Chapter 10
Ten
Logan
November
The following week, Camden and I are in the middle of the quad, discussing his grades for those make-up assignments his professor gave as we head for the library.
Despite passing them with flying colors—and staying eligible through the rest of the semester—his work isn’t done.
There’s still a final to gear up for next month, which is the reason we’re about to hit another study session.
That is, until two hands land on my shoulders out of nowhere.
“Logan!” a familiar feminine voice shouts directly behind me, causing me to nearly jump out of my goddamn skin. My hand instantly reaches for Camden’s as I spin around, only to find Lexi grinning with glee. Willow’s a few paces behind her, cackling like a damn harpy at my reaction.
“Jesus Christ, Lex. Were you trying to send me to an early grave?”
“Funny, seeing as that’s where I thought you already were,” she chides playfully, knocking her shoulder into mine. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in years. Where have you been disappearing to lately?”
My gaze shifts from her to Willow, who has now joined our little circle, before offering a non-commital shrug.
“Just…been busy. I don’t know.”
It’s not exactly a lie. Between my own course work, helping Camden study, and catching a couple of his games, I’ve rarely been home the past couple weeks. Not that I entirely mind it; it’s actually kinda nice to not be cooped up in my room all the time.
Who would’ve thought?
“Well, you should make yourself un-busy tonight and come out with us. Both of you,” she clarifies, letting her gaze move from me to Camden.
Whose hand, up until now, I’d forgotten I was holding.
“Go out with you,” I echo slowly. “And where exactly is out?”
“We’re hitting up the party at the Kappa Sig house.”
Oh, absolutely the fuck not.
While I’ve been to exactly three college parties since I started attending Leighton, I know the Kappa Sigma house parties are notorious without ever having personally stepped foot inside one. And from everything I’ve heard about them, it’s the exact opposite of what I’d consider a good time.
My face must show every thought in my head, because Willow starts laughing, her hair tossed back in the cool autumn breeze.
“See, I told you he wouldn’t be for it.”
Disappointment crosses Lexi’s face, and there’s a part of me that feels a little bit guilty, especially with the miniscule amount of time we’ve seen each other the past couple weeks.
But I will admit, all these distractions have done wonders for my ability to be around her and act like a normal human being instead of a love-sick puppy.
For the most part, at least.
“It’s not that I don’t want to,” I attempt to reason, though, let the record state that’s exactly the case. “It’s just that we were on our way to the library. Camden has to study and—”
“We can go,” he cuts in beside me. I glance at him, my gaze colliding with his. There’s a flicker of hopeful excitement in their blue depths when he adds, “I mean, if you want to. Tomorrow is an off-ice day, so we can just study in the morning instead.”
“So that means you want to go?”
He adjusts his backpack on his shoulder with his free hand and shrugs. “I’m always down for a Kappa party. But if you would rather study tonight…”
“No, you should go,” I insist. “Keep an eye on the girls.”
“As if we need Camden to babysit us,” Willow admonishes.
Lexi laughs, then says to Willow, “After the last time we went to the Kappa house, I think you definitely need one.”
“Says the girl whose boyfriend almost wound up defending her honor via fist fight last year,” Willow counters, her brow arched.
The girls continue to chatter back and forth, recounting their previous experiences at Kappa Sig parties, but I barely hear a word of it.
I’m too focused on Camden’s face and the way it’s fallen, though it’s slight.
A fraction of a centimeter, likely invisible to the girls, but thanks to the time we’ve been spending together, I notice it instantly.
And for some odd reason, seeing his disappointment makes me feel even guiltier than seeing Lexi’s.
What the hell?
“You could come too, you know,” Camden murmurs. “Who knows, it could be fun.”
It almost has me saying yes.
Almost.
I shift my attention to the ground, as if the sidewalk is who I’m about to let down gently instead of the man whose hand is currently wrapped around mine.
“No, it’s okay. I’ve been slacking on some course work, so I should probably use the time to do that instead.”
There’s a playful twinkle in Lexi’s eyes when she supplies, “Meaning he’s going to be up all night drawing and watching Demon Slayer.”
“I’m watching Solo Leveling right now, actually.”
My attention shifts back to Camden, finding his bright blue eyes still locked on me. The intensity has my throat constricting, but it’s the gentle way he speaks, just loud enough for me, that almost steals my ability to breathe entirely.
“I don’t have to go. I don’t mind staying home with you.”
It’s then I realize just how close he is, his face less than a foot from mine now, and the proximity paired with the way he’s staring at me makes it feel like he can see right through me.
“No, you should go.” I plaster on the most believable smile I can, and tighten my fingers around his. “Just because we’re dating now doesn’t mean I’m gonna stop you from having fun. With or without me.”
I hope it comes off as the supportive boyfriend I’m supposed to pretend to be.
And more importantly, I hope it’s convincing enough to get him to go.
Which is why I look over toward the girls, ready to ask for some backup on this, only to find them enraptured by the two of us.
Lexi especially, from the way she’s biting back a grin.
“Yeah, Cam. You can leave this stick in the mud at home to watch his cartoons and have fun with us instead,” Willow taunts.
I roll my eyes. “Just be safe and call me if you need anything.”
The statement is for all three of them, but once again, it’s Willow’s smart-ass mouth that comes back with a dry “Yes, Dad,” to which I flip her off with my free hand.
Having never felt Camden’s gaze waver throughout the exchange, I’m not surprised to find it once I look back at him. The only difference this time? He seems resolved that I won’t be joining their trio this evening.
“Okay, Little Reed,” he says with a nod. “We’ll do this your way.”
A rush of relief warms my stomach, but it’s short-lived when Camden’s face drops down toward mine slightly, offering a clear indication on what I should do next. Which is why I lift a hand to the side of his neck and shift my weight upward, meeting him halfway for a kiss.
More heat rushes through my torso at the contact, but it’s different than a few moments ago. It’s hotter, spreading up my chest and through my extremities. I don’t let it deter me, though, keeping my lips molded against his for a solid five seconds before pulling away just enough to speak.
“Have fun. Just not too much,” I whisper against his mouth.
Then I press my lips to his again for good measure. Briefly this time, but to really sell it.
Camden’s sapphire gaze skates over my face for a second, almost like he wants to say something. Something other than the raspy “I’ll do my best” that comes out after he clears his throat.
But whatever it is, it never comes.
“Good. Then I’ll see you when you get home.”
He doesn’t say anything else, simply offers a brisk nod, lays a gentle kiss to the side of my head, and releases me.
“Ugh, you guys are sickening,” Willow admonishes, which draws another bout of laughter from Lexi.
“Or maybe you’re just turning into a lonely, bitter hag since swearing off boys.”
I remain rooted in place, my gaze following the three of them as they head in the direction of the house. Their comments replay in my mind, and a tiny voice somewhere in the recesses starts shouting and cheering. Because, this plan? It’s working.
But from the way I can still feel the heat from Camden’s lips against mine, and how the musky scent of his cologne is still invading my senses, it might be working on the wrong person too.
Unfortunately, Lexi was right.
After grabbing dinner and spending a couple hours on my course work, I wind up in bed with my sketchbook and Solo Leveling playing on my laptop screen.
While it’s a little annoying to be this predictable, it’s also nice to have the house completely to myself, what with Bailey at work and the other three out at the party.
I’m God knows how many episodes deep with not a damn clue what time it is when my phone buzzes beside me on the bed.
Glancing down, I find a voice memo from Camden waiting for me, and the sight makes my stomach do an odd little twist. Then again, it’s likely just from the brief transcription showing beneath it, already giving me the faintest idea of what I’m about to hear when I hit play.
“Hi, boyfriend. I, uh… I hope you’re not asleeping right now.
I don’t think you are. You stay up late a lot.
Do you even sleep? I never seen it happen.
” He pauses, and I hear a little hiccup before he starts laughing.
“Ah, it’s weird calling you my boyfriend.
It’s weird asking you to come get me. Did I ask that already?
I think so. But if you can call me, maybe?
” He pauses again, and this time, something more like a giggle comes out before he starts singing “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen.
Very loudly, and extremely off-key.
There’s a little bit more incoherent talking—maybe a conversation between him and someone else—before the recording stops, and the only thing I can do is stare at the screen, not sure what the hell it is I’m feeling.