Page 18 of Out on a Limb

“Well, actually we met at a party our junior year at Browerton.”

“You were actual college sweethearts?”

“We were.”

He refilled Cameron’s glass as soon as he was done. None of Cameron’s hookups ever offered him a glass of water, or vice versa. He should’ve been hooking up with thirtysomethings this whole time. “Walker, you are just an enigma wrapped inside of a mystery tucked into a luxurious condo.”

Walker gave him a sly half-smile, and Cameron found himself blushing.

When they got outside, Cameron zipped up his sweater. It was a cool March morning, but he’d walked home in far less in far colder temperatures. Walker’s SUV hung out in the driveway. There was a car seat in the back, which made everything feel all too real for Cameron.

“You live really close to campus,” Cameron said. “I’m surprised I haven’t seen you around there.”

“I haven’t been back, not since my ten-year reunion.”

“Really? But it’s right there.”

Walker shrugged.

“No looking back,” Cameron said knowingly.

“What?”

“I’m the same way. When I leave a place, I leave it for good. No use getting bogged down in old memories. When I was in high school, this really popular senior graduated, but he kept coming back to hang out with his old teachers and younger friends. And when they all left, he would sometimes just drive through the parking lot. It’s sad.”

“Maybe it was a really nice parking lot.”

Cameron busted out laughing. Then he stopped, and there was silence. He knew what came next.

To Cameron, good-byes were like going to the dentist. They were dreaded, nervewracking, uncomfortable experiences, yet an unavoidable part of our society.

Walker looked at the pavement, then up at Cameron. Nervousness bounced off him like a satellite signal. “There’s a great restaurant not too far from here.”

“Look, you don’t need to do this. You don’t have to retroactively turn last night into a date.” Cameron pushed back the dentist drill. “We got hammered and had some fun. We had a good time. Let’s just leave it at that. Nobody’s getting hurt here.”

“That sounds great, actually.”

Cameron did a double take. Walker didn’t flinch. “It does?”

“Yeah. You’re graduating. I have a kid.” Walker nodded, perking up about the idea. “That makes sense.”

“Then why did you ask me out to dinner?”

“Knee jerk response, I guess. To make things—”

“Less awkward!” This guy kept getting better and better. “I hate that we’re wired this way. You asked me on a date to make me not feel cheap. I would’ve avoided your calls.”

“The date would be even more awkward because we both knew this would go nowhere. And you’d probably order the most expensive thing on the menu and get drunk on wine.”

“Why put ourselves through that?” Cameron couldn’t stop smiling. He’d never been this giddy saying good-bye. But finally, someone got it. It was the high note Cameron needed to go out on.

“It was really nice meeting you, Walker. Your bed is very comfortable.”

“You, too.”

“And I’m really sorry about Hobie’s castle.”

“It’s okay.”