I’ll throw another charge on you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, grow up.”
Rolling her window back up, she put the car into drive and took off, bringing her speed back up to twenty-five at least. She knew Mike wouldn’t do anything. That this was his way of making sure she was all right without coming right out and asking her.
Chloe would usually appreciate the gesture, but not tonight. She wasn’t in the mood.
Her cell phone rang and, deciding she was already a lawbreaker of the nth degree, she answered it.
“Where are you?” Ali asked, her voice a harsh whisper. Loud music played in the background, indicating she was still at The Tree. “You totally ditched me.”
“Oh my God.” Chloe felt like such a jerk. She’d forgotten her own friend. “I’m sorry. I’ll come back and get you right now.”
“Come back? You already left? I thought maybe you were making out with Cameron in the parking lot.”
“God, Ali, shut up. Someone might hear you.” She put the phone on speaker and set it facing up in the center console. “I’ll turn around at the next driveway and come back to get you.”
“Nah, don’t worry about it. I’m getting a ride with Mac. It’s no big deal. Enjoy yourself,” Ali said in a sing-song voice.
“It’s not what you think, Ali,” Chloe said. “I’m not with Cameron.”
“Well, that’s a damn shame. Maybe you should come back here and nab him while you can. He certainly seems miserable enough.”
“He’s still there?”
“Well, he was ten minutes ago when I ran out to the parking lot searching for you. He looked like someone kicked his puppy.” Ali paused.
Good. Though the thought didn’t make her feel that much better. No, she even felt a little guilty, which was so ridiculous she hated to even think it. The man didn’t deserve her care or concern. He’d crapped all over it with his choice of words and how low, how pathetically stupid he’d made her feel.
He wasn’t nice. Nice people didn’t do that sort of thing. They were friendly. They were kind and always willing to lend a helping hand. Why couldn’t she find a guy like that?