My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 179 Go Away

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?

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.

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

was

felt like five minutes. Maybe I was wrong. I hadn't been

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

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

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

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

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.

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

leaned in, his eyes locked

Ket

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

dropping lower. "Just...say it." There was something raw

wouldn't come. I couldn't say

problem saying it," he pressed, his voice firmer now. "So why can't you? It's kinda

words failed me. The silence between us

and stood up, pulling me with him. "Come with me," he said,