Chapter four
FOUR
The following morning, Cameron pulled on clean clothes with the intent of getting a rideshare to his car.
He hoped he could get his car and return and pretend he was home after being out all night.
His plan was ruined when he tried to quickly use the bathroom and bumped into a shirtless Jake on his way out.
“Oh, sorry,” Jake muttered, and stood back from the door. Cameron cast his eyes downward and skirted around him.
“No problem,” Cameron mumbled back, and he fled back to his bedroom.
He sat on the bed and covered his face with his hands.
He hoped Jake and Zach had been too drunk to remember last night.
Or maybe they’d think he came in after they had fallen asleep.
Or, he’d find some way to casually mention he fell asleep with his earbuds in.
He heard Zach’s bedroom door open again, and then quiet voices. He reached for his wallet. If he got out fast enough, he could deal with it later. Zach’s bedroom door opened again, and then Zach was in his doorway.
“Going out?” Zach asked, leaning against the doorframe.
“Yeah, I need to go get my car. I’ll be back in a few,” Cameron said, eyes on the floor, unable to look at Zach.
“I’ll drive you,” Zach offered.
“That’s okay, I’ll just get a ride. You have a guest over.” You have a guest over. Cameron cringed at himself. Who says that?
“Nah, it’s fine. I owe you,” Zach said. He didn’t leave Cameron room to protest again. He disappeared from the doorway, and Zach heard his keys jingle. Cameron picked up his own keys and followed Zach out the apartment door and into the parking lot.
“Hey man, I am so sorry if we were really loud last night,” Zach started before they’d even buckled their seatbelts. Cameron waved the apology away.
“It’s fine. I mean, I didn’t hear much. I came in late. I had my earbuds in.” What story are you going with, Cameron? Did you come in late, or did you have your earbuds in? Jesus.
“I feel so bad. Your car wasn’t here, and you had a date, and you didn’t text, so I didn’t even think… where’s your car at?”
“Eighth and Atlas,” Cameron said. “It’s fine. It’s the most action I’ve had in weeks. I should be thanking you.” Zach laughed, and Cameron cracked a smile. The tension felt lighter in the car.
“You ever been with a guy?” Zach asked, slowing down to stop at a red light. He flicked his blinker on. It sounded like a casual question, and Cameron tried to answer it just as flippantly.
“Aside from last night?”
“I thought you had your earbuds in,” Zach teased. Cameron shook his head and soldiered on.
“No, never.”
“Ever thought about it?” Zach asked. He sounded more serious. Cameron wanted to shrink into his seat.
“I, uh…” He fumbled for a response that wasn’t, yeah, I’ve been thinking about you, specifically.
“Did you think about it last night?”
“Bro, what the fuck,” Cameron said.
“That’s not a no,” Zach said. Cameron felt transparent. He shook his head in disbelief at Zach’s audacity.
“So… more loud or less loud next time?” Zach asked.
“Fuck you,” Cameron grumbled, eyes glued to the road.
“More loud. Got it.”