My Dad's Bestfriend

Evelyn

The party felt nothing like a party. At least, not to me.

I used to love parties, always in the thick of it, laughing and dancing-but tonight, I was just a shadow. A fucking sad shadow. Sitting in a corner, scrolling through my phone, pretending to be present. Pretending to listen to conversations when my mind was elsewhere. And it was no secret where it had wandered.

Forget about me. I was stressed, sad, emotionally wrecked-so many things I couldn't even find the right word for it. Everyone around me could sense it, too. Not a single person was unaware. Even Cameron, on his own birthday, didn't seem to be having much fun. Sure, he was laughing, dancing, making jokes like he always did, but something about him seemed off. Distant. Uncharacteristic.

He'd asked me a few times before the party if something was wrong, and I shrugged it off. But then he spoke to Mason for a second, and I had a hunch. That piece of garbage must have spilled the beans-told him about Jacob leaving tonight. Told him that 'Jacob's departure' was the reason for my mood. Maybe that explained Cameron's shift.

I felt like such a bitch, ruining his day like this. I wanted to act normal, to put on a smile, but I couldn't. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't even manage that. Every chuckle at Cameron's jokes felt forced, hollow.

But what could I fucking do? My heart wasn't here. It was with Jacob, and he was taking it with him.

It was just one flight, but it felt like everything would change if I let him get on that plane. Yet, I was the one who pushed him away, wasn't I? Built walls so thick I could barely breathe behind them.

Wasn't I killing myself in this process?

Now, after the cake was cut and everyone sat together, Cameron and I sat side by side. But something was off-awkward, tense. The tension had been growing since the party started, thickening with every passing second. And deep down, I knew the reason was me. As guilty as I felt, as much as I wanted to stop Jacob from leaving, there was no denying it-I wanted to go to him, to forget everything and return to what we had, to the old us.

But how could I do that without hurting Cameron? How could I live with myself knowing I'd caused him pain? Yet, staying with him, never loving him the way I loved Jacob... That wouldn't be fair either. No. It wouldn't.

So what the fuck was I supposed to do?!

"You really aren't okay," Cameron finally murmured, breaking the silence after what felt like five minutes. Maybe I was wrong. I hadn't been counting. My mind was too far away.

"What are you talking about?" I forced a laugh-so obviously fake, I almost winced. "I know you're thinking that because Mason told you something stupid, which-yeah-is true. But it doesn't actually mean anything to me. I've..." My voice wavered, betraying me. "I've moved on from him."

A small, almost melancholic smile crossed his lips as he glanced at me, taking another sip of his drink. He was drinking a lot tonight, and even though I was distracted, I noticed. It wasn't the usual birthday kind of drinking. It was the kind of drinking people did when they were going through something. Going through shitty times.

And as much as I didn't want to admit it, I knew I was the one putting Cameron through that.

But I still didn't want to say it aloud. I couldn't admit it, not to him, and not to myself.

"Say that again," he said, setting his glass down and looking at me. Despite the loud music and the crowd of friends on the dance floor, it felt like we were in our own little bubble. The chaotic atmosphere didn't touch us. Somehow, we could hear each other perfectly maybe because we needed to be heard.

"Say...what?" My throat tightened, and I suddenly felt the need to choose my words carefully. Why was I so nervous? Maybe because I knew the truth, and I was terrified of hurting him? Fuck. This was so messed up.

"Say you've moved on from Jacob," he leaned in, his eyes locked on mine. "Louder this time. Without blinking or looking away."

Ket

"What would that even prove?" I chuckled, still trying to deflect. "Cameron, think you've had too much to drink. You should stop." reached for his half-finished glass of whiskey, but before I could take it, his band wrapped around my wrist-not roughly, but firm enough to stop me.

"Say it, Evelyn," he said, his voice dropping lower. "Just...say it." There was something raw in his tone. It wasn't just a demand; it was a plea.

I opened my mouth, but the words wouldn't come. I couldn't say it. I couldn't lie to him like that.

"If you really mean it, you should have no problem saying it," he pressed, his voice firmer now. "So why can't you? It's kinda sus, isn't it?"

"Because..." I tried again, but the words failed me. The silence between us stretched on, heavy and suffocating. I could feel Cameron's patience slipping away.

Without another word, he tightened his grip on my hand and stood up, pulling me with him. "Come with me," he said, dragging me out of the club.

"Cameron, where are we going?" I asked, confused, as he led me out into the parking lot. He didn't answer. He just kept walking, his grip never loosening, until we reached his car.

I glanced at him, then at the car, my stomach knotting. "Are we going somewhere?" I asked again, but he stayed silent.

Once we reached the car, he let go of my hand and pulled his keys from his pocket, holding them out to me.

"What the " I looked at the keys, then back at him, confused and frustrated. "What does this mean? You want me to drive?"

Cameron stayed quiet, his

expression shifting, eyes darkening as if he was battling something inside. For a moment, I thought he was about to break. But then his jaw clenched, and he pushed the keys into my hand.

"Go, Evelyn," he said, his voice raw and heavy. "Just go."