Page 48 of Kiss Me in the Dark
He chuckles, giving me a sideways glance.“When did you start working here?Didn’t see that coming.”
“Yeah?And you just had to show up and threaten my job, right?”
He laughs softly, shaking his head.“Look, I might be a jerk, but I’m not a total jerk.”
“Yeah?Then why threaten me?”I challenge, meeting his eyes.
He shrugs.“Oh, come on, you didn’t really think I’d go through with it, did you?”
“Why are you talking to me?”I sigh, turning away.
“I’m just here to remind you to stay away from my frat parties.I don’t want to see you near the house,” he says, crossing his arms.
I stare at him, unbothered by his supposed outburst.“Lucky for you, I don’t like parties.”
“Good.”He flashes a fake smile.“Don’t let Blaze talk you into it.I’d kick you out myself.”
Fox steps toward the door but pauses, turning back.“And just so you know, Blaze is straight.He’s not interested in any ‘gay shit,’ and even if he was, it definitely wouldn’t be with you, you dork.”He gives me a once-over before leaving the restroom.
What the hell is his problem?What did I ever do to him?The audacity!The fact that he’s good-looking does not give him a pass to be this vile.
I take another deep breath, trying to shake off the sting of his words.I push open the restroom door, glancing around the diner.Fox and his girlfriend are gone, and Nat is already back at the counter, eyeing me with a knowing look.
“Don’t worry.I won’t ask if you don’t want to talk about it,” she says softly.
I nod, grateful.“Thanks.”
Whatever it is about Fox that keeps me drawn to him, I’ve had enough.It’s time to avoid him as much as I can.
I sit on Landon’s bed with a book open on my lap, pretending to read while he chats on the phone with his new boyfriend.They’ve been talking for at least thirty minutes, and I’ve barely read a single sentence.I just can’t focus.Yesterday after work, I went home, showered, grabbed my essentials, and called Landon to see if I could crash at his place.He was thrilled, and last night we stayed up talking about random things until past midnight.
His roommate, though, was a complete jerk—possibly worse than my own.When he found out I was staying over and sharing Landon’s bed (since there are only two beds in the dorm), he freaked out, called us names, and stormed out.That was… unexpected.
Now it’s Friday.Landon and I attended our morning classes, and we’re back with the whole afternoon ahead of us.But as he lounges at his desk, chatting and giggling with his boyfriend, I’m left here trying to tune out their conversation.
“Yeah, I’ll think about it,” Landon says, propping his feet up on the desk, followed by a laugh.It’s great seeing him like this—happy.Finding someone who truly likes you and is willing to put in the effort isn’t easy.
It makes me think about dating, too, though I wouldn’t know where to start.I only recently came out to myself, and the idea of actually dating is… overwhelming.Landon says I need to take it slow, and his advice was to start by visiting a gay bar.But that doesn’t sit well with me.If I want to find someone, I’d rather it be something real, and a gay bar doesn’t seem like the place for that.
“You know, you can stop pretending to read,” Landon says, grinning as he ends the call.
I laugh and close the book, lying back on his bed and staring at the ceiling.“So… you two are official now?”
Landon snorts.“Sort of.”
“What’s his name again?”
“Andrew.And no, I’m not in love with him.”
“Why not?”I glance at him with a teasing smile.
He smirks.“You don’t just fall in love with someone you meet at a bar.It’s a process, Cam.”
“Right… wow,” I murmur, still staring at the ceiling, feeling a bit lost in my thoughts.
“Are you okay?”Landon’s voice softens.
I shake my head.“Not really.There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”
