4. Cameron
Chapter 4
Cameron
" H ey," Parker says as he enters the team shop where I've been sorting through logo wear and uniforms.
"Hey," I toss back without so much as a glance in his direction,my focusentirely on the uniforms and gear. All these items are for employees and will be stored in a closet, but I've laid them all out to ensure that they are to spec, not just on colors but also on fit and material. The ratio of cotton to polyester is important, and I've heard stories in school about clients who ordered shipments where suppliers cut corners on blends to save money. Cotton is typically more expensive than polyester, so sometimes you'll see it marked one way online, but then you receive the order, and the blend counts are slightly off. It may seem small, but that variance can make a big difference in comfort and wear. Polyester technically holds up longer, but it also snags. I want these uniforms to be perfect. Not just for my resumé but because I want to impress Connor. While I may have designed them, Connor chose the suppliers and placed the orders, andI want to see to it that they are right.
Parker's hand finds the small of my back. "Do you need help in here? We've already unloaded the last truck and got two hours of practice in today, and I'm pretty sure this is the same place I saw you this morning." I check my Rolex—the one my father always used to wear—and see that it's almost five o'clock. "The fact that you had to look at your watch tells me you probably forgot to eat lunch. Come on, this will all be here in the morning. Let's get something to eat at Eddie's down the street."
He kisses the side of my forehead, and I can't help the way I stiffen. It's my fault I'm in this mess with Parker. I'm the one who had too much to drink and came up with the half-cocked idea to start messing around with Parker.I feel likeI defiled him in a way.Parker is a genuinely good guy, and I knew he and Everett weren't on the best of terms, which made him easy prey. I wanted to get Everett's attention and make him own his feelings, just like Mac said, and I thoughthimseeing me with Parker might accomplish that. But it did none of those things. Instead, it backfired.Spectacularly, I might add, because now Parker and I are close.We aren't dating or even in asituationship, but we hang out. We do things that couples would do, like go out to eat, catch an occasional movie, and show up to parties together. But we're not intimate. The problem is I know if I allowed it or gave him a signal that I wanted it, we would be. He's made it more than abundantly clear he'd be down, but I don't want to cross that line. I can't. Crossing it would only end in hurt.
"Parker…" I start.
"Can we not talk about it? Just have dinner with me. It's been a long day, and we both need to eat."
I finally look at him, and I see it. Everett being home is wearing on him too. Everett is now Parker's coach. Parker's issues with Everett are worlds different than mine. His feud is more of a clash of principles, or at least I think it is. I'm still not sure I completely understand it. Everett didn'ttrulywrong him, and Parker has never fully divulged precisely what made him agree to our little fake dating arrangement for Connor's wedding, but if I had to guess, like me, he was trying to make Everett feel something.
We just ordered burgers and fries, and Parker has already downed his second glass of water. He's unusually quiet, and I know why. I know he said he doesn't want to talk, but I also don't like our silence. We've been friends for years, and I don't want to fuck that up now. Hell, I'm hoping I didn't already royally mess it up.
"I know you said you don't want to talk, but I don't want to pretend."
"You were fine with pretending a few months ago," his tone is laced with a hint of irritation.
I take a drink of my beer. I wasn't expecting his comment to be so snarky, but I suppose I deserve it a little.
"You weren't exactly an innocent bystander. I get that I was the ringleader, but you weremore thanhappy to play the puppet role."
"Things change, Cam. Maybe I don't want the puppet role anymore."
I take another long pull of my drink. This is not at all where I saw this conversation going. Would Parker be down to fuck? Yes, but there's a difference between fucking and what he's insinuating, or at least what I think he's implying. I'm not going to make the mistake of assuming.
"Okay…" I spin the bottle in my hands. "Then what role do you want?"
His eyes hold mine, and I know the girlfriend card is on the tip of his tongue, but I also know if he said it, it wouldn't be genuine. He's had months to play it if that's what he wanted. The timing of his ask is all wrong, and he knows I know it.
When I quirk a brow in a silent challenge, he says, "I played the part but didn't blindly make a deal. The deal was that I'd help you if you helped me. It's time for you to help me, Cam."
Damn it, I don't know where he's going with this, but Ifeel I'mnot going to like it.