And I'm not missing a thing
Watching the full moon crossing the range
Riding the storm out
******
As the four strolled toward the movie theater, Cam kept trying to remind himself why he was here. He had known it had been a risk to come to the beach, but when he had seen Tori and Blake on the monitor just as he had brought it back online – it had surprised him. Blake had been scheduled for moto this weekend. Cam knew his schedule. He had taken note of the details of Blake’s schedule from Tori every time she dreamed aloud of when he said he would be home and ranted about when his racing was going to keep him away. She had not mentioned this visit. And yet, he was in town and at the beach with Tori. Then, after Cam had arrived at the beach, he had seen Shane. He was pretty sure he’d been spotted so it was time to make the best of it. Damn Tori for putting him in this position… now he has to hang out… No, it wasn’t her fault, it’s his…
“So, what should we see?” Blake’s question had brought Cam’s mind back to the here and now. Cam looked Blake cautiously over. He was nervous. A year of watching him had given Cam a good sense of Blake. And Blake was nervous… and not the nervous as if he’s trying to impress Tori. More like the nervous as if he’s in one place but wanting to be in another. He’d seen Blake act that way when he was in training when he had wanted to be riding. Cam glanced at Tori. And Tori was looking straight at him.
“So is that movie choice ok for you?”
“Uh… Sure… Whatever’s good. I’m just along for the ride.” Cam had answered on the fly and the words were suddenly flying on replay through his brain. Cam coughed and then glanced at Blake, who in turn had glanced at him. Cam’s comfort level suddenly shifted dangerously low. Did he actually just say that? Did he actually just say that here?
Cam glanced over to Shane. Shane had his eyes locked on Tori. Well, that’s what he was doing at the beach. Expected. Cam had sensed Shane’s attraction to Tori, especially recently. They had been spending much of their free time together. Cam had assumed he was trying to help keep her mind off Blake’s absence. When Blake and Hunter had left the first time, Tori had been so lonely that she had to beg Dustin for his bike to ease her pain. Shane, of course would want to do what he can, due to their friendship. But maybe he had spent too much time with her, listened to her pain, her dreams… Maybe Shane was now hearing her heart… but this is the first time he was outwardly obvious. Shane’s face was bright and he was in his own personal world… Speaking of personal worlds…
“Alright then,” Tori’s mind was made up, and she was at least acting oblivious to Shane, “we’ll see a chick flick.”
“Guys, why didn’t you back me…” Blake shook his head as he walked up to the ticket booth. Shane and Cam reached into their pockets. “No, it’s on me… I’m still celebrating my last big win.”
Blake returned with the tickets and handed one to each of them. Cam chanced another study of Blake as he approached him with the ticket. Blake was calmer, but still uneasy. Cam watched Blake hesitate before returning to Tori’s side and presenting her with a ticket. Tori smiled politely. Blake held out his hand and it was Tori’s turn to hesitate. She looked at Blake’s hand, blushed uncomfortably, and just as Blake’s eyes flashed with panic, she slid her hand into his. Cam’s gaze turned from her to him to her again. Something was up, they’ve been caught holding hands way too often for them to be embarrassed now. Blake seemed to be relaxing again. Cam’s eyes shot toward Shane again. Shane’s face had dimmed and he was staring at his feet.
Cam faked a smile. “Well, let’s go see this movie…” -while I study the relationship dynamics of the ninja some more.
(To be continued....)
Where now?
