“He looks smart. Always good to have a smart lab partner.”
“Should I ask him to dance?” I asked.
Elle raised a brow, paused, and gave me a skeptical look. “Sure. Whatever you want.”
I laughed. “You need to be more open-minded. I’m out to find a new type of guy. Someone completely different from who we usually hang out with.”
She shook her head. “Whatever. I think they’re perfectly fine.” She eyed Jarrett on the dance floor with Maya. “In fact, better than fine.”
I glanced across the crowded room and saw Cam playing darts. At that exact moment, he looked up and our eyes met. Did the guy have some kind of homing beacon with my name attached to it? I quickly shifted my gaze back to Seth and his friend and decided to go for it.
I slid through tables, dancing and walking at the same time. Seth had grabbed one of the last available tables. I placed my hand on the back of his chair. I had to speak loudly to be heard over the music. “Hi, Seth.”
His eyes widened behind the black rims of his glasses. “Hi, Haylie.”
Hey, at least he remembered my name. I wasn’t sure I’d made that great of an impression on him in lab. “So, who’s your friend?”
His friend looked equally dumbfounded by my presence, but he manned up, stuck out his hand, and stood up. He had blonde wavy hair and a nice smile. “I’m Brandon. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too. Seth and I are lab partners.” I smiled and glanced at Seth. His expression looked surprised, as though I might be an alien life form sent to abduct him. “Right, Seth?”
“Ah, yeah. We’re lab partners.” He nodded a little too enthusiastically.
This venture of mine to date guys the exact opposite of Tyler was proving to be more daunting than expected, but I was determined to push forward with my plan.
“Would you like to take my seat?” Brandon seemed more experienced with the basics of modern conversation. “I’ll see about getting us some drinks and find another chair.”
“That would be great.” I smiled up at him. “Thanks, Brandon.”
“Would you like a drink?” he asked.
“No, thanks, I’m good.” I took the vacated seat across from Seth. “So, do you come here often?”
“No. Brandon wanted to hear the band, so he talked me into it.”
I leaned across the table. “You didn’t want to come?”
“No. This isn’t really my scene, plus I’ve got a lot of studying to do.”
I nodded. Of course he did. I couldn’t imagine him being anything less than a straight-A student. If not, my Sheldon Cooper image of him would be squashed. “Well, I think it’s good to get out and give your brain a break, don’t you think?”
“Sure. The band seems like they’re pretty good.”
“They are. You were lucky to get a seat.” I surveyed the packed bar, which was now standing room only.
“So, you here with some friends?” he asked.
“Yes, we’ve been busy ripping up the dance floor.” I half shrugged. Elle, Maya, Jarrett, and Sawyer were out dancing, trying to out-do one another, but Cam was nowhere to be seen. My eyes automatically looked for that Rachel chick and I saw her pawing on some other guy. She was definitely not the right pick for Cam. I’d make sure he knew my opinions on this. Jarrett started some crazy move on the floor like he was a wet noodle or something. I turned to Seth. “My friends are crazy.”
He glanced down at the floor. An awkward silence followed. The lead singer spoke into his microphone. “One more song, then we’ve got a special treat for you.”
What the heck, may as well live dangerously. I asked Seth, “Should we dance?” The next chords struck by the bass guitar player were slow and melodious. Damn. I certainly wouldn’t have asked him to dance if I had known a slow song was coming up.
Seth took me up on my offer. My thoughts immediately remembered last weekend when I’d slow-danced with Cam. Dancing with Cam had been wonderful. Dancing with Seth? It couldn’t possibly be anywhere near the same experience.
The guy had no rhythm and he crushed me too tightly into his chest. I reminded myself this was what I wanted, a guy totally different from what I’d dated in the past, and totally not a hockey player. So far, Seth was hitting all my criteria with straight A’s.
“So,” he said into my ear. “Where are you from? Seems like I would have known if you were from Fairbanks.”
“Nope. Not from Fairbanks. Minnesota.” I pushed against his shoulders to put some space between us.
“Why did you decide to come up here for school?”
I followed my boyfriend. But of course I wouldn’t say that. “I got a scholarship and I was looking for an adventure.”
“Cool. What’s your scholarship for?”
I pulled back farther, without being completely rude. The guy was squishing me. “Academics. You know, good grades.”
From my peripheral vision, I spotted Cam. I wasn’t even looking for him, I wasn’t even thinking about him, and yet my body – eyes included apparently, automatically shifted to where he was. He was talking to the drummer of the band, the guy he knew, as he had a break during this song with only the lead singer and guitarists playing.
Then I noticed Maya staring at me. She had a look, like one my mom might give me for eating cookies before dinner. Was she upset because I was dancing with Seth? I could only guess what was going on with her.
The song ended and I unpeeled myself from Seth’s grip.
Maya mouthed, “come here” and waved her hand toward our table. Fine. Whatever. “I’m going to go sit with my friends now. Thanks for the dance.”
“Yep, see you in class.” I started to reassess my ideas of dating a hockey player’s exact opposite. Maybe I should strive for a slight opposite, not Sheldon Cooper opposite.
I shuffled through the tables to Maya’s side and asked, “What is it?”
“I just wanted you to have a good seat for this next song.”
“Why?”
Then the lead singer belted over the microphone, that they had a special guest singer – an Alaska State hockey player guest singer.
My body froze. My eyes immediately went to look for Cam. There was a reason they called him Choir Boy and it wasn’t just because he was so nice. Tyler had told me he had a good voice.
I spotted Cam taking the stairs onto the stage.
My belly rumbled inside. I gulped and I knew something was up. If my brain didn’t know, my body certainly did. My breathing became a little shallow. Heat washed over me.
“Sit down,” Maya said, gently pushing on my shoulder.
Cam took the microphone in his hand from the lead singer. “Many of you know me from the University, but what you probably don’t know is, I come from a musical family. I was carted around by my parents and their band during my early years. They were actually really disappointed when I started obsessing over hockey at the age of five because they’d rather I was a singer in their band. But they supported me in what I really loved. And here I am, living my dream, playing hockey in Alaska.”
Mumblings went on around me. People clapped. Cam was well known in the community after playing hockey for three years here. Clearly, everyone was as stunned as I was about his musical background. I never knew his parents were in a band. So the guy not only had physical hockey talent, but musical talent too? It seemed like Tyler had said he had a nomadic upbringing. His parents moved around a lot, but a singer? No idea.
He continued on. “I’m a bit rusty, but I wrote a song I wanted to sing tonight and When In Doubt has obliged me by agreeing to play and let me do my thing up here.”
I was in complete awe of Cam in this moment. It took guts to sing in front of a crowd like this. In the shower was one thing. This was completely different. This was amazing. He was amazing.
The first words came from his voice and could only be described as beautiful. The crooning baritone sound hit my ears and I melted in my chair.
It's th
e same dream, over and over
I can see us walking and holding hands
You and me
Closer and closer
Maybe baby
You're not aware
Broken hearts
Can get repaired
I see your reasons
I know your fears
But I’m the one standing here
To be what you want
To be where you are
I just wanna say it’s the same dream, over and over
Cam was looking at me. Singing to me. Oh God, oh God, oh God. How was I ever going to manage this? All my plans were shot to hell. How could any girl on the planet resist a guy who sang to her? If there was one out there, I’d sure like to know who, because my resolve burned away, my fears temporarily non-existent. I was mesmerized by his words, his face, his voice.
Tears burned the backs of my eyes. He was serious when he said he didn’t like losing. He was used to getting his way and really, how could I deny him? Not after a song like that, in front of a crowd like this. The words of the song hit me like a Mack truck, I see your reasons, I know your fears.
To my credit, he really hadn’t explained himself and his reasons for wanting to date me. But to his credit, I hadn’t really given him a chance to speak – not really. I felt the stares of Maya and Elle, but I’m not sure everyone in the room knew this song was for me the way they did.
Cam looked at me for much of the song, but like a true entertainer, he scanned the entire room at the same time. In fact, every woman in the bar probably thought he was singing to her. At the end of the song, people were silent, as though astounded, just like me. He secured the microphone back in its stand and the crowd went wild.
Everyone stood up and clapped. Chants of “more, more, more” started. When in Doubt’s lead singer spoke into the microphone, “Looks like we’ve been upstaged by a hockey player.”
Again, all the bar patrons went crazy. A few girls stood up in their chairs.
The lead singer spoke again, “Well Cam, if your career in hockey doesn’t work out, be sure to look us up. We’ve got a spot for you in the band.”
By that time Cam was stepping off the stage, shaking his head and smiling from ear to ear. He seemed to glow in the attention, actually glow. Everyone thought he was just a hockey player, when he was so much more.
I’d judged him too harshly. I’d lumped him in a group with Tyler as though they were the same. They weren’t the same. Not even close.
Cam sauntered toward our table. The crowd parted a path for him like he was some kind of god. His amber-colored eyes bore into me. My knees wobbled, so I sat down.
When in Doubt started their next song, so the attention of the audience finally shifted away from Cam and back to them. I, on the other hand, couldn’t tear my gaze away from Cam. I gripped the edge of the table to steady myself.
He slid into the chair beside me. His thigh bumped into my knee. The touch was electric. My breath shuddered and I tried to quiet all the questions racing through my mind. Despite my need for answers, I decided to play it casual. Too many people hovered around us. “I didn’t know you could sing.”
“My nickname is Choir Boy.”
“I know, but I thought it was mostly because you’re so nice.”
“I’m nice. In fact, you don’t know just how nice I can be.” He leaned in closer to me. His thigh pressed against me, his woodsy scent surrounded me. I breathed him in and immediately felt light-headed.
I nodded. “Probably. Maybe.”
Maya yelled over the loud music. “That was fantastic, Cam. We never knew you had these hidden talents.”
“Yeah, that’s what I keep telling Haylie.” He grinned.
Elle added, “You’ve been keeping secrets from us. Your voice is like nothing I’ve ever heard. Why don’t you have your own band?”
Cam basked in the attention, answering questions and making comments like a professional in the music industry. “School keeps me plenty busy.”
“But after you graduate? Then what will you do?” Elle wasn’t going to let the conversation end.
“I’m not good enough to go into the NHL, but I was thinking I’d join one of the teams in Europe and live there awhile.”
I was stunned to hear this. I’d been so self-absorbed in everything that happened between Tyler and I, I hadn’t bothered to look beyond myself, to other members of the team and to Tyler’s friends. I immediately said, “I think that sounds so exciting. To live in Europe would be great.”
Cam turned his attention back to me. “You really think so?”
“Yes. Absolutely. Not everyone gets opportunities like that.”
“It’s not the highest paying job in the world, but it’s certainly enough to live on. At least that’s what I hear from others who have gone into that league. It’s a bit of an adventure that I’m looking forward to.”
Elle got to her knees on her chair and leaned across the table. “Then after that, will you start your own band?”
He opened his mouth to speak, paused, then said, “It’s doubtful.”
“Well that’s a damn shame.” Elle crossed her arms with a frown and plopped back down in her seat.
“What?” Maya asked. “Were you going to be his manager and give him all his startup money?”
We all knew Elle’s family had money. She made no secret of it. She also made no secret of the fact that she had chosen to attend school as far away as possible from her family as she could get.
“I’d consider it.” Elle tilted her chin up. “I have to figure out what I’m going to do after graduation and a trip to Europe sounds like a great idea. I could scout for band members. In fact…” She pursed her lips together and looked to Cam for support. “A Scottish drummer sounds perfect. Don’t you think?”
“I think for now, I’m sticking with hockey.” His voice was quiet. Just loud enough for our table to hear. “I sang the song for Haylie.”
Everyone was silent. My face instantly heated. I stared straight ahead, unable to make myself turn toward him. Instead, I stared into the crowd beyond Maya.
“I was hoping,” Cam continued, “that the song would convince her to go on a date with me.”
More silence.
Then more awkward silence.
Elle couldn’t contain herself. “Well, Haylie, we’re all waiting to hear your answer. I feel like this is one of those you had me at hello kind of moments.”
I forced myself to ignore my thudding heart. I’d never been so unsure of anything, but I couldn’t ignore the efforts Cam had made. My chest was going to explode if I didn’t speak soon. “Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
“Yes, I agree to one date with you.”
His dark stare held me captive. “You won’t regret it. I promise. This won’t be a mistake.”
“That was freaking amazing!” Maya wouldn’t stop talking about Cam. For that matter, neither would Elle.
After the cab ride home, we parted ways with Elle. Maya and I went to our room. I think I was still in a state of shock. “He did kind of trick me.”
“What do you mean, he tricked you?” Maya asked.
“How could I say no to him with all that pressure of everyone staring at me?”
“It wasn’t everyone. It was just our little group. The whole bar didn’t know he was singing to you. Besides, you can still tell him no. You are entitled, you know.” She slammed the closet door after hanging up her coat.
I sure didn’t like her tone. “You’re being kind of snotty.”
“Better than being an idiot, and if you let Cam get away, I will put you permanently on the idiot shelf.”
“Okay, now you’re just being a bitch.”
“Whatever. Are you seriously going to turn Cam down?”
“No. I said I’d go on one date with him and I’m going to.”
“You know, I never pictured you as one of those girls who only dated the bad boys. I never put you in that category until now.
Cam is fucking amazing and he’s head over heels crazy about you and all you do is give him the brush-off. Are you still pining away for Tyler?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but we did date for nearly three years. You don’t just forget about someone after you spend that much time with them.”
“Fine.”
“Listen, I don’t want to fight with you. I understand you are a huge Cam fan. I get that, but I’m not ready to rush into another relationship. Not anytime soon, okay?”
“Okay. I know. I just don’t think you realize how great you’ve got it. If I had someone like that who cared about me, the way Cam does for you…I’m sure I wouldn’t know what to do.” Maya began undressing and throwing her clothes on the floor. “I’m just jealous. Don’t listen to me.”
“Maya, you will find someone. Or someone will find you. I’m sure of it.”
“Oh yeah, says the gorgeous one to the fat ugly friend.”
“Stop. You aren’t fat or ugly. I would kill for your curves.”
“I’ll gladly hand over some of my cellulite. And I’d give you my double D’s for your perfect C’s any day.”
“Perfect C’s? Oh my god, we are not having this conversation. You are being way too critical of yourself.”
“No, seriously. I’m like the Sabrina on Charlie’s Angels. The guys never wanted Sabrina. They wanted Kelly or Jill, but never Sabrina.”
I laughed at her silly reference of old 70’s reruns, which unfortunately I’d had to endure with her on more than a few occasions when I lost a bet. I tossed my handbag on my desk and sat on my bed. “You are something else, Maya.”
Maya held up her hand in that “talk to the hand” kind of way. “No, please, just call me Sabrina.”
“Okay, fine. Sabrina, I think you are incredible. As a person, as a friend, and don’t doubt your rockin’ hot body. Heck, if I was gay, I’d be tempted.”
That finally got her to laugh. Thank God. She was scaring me. Although I couldn’t totally disagree; Elle was the most Jill-like of the three of us. She never had a shortage of dates. Although I didn’t understand why I was entertaining Maya’s Charlie’s Angels reference in my head when comparing the three of us. I was certainly no Kelly.
Right Kind of Mistake Page 7
