A Twist of Fate (5 page)

"What do you ladies say we make a toast before we go?"
Hunter suggested.  He handed me and Cameron a glass of wine.  "Here's to a
night of good times, good friends…"

"...and lots of drinks!" Aliah finished.

We all raised our plastic glasses and bumped them together
in the centre of our circle of friends.

Maddie took a sip from her cup.  "This is so exciting. 
I haven't been this thrilled since…well, I'd rather not say with Ally in the
room."

I stifled my laugh by tucking my head into Cameron's shoulder.

"Maddie!" Aliah hollered, scowling angrily.

"It's all in good fun," Maddie replied.  "I
was only teasing."

But everyone knew she wasn’t.

***

WHEN WE FINALLY MADE it downstairs,
there was no question where the party was.  Partygoers filled the lobby and
everyone was heading for the hall.  It was dark in the space, but there were flashy
lights and sparkly party favours lighting up the room.  The music was already
going strong and the dance floor was packed with people.

"Oh, yeah.  I'm definitely getting laid tonight,"
Maddie announced, admiring the quality of men on display.  She ran her hand
over a handsome passer-by and then winked at him.

"You nasty dog," Jessica teased, once he was out
of ear shot.

"Do me a favour and steer clear of me when you're
talking about sex," Hunter warned, catching the entire incident. 
"Especially when you're carrying my baby.  Any man who’ll stick it in
there when you're like that has his own issues."

Maddie lifted her chin.  "Hey, I'll take what I can
get."

"No, you won't," Hunter answered, definitively. 
"No man will be fussing around in there around my baby.  You've got three
more months, I think you can wait."

“Hmpf,” she huffed, then realized it wasn’t up to him. 
"I've got needs too, you know; and the doctor says I'm good to go.  I'll
do what I want tonight."

If not for Maddie, I wouldn’t have even noticed that there
was another man in the place.  Cameron looked so suave and sexy himself, that
it ignited a fire within me.  I would’ve been happy to strip him from that
polished, red shirt; and in time I would.

Recognizing my attraction, Cam pulled me closer and kissed
me, with slow, wet lips.  I moaned, involuntarily, and everyone heard me.

"Save it for midnight," Hunter hollered.

Cameron flashed him a warning glare.

"Speaking of midnight…" Jessica started.  "It’s
late.  Where's Edwin?"

Hunter glanced at Aliah, like they weren’t supposed to say. 
Interesting.

"Apparently he had a dinner date,” Hunter informed Jessica. 
“Some chick he met this afternoon.  He'll meet up with us later.”

A few hours passed before I found Edwin sitting at the bar,
and I didn't see his lovely guest anywhere.  Jessica caught me looking at him
and headed right over.

"Hey, Eddie.  No luck with the blonde bimbo?”

"It didn't work out," Edwin lied.  He flashed a
glance at the dance floor where the blonde was chatting with another random
stranger, then he pounded back a shot and chased it with his beer.

Cameron cleared his throat, to catch my attention, and
handed me a fresh drink.  “We’ll catch up with you later,” he said to Jessica,
stealing my empty hand and pulling me to a dark corner.

I gazed lovingly into his eyes, a soft smile playing on my
lips.

Cam took a sip from his drink.  "What did I do to
deserve you?"

I repeatedly kissed him, his top lip, his bottom lip, the corner
of his mouth.  Then I slowly pulled my mouth away and my eyelashes fluttered
open.

"Look at what you're doing to me," he said, as he
tried to privately adjust his pants.

I smirked and sipped from my glass and then back-stepped
away from him, drawing him onto the dance floor.  I knew I was supposed to wait
until midnight to kiss him long and hard, but I couldn't keep away from his
charming lips.  Lust was definitely in the air.

We danced, and teased, nibbled and canoodled, surrounded by
a mixture of easygoing and vivacious partygoers.  By the time midnight was upon
us, we were all celebrating like raving lunatics.

"It's almost time," Jessica squealed, as she scouted
out the single men in her vicinity.  The crowd was young and she had a decent
helping of eligible men to choose from.

"What time is it?" I hollered.

Maddie glanced at her wristwatch made of black crystals. 
"11:44," she hollered back.

I hooked an arm around Cameron's neck.  "I really have
to pee.  I'm gonna go now."

"I'll come with," Aliah hollered to me.

"Hurry back," Cameron said, seeming very anxious.

Aliah and I rushed off to the washroom and there were quite
a few ladies waiting in line before us.  "That'll be our luck, ringing in
the New Year in the ladies room," Aliah joked.

The line moved fast and I stumbled into the washroom, exposing
my degree of intoxication.  Though the skiing pains had eased, the cramps in my
side were still there making me want to curl up in the corner and cry.  After a
quick trip to the toilet, I checked my reflection in the mirror.

"You look hot.  Now let's go.  We don't want to miss
the countdown," Aliah said.

We hurried back with everyone else now piling onto dance
floor, readying themselves for the countdown.  We squeezed through the crowd
and shoved our way back to the others.

"You made it," Cam said, overcome with relief as
he anxiously checked his wristwatch.

I pressed a chaste kiss to his lips.  “I made it.”

He didn’t respond, physically or verbally. 
Something was
off with him and it didn’t seem good.

All of our friends crowded together, as others tried to
squeeze into our tight formation.  Maddie and Jessica were ushering the hotties
in, with masks concealing their faces and other sparkling party favours in
their hands.

For a nice change, everyone in our group was getting along. 
Edwin had even left me and Cameron alone all night, though he was now hanging close
by; likely arranging his midnight mack-up.

Cameron fidgeted, as the crowd tightened up in anticipation
of the New Year.  There was less than one minute before the countdown and many
had already began cheering excitedly.  I hugged each of my friends, excluding
Edwin, happy that I could spend the last minute of the year with my best
friends.

I cheered along with everyone else as the singles bustled
around to situate themselves for the countdown.  What a great feeling to not
have to do that.  I sighed and whispered in Cam’s ear.  "Love you."

He softened beneath my hands, but didn't respond, just
swallowed and grinned.

Okay, something is really up.
  I pressed a fake smile
onto my lips and glanced at Hunter across from me.  He had been staring and
smiled back, but then turned his face away to whisper to Edwin.  Edwin nodded, his
face expressionless.

Uneasiness caused me to twitch and Cameron rubbed my arm to
soothe me, but it was a little late for that.  I watched Hunter and Aliah swaying
back and forth in each other’s arms, and how Jessica and Maddie had managed to
scam a couple of drunk studs.  The room fell silent, then the countdown began
and all I could think was, the sooner this was over the better.

As we counted down, "10-9-8-7," Cam looked like he
was ready to pass out.  People around us waved noisemakers, stared at the sparklers
spinning at the head of the room and jumped up and down.  "6-5-4…”  I was
shoved away from Cam by the bumbling crowd of excitable drunks.  Before I was
able push my way back to him, "…3-2-1!"

Sparks were flying, confetti dropping and some sneaky, blonde
bitch beat me to the punch.  She was thin, young and beautiful, everything I
would imagine Cam would like in a girl.  Her long hair dangled over Cameron's
red shirt, as she gripped his suit jacket in both her hands, pulling him to her
mouth to kiss him.

I gaped at the situation playing out before me, my feet glued
to the floor.  I watched her hand slide over his chest, her lips on his mouth,
and he didn't even stop her. 
Oh!  That's what's up.

Cheers resumed, but my heart stopped, surrounded by others
still sharing tongue-filled kisses.  I started to feel dizzy, my head spinning
faster than my body, as I tried to find a way out of the crowd.  Anger fueled
me, burning through my veins with a vengeance, masking the sadness lingering
just below the surface.

Someone larger than me grabbed onto my arm and spun me around. 
Without even glancing at the man now facing me, not caring at this point, I
reacted to my emotions, closed my eyes and accepted the hot press of his lips
against mine.  I rested my hands on his hard chest, flanking his silky tie,
only feeling in that moment, as his tongue gained access to my mouth.  He curled
me tighter into his steady arms and I flung mine around his hulking frame, my eyes
burning with tears as my mouth covered his again and again.

His lips were soft, skilled and surprisingly gentle. 
Familiar? 
No.  Stop trying to put reason to my feelings toward this random rebound boy. 
Man.  Definitely a man.

His tongue swept into my mouth again and when I skimmed my
hands under his jacket, I scratched my nails over his wide back and massive
shoulders.  He tasted very good, like cinnamon and flames.  I softened against
him, snugly fitting against his chiselled body.  This man responded to me by sliding
his large, capable hands over my curves, moulding me like putty. 
Familiar. 
Definitely familiar
.  But I wasn’t ready to return to reality just yet.

When my tongue skimmed back into his warm, devouring mouth,
I finally got a real good taste of him.  My knees grew weak with
understanding.  There was no doubt left in my mind that this random mystery man
wasn't random at all, and yet there I was unable to back away.

I kissed him harder, knowing that Cameron was likely
watching by now, and only hoping that it would make him hurt a fraction of how
much he had hurt me.  Then I reluctantly broke the soul-stealing lip-lock and slowly
retracted my nails from the man’s back.

Another couple bumped into us, but he didn’t let me go.  His
hands continued to firmly stroke me and, when I gazed up into his greedy, aqua
eyes, I was struck with the realization of what I had done.  Disgusted with
myself, I tried to escape from Edwin’s arms, but he gripped me tighter, delivering
a silent message that only I would understand.

Trying to sort out what the hell I was doing, my chest
caved.  I crumbled in Edwin’s arms.  I had been convinced that I loved Cameron
more than I had ever loved another man.  But Edwin had a way of testing my
resolve.  My heart squeezed as Edwin watched me and recognized my regret.  I
loved Edwin, but there was so much more about Cameron that I still wanted to
learn.

When someone tapped on my shoulder, Edwin’s powerful arms
loosened and I finally wiggled out of his villainous grasp.  I spun away to
face the man seeking my attention.  Cameron.  And he had a look in his eyes
that I tried to decipher.  Was is guilt?  Torment?  Reading him was too easy. 
He was saddened and confused and maybe even heart broken.

Well guess what, buddy, that doesn't even begin to
explain how I felt when I saw your lips on that blonde bimbo.
  My panic
rose as quickly as the bile in my throat and tears threatened from the storm in
my heart.

“What the hell?” Cameron asked, his expression devastating
me.

My eyes flashed back to Edwin and he cracked a smile. 
Nice.
 
He thought my life falling to pieces in front of his very eyes was absolutely
hilarious.  I flashed a quick glance at my friends, to gauge their reactions. 
Their mouths were gaping in shock.  The longer I stood there being scrutinized by
them, the harder it was for me to confront the situation logically.  I was mortified.

I whirled away and hiked my skirt with one hand, so I could escape
the party room as fast as I could.  Tears instantly streamed from my eyes, as I
ran away from my problems.  But I couldn’t hide from them.  After the hysteria
passed, I dabbed my tear stained face and tried to smear away the blackened makeup
from under my eyes.  I tried to pull myself together, but it wasn’t going to
happen.  Hearing everyone else still cheering and partying more joyously than
ever wasn’t helping.

I stared at my reflection, feeling incredibly ashamed of my
behaviour.  Truth: Cameron wronged me.  But what I did was cruel, and I should
have never dragged Edwin into it.  Edwin had probably only done it to spite
Cameron, knowing he would get a rise out of him.  Mission accomplished.

The worst of it was, I cared very much about Cameron, but I couldn’t
stop worrying about Edwin either.  I smeared away the fresh tears.  Why did I
care so damn much about Edwin?

I WALKED BACK OUT into the chaos. 
Cameron was waiting outside the door for me.  "Can we talk?" he
asked, and reached his hand out to me.

After all that had happened, I was surprised he’d still
offer me his hand.  I was finding it difficult to even look at him.  I ignored
his hand and shrugged a careless shoulder, acting the exact opposite of what I
was truly feeling.

I headed away from the party room in silence.  My hurt
feelings clung to my chest walls and tears glistened in my somber eyes. 
Cameron followed behind me, with slumped shoulders.  As we neared the front
lobby, Cameron took my hand and dragged me to a free bench.  He wouldn't let go
of my hand, even as I struggled to pull it away from him.

"Please," he begged.

I was afraid if I opened my mouth again I would cry.

Cameron looked into my watery eyes, then collected my hand
into both of his.  When he looked up again, his forehead all wrinkled, my heart
skipped against my ribs.  "Should I be worried?"

"You?"

"I didn't mean for that to happen," he insisted.  "I
don't even know the girl."

Yeah, I buy that.
  I rolled my tired eyes that now
matched the colour of my dress.  "You didn't seem to mind it."

He gently stroked my chin and turned my head to face him,
his eyes determined, his gaze penetrating the ice wall I was trying to erect
between us.  "That's not true.  She caught me off guard."

I rolled my eyes again.  "I'm sure."

"But you.  And Edwin."  He dropped his hand,
showing his frustration.

"Sure, I kissed him.  I would've kissed any man with a
pulse.  It was mere coincidence that Edwin happened to be the one standing next
to me."

Cameron swallowed, trying to keep his calm but failed at
doing so.  "You're sure of that?  If you would've stopped kissing him when
you realized who it was, I'd have an easier time believing you."

Ouch.  That hurt.
  "Yeah, because trust is a
real strong point in our relationship right now."  I didn’t know what to
believe.

Cameron shook his head.  "What a disaster."

I let out harsh breath, in the same moment that Edwin walked
up quietly behind us.  "Honestly, Cameron?  It really meant nothing to me,”
I admitted, not knowing we had company.  “Up until you kissed that girl, you
were the only man in my eyes."

Cameron's gaze focused over my shoulder, his response hidden
behind a mask of fury.  Edwin had overheard my confession and I could see that
he wasn't particularly pleased to have walked-in on it.  He remained polite and
composed, but I could see that disappointment had swallowed his hollow eyes. 
He turned to Cameron, without ever reaching my eyes.

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry.  That was uncalled for." 
His apology was unexpected.

The fierceness in Cameron’s reaction didn’t even begin to
describe the rage pouring from his eyes.  Bad blood boiled between them and I
knew if he said anything, it would result in a fist fight.

Edwin’s gaze quickly turned from apologetic to mischievous. 
"I can see that Cameron's dealing with it."

"Please, just give us our space," I begged.  I would’ve
done anything to keep the situation from escalating any further.

Edwin snared me with his gaze.  "Guess there's no need
for me to check up on you anymore."  His eyes flashed to Cameron. 
"I'll stay out of your way."  Edwin turned and walked away, his
regret penetrating my heart.

Cameron and I were surrounded by joyful party goers and yet
I was utterly depressed, my thoughts doing a loop de loop.  Neither of us spoke,
with me lost in my own head and Cameron doing his best to cool off.  He was sitting
so close, but he didn't touch me.  He was only inches away and yet I couldn't
console him.  A tear tripped and fell out of the corner of my eye.  Before it trickled
past my cheek, Cameron scooped it up with his finger.

"You should save those for something more
important," he said, his lips turning out a breath-taking smile just for
me.

I managed to return the smile.  "I don't know.  I think
this is pretty important."

He nodded in agreement.  "An honest misunderstanding,
right?"

"I hope so."

He cupped his hands over mine and locked them down to his lap. 
"I have no idea who that girl is and I really don't care," Cam stated. 
His words sounded genuine and heartfelt.

If what he was saying was true, then that bitch had snagged
my man and ruined my night.  "I might have a few words for her."

Cameron chuckled at my ferocity and looked into my eyes,
pleading for my forgiveness.  "I never did get that New Year’s kiss from
you," he hinted, leaning forward slowly.

It felt a bit awkward to me, having just tied tongues with
someone else, but I was relieved that Cameron wasn't making the situation any
more challenging by being difficult.

I pressed my mouth softly against his and kissed him with
all my heart, losing myself in his warm, comforting arms.  When we resurfaced
from our life-altering peck, Cameron rummaged frantically inside his jacket and
pulled out a black, velvet box.  My heart throbbed in my throat and he
monitored every twitch of my eyelashes.

"I can't stay mad,” he said.  “Hell, I can't even stand
not hearing your voice.  I love you, Abby, and I'm just so damn scared that
I've lost you already."

It was like he took a lighter to my heart, melting away the
ice that had blocked him out only moments earlier.  “I love you too.”

Cam smiled and glanced at the soft, velvet box, squeezed
tight in his trembling hand.  “I was hoping you would say that.”  He dropped to
one knee and glanced up at me.  "I thought I knew exactly what to say and
do, to make you say yes, but things don't always work out as planned."

I was unable to remove my wide eyes from his glimmering baby
blues, as my hand covered my mouth.

"I love you, Abby.  And I want to give you this as a
token of my love, so you and everyone else knows how crazy I am about
you."  Suddenly Cam cracked open the box and presented me with the most
beautiful ring.

"Don't say it," I sputtered, pushing the box away,
before I could let the sparkling diamond tempt my heart more than it already had. 
It was everything I ever wanted, but I couldn’t let myself go through the
motions just then.

Saddened and surprised, Cameron rose from his knee and
reseated himself next to me.  He hung his head low and squeezed his eyes shut. 
"You don't love me like that," he said, explaining it to himself.

"No, Cam.  I do, but…"

"It's too soon.  I knew it," he interrupted.

I rested my hand on his leg, to comfort him.  I hated seeing
him like that.  I wanted to make him better.  "That's not it either,"
I replied, squeezing his thigh.

He scrunched his brows together, confused.  "Then
why?"  He snapped the box shut, his heart lain out on the table before me.

"Don’t you think this weekend has been a bit crazy?  I
mean, if you had asked me before we came on this trip, I’m sure it would have gone
a little differently.  But I don’t want to look back and remember this night as
that night
.  Do you understand what I mean?"

He raised an arched brow with hope.  "So, you're not
saying no?"

"I'm just saying later."

He looked down at the little box in his hands and cracked it
back open.  "You didn't even see the ring," he said, holding the box
up to me.

It broke my heart.  "I'll see it when the time is right,"
I replied, gently closing it inside his hand.

"No, “ he commanded, as he cracked the box back open. 
“You'll see it now."  The massive solitaire diamond sparkled in his eyes,
as he plucked it from the box and held it between his finger and thumb.

"It's beautiful," I whispered, near tears.

He presented the ring to me again.  "I love you, Abby. 
I bought this ring for you.  And I'd like very much for you to have it now, as
a symbol of our commitment to each other.  Will you wear my ring?"  He
gazed at me, hesitant but hopeful.

My heart fluttered.  "Oh, Cam.  If it means that much
to you.”

Happy to take any answer other than no, Cam covered my mouth
with his.  He pulled me onto his lap and his joy radiated through me like
lightning strikes.  I felt so secure in that moment, my arms clung tightly
around his neck, as I kissed him again and again.

"Aren't you going to see if it fits?" he asked,
examining me.

I chewed on my smiling bottom lip and reached out my right
hand.  He gazed into my eyes, kissed my knuckles, then lowered my right hand to
my lap.  He gently collected my left hand and slid the golden band onto my ring
finger.

“Oh!”  My hands trembled as I splayed my fingers out and
displayed the sparkling beauty.  Breathless, and unable to take my eyes from my
new addition, I smiled, acknowledging all that it stood for.

"Are you okay with this?" Cam asked, trying to
read my teary eyes.

I let out a nervous laugh.  "Absolutely.  I love it and
everything it represents."

He smiled, his confidence returning as fast as the glimmer
in his eyes. 
My Cameron was back.
  "Now everyone will know that
you're mine."

***

THE SUNLIGHT ATTACKED MY ring the
next morning and woke me from my peaceful slumber.  The diamond sparkled and glimmered
unreservedly, making me smile as I held it out to examine it.

"Morning," Cameron said, as he rolled toward me.

"Good morning," I replied, unable to wipe the
elated smile from my sleepy face.

He had caught me admiring the ring.  "I take it you
like it."  With a scorching smile playing on his lips, he stretched out
and then yawned loudly.

"It's stunning.  I love it."

"Just like you.  I knew it was the one the second I saw
it."

I kissed him softly and he kissed me back, allowing his passion
to expose his possessive nature.  I looked into his gorgeous eyes and gently
twirled his short, spiky hair around my fingers.  "I'm lucky to have
you," I whispered.

Before long, Cameron was loading our bags into his car, as
the ladies loaded me into Maddie’s.  Cameron came up to my window and I eased
it down to give him a kiss.  "You okay?"

"I'm good.  I'll see you back at home," I said.

"Home.  I like that."  He kissed me again and then
strolled back to his car with a smile on his face. 
That could be dangerous. 
Especially with Edwin in his back seat.

Jessica hopped into the front seat with Maddie and snapped
on her seatbelt.  "Let's hit the road."

Aliah adjusted the strap across her chest, pulled out her
cell phone and scanned through the emails that she had ignored over the
weekend.  Maddie eased her car into drive and followed Cameron out of the icy
parking lot.

I stared out my window at the dull, grey sky, noting the
contours of the thick clouds in the distance, just waiting for the snow to drop
again.  The heat was cranked on high, but it felt like I was sitting in an ice
cube.  Aliah rubbed her hands together and glanced at me.  She hadn't even acknowledged
the massive rock on my finger and there was no way she had missed it.

"So, spill it!" Jessica broadcasted, from the
front seat.

"What?" I asked, dramatically.  "Oh, you mean
this?"  My smile beamed when I flipped my hand up to flash my diamond at
her.

She grabbed onto my hand to gawk and appreciate the amazing
quality of the sizeable stone.  "I bet it cost a fortune."  She
clutched onto my hand, displaying her awe on her face.

Aliah glanced at it, trying to act casual.  "Holy shitballs. 
That's huge!"  She yanked my hand away from Jessica to take a closer look
herself.

"What can I say?  He loves me."

"I'd say," Maddie replied, as she tried to keep
her eyes on the road.

"When are you getting hitched?" Aliah asked,
suddenly interested.

I yanked my hand away from her.  "We're not."

"What?"  Jessica looked stunned.  "A man
doesn't just give you ring like that.  It’s got to be in exchange for something."

Aliah nodded.  "Hunter told me that Cam had planned to
ask you to marry him at midnight.  But it looked like Edwin put a kink in that plan."

"He tried to ask me when we were making up.  I wouldn't
let him.  Not last night.  Not like that."

"Like when then?" Aliah pried, dying to know.

I shrugged my shoulders.  "I told him later."

"And he just up and gave you the ring anyway?"
Jessica squealed.

"We’re treating it as a promise ring.  He said it
symbolizes our commitment to each other."

“Hah!  He'd say anything to get that ring on your
finger," Aliah stammered.

I scowled at Aliah, angered by her outburst.  "What's
your point?"

"You shouldn't have taken the ring.  It's not fair to
Cam," Aliah said.

Yeah, cuz she was such a model citizen.
  "What
do you know?"  Pissed, I stared out the window and gave Aliah the silent
treatment.

"Cam's a great guy.  He deserves more.  Don't act like
later
you'll accept his proposal."

Unable to outright ignore her, I scowled at her again. 
"I will."

"Mmm hmm.  I saw you with Eddie last night; and in the
hot tub the night before.  I don't doubt that you love Cam, but there's obviously
something still there with Eddie.  You need to figure that out first.  Just face
it: you had your chance at happiness with Cam and you blew it by kissing
Edwin."

"I blew it?" I screeched.  "Cam was the one
making out with that blonde chick!  Edwin just happened to be the one I took my
frustrations out on."

"How convenient for you," Aliah said, rolling her
eyes.

"Screw you!  I love Cam and there's no question about
that."

"You're right, there's not.  But he’s not the only
one.”

I stared out the window again, folded my arms across my
chest and tucked my hands in, so I didn’t accidentally pummel my fists into
Aliah’s face.  My heart was racing wickedly.  I was outwardly appalled that she
would sink so low, though in my heart I knew that there was still something
there with Edwin, whether I liked it or not.