Page 98 of Kiss Me in the Dark
As practice winds down and Coach Beckett finishes his usual pep talk, I glance at the sky, breathing out.We’ve been at this for three hours, and I’m worn out.But even as I grab my stuff, I’m scanning the field, looking for Blaze.
“Hey, man,” Blaze says, clapping me on the shoulder as he walks up.
“Nice work today,” he says, smiling as we head to the bench together.
“You too,” I reply.“Did you end up seeing your parents yesterday?”
“Yeah, I did.And guess who else I ran into?”
“Who?”
“Cameron.”
My heart skips a beat, but I force myself to sound indifferent.“Thought he’d be home.”
“He wasn’t,” Blaze says casually.“I saw him outside a movie theater, actually.We hung out a bit, then I gave him a ride home.”
“So, you dropped him off at our place?”My voice sounds tight, even to my own ears.
“Yeah,” Blaze replies, giving me a curious look.“Why?”
I hesitate, wanting to ask more but feeling like an idiot.What’s going on with me?Why do I even care?
“Just…surprised, I guess.I didn’t know you and Cameron were close,” I manage to say, shrugging it off.
Blaze raises an eyebrow, clearly amused.“What, are you that possessive over your roommate?”
We stop just outside the locker room, and I shrug again, hoping I don’t look as affected as I feel.“He’s my roommate.Just looking out for him.”
Blaze gives me a long look before smirking.“Fox, I’ve known you since we were kids.You’ve never been one to care about people, especially roommates.”
I sigh, trying to play it off.“He’s…been good.”
“He has, huh?”Blaze chuckles.“Last I checked, you weren’t thrilled about having him around.”
I’m trying to keep my cool, but something in me snaps.“You don’t know anything, Blaze.Plus, you don’t usually hang out with freshmen.So what’s so interesting about him?”
The words come out sharper than I intend, and I know I sound ridiculous, but I can’t help it.I just want to know what’s going on between them, if anything.
Blaze raises his hands in surrender, but his eyes twinkle with mischief.“Relax, man.I didn’t realize you were so territorial.You know, Cameron is a pretty cool guy.We’re just friends.Why does that bother you?”
It bothers me because I can’t stop thinking about him.It bothers me because, for the first time, someone’s gotten under my skin, and that someone happens to be my own roommate.But I’m not about to say that out loud.
The other guys filter out of the locker room, throwing Blaze and I nods as they leave.Once they’re gone, Blaze turns to me with a more serious expression.
“Fox, be honest.Do you like him?”
“What?No—what are you talking about?”I stammer, caught off guard.
“I mean like him,” Blaze says, watching me closely.“Feelings?”
My pulse quickens, and I force a laugh, hoping it covers my panic.“What?Having feelings for my roommate would make me—”
“Gay?”Blaze interrupts, his tone calm.“Not necessarily.”
I bristle, crossing my arms.“That’s messed up.I don’t want to talk about this.”
I turn to leave, but Blaze stops me with a sigh.“Look, I’m sorry.I know this stuff is confusing.And for what it’s worth, Cameron and I are just friends.He’s a good guy, and if you need someone to talk to…”
