My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 156 Wasted Efforts

Evelyn

"You didn't tell me you had a party going on here on the beachside I thought it'd just be a walk by the beach," I chuckled, swaying with the music as it thumped around us, the star-filled sky above, the wind tousling my hair while Cameron gently tucked a few loose strands behind my ear.

"I was afraid that scary-looking friend of your dad wouldn't let you come if he got even a hint," he laughed, sliding his hand around my waist and pulling me closer. Suddenly, I grew aware of our proximity, my senses heightening. "So, I kept it a secret." He kissed my cheek, and though my body froze, I didn't pull away. I didn't want to.

I needed this distraction. Wasn't this what I wanted? A connection that progressed smoothly, nothing too fast or frantic, just smooth sailing? But that came with its own downsides-no butterflies, no flutters of your heart, and no sparks.

"Well," I slipped my hands around his neck, our bodies swaying with the music, in perfect rhythm. From the corner of my eye, I spotted Mason a sucking the lips off of a guy, and Nancy doing body shots with a blonde-she wasn't gay, but she'd fuck literally anyone.

"You're already so scared, huh?" I teased. "What are you going to do if someone else snatches me right in front of you? Will you still keep it a secret and have a secret affair with me then?"

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips, and he leaned closer to my ear, his breath caressing the side of my neck without evoking the visceral response that even a single glance from that cursed Italian bastard would. "I'd steal you," Cameron whispered.

I'd kill him and snatch you back-Jacob would have said.

Fuck, Evelyn-don't think about him.

"That's not very brave, is it?" I tried to keep my thoughts from drifting back to him.

"You don't need bravery to win, beautiful," Cameron chuckled, turning me around so that my back pressed against his front, his chin resting on my shoulder. "You just need to be smart. And I think I'm smart enough to snatch you from anyone in this world-though I'd appreciate it if Jacob doesn't stay on the enemy's side," he joked.

Well... he is the enemy here.

"Cute," I laughed awkwardly before I pulled away from him. "But I need a drink to find your joke funny," I said, heading over to the bar, with him following me.

"Hey, it was a good one," he protested while I placed an order. A few seconds passed by.

"Not at all, Cameron," I sighed as I grabbed the drink from the bartender and downed it in one go. "You need to work on your jokes. Especially if you're trying to make them funny when they involve that Italian I absolutely fucking hate.” Another drink down.

As I reached for a third shot, Cameron took it from my hand. "Slow down, baby," he chuckled. "If I drop you off at your house, drunk out of your wits, do you think I'd have any chance of becoming your family's favorite? Hell no. I can't risk that."

“Trust me—if I like you enough, I'd go against my family and every fucking moral," I pulled him by his collar, feeling him freeze for a second as I grabbed the drink back. "I've done it before. It's not my first rodeo."

"Oh really?" he cocked an eyebrow. "So do I get to know who had the fortune to come to you before me?"

"Trust me, you've already seen him up close," I chuckled as I downed the third shot. I was already spewing nonsense; it seemed like the last two shots had made their way into my system too soon, and the gripping effects of the alcohol were all over me already.

"Mason?" he quipped, a laugh tearing from my throat.

"Now that was funny-didn't know you'd improve so quickly."

“To get a girl like you, one has to improve quickly, Evelyn,” he grabbed the edge of the stool I was sitting on and dragged it closer. My breathing hitched for a second, but then I found myself trapped under his gaze. "Or else someone else will take you away, and I'd be left with nothing. So it's better I work fast when there are so many risks around, isn't it?"

A guy like Cameron should have been the choice from the very first time. He was well-spoken, soft, careful, and always putting in effort—an ideal choice for any girl. But that was the thing-guys my age never interested me, nor did guys like Cameron, in fact, none ever did except for him. It was as if God had made only one person for my eyes to love from my very being, and it was Jacob.

As I looked at Cameron, I didn't feel the sparks, the deep urge to run my fingers through his hair or caress his skin. I didn't burn with the desire to pull him in for a kiss and never break away. I didn't feel the hunger of desire, that familiar fire I was used to, or even mere embers of it. I didn't feel anything... at all.

"What are you thinking?" Cameron asked softly as his hand rose to cup my face, his thumb brushing over my cheek.

He's the guy I should like, even if he makes me feel nothing. At least, I was far away from the pain of heartbreak-Cameron would never hurt me.

"Nothing," I forced a small smile. "It's

just that-" Before I could finish my sentence, he suddenly leaned in and pressed his tips on mine, causing me to freeze on the spot. His fingers tangled into my hair as he pulled me close diving in. For the briefest of moments, in the intoxication of the alcohol and memories of Jacob, I began to imagine the touch of Cameron as Jacob. As Cameron's lips brushed against mine, mine only parted because I thought it was Jacob kissing me, not him.

He kissed me, slowly and softly. But my imaginations began to fade, and reality started to set in.

It was not Jacob.

It was actually Cameron who had his lips on mine, and suddenly the realization reduced all the warmth to ashes. I didn't feel anything anymore. I didn't find the urge to kiss him anymore. My hands, raised halfway to tangle themselves into his hair, dropped to my sides as I abruptly pulled away from the kiss. My heart hammered against my chest.

This felt wrong....

Every part of it felt wrong, as if my body and soul had a strange sort of loyalty embedded in it for him and only him.

“Evelyn, what's wrong?" Cameron seemed to notice my expression.

"It's just " I struggled to speak as I looked at him. He was the type of guy you should go for, Evelyn. He's perfect for you. "I just... I'm sorry." breathed out, getting on my feet. am really sorry, I just-" I couldn't put my words together. I was a mess, and for once I knew, it was not the alcohol-it was me. My thoughts. My feelings for Jacob that would never change.

"Hey," Cameron came closer, softly grabbing my hand. "It's okay. Maybe I just rushed things. It's totally alright.

God... him being so understanding was what made it worse, because it now felt like I was betraying two people at once. Hurting one and having chances of hurting the other one with my feelings that might never be his.

"No, it's not your fault. It's me," I let out. "It's just that I can't-"

"Evelyn, it's all right," he grabbed my arms, gently pulling me closer so that I stood away from the crowd behind me. "There's no need to talk about you, and next time, you initiate it whenever you feel it's right. No more talking about it, okay?" He flashed me a gentle smile, and this time I nodded, my shoulders relaxed for some reason.

"Thanks, Cameron," I let out, leaning in and pressing a cheek on his cheek. "I really mean it, thank you." I caressed his cheek. He was really a good guy. The best one. Maybe if I had met him before Jacob, I would have fallen for him.

"Can you drive me home?" I managed to muster the question after a while. "I am just really tired right now."

“Sure thing, beautiful," he smiled, and he slid a hand around my shoulder, leading me out of the crowd of people grinding against each other.

"Thanks for the ride, Cameron," I said, unbuckling the seatbelt and stepping out of the car.

"You're welcome. And as for leaving the party earlier, you owe me another date," he remarked, eliciting a small laugh from me.

"Yeah, right. And you still owe me that walk beside the beach."

"Anytime, madam," he replied with a grin.

"Bye, Cameron." With a wave, I

walked back into the house. Closing the door behind me, I let out a low breath. Kicking off my heels, exhaustion flooded over me as I made my way down the dark hallway. Not a single light was on, signaling that Dad and Clara were likely sound asleep. I couldn't risk facing their lectures, not after coming home from the party

smelling of alcohol. Well, Cameron could be smelt but I doubted whom

it concerned was still awake.

As I slowly ascended the stairs, a voice broke the silence of the darkened house. "How was your little date?"