Page 5 of Unwrapped
“Yeah.” She nods. “Go do your thing.”
Sawyer follows as I hustle over to Camille and drop to my knees beside her. Everyone else is trapped in limbo, unsure which friend needs their attention more. Hudson’s situation might be more urgent, but I can’t stop myself from focusing on the raven-haired beauty in front of me.
The girl who got away.
My medical school in Albany was across the street from the college of pharmacy. Since our library was much bigger than theirs, the pharmacy students often studied for exams alongside us. I met Sawyer, Talia, Jordana, Jude, Hudson, and Camille on a stormy Friday night while cramming for my Anatomy and Physiology midterm. They were freaking out over a Pharmacogenetics exam worth fifty percent of their grade. The seven of us hit it off instantly, and we became inseparable. I lived in an apartment across town with my twin at the time. Ryan attended Albany Law School, which is right next to the pharmacy college, so it wasn’t long before he infiltrated my new group of friends.
And stole the woman of my dreams.
“Sorry I didn’t give you the heads-up she’d be here,” Sawyer murmurs, meeting my gaze sheepishly. “But I only found out last night, and I knew you wouldn’t come if I told you.”
He’s the only one I’ve ever confided in about my feelings for Camille. He knows how it killed me when Ryan swept her off her feet before I had the balls to tell her how I felt. Of course, none of that matters anymore. My brother’s betrayal broke her heart. She hates me by association. Now, the relaxing weekend escape I’ve been looking forward to for weeks, is going to be a tension-filled nightmare.
The invisible band around my chest tightens. “You’re right, but you should’ve told me anyway. Keeping it from me was a dick move.”
I should just leave.
Actually, that’s perfect. Why ruin Camille’s weekend too? As soon as I make sure everyone’s OK, I’m out of here. There’s a huge snowstorm coming, but I should be able to make it back to Boston before dark. Hopefully. I glance out the window at the darkening skies.
Wonderful. It’s already flurrying.
“You’re on my shitlist, Sully,” I mumble, knowing damn well I’m stuck here.
“I know. I’m sorry, dude.”
“Whatever.” I brush the hair back from Camille’s clammy forehead, then find her carotid pulse, my fingertips pressing into the groove of her slender neck. Her heartbeat thrums a slow, weak rhythm against my fingers, making my heart hammer my ribcage.
Talia approaches with a wet towel and hands it to me. “She’s white as a ghost. Is she OK?”
“Yeah.” I gently pry open Camille’s eyelids to reveal her dilated pupils, then dab at her face with the towel. “Her physical appearance is consistent with a fainting spell, but I can’t rule out a concussion.” I open the ampule of smelling salts and wave it beneath her nose.
Camille reflexively jerks her head back. Her eyes fly open, and she scrunches up her face at the ammonia fumes irritating her nasal membranes. She blinks up at me, pain twisting her expression. “Ryan?”
I open and close my mouth but can’t answer, courtesy of the cleaver in my chest. We may have the same DNA—and an unfortunate resemblance—but I’m nothing like the bastard I shared a womb with.Iwould never have hurt her.
“No, it’s Dean,” Talia says, squatting beside me. “Do you honestly think we’d invite that pompous dickwad?” She glances at my face. “No offense.”
“None taken.”
“What’s going on?” Camille whispers.
Talia cups her cheek. “You fainted, honey.”
“I know. I mean, is Hudson OK?”
“All good over here, Cami-Cam. I’m pretty sure I’ll live. It’s just a scratch. Dean’s gonna stitch—”
“Did you hit your head?” Sawyer holds up a hand to silence him before he says something about blood.
“I-I don’t think so.”
She tries to sit up, but I stop her with a hand on her shoulder. “Take it easy. It’s too soon.”
Camille’s beautiful green eyes lock with mine and narrow. “I’m fine.”
“My medical degree tells me you’re not ready to stand up just yet.”
“Don’t mansplain me,” she snaps, fire flashing in her eyes. “Your medical degree doesn’t know how I feel on the inside.”
