She says it jokingly, nudging Cameron’s shoulder.
“Kyle,” I repeat, hating the taste of his name in my mouth.
Did they ever… I know Cameron hasn’t done much, but what if they kissed? Felt each other up in the locker rooms of that crappy little high school?
Cameron’s eyes finally lift to meet mine, and whatever he reads there makes him smile.Finally.
“Yeah, he was on the volleyball team with you, right?” Cassie presses, staring at Cameron.
“Yeah. He was our Ace,” Cameron tells me.
“That means he was the best on the team,” Cassie explains.
“Ah,” I mutter. “Fantastic.”
As our drinks are delivered, Cameron is still grinning.
I’m taking a drink of my Shirley Temple as Cassie talks, babbling about the community center and how Cameron should try out for the recreational basketball team. And then she says something very interesting.
“I just feel like it would help you, Cam,” she offers. “It would give you an outlet, somewhere to go after work.”
Cameron freezes, his hand trembling around his shake. His stormy eyes dart up to mine before dropping quickly, a blush sprinkling over his cheeks.
“Let’s talk about this later,” he tells Cassie.
Somewhere to go? Why can’t he go home? What does he need an outlet for? I’m starting to realize that there is a lot more to this Cameron guy than I first thought.
I want to uncover it all. I hate that someone else knows him better than I do. Though I’m absolutely certain thatCassiedoesn’t know what it feels like to be knuckle deep in his ass, so that’s a win for me.
And then Cassie says something that makes me like her, despite her proximity to Cameron.
She says, “Fine. But remember that your mental health is important too, not just your body. I just want you to be happy.”
Cameron flushes further, shifting uncomfortably in his seat, but I give Cassie a smile.
She grins back, straightening in her seat like she’s won something.
We stay like this for a while, trading facts about ourselves and sipping away at our drinks. Checkers is mostly empty at this hour, but the waitress doesn’t complain, only wiping random tables and lounging by the drink station.
“So, do you have a girlfriend, Atticus?” Cassie suddenly asks, a sharp change in direction compared to “What is your favorite color?” from moments ago.
Cameron’s is green, by the way.
He looks at me now, expression blank, but his eyes are wide and reveal his every thought. He’s curious, nervous, and completely zeroed in on my answer.
I turn my attention back to Cassie and shrug. “Kind of.”
Cameron flinches. Cassie startles.
“Oh. Kind of? As in, you’re just talking?” she pushes.
“Talking, yes,” I agree. “And touching. And pining and longing and constantly daydreaming.”
I crack a smile, attempting to lighten the sudden dullness in our atmosphere with my gushy tangent. But Cassie just stares at me, slightly disappointed, and Cameron doesn’t react at all.
After a few uncomfortable moments of silence, Cassie tacks on, “Well, what kind of girl is she?”
“Hmm,” I ponder. “Kind of flighty, if I’m honest. But very cute, and perfectly submissive.”
