Page 43 of Warrior's Cross

Blake laughed, quickly covering his smile with his hand as he turned in his chair. “Did you want me to let him?” he asked in amusement.

Cameron’s eyes widened. “It’s true? Really?”

“Well, he did say it,” Blake affirmed with a nod, still smirking. “Whether he’d really do it, I don’t know,” he added. “But I’ve learned to anticipate him.”

“Anticipation denotes expectation based on previous performance,” Cameron said weakly, leaning back in his chair, flustered.

Blake continued to smile as he looked Cameron over. “What’s brought this on, Cam?” he asked with a hint of concern.

“It just surprised me,” Cameron admitted. “I mean, really surprised me. No one’s ever—”

“Cameron, back up,” Blake said softly. “Pretend that I have no idea what you’re talking about, okay? When did Julian tell you this? Have you become seriously involved with him?” he asked in surprise.

“He told me a few weeks, ah, well, a month ago or so. And as to serious? I’m not quite sure,” Cameron said as his brow furrowed.

Blake cocked his head and pursed his lips thoughtfully. “You’ve been seeing him for over a month?” he asked finally.

Cameron nodded slowly. “Sort of,” he murmured.

“He must be pretty serious about you,” Blake murmured as he continued to look at Cameron thoughtfully.

“What?” Cameron asked. “Is that a surprise?” Now he wondered just how good of friends Blake and Julian really were.

“Honestly?” Blake said as he leaned forward and frowned. “Yeah, it is.” He looked at Cameron as if just realizing what he’d said, and he held out a hand. “I mean, not because it’s you,” he said quickly. “Jules just isn’t the long-term type, usually.”

Cameron managed a half-hearted smile, though Blake’s words echoed in his ears. Jules? He couldn’t imagine anyone calling Julian that. “A month is hardly long term,” he argued weakly.

“Then you still have a lot to learn about Julian Cross,” Blake advised with a kind smile.

“Believe me, I know that,” Cameron murmured.

“You want to talk about it?” Blake asked carefully.

“Yes, but I’m not going to,” Cameron answered, shifting his weight to stand. “If he wants me to know something, he’ll tell me.” He hoped.

Blake rested his chin in his hand and raised an eyebrow at him.

Cameron crossed his arms and tried not to shuffle, but it didn’t take long for him to relent. “Okay, so he won’t. But he won’t appreciate me asking you instead of him.”

“Asking me what?” Blake asked nonchalantly.

“Anything remotely personal,” Cameron replied.

“I wouldn’t answer anything he wouldn’t want me telling,” Blake offered, his brow furrowing worriedly. “Are you afraid of him?” he asked.

Cameron’s shoulders immediately straightened. “No, I’m not. He asked me that too,” he said. “Why do you ask that?”

“A lot of people are,” Blake answered carelessly.

Cameron gave Blake an obstinate glare. Blake looked back at him in surprise, and Cameron’s eyebrow jutted up in response. “And?”

Cameron asked.

Blake shrugged, his eyes straying to the silent television briefly. “Mostpeople are,” he corrected, watching Cameron carefully.

Cameron’s shoulder edged up. “Well, I’m not,” he stated.

Blake nodded and then smiled widely. “Good. So why does it bother you that he wanted to make a fool of himself in public for you?” he asked in an entirely different tone. An amused tone.

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