“Then speak, Cam.”His voice tightens.“Or get the hell out of my space.”
I take a breath, annoyed at how unsure I suddenly feel.
“Where were you?”I ask, and it comes out more concerned than I intended.Like I’m checking in on a boyfriend who forgot our anniversary.
God.Whyam I like this?
Fox pauses the game again, this time really looking at me.He plucks the cigarette from his lips and crushes it in the ashtray on the coffee table.His eyes narrow, his smirk growing slow and deliberate.
“You sound like my girlfriend,” he says, leaning back.“Did you miss me that much, Cam?”
There it is again.
Cam.
He never calls meCameron.It’s alwaysCam—too casual, too familiar.I don’t know if I hate it or secretly crave it.The way it rolls off his tongue feels… personal.Like he knows a version of me I don’t even show people.
His tone this time is different, though.Not the usual cold mockery.There’s teasing in it.Something light.Almost playful.
It throws me off.
I shift under his gaze.“You disappeared.That’s all I meant.”
He arches a brow.“And you noticed.”
I look away.“Hard not to.”
Fox doesn’t respond.For a moment, the only sound is the buzz of the paused game and the faint hum of the fridge in the kitchen.I risk a glance at him—and find him already watching me, unreadable.
“I was just… worried, alright?”
He raises an eyebrow.“Why?”
I throw my hands up.“Jesus, Fox, you’re my roommate.When you disappear for days without telling me, yeah, I get worried.It’s kind of basic human decency, don’t you think?”
His expression shifts slightly, like he’s surprised by my outburst.His mouth opens, but no words come out.It’s strange, seeing Fox without some biting retort.
“I—sorry I bothered you,” I say, standing up.
“Sit the fuck down,” Fox growls, his voice suddenly commanding.
I stop, turning to look at him.His blue eyes are locked on me, sharp and intense.
“Don’t make me ask again,” he adds, his tone quieter this time.
I sit back down, confused but not wanting to push him.An awkward silence settles between us.The seconds stretch until, out of nowhere, Fox finally speaks.
“I was out,” he mutters.
“At your frat house?”I ask cautiously.
He looks at me, eyebrows raised.“How’d you know about that?”
“You’re Fox Wilder.Everyone knows the Chancellor’s son.You’re basically campus royalty,” I say with an eye roll.
He smirks but doesn’t say anything.Just nods, almost impressed.He picks up his controller again, resuming his game, like nothing happened.
I watch him for a moment, unsure of what to say.“Look, if you’re going to be gone for days, maybe you could let me know.Or, I don’t know, give me your number so I can check in.”
