“No. But I never led you to believe that you did.” Camden walked to the sink and washed his hands.
“You warned me it would be casual and said you wasn’t looking for anything serious, yes. But you wanted serious. Maybe not with anyone in particular, but you wanted it. You were just fighting it. It was obvious someone had hurt you bad enough that you shut down. I wanted to help you move on. But you wouldn’t let me near you. Oh sure, we fucked. But emotionally, you kept your distance.
“You’re like that with everyone. Except her. She’s got some sort of hold over you that I don’t understand. At first, I thought you felt you owed her for something. But it’s more. Like … I don’t know, like she’s convinced you that you need her. That’s not healthy.”
Wiping his hands with paper towels, Camden held back a sigh. He could have told Randy that he’d read the situation wrong. Could have pointed out that the hyena was just determined to make Aspen “the bad guy.” But, honestly, Camden had no interest in continuing the conversation. “Do I look like I give a fuck what you think?”
“You’ll never heal and move on from whatever made you shut down while you have someone leaning on you so heavily. Codependency is a—”
“So I do look like I give a fuck what you think?”
The hyena’s lips thinned. “You’re only being so defensive because you know I’m right. Look, I’m not saying she’s a terrible person. She must have some good in her if you like her so much. But the way she clings to you isn’t—”
“Randy, I’m sure you’ve probably heard that her car blew up this morning,” said Camden, tossing the wet paper towels in the trash can. “The news has circulated throughout the center, and pretty much everyone is nattering on about it. I think you get that I’m pissed and that this really isn’t the time to rattle off any opinions you may have of Aspen that I’m not going to like.”
Randy’s nostrils flared. “Fine. If you’re happy to never move forward with your life, keep going as you are.”
Absolutely done here, Camden exited the restroom, ignoring the bullshit that the hyena called out about how Aspen would always hold Camden back.
It was at times like this that Camden understood why she’d want them to live separately. It pissed off him just hearing the crap people like Randy spouted, it had to piss off her even more. She didn’t deserve it.
Their closeness would likely always be a problem for those looking to build something with either him or her. He couldn’t bring himself to care how others felt about it, though. Like they’d both long ago agreed—they were a package deal, end of.
Returning to the gym where he’d been working all morning, Camden looked at the smoothie bar opposite it. Aspen and Bailey still weren’t back. How long did they think a damn coffee break took?
Today, they were working what they called “the smoothie shift.” Camden was glad of it. It enabled him to keep a close eye on Aspen. It also meant he could deal with anyone who gave her one of those sleazy “I saw naked pics of you” looks.
When it came time for her break, he’d thought about escorting her to the break room. But then Havana had appeared and assured him that she and Bailey would keep his bearcat safe. He didn’t doubt it. But he didn’t like that they hadn’t yet returned.
Warning his co-workers he’d be back in five minutes, Camden set off to find Aspen. He’d almost reached the break room when he saw Havana heading toward it.
He frowned. “I thought you’d be with Aspen.”
“I was,” she said. “But I needed to use the ladies room. Come to check on her, have you?”
“Why are you smiling like that?”
“I’ve seen Aspen take down three men in a matter of seconds. She’s a total badass. Which you know. So it’s sort of adorable that you still want to check on her. Now if it was Bailey, I’d think it necessary. She lives for trouble. But Aspen’s … well, normal.”
He grunted. “Where is she?”
Havana crossed to the break room door and grabbed the handle. “In here sitting at the table drinking coffee—an activity strife with danger, so it’s good that you’re here,” she mocked.
As she pulled open the door, he followed her inside. Both of them stopped dead. Because Aspen’s sweet little bearcat had just flung Bailey’s mamba at the wall. The snake crashed into it with a pained hiss and then fell to the floor.
“Oh for God’s sake!” Havana burst out. “You’re at work. Have you forgotten that? Work. It’s bad enough that you do this on your own time. You’re adults. Would it kill you to act like it?”