I search in the direction Jamie went. I wish now that I hadn’t come with Amira. I just want to go home. The thing is, it’s not really my home. Bo and I can’t keep sharing a bedroom forever. I need to find a new place. I need to give him space or he’s going to get sick of me. Up ahead I see a figure in the shadows, leaning against the siding. “Hey, Cam.”
Red sparks in the darkness, and the smell of sweet smoke hits my nose. “You alright?” I ask him.
“Just crowds. There’s a lot of people, a lot of talking. Just needed some silence.”
“Oh, sorry.” I turn to leave.
“No, stay. It’s okay. One person is fine.” He takes another drag. “Figures I’d find a boyfriend who’s the most social person alive. Why can’t he be normal and hate people like everyone else?”
When I’d thought about Noah’s boyfriend, Jamie’s the opposite of who I’d pictured. “Regretting your life choices?” I laugh.
“Not a day in my life.” He holds out the bowl to me. I shake my head. “So, Amira is fucking gorgeous.”
“That she is.” I shove my hands into my pockets. It’s cold here without the fire going.
“Got an incredible fucking eye too. She sees shit in my paintings I never even intended on creating. It’s like she creates stories in the art she sees.”
“Yup.”
Jamie takes another drag. “So why has your attention been on Bo all night?” It’s dark, but I can practically see the smirk I hear in his voice.
“It hasn’t been.”
“Cam, your eyes haven’t left him for more than two seconds since you guys sat down. If you think I’m the only one who’s noticed, you’re mistaken.”
It doesn’t matter. None of it matters. I’ll never be good enough for him. Bo will leave me like everyone else. “Just drop it, okay.” I look away from the serious set of his eyes, regretting coming out here; I don’t even know why I followed him. There’s just something about Jamie that eases my mind. I have no clue why. Maybe it’s his mild demeanor or give no fucks attitude, but I’m drawn to it.
“Are you and Amira dating?”
I shake my head. “I met her a few months back. We’ve hung out a few times.”
“She definitely likes you,” Jamie hedges.
She wouldn’t, though. Not in the long run. She is literally perfect. She’s beautiful, smart, and so talented it’s insane. I should want to try with her, and maybe if it were months ago, I would have. I have the perfect girl in front of me, but my thoughts are elsewhere.
I don’t want to talk about Amira. “What do you know about Sawyer?”
“Nice deflection.”
“What are you, a therapist?”
“No. A friend. Noah gives me treats when I make them.” His brows wiggle. Gross. Jamie chuckles, leaning back against the house. “He’s Hunter’s best friend. He’s been around here and there. He’s a good guy. Busy as hell, but a good guy. Don’t love that he’s seen Noah naked, but at this point who hasn’t among our friend group.”
“I haven’t.” Not that I want to.
“Oh, give it time, Cam. Just give it time.” Jamie smirks. “Come on, let’s go back.”
Walking back to the house, I notice Sawyer and Bowen laughing as they talk. See, this. I was gone for just a few minutes and Bo can already breathe easier. His fists are unclenched and he’s talking animatedly. I need to find another place to live soon.
“Hey.” Amira stands, breaking my gaze away from him. “You want to head out?” She smiles, slipping her hands around my waist and pulling my attention to her. Jamie’s right. She’s beautiful, and everything I should want. “You can come back to my place for a bit, if you want?”
Bowen looks up at me. “I can get a ride back, it’s okay. I’m having a good time.”
“I’ll bring him home.” Sawyer smiles at me briefly before fixing his gaze back on my best friend. “It’s nice to talk to friends. I almost forget what it’s like hiding away in my bakery all the time.”
“Uh, okay. Yeah. Uh, thanks for dinner, guys.” I catch Jamie’s eye on the way out and instantly look away.
This is good. This is the best thing for everyone.
