“You’ve started hanging out with him?”Dad asks, raising a brow.
“What?No, Dad.Jesus.”I shake my head.“We ran into each other outside the bakery today.He stopped by to say hi and told me about his dad and college.That’s all.”
“Good,” Dad says, leaning back in his chair.“I think he deserved it.He treated you wrongly all because of what you did.And honestly, part of it was your fault, but I don’t blame you much.It’s not like you knew what you were doing.”
I clench my jaw.A sharp laugh bubbles up inside me, but I manage to suppress it.How could they think I was clueless or under some sort of influence when I wrote Bryson that love letter?Their inability to see me for who I truly am feels like a bitter joke.
The rest of the meal passes in silence.I barely touch my food, focusing on helping Mom with the dishes once dinner is over.We work quietly, the tension hanging in the air.
“You wanna talk about her?”Mom asks suddenly, breaking the silence.
I glance at her in confusion.“What girl?”
Mom smirks, a teasing glint in her eyes that only unsettles me further.“Oh, come on.I’ve seen you with her once or twice near campus.Redhead, not that tall, petite, and really beautiful.”
My stomach drops.Leanne.Has my mom been spying on me?
“Mom, have you been watching me?”
“Of course not.Don’t kid yourself, sweetheart.Like I said, when I’m less busy with work, I visit the city to pick up things for the bakery.Sometimes Lila and I hang out, and I’ve seen you with her.”
I let out a heavy sigh and toss the napkin on the counter.“Goodnight, Mom.I’m really tired.And for the record, there’s no girl.She’s just my friend, and she’s older than me.”
I turn to leave, but Mom’s voice follows me out of the kitchen.“Cameron’s got a girlfriend?I never thought I’d live to see the day,” she says, loud enough for Dad to hear.
“What?”I snap, glaring at her.
“No offense, bud, but you’ve always been introverted,” Dad chimes in from the living room, a grin tugging at his lips as he watches the soccer game.
“I’m going to my room,” I mutter, exasperated.
“Goodnight, honey!”Mom calls after me, her voice filled with mock sweetness.
“Tomorrow, we’ll talk about that beautiful redhead,” she adds.I shake my head in disbelief, slamming my bedroom door behind me.
The small, familiar space feels both comforting and suffocating.I drop my backpack on the floor and collapse onto my twin bed.I know I should brush my teeth or do something to wind down, but I’m too drained.Grabbing my phone, I see three missed calls from Fox and a text asking if I’m safe and okay.
I quickly type a reply:
I’m fine.Haven’t talked to them yet.Miss you.
After sending it, I turn off my phone and close my eyes.Sleep comes quickly, but my dreams are restless, filled with echoes of voices from the past and the weight of the truth I’m preparing to share.
It’s Saturday evening, and I’m completely drained.I spent the entire day helping Mom at the bakery, baking in the kitchen, and assisting the only worker she hired after I left for college.Her name’s Gold, a 21-year-old Spaniard with a bubbly personality and a habit of talking too much.She’s good at her job, though, and Mom seems fond of her.
“See you around, Cameron.You were great company,” she says in Spanish as she heads out for the day.
I lock the door behind her, then climb the stairs to our small apartment above the bakery.A hot shower and some dinner sound like the only things keeping me upright at this point.I also plan to try calling Fox again—he hasn’t replied to any of my texts since yesterday.I sent him a message this morning and even tried calling, but nothing.It’s not like him, and I can’t help but worry.
When I step into the apartment, the aroma of something warm and sweet greets me.Mom is bustling around the kitchen, and Dad is beside her, helping her mix the batter.
“Is Gold gone?”Mom asks, stepping out of the kitchen with a dish towel in hand.
“Yeah,” I reply, slipping off my shoes by the door.
“You know, if she weren’t older than you, I’d say she’d make a good girlfriend,” Mom says with a teasing smile.
I shake my head, exasperated.“I’m going to take a shower.”
