Crush || DeAndre Jordan {#Wattys2016}

Chapter Sixteen

Camilla

James and I were still huddled together on the couch searching through costumes on my computer for the upcoming Masquerade when the doorbell rang.

"I wonder who that is?" I said, glancing toward the hallway.

"I'll get it," he replied, jumping up and heading from the room. I listened for a second and could hear him talking to someone.

"Who is it?" I called.

"No one," he answered back.

"Apparently I'm no one now," DeAndre said with a grumble as he entered the room, coming to sit on the other side of the couch.

James stood in the entryway frowning at DeAndre. "I didn't invite him in, Cami."

"No he didn't," DeAndre said, glaring. "But it didn't stop me from getting in here anyway, did it?" He glanced at me before picking up the remote and turning on the television.

I had no idea what was going on. "Did you need something, DeAndre?"

"No." He waved a noncommittal hand in the direction of James. "You two continue with whatever you were doing. I'll just watch something."

"You don't have a T.V. at your own house?" James asked, coming to sit between us. He wasn't happy at all.

"I have three actually," DeAndre replied.

"And you can't watch them there because..." James prompted.

"Because Cami isn't there."

Silence. Neither of us knew what to say, but I couldn't help the little thrill that went through me. I was surprised to see him. I figured he would walk away after our talk today, but it looked like that wasn't going to be the case.

"James, what do you think about this one?" I asked, trying to redirect his attention. He was looking at DeAndre like he hoped he would spontaneously combust.

He glanced at the screen. "King Triton and a mermaid?"

"Yeah. It's kind of cool."

"James doesn't have the abs to pull that off," DeAndre spoke, peering over. "You on the other hand would look fabulous as a mermaid."

I could feel James' temperature starting to boil. "I suppose you think you're the perfect one to pull off this costume?" He accused.

DeAndre chuckled. "I wouldn't be caught dead dressed up like that, but yeah, my abs would work." He was staring at me with a smoldering look, and suddenly it felt hot. It should be wrong for anyone to carry so much power in one expression.

I swallowed. "Okay, so no mer-people. How about some traditional costumes? The fancy ball gown, tuxedo, and matching masks?"

"Let's look," James said successfully redirected again. "I like that idea."

We combed through several images before coming across a beautiful gold dress and mask, with an accompanying black tuxedo, gold vest, tie with accents, and matching black mask.