He smirks, biting his lip.“Why didn’t you answer my texts?”
“Do we have to talk about this right now?As you can see, I was about to leave with someone.”I nod toward Elias, who’s watching us from the car.
“You’re not leaving with him,” Fox says, his voice steely.
“You don’t get to tell me what to do, Fox.I’m not your little girlfriend,” I snap.
“Fuck’s sake, Cam, you can’t leave with him.You’re riding with me,” he insists, frustration simmering in his voice.
I cross my arms, glaring at him.“We’re not friends, Fox.”
“We have a lot to talk about,” he says, his tone softer, almost pleading.
“We have nothing to talk about.And you can’t always get what you want.Not today.”I turn on my heel, determined to leave him standing there.
“Cam,” he calls, his voice thick with frustration.I flip him the finger as I walk back to Elias’s car.
Sliding into the passenger seat, I shut the door, glancing back through the window.Fox stands there, looking dumbstruck, and—dare I say—angry.For once, he doesn’t have the upper hand.
Well, too bad.He doesn’t get to act like he can control me.Just because he knows I like him doesn’t mean he can pull me back and forth on his terms.I don’t owe him anything, and I won’t let him treat me like some pawn in whatever game he’s playing.Not today.
Elias pulls the car out of the parking lot, and a weight seems to lift from my chest.For the first time in a long while, I feel like I have the upper hand—or at least some control over my own life.Fox can keep his mixed signals and his arrogance.I’m done letting him mess with my head.
“Are you okay?”Elias asks gently, watching me.
I turn to him with a small smile.“Never been better.”
But even as we drive away, I can’t deny the ache lingering inside me, the part that still wants him despite everything.The part that wishes he’d just be honest, that he’d admit he feels something, too.But until then, I’m not waiting around.
23
Caught… again.
It’salreadyFriday,andI’m wrapping up my shift with Noah.Katie’s off today, so Leo’s nephew, Percy, has stepped in as cashier.Percy usually fills in when Katie’s not around, and he’s been a good addition—quiet but efficient.Tomorrow is Saturday, and Elias and I have a date, as he put it.I’m excited and nervous in a way I haven’t felt before.I don’t really know what I’m doing.I’ve never been on an actual date, and part of me is tempted to politely cancel.
Elias is great, kind, and easy to be around.But is a date really the next step after our short-lived friendship?I like him, sure.But do I like him enough to date him?I’m not so sure, and, if I’m honest, it’s probably because of Fox.No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to get him out of my head.The more I try to push him away, the more complicated it all becomes.
As evening falls, I clock out, saying goodbye to Percy and Noah before heading to the bus stop.I sit down on the bench, pulling out my phone to check messages.There’s one from Landon.
LANDON: Call me, dickhead.I need to know how you’re doing.
I laugh, tapping on his contact to call him.He picks up on the fourth ring, sounding slightly out of breath.
“Hey there,” I say, smirking as I hear rattling sounds in the background.
“What the hell are you doing?”I whisper, trying not to laugh.
“Shut up, virgin,” he replies with a laugh, making me shake my head.
“Where are you, really?”
“At the dorm, just working out,” he says with a chuckle.“Anyway, what’s up with Elias?You still going on that date?”
“Yeah, I think so.Is it weird to text him and just… double-check?”I say, feeling a bit unsure.
“Sounds like you don’t really feel like going,” Landon says, his tone gentle.“It’s okay if you’re not comfortable with it.No need to force yourself.”
“I am comfortable with it,” I mutter, though I don’t sound convinced.
