We've Been Here Before

Cameron POV

I couldn't stop thinking about earlier. And, I know, I'm beginning to sound like a broken record. Luke this, and Luke that. But still. I was pretty sure I sensed us having a moment earlier, when he followed me to the kitchen.

Luke had leaned in, close enough that I could smell the beer on his breath, and for a second, just one second, I thought he was going to kiss me. It was this weird, electric moment, like time had slowed down and the world had zeroed in on just the two of us.

But then Gwen interrupted the moment, and ever since, Luke was acting like it hadn't even crossed his mind. Maybe it hadn't. Maybe I was the one reading too much into it, but I could've sworn...

Whatever.

I glanced over at Gwen. She was sitting across from me, but her body language was off. Tense. She kept side-eyeing me and Luke like she was trying to solve some puzzle. It made me feel weird, like she knew something I didn't. And, honestly, maybe she did. Gwen wasn't dumb—far from it. If anyone could pick up on the vibes between Luke and me, it'd be her.

And, man, there were vibes. At least, I thought there were. Luke had been weird tonight, not just with the almost-kiss thing, but in general. Or maybe that was just me projecting my own confusion onto him. I didn't know anymore.

"Cam?" Reagan's voice broke through my thoughts.

"Yeah?" I turned to her.

"You okay?" Her head tilted with concern.

I shrugged. "Yeah, why?"

Reagan smiled at me, but it wasn't her usual smile. "Just checking."

I looked over at the others. Emily was sitting across the fire, and I could tell she was on the verge of a meltdown or something. She was doing that thing she does where she gets all quiet and brooding, like the world revolves around her and her inner monologue. Honestly, she was being dramatic, like always. I could tell something was up between her and Reagan, but whatever. Emily had a tendency to make everything a bigger deal than it needed to be.

Still, even with her theatrics, there was this undercurrent tonight, like we were all playing parts in a show but didn't know our lines anymore. I was pretty sure I wasn't the only one who felt it; Luke had been weird, Gwen was suspicious, and even Reagan seemed more distant than usual.

Instead of lingering on those thoughts, I decided I'd do what I do best: fucking party. So, I suggested we play Cheers to the Governor, even though no one was particularly enthusiastic about it.

We played like we were trying out for parts in a teen movie. We knew our roles, our lines, but everything felt forced. Fake. 

At one point, Luke went inside briefly. I actually considered following him inside, but stopped myself. Gwen was already acting like she'd walked in on Luke and I fucking; I needed to chill the fuck out.

When he came back out, I risked a glance at him again. He had his arm around Gwen, whispering into her ear. As Gwen laughed, his eyes traveled to me for a moment, and then he quickly looked away. I didn't look away quickly enough, though; Gwen saw me staring, and her face hardened, her eyes narrowing.

"Take a fucking picture," she snapped at me. "It'll last longer."

"What?" I asked in a voice that I hoped sounded annoyed and bored, not guilty and embarrassed.

"Don't play dumb. You've been staring at Luke all night."

I froze, my heart thudding. Sweat built on my palms and under my arms. She wasn't trying to be subtle anymore. She'd caught me, and now she was going to make sure everyone knew it.