Chapter Thirty-One
Evie
Cam is awesome.
He’s cool and smart and interesting and engaging and once again seems genuinely interested in what I have to say. He has black hair and dark eyes that are so thoughtful and expressive, and he’s really tall, which is always a plus.
He understands my love of art because he has dabbled in drawing throughout most of his life.
“So you never thought to pursue it?” I ask as I take a bite of my fries.
Cam shakes his head. “Everyone in my family are lawyers. It just makes sense for me to pursue it as well.”
“If that’s what you really want? Go for it.”
He smiles. “I don’t have the kind of passion you have. If I would try to pursue a career in art, I’d fall flat on my face.” He chuckles. “I’m fine just having it as a hobby.”
We continue to eat and talk about…I don’t know, honestly.
Everything. It’s like there’s so much to talk about that we don’t even finish one subject before being thrown into another.
I didn’t know talking to someone about such mundane things could be so interesting.
Getting to know a person I might be into is a lot of fun.
“I have to be honest with you,” he says with a shy smile as he takes a small bite of his burger. “I searched you online after our conversation Friday night.”
“That’s okay.”
“I saw a video of you and your band.”
“Oh.” My face flushes so fast and strong. “I kind of forgot about it.”
His brows shoot up. “You have?”
“No, not really. I meant, I forgot that I should have considered it when the prospect of going out with a guy comes up. So…” I shift in my seat as I play around with my food. “What did you think of the video?”
“I think you’re a very talented singer.”
My face feels even hotter. “Thanks.”
“You have such a beautiful voice and the music was solid. No wonder you guys went viral.”
My body deflates with relief. Why does it matter so much what he thinks of the band? I guess that kind of stuff matters when you want someone to like you.
“So you’re going to be a famous artist and a famous singer?” he asks with a grin as he dips onion rings in ketchup.
I hold up my hand. “Nope. Just an artist.”
The thought of being tied to Noah makes my stomach get all twisted. We haven’t seen or spoken to each other since the incident at my party, and I’m kind of dreading band practice tomorrow.
“Cool. I think you’d be successful in whatever you do.”
That makes me smile. “You’re so nice,” I blurt. Then I mentally kick myself. “Sorry. I don’t think I’m supposed to say that to your face.”
He grins again. “I like it. You say what you want when you want. It’s refreshing.”
“Thanks.”
An awkward moment passes between us. Then Cam laughs and talks about a hard assignment he’s working on for school.
“Order for Barrington,” a familiar voice says.
My head whips in the direction of the counter, and I almost gasp. Noah stands there. What’s he doing here?
Then it hits me. Of course, he must be picking up dinner for his family.
“Isn’t that your bandmate?” Cam asks.
I twist away from Noah’s direction and force a smile. “Yep, that’s him.”
“I read online that he wrote most of the lyrics and composed the music?”
“Yeah. Most of the songs are his, but I helped write a few with him.”
“Cool. Do you want to call him over and say hi?” Cam asks.
“What?” I blink. “Call who over?”
“Your bandmate. What’s his name again?”
“Noah.”
“Right, Noah. You can call him over to say hi. I really don’t mind.”
“No!” I say, maybe a little too loudly.
Cam’s eyes widen in shock and surprise.
I laugh sheepishly as I play with my hair. “I mean, we see each other all the time. Practically attached at the hip. I don’t have to say hi to him.”
Cam shrugs. “Okay. But if you change your mind, I’m cool with that.”
My head slowly turns toward the counter.
Noah is reaching over to pick up his order.
Before he turns to go, his eyes jet to me.
I startle for a second, then quickly tear my eyes away.
But when I look at him a second later, he’s just standing there staring at me.
He has an odd expression on his face, something I can’t read or understand.
It doesn’t matter that I’m here at this awesome diner enjoying a delicious meal with a really cool guy.
It doesn’t matter that he and I spent the last thirty minutes having great conversations.
Because the memory of the party invades my mind.
It completely takes over everything else I have in my head.
And then it’s followed right after by the kiss that we did share.
I once again tear my gaze away and stuff my face with fries. But like they have minds of their own, my eyes flit over to him without my permission. He’s walking out of the diner, clutching his bag like he has precious jewels in there. A breath I didn’t know I was holding seeps out of me.
Cam is watching me. He smiles and says, “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.” My voice is scratchy. I clear my throat. “I mean, sure.”
“You and Noah…you guys don’t have a history, do you?”
“A history?”
“You know…like, is he your ex?”
“My ex? Ha. No way. Well, I mean, we’re technically married…”
His eyes nearly pop off his face.
I giggle. “I’m kidding. It’s a project for school where we’re pretending to be married. We also have a kid. Sorry, I couldn’t resist. It’s so funny to see people’s reactions.”
He laughs in relief.
“We do have history, though,” I tell him. “Lots and lots of history. But not the romantic kind. He’s my sworn enemy. Sort of.”
“Sworn enemy? So you’re in a band with someone you hate? That’s brave.”
“I don’t really hate him. I…” I puff out my cheeks. “I don’t know. Our relationship is complicated. Anyway, let’s not talk about him. Tell me more about that nightmare assignment.”
He does just that. Even though he’s so interesting to listen to, I can’t seem to concentrate on his words.
Because the only thing I see before my eyes is Noah.
The way we locked eyes on one another, the strange look on his face.
I wonder if he was thinking about the almost kiss like I was.
I mean, he didn’t come over, so maybe he feels weird about it, too? And he didn’t call or text me, either.
Ugh, why do things have to be so complicated? My life was easier before I married him.
But the only way to get over…whatever the heck is going on with me and Noah is to move on. To better and greater things. Like Cam. I have no idea yet if there’s potential with us, but it’s enough that there’s a possibility.
A possibility that doesn’t include Noah Barrington.