At least she hasn’t made it weird.Nottooweird.
The diner is dead today.Not a single customer in sight.Just the low hum of the fridge and the distant sizzle from the kitchen.My shift feels like it’s been going on for years, and I’m running on fumes—physically, emotionally, all of it.
I can’t stop thinking about him.
Fox, leaning in.The heat in his eyes.That breathless moment when it felt like the world tilted just a little.
And then… nothing.
Just cold silence.Like it never happened.
Now he’s gone.Not literally, but the apartment feels hollow without him.Too quiet.Too clean.No blaring rap music shaking the walls.No random controller rage or half-mumbled insults from the living room.Not even the smell of his stupid cologne lingering in the hallway.
I keep telling myself he’s an asshole.That he’s not worth it.That it’s better this way.
But the truth is, I miss him.And I hate that I do.
“Are you okay, Cam?You’ve been acting kind of weird,” Katie asks from the other side of Nat.Working here with just the two of them was awkward at first, but honestly, I needed the job, and being away from Fox’s unpredictable moods is a bonus.I’m bored and exhausted, and tonight I’m supposed to go to the Literature club with Leanne, which I’m already dreading.
“Is this about Fox?”Nat leans in, her voice softer.I inwardly groan; why do all my friends seem to know me too well?
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I mutter under my breath, hoping that deflecting will end this conversation.
The bell above the door chimes, announcing a new customer.I glance up, and just my luck—there he is.Fox Wilder.Gio’s Burger isn’t exactly the hot spot for college students since it’s pretty far from campus, but here he is anyway, with Blaze and—of course—Lexi.She’s practically glued to his side, which doesn’t surprise me after the way she stormed out of the apartment four days ago.I guess they’re back to their usual cycle.
Fox catches sight of me, and there’s a flash of surprise before his expression hardens.He glares, like I’m some unpleasant reminder of an unresolved issue.
Blaze smirks as he approaches the counter.“Well, this should be fun,” Nat murmurs, and I shoot her a look.
“Is that Fox Wilder?”Katie whispers, her eyes widening.
Lexi, oblivious to any tension, kisses Fox before sitting at a booth.Blaze stops at the counter, his smirk firmly in place.
“Hey, Cam,” he says, leaning in as if he’s here to gossip.
“Uh… hi, Blaze,” I reply, glancing past him to where Fox is sitting with his arm draped lazily around Lexi.He’s watching us, his eyes dark and fixed on me.It’s like I’d ruined his day by just existing.
“You work here?”Blaze raises an eyebrow.
“Yeah.Just started,” I say with a sigh, hoping this will be a short conversation.Katie is over at the booth now, taking Lexi and Fox’s order.
If Blaze weren’t straight, he’d be exactly the type of guy I’d give a chance.He’s undeniably good-looking—tall, confident, and with that smooth, almost New York accent that makes everything he says sound cooler.Sure, he has his rough edges and a hint of homophobia, but even with that, he somehow manages to be… appealing.
Nat has conveniently disappeared, leaving me stranded.Blaze picks up on my discomfort and grins wider.“How have you been?Haven’t seen you much lately,” Blaze says, leaning against the counter.
“Yeah, I’ve been pretty busy.Work, school—you know, the usual stress.What about you guys?What brings you all here?”I glance over Blaze’s shoulder at Fox.Katie’s busy taking Lexi’s order, but Fox is staring right at me.No, scratch that—he’s glaring.
Man, fuck this guy.
“I don’t know about Fox, but I met them by the parking lot on my way here,” Blaze says.“Why don’t you take a break and come sit with us?
I chuckle nervously.“Nah.I’m pretty sure he’d have a problem with that.”
“Come on.Fox doesn’t get to decide who sits with me.”Blaze persists, his tone light but a little too insistent.Why is he so eager for me to join them?
Katie returns, looking mildly annoyed.“Cameron,” she starts, hesitating.“Fox wants you to take his order.”
“What?”I blink, looking at her as if she’s just spoken another language.My heart sinks as I glance over at Fox, who’s wearing that infuriating smirk, daring me to.
