ME:You’re still intruding, Landon.But I promise all the deets when I get back.
LANDON:You better.
Pocketing my phone, I finally look up and notice that we’re in a different part of the city.“Where are we?”
“Relax,” Elias chuckles.“We’re just ten minutes away from campus.I thought you might like a live show, so I got us tickets.”He holds up two tickets, and I grin.
“A play?I’ve never actually seen live theater before.This’ll be a first.”
“You’re in for a treat, then.”He smiles at me as he parks his car in a vacant parking lot and we make our way into the theater.
Inside, Elias grabs us popcorn and drinks.The setup isn’t too different from a movie theater, except there’s a stage at the front instead of a screen.We’re early, so we find our seats near the front, giving us a perfect view.I glance down at the tickets and realize it’s Romeo and Juliet.I’ve read it a million times but have never seen it performed live.
As the lights dim and the actors take the stage, I find myself surprisingly captivated.They bring so much life to each scene, pouring passion into every word and movement.I glance over at Elias, who’s equally enthralled, eating popcorn and watching with complete focus.
For the first time tonight, I let myself fully enjoy being here.Elias glances my way, and I smile back, grateful that tonight is about something real and easygoing.Tonight, I can focus on him.And if Fox Wilder wants to play games, he can do it alone.
“Are you having fun?”Elias whispers, glancing over with a soft smile.I nod, feeling warmth creep up my face.
“Yeah.Mostly just watching you.”My words slip out before I can think, and I catch the faint blush spreading over his cheeks.He coughs lightly, looking away before meeting my eyes again.
“I didn’t peg you as the flirting type,” he teases, his tone light.Maybe living with Fox has rubbed off on me a little; I hadn’t thought I’d be this bold.
“I wasn’t flirting,” I say, though I’m not so sure myself.
Elias chuckles, nudging my shoulder before leaning closer.“Well, I like it,” he whispers, his breath warm against my neck.Our eyes meet, and suddenly we’re inches apart, the tension electric.
“Uh…” A cough interrupts us, and we both pull back quickly.I turn to see a familiar face smirking at me.It’s one of Fox’s friends from the frat party.
“Cameron, right?”the guy asks, looking amused.
“Yeah,” I reply, my voice a bit steadier than I feel.
“I’m Mike.Don’t know if you remember, but we hung out at the party.”He gestures to the girl next to him, who waves with a friendly smile.
“Cynthia,” she says.
“Right, I remember now.You’re the one who dared Fox and me to do that whole seven-minute thing.”I let out a small laugh.
Mike grins, nodding.“Yep, that was us.So, who’s this?”he asks, looking at Elias.
“Elias, Cameron’s friend,” Elias answers with a polite smile.
“Friend, huh?”Mike smirks knowingly.“You know, I thought you and Fox were a thing.”
“Why would you think that?”I scoff, rolling my eyes.“Fox has a girlfriend.”
Mike shrugs, leaning closer to lower his voice.“Just saying, you two were practically eye-fucking each other at the party.”
I raise my eyebrows.“You can’t just say stuff like that,” I mutter.
“Breathe, Cam.No one noticed but me.He’s straight, I know.But he definitely looks at you differently.”He shrugs.“Anyway, I’m cool with it if he’s into guys.”
I sigh, relieved.“You might be, but some of his friends aren’t, like Carter.”
“Carter’s a shithead,” Mike says simply.
“So is Fox,” I mumble, trying to keep my focus on the play in front of us instead of getting lost in thoughts about him.
