Look at You

Chapter 12

12

I didn't sleep well. When I do, my dreams turn into Cam teaching Callie how to two step in the middle of an empty two-lane road.

It was my fault. I made it weird, he was just being Cam. Polite, virtuous Cam. I had to go turn it every which way because of my stupid annoying attraction to the man.

I know I've said it before but I'm never like this. Men don't make me go tongue-tied and make me forget which way is up. Women don't even get me like that. Not even the Harvard interviewer got me like that.

I hate how badly I want him to like me. And not even like me, just like me. As a friend. He's the type of person who causes your chest to balloon with pride when they laugh at your jokes or smile in your direction. He's magnetic. I just want him in my corner, no matter what.

hey I text him around noon on Sunday. As usual, his response is immediate.

Hey

I had a plan for what to say next, but everything evaporates from my waterlogged brain as soon as I see the three letters. I come up with something stupid instead.

one of the songs from last night, im looking for it. talks about loving god and drinking beer in your hometown or something

Lol

I wait. More typing bubbles taunt me.

That's every single country song

I snort. it goes like this

I press down the voice record and send a prayer upstairs to the country God for shoving this one in the recesses of my brain.

"it's where I had my first beer," I say/sing/hum. "Where I found Jesus... where I dadada something something."

It clearly resonates.

Red Dirt Road Brooks and Gunn

much obliged

I don't expect him to say anything back, so it's a pleasant surprise when my phone vibrates in my pocket a few minutes later.

I had fun. Thanks for inviting yourself

My throat is in my stomach and it's fucking embarrassing. The guy says one nice thing and I'm about to start dropping clothes like I was paid to.

next time I ride the bull

Next time you two step.

next time we two step

I realize it's a flirtation only after I hit send. I panic toss the phone on the bed and reach for my pocket to call Callie, but then I remember it's on my bed and I haven't even told her I like the guy.

I hear it vibrate against the comforter. I dive for it.

If youre lucky

­­­­

__

I'm sitting at my kitchen table doing the Wordle next to Jay when I get a text from Cam around 8:15 on Monday morning.

Getting myself a breakfast sandwich. What do you want

I grab my backpack from the kitchen table and make a beeline for the garage. "Later!"

"Hey!" I turn around to see Jay taking the eyeglasses off his nose. "You didn't even let me finish!" We compete every day to see who can get it in fewer tries. Usually it's Jay, because he's more well-rounded.