Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
“Gavin.” Britney grabbed his arm.
He stopped and looked at her. “Move out, or I’ll stay here. Your choice?
“Gavin, I know you’re worried, but I’ll really be fine.”
“By the time something happens, it’ll be too late,” Gavin cut her off.
Britney fell silent
Gavin studied her face for a few more seconds, then decided for her.
Gavin walked straight to the bedroom and opened the closet. He pulled out his suitcase, unzipped it, and tossed clothes inside
“Gavin.” Britney followed him in.
In one swift motion, Gavin pressed her against the closet door. His long fingers gripped her chin. “Do you hate me?”
“What?” Britney blinked, completely lost. She couldn’t keep up with how his mind worked. She shook her head. “No.”
Gavin said, “But you keep turning me down. Over and over.”
Britney stayed quiet.
His fingers were still holding her chin. She kept her eyes down, afraid to meet his gaze.
“I’m just worried about you,” Gavin said. “That’s why I want you somewhere safer. I’m not trying to hurt you.”
Britney still couldn’t look at him. She blinked hard. “I know. I just don’t want to owe you anything.”
Gavin’s brow creased. “You don’t want to owe me because you don’t want any ties to me in the future?”
Britney remained silent. Yes, she didn’t want any entanglements with Gavin. She didn’t want entanglements with anyone right now.
Speaking the truth would be too hurtful, so she chose silence instead. And silence meant acceptance.
Someone as perceptive as Gavin could read between the lines. His grip on her fingers loosened slightly.
Gavin fell quiet again, glancing at her once more before his gaze dropped to the suitcase on the floor. Without warning, he turned and strode out of the room.
Within seconds, Britney heard the front door slam shut. She slowly stepped out of her room. The living room was empty-Gavin was gone.
Britney walked to the balcony and looked down. Soon enough, she spotted his tall figure below. The streetlights were dim, but Gavin’s silhouette was unmistakable.
Britney stared at Gavin’s retreating figure and whispered, “I’m sorry.”
She knew Gavin was a good man. In everyone else’s eyes, landing someone like him was hitting the jackpot. But right now, she honestly didn’t want to pursue any romantic feelings.
She was afraid. Once upon a time, Soren had been so good to her, giving her everything she asked for. She thought she’d found true love, but look how that turned out. Being betrayed once was enough for a lifetime.
Gavin had just stepped out of the residential complex when he ran straight into Wesley, who was returning with takeout food. “Mr. Yates?”
“Go feed it to the dogs!” Gavin glanced coldly at the takeout boxes in Wesley’s hands.
Wesley stood there speechless.
Gavin strode toward the Rolls-Royce parked at the curb.
Wesley hurried to catch up, carefully holding the takeout box in his hands-no way he was going to feed this to the dogs. He slid into the driver’s seat and placed the takeout box on the passenger side.
Gavin rubbed his temples, his gaze falling on the box beside him.
“Where to now, Mr. Yates?” Wesley asked.
Gavin said nothing. Wesley didn’t push-he just waited quietly for an answer.
After a long silence, Gavin finally spoke. “Take it up to her.”
“What-“Wesley started, then turned to see Gavin’s eyes fixed on the takeout box. “Yes, Mr. Yates.”
Wesley quickly delivered the food upstairs.
Britney took the box, her feelings mixed. He’d stormed off angry, yet he still remembered to send her food. Maybe she really had been ungrateful.
Gavin received Britney’s text. [Thank you.]
He didn’t reply. Instead, he leaned back in his seat, watching the worn street outside through the window. “Let’s go to Cam’s.”
“Yes, Sir,” Wesley said.
An hour later, Gavin showed up at Cameron and Bradley’s place.
Even though Bradley had married into the Yates family, the couple had moved out after their wedding. They only went back to stay with the Yates on weekends.
“Gavin!” Cameron’s face lit up at his unexpected visit.
“Gavin.” Bradley stood up as well. They were having dinner-a lavish spread laid out on the table.
Gavin smiled, “Cam, mind if I join you?”
Cameron grinned, “Of course not.” She asked the housekeeper to bring out another set of dishes and utensils.
When Gavin returned from washing his hands, Cameron asked, “Just got off work?”
“Yeah.” Gavin’s response was vague. He poured himself a glass of red wine and drained it in one gulp, then poured another and did the same.
Cameron and Bradley could tell something was off with his mood.
Cameron chose his words carefully. “Gavin, is something bothering you?”
Gavin looked at Cameron, answering his question with another question. “Cam, what do you think of me?”
Cameron paused, caught off guard. “Gavin, what do you mean exactly?”
“Just give me your honest opinion about me as a person,” Gavin said.
Cameron fell silent.
Bradley adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and smiled, “Come on, Cam. Gavin probably got shot down by Britney again. Just give him some encouragement.”
Gavin shot Bradley a sharp look. He’d never liked Bradley, not even after Cameron married him. The guy still rubbed him the wrong way.
Seeing Gavin’s expression, Cameron knew Bradley had hit the nail on the head.
“So what’s the deal, Gavin? Still haven’t won Britney over?” Cameron asked. It had been months now. With Gavin’s charm, this shouldn’t be taking so long.
Gavin poured himself another drink. “Zero progress.”
“What’s her reason for turning you down?” Cameron pressed.
“She says she’s not ready for a new relationship right now,” Gavin sighed.
Cameron shrugged. “That’s not about you then.”
Bradley spoke matter-of-factly, “Gavin, Cam’s right. This isn’t about you. You’re great-family background, education, work, looks-everything. If Britney turned you down, that’s her problem.”
Gavin wasn’t buying the compliments and rolled his eyes. “How did you get Cam anyway?”
Bradley’s eyes sparkled behind his gold-rimmed glasses. “Cam and I just click?d. It was mutual.”
Gavin fell silent.
Cameron jumped in. “Gavin, Brad and I really can’t help you with this. We don’t have experience with chasing someone.”
Gavin stared at Cameron. “So why did you pick Bradley?”
Gavin knew Cameron’s appeal. There were plenty of guys made Bradley so special. s who were interested in her. Out of all of them, she chose Bradley. He couldn’t figure out what
At his question, Cameron turned to look at Bradley. A soft smile naturally spread across her lips. Bradley smiled back. Their eyes met with obvious affection.
Gavin watched this display in silence. ‘Silly girl.’ Then he cleared his throat dramatically to interrupt them. Gavin cleared his throat dramatically to interrupt them.
Cameron turned to look at him.
“Cam, did you pick Bradley because he’s decent-looking, or is there something else?” Gavin asked.
Cameron smiled, “Gavin, Brad has a lot of good qualities. He’s a gentleman-elegant, steady, comes from a clean background. He’s well-educated and just a genuinely good person. Plus, he’s helped me out so many times when I was struggling-“
“So you’re grateful to him, in love with him,” Gavin cut her off. As he spoke, he couldn’t resist raising an eyebrow at Bradley.
