Beyond Friendship

My Brothers Bestfriend

Cameron's POV

"Finally!" Karlie says turning the sign to close and leaning against the door.

I laugh at her exaggeration as I wipe down the counter. "You are so dramatic."

She gasps in fake hurt. "I'm the right amount of dramatic for your information. So what's the plan for tonight?" She asks as she turns the chairs onto the tables.

"Dinner, you're welcome to come."

"I cant tonight unfortunately." I look at her curiosily. "My dad says we need to spend time as a family with my mom." She says sighing.

I look at her sympathetically. "And how's that going?" I ask.

She shrugs. "She doesn't try to act like she has any authority over me, yet. But it's still weird having her around again. I just don't understand how he forgave her so fast." She says crossing her arms.

"She is his wife Karlie. He probably just missed her too much to hold it over her too long. I'm sure he understands it won't be that easy for you though, right?" She nods and I smile. "See? It'll be ok I promise. Just let me know if you need to come over, and I'll have everything ready." I say and she sighs again and then smiles.

"Ok let's go. I don't want to be in here any longer than needed. We'll hit it tomorrow." She says and I nod taking off my apron and we grab our stuff to leave. I go to my bike and watch her as she locks up. "See you tomorrow. Bring some food."

I laugh. And then we go our separate ways with me heading home. By the time I get home, it's 6:45. "I'm home!" I call out to my mom.

"We're in the kitchen!" We?

I walk towards the kitchen. "Whos we, I didn't see Caleb's car." I freeze at the sight of Athena and my mom laughing and talking.

"Hey Cameron." Athena says smiling at me.

"Oh hey Athena. What are you doing here?" I ask hoping I didn't sound rude.

She shrugs. "Caleb told me you guys were having family dinner tonight and invited me. He dropped me off after work. He had to go to the store real quick to grab some wine for your mom." She says.

I nod and then look at my mom who is trying her best not to laugh. Everyone is aware of my crush on Athena except Caleb and of course Athena herself. Although, sometimes I think she suspects. "Cool. I'm gonna go work on my essay some more while we wait." I say trying to excuse myself.

"Oh don't be silly. Take a break from the brain of yours and come talk with us." My mom says and I swear she did that on purpose from her smirk.

"Yeah come on. We're talking about the new club that opened up downtown."

"And why are you talking about that with my mom." I joke and my mom smacks my shoulder. "Ow!"

They laugh. "Because I'm not that old and I go out sometimes." My mom says and Athena agrees.

"Your mom is quite the party woman. She outdrinks your brother and I sometimes." Athena says and I look at my mom in surprise.

"What can I say? I used to get down with the party crowd in my college years." She waves her hands like she's raising the roof and I cringe and Athena laughs.

"Mom stop." She sucks her teeth and wave me off. "So when are you guys planning on going?" I ask.

"Next weekend. Caleb and I will be here for spring break so mine as well." Athena shrugs and smiles.

I nod. "Sounds cool." I say plainly.

"Did you want to come?" She asks and I look at my mom like did she hear that and she just shrugs.

"Uh, I'm underage."

"You're 19. You'll pass, besides you'll be with us." She points between her and mom. "Come on it'll be fun. I promise." She says and I'm so confused as to what's happening.

"Mom why are you so ok with this exactly?" I ask skeptically.

"You're about to graduate sweetheart. And you haven been to one party. You need to experience this stuff before going to college. I didn't and was thrown for a loop. I don't want you to get pressured by strangers. You'll be with us." I can't believe my mom is actually encouraging this.

I nod still skeptical but letting it go. "Ok fine. I'll go." They smile wildly and then Caleb walks in.

He walks in a kisses my forehead and I wipe it off and I see Athena laugh. "I got the alcohol. Let's eat." We all sit down at the table and enjoy dinner, talking about our days and then next weekend. Caleb can't stay too long since he'll have an interview in the morning and wants to make a good impression. "That was amazing mom. As always of course." He says.

"Thank you baby. Come help with the dishes?" She asks him and he sighs but gets up when she gives him the eye.

Athena laughs and I admire her the entire time. "I love your mom."

"I'm sure she loves you too." She smiled shyly.

"I love what you did with your hair Cameron. It suits you very well." She says and I subconsciously touch it and she smirks. This is what I mean by I think she knows.

"Thanks. I wanted to cut it. It was just getting in the way." I shrug but definitely redder than a tomato.

"Great choice. I want to cut mine but I just like how it gets in the way sometimes." She says and the way she said it sent my mind to the negative thoughts area. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah why?" I choke out.

She smirks. "You look really red." I hide my face in embarrassment and leave the room. "Cameron!" She calls out but I go up to my room.

Ugh I'm so embarrassing when it comes to her. I've had my fair share of girlfriends and even hookups but they were never Athena. When we first met she wasn't Caleb's bestfriend. She was just a girl from our street who always rode her bike alone. Then one day, Caleb and I were outside playing in the sprinklers, and we saw her riding again. I stopped her and introduced us. She said she was in the 6th grade and so was Caleb. I was only in the 4th grade then so they ended up hanging out more and more and every day she came over, the crush for her grew. Athena was my gay awakening and she doesn't even know it. Nor will she ever know. My brothers bestfriend, ugh!!!