“All right, kids, I gotta open up shop. I’ll see you both tonight. Stay safe.” He patted both our heads, walked to the door, and put on his jacket, shoes, and cap, and went out.
“Hey, Dyl,” I said. “I got the job.”
He nodded sleepily, drank his apple juice. “I knew you would.”
“So, who’s your friend who recommended me?”
He stabbed at his pancakes and shoveled another huge forkful into his mouth while his eyes were still half-closed. I always worried he’d choke to death eating half-asleep, but he’d seemed to be managing pretty well since he started eating solid food. I took a sip of my coffee.
“Cameron.”
I choked, spat my drink back in the mug, and started coughing. “What?”
His eyes widened in alarm. “Shoot. I wasn’t supposed to tell you.”
“Cameron?” My throat was burning. “Cameron Saint Laurent? Like the guy wh
ose motorcycle you hit-and-run?”
He nodded grimly. “He actually texted me about it a few weeks ago, and I brought it up to you, but you were acting all psycho. I just remembered it again when I texted you about the interview. Don’t tell him I told you.”
“B-but how the hell?” I sputtered. “I mean how did you guys even talk?”
“It’s cool. I found his phone number and started texting him. I mean I don’t think he’s a text kind of guy. He doesn’t even reply most times, and when he does, it’s like one or two words, but we manage.”
“Oh God.” I groaned, collapsing on the kitchen island with my cheek on the cold surface. “No, no, no.”
I knew how naive and sheltered my brother was, but I hadn’t expected him to want to be friends with Cameron. Certainly not worship him.
“He’s actually a really good guy, Kar—”
He stopped as I pushed my chair back, scowling at him.
I spotted the bacon on the side of his plate. I knew he always saved it for last. I growled at him, and he must have seen something in my face because his eyes widened in horror. Without mercy, I snatched his bacon and placed it in my mouth.
“Nooo!” he cried. “Why?”
“Don’t talk to him again!” I marched to the bathroom, spat out the bacon in the toilet and flushed it. I went to my room and looked at my phone.
My heart skipped a beat when I saw a message in my inbox. It was from an unknown number.
Where are you?
It’s Cameron.
Did he get a new number? I ignored his texts, changed his name back to SOS, then changed it to Asshole Cameron instead. It had a nicer ring to it. Then I turned my phone off and got ready for school.
My mood followed me to my classes.
When class ended, I gathered my things and walked out in the hallway. As usual, I leaned against the wall, waiting for everyone to get the hell out of my way, so I didn’t have to bump shoulders and smell people. Ten seconds, twenty, thirty. I fished for my phone in my backpack. Biting my lip, I turned it on.
Right away, it vibrated with incoming text messages. I bit my lip harder.
One was from Tala and the other from Thomas.
Tala: Just tell him how you feel! You never stopped yourself before, why now?
Thomas: Thanks for the discount on my oil change. Your dad was great. I’m taking you to my favorite ice cream shop next time.