Page 65 of Kiss Me in the Dark
“Your father is fine.He’s out with your uncle.I’m just glad you’re okay.I miss you, Cam.I want you to stay focused and avoid those wild college parties, okay?And keep your distance from that roommate of yours.I don’t know him, but he sounds like trouble.”
“Noted, Mom.You have nothing to worry about.We’re not friends—we hardly get along,” I assure her.
“Good to hear.Now, are you seeing anyone?”Mom asks, switching topics so fast it throws me off.
I bite my tongue, wishing I hadn’t picked up the phone to call her.My parents never accepted that I was gay, still convinced it was just a “phase.”In their minds, a nice girl could “fix” everything, like this is some sort of flu.
“Any girls, Cam?There are plenty of good, God-fearing young women in college,” she adds.
Thankfully, the bus pulls up, giving me a way out.I stand up quickly.
“Uh, Mom, I gotta go.I’ll call you later, promise.”
“Where are you going, Cameron?”
“Mom, I’ll call you back, I love you,” I say hurriedly, and without waiting for her reply, I hang up and climb onto the bus, taking a seat by the window.
As the bus starts moving, I lean my head against the window, closing my eyes.My mind drifts back to last night.I can still feel Fox’s lips on mine, the intensity of that kiss, and the way he pulled back like it didn’t mean anything.
And then there’s Elias.I replay everything I remember about Elias, trying to piece him together in my mind.Those forest-green eyes, his tall, lean build, and that easy, good-natured smile.He wasn’t into the party scene, just like me, and he was actually interested in books and conversations that went beyond surface-level.And, as far as I could tell, he definitely wasn’t straight.My gaydar might not be the strongest, but I’m 80% sure he’s into guys.
Last night was a blur, but Elias stood out.He was cool and easy to talk to, and we connected without even trying.Plus, he’s a senior studying English—probably aiming to be a professor one day, which only makes him more intriguing.Before Fox showed up, Elias was leaning in, ready to kiss me.I was nervous, but I wasn’t opposed to it.He seemed genuine, someone I might actually want to get to know.Maybe it’s for the best that Fox interrupted, though.I know nothing about Elias, and going around kissing strangers isn’t exactly wise.
But still, I can’t help wondering if we’ll cross paths again.We didn’t even exchange numbers, though.I groan to myself.If it weren’t for Fox barging in, I’d probably have at least gotten Elias’s number.But thinking of Fox only brings that frustrating mix of attraction and resentment.I need to stay away from him.He’s trouble—exactly the kind I don’t need in my life.
17
We Meet Again
IheadintoGio’sBurger and make my way to the backroom to change into my work clothes.Nat isn’t working today.Since she pulled off a double shift to cover my absence yesterday, I’ll be covering for her today.
My phone vibrates in my pocket and I pull it out.It’s a text message from Landon.There’s a part of me that knows I need to call Leanne and Landon back, but doing that means telling them about the kiss with Fox, my arrogant, frustrating roommate.Just the thought makes my stomach twist—this was my first kiss, and it’s with a guy who makes a point to drive me nuts.If Leanne finds out, she’ll definitely squeal and insist that “the universe is pulling us together” or something equally dramatic, and she might even encourage me to try and make Fox fall for me.Predictable.
When I reach the counter, I’m surprised to see a new guy working with Katie.Katie, as always, is at the cashier, cheerfully helping the one customer around.The new guy is on his phone, earphones in, looking absorbed.I stand next to him.
“Hey, Cameron!”Katie greets and the new guy looks up, seeming mildly surprised to see me.
“Hey, Katie,” I smile back and turn to the new face.“Hi.”
“Hey,” he replies, pulling out one earphone.“So you’re the other new guy they hired after Sabrina got fired?”
I give a small nod.“I’m Cameron.”
“Noah,” he says, with a friendly smile.“I work weekends mostly.”
Before I can say anything else, Katie’s already picking up where we left off.“How was last night?You look hungover.”
I grimace.“I’d rather not talk about it, Katie.Just a bit exhausted and, yeah, probably still a little hungover.”
“Does this have anything to do with your roommate’s ‘extremely attractive’ friend?”she teases, her eyebrows lifting.Just the thought of Fox and last night’s events makes me want to disappear.
“Not really, Katie.”
“Yeah?I knew you were a secret party boy,” Katie says, smiling at me as I groan.
What part of ‘I don’t want to want to talk about it’ doesn’t she understand?
To my relief, the door swings open, and in walks Blaze—accompanied by Leon from last night.Blaze grins when he sees me and strides up to the counter, with Leon glued to his phone, oblivious that he’s arrived at his destination.
