I chuckle weakly.“I’m alright, I guess.Still looking for a job, though.”
“A job?This late into the semester?Everything’s probably already filled up.”
“I know, but I need to get out of the house sometimes.Fox is driving me crazy.Plus, I don’t want to keep relying on my parents for everything.”
Leanne coos at me mockingly.“Aww, you sweet baby.”
I roll my eyes.“I’m not a baby.”
She giggles.“Oh, yeah?Ever been drunk or high?Kissed a stranger?”
I stare at her like she’s grown two heads.“No.”
Her eyes light up with mischief.“Cam, you need to live a little.Let loose.I promise you won’t regret it.”
“I don’t need to get drunk or party to enjoy life,” I argue.“This is my freshman year, and I’m here to get good grades.I’m on a scholarship.I can’t afford to screw this up.”
Leanne smiles, shaking her head.“I get it.You’re responsible.But I’m telling you, there’s more to life than studying.”
I chuckle softly.“I know.I’ll… think about it.”
She raises an eyebrow.“You’ve been saying that for a month.”
“Yeah, well, I’m still not ready.There’s too much at stake right now.”
She nods, a knowing look on her face.“Alright, dork.I’ll stop bugging you—for now.”
I smile, grateful that she’s letting me off the hook.
"So you and Landon, huh?"she wiggles her eyebrows at me and chuckles.Oh, God Leanne, she doesn't give up.She knows Landon and I are not a thing but yet she finds pleasure in teasing me.
"You know we're not a thing.He's a good friend."
"Hmm–mm.And he's cute.Like really cute."
Just as we finish our conversation, Professor Wellington strides into the room.Tall, dark, and intimidating, he commands the room with his presence.His neatly pressed shirt, tailored slacks, and sharp shoes are impossible to ignore.Not to mention his accent—half the class probably crushes on him in secret.
As the lecture begins, I try to push thoughts of Fox aside, but it's harder than ever.Especially when every time I close my eyes, I still hear him - deep groans, those mocking smirks, and the way his voice lingers in my head far longer than it should.
“So, you found me a job?”I ask Landon later that day as we walk to his car in the parking lot.I’ve never felt this relieved in my life.First, I finally have a job—an excuse to escape Fox’s suffocating presence—and second, I’ve come to the realization that being friends with Fox is an impossible dream.With an ego the size of the science building, there’s no way we can ever be more than reluctant roommates.Landon grins at me, clearly pleased with himself.
“It’s nothing, really.It’s a diner not too far from campus.Nat works there, and she told me they need someone after the manager fired a girl.You’re lucky, man.Finding a job this far into the semester is tough.”
Without thinking, I pull Landon into a tight hug.He’s taken aback at first but quickly hugs me back, patting me on the back.We’re standing in the middle of the parking lot, other students milling around us, but I don’t care.Landon came through for me when I needed it most.
When I pull away, I can’t stop grinning.“Thank you so much.Seriously.”
Landon laughs.“You’re being way too dramatic.”He gives me a mock British accent and says, “You’re flattering me.”I laugh and give him a playful punch on the arm.
“Shut up, you’re the best.I swear, I feel like I should hug you again.”
He rolls his eyes, still smiling, but his expression shifts as he glances over my shoulder.“Hate to break the moment, but your super sexy, homophobic roommate is glaring at us.Well, glaring at me, actually.”
I groan internally and reluctantly turn around.Sure enough, Fox is there.He’s with Lexi, who’s chattering away, but his attention is completely on us—on me, specifically—his icy blue eyes narrowed in our direction.His signature brooding stare makes my skin prickle with irritation.I roll my eyes and turn back to Landon.
“Let’s just get out of here,” I mutter, grabbing Landon’s arm.We head toward his car, and I slide into the passenger seat as Landon gets behind the wheel.
Before we drive off, I glance back at Fox through the open window.He’s still standing there, hands stuffed in his pockets, watching us with that same intense gaze.What’s his problem?
