I absently watch my show, hoping Blaze might forget about picking me up.Part of me wants to go out and experience a party, but the other part dreads seeing Fox.I know he can’t exactly kick me out if I’m there with Blaze, but that won’t stop him from throwing snide remarks my way.Just as I start considering backing out, there’s a knock on the front door.
“Cameron?”Blaze’s voice calls out.
I close my laptop, get up, and head to the living room door.Opening it, I see Blaze on the other side, looking sharp.He’s wearing a black denim jacket over a green T-shirt, black pants, and leather boots.His haircut looks good on him—too good.
He smirks, catching me staring.I clear my throat.“Uh, hey.”
“Hey, mind if I come in?”
“Oh, yeah, of course,” I say, stepping aside so he can enter.
“I had a feeling you might try to bail,” he says with a grin.
I let out a small laugh.“I wouldn’t do that.Just wasn’t sure if you were still coming.”
“Promised, didn’t I?”He grins, his gaze scanning my casual outfit.“But you’re not ready yet.”
“Right… I’ll, uh, just grab something to wear.Be right back.”
I rush back to my room, closing the door behind me, and take a deep breath.First time alone with Blaze—it feels like a big deal.Maybe it’s his confidence, or that smirk he always throws my way, or the fact that he’s just so… Blaze.But I feel jittery, and I have no idea why.
Opening my wardrobe, I search for something that doesn’t scream “dork.”My options aren’t great: mostly T-shirts, sweatshirts, and a few hoodies.I’m already in black jeans and a Beatles T-shirt, so I peel off the T-shirt, rummaging for something else.I spot a flannel but quickly toss it aside.That’s not the look I’m going for tonight.
“Cam,” Blaze calls from the living room.“You don’t have to look perfect.Just throw something on and let’s go.”
“Right!Just a sec.”I grab a fitted gray T-shirt and pull on a black hoodie.I glance in the small mirror in my wardrobe, wishing for the hundredth time that I had contacts.My hair’s a bit long too, so I find a band and tie it back in a bun.After one last look, I decide I don’t look terrible—except maybe for the glasses, but they’re here to stay.
“Well, fuck it,” I mutter, closing the wardrobe and grabbing my phone and keys.When I get to the living room, Blaze is on his phone, but he looks up and gives me an approving nod.
“All set?”
“Yep, ready.”
“Good.”He pockets his phone and nods toward the door.“Let’s roll.”
I follow him out, nerves tingling as I lock up behind us.I can only hope I won’t regret this.
The ride to the party is quiet.I mostly stare out the window as Blaze drives, asking me occasional questions about where I grew up and if I was having a hard time with my classes.I answer, and he shares a bit about himself, too.Turns out he’s the middle child, with an older brother and a younger sister, and though he was born in New York, his family moved to Washington State when he was young.Blaze isn’t bad company, actually.Just… complicated.I can’t quite figure out his attitude, especially when it comes to Landon.I wonder how much of that might be Fox’s influence—he has a way of bringing out the worst in people.
“Why don’t you like Landon?”I ask suddenly.Blaze glances over, a small smile tugging at his lips.
“Did he tell you that?”
“No, but it’s obvious.Neither you nor Fox seem to like him.”
Blaze sighs.“He’s a… well, he’s just got that vibe.You know what I mean?”He shifts uncomfortably.“Anyway, are you two dating or something?”
“Landon’s my friend.He’s actually seeing someone else.”
“Right.”Blaze mutters something under his breath that I barely catch, but it sounds like, “Still a slut.”
I turn to him, eyebrows raised.“What?”
“Never mind.”He brushes it off with a dismissive wave.“Look, let’s not waste time talking about Landon, alright?I brought you here to have fun, Cam.So let’s enjoy ourselves.”
I bite back any response.The way he talks about Landon makes my stomach twist, but what really gets me is the not-so-subtle implication behind his question.
He probably already assumes I’m gay.Hell, maybe he knows.