About 30 pages in, the doorbell rings.I set my book down, listening as it rings again.I sigh, closing the book.Fox has been avoiding the apartment lately, so we barely get visitors.Usually, Landon or Leanne will call before dropping by.
I open the door, surprised to see Blaze standing there.What’s he doing here?Doesn’t he know Fox hasn’t been around?
“Uh… Blaze?”
He smirks, clearly noticing my surprise.
“Hey, Cam.Can I come in?”
I nod, probably a bit too fast.“Yeah, sure.”I step aside, letting him in, and we head to the living room.
“Fox isn’t here,” I tell him, feeling a little awkward.
Blaze looks around, hands in his pockets before his gaze settles on me with a slight smile.“I know.Can I sit?”
“Yeah.”I sit across from him, clutching my book a little too tightly.
“Do you want something?I mean, can I offer you anything?”This feels strange—Blaze has never been here without Fox before.
“I’m good, don’t worry about it.”He pulls out a pack of cigarettes.“Mind if I smoke?”
“Go ahead.”
“Thanks.”He lights a cigarette and then glances at me.“You want one?”
“No, I’m good,” I say, and Blaze chuckles, taking a drag.I can’t figure out how they make smoking look effortless.The last time I tried, I felt like my lungs were on fire.After that blunt he handed me, I swore off smoking for good.
“You don’t have to be nervous around me, Cam.We’re friends.Just keep reading; pretend I’m not here.”Like that’s possible.He showed up out of the blue, and I still have no idea why he’s here.
I try to focus on my book, but I can feel Blaze watching me.It’s been about ten minutes—yes, I’m counting—and he hasn’t said a word.The silence grows, and I can feel my pulse pick up under his gaze.
Blaze finally breaks the silence.“So, what are you reading?”
“It’s a romance book for my book club.”
“I figured that much, Cam.Which one?”
“Beautiful as Sin,” I say, biting my lip.
Blaze nods, his eyes glinting with amusement.Where’s Fox when you need him to barge in and break the tension?
“So… you have a crush on Fox, huh?”Blaze asks, and I nearly choke.
What?How does he know?There’s no way Fox told him—I mean, Fox is an ass, but he wouldn’t just spill that.Would he?
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I stammer, looking away.“I mean, why would you even think that?”
Blaze just laughs, the sound warm and confident.“Come on, go change, and let’s go out.I want to take you somewhere.”
“I… I don’t think it’s a good idea,” I stutter.
“Why not?Do you ever have fun, Cam?”His gaze holds steady on mine.“Come on.I need to show you something.You can’t say no.”
I look away, but his gray eyes pull me back.“I don’t know…”
“Live a little, Cam.I promise I won’t bite… unless you want me to.”He smirks, and I find myself nodding, despite my better judgment.
Maybe I should go.This whole week, I’ve done nothing fun, avoided my friends, and felt sorry for myself.And Blaze isn’t bad company.We’ve hung out before, and he’s actually… great.
