Deleted Scene #5

Originally, I planned for MC and Cam to receive the condemnation notice for their apartment before heading to Em's for dinner, which would then tie into the dialogue. I also had a different title for one of Cam's magazines. (He's being his air-headed self.)

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“Oh! Intimate Intrigues: The Secret World of a Voyeur’s Passion.” That was all it took for him to get strangled, coughing hard into his fist, and smacking himself on the chest.

“Shit, sorry. I was just teasing.” You begin to stand to walk over and help and he shoots you a look, waving his hand to let you know he’s alright.

Emma comes back in, Cam’s plate full of roast, potatoes, and too many rolls for one person. She gives him a worried look and aims to pat him on the back. “Cam, honey you should know how to swallow as old as you are.”

This causes you to laugh, so hard that your ribs hurt, and it takes you several minutes to calm down.

“Alright, I don’t want to know what you two were talking about, but keep it clean at dinner.”

As you eat, Emma can’t help but notice the stress etched on your face. “What’s going on?”

Cam and you share a glance before speaking. “It’s just been tough. We haven’t found a place to live yet, and I still don’t have a job. It’s just… a lot.”

She reaches across the table, squeezing your hand. “Hey, you’ll figure the job stuff out. I know it. And, about a place to live.” Emma shoots a look at Cam, shaking her head.

He stops mid-bite, his mouth full of food. “Wh…?”” he mumbled, but the words were muffled. He swallowed hastily, and tried again, “Why are you looking at me like that, what did I do?”

Emma leans over smacking him on the shoulder, “You mean to tell me that you don’t remember the shoot you did two weeks ago?”

You both stare at Cam, waiting for him to say something. He takes another bite of food as if that’s going to help jog his memory. “Two weeks ago…”

“You would forget your head if it wasn’t attached.” Emma grumbles, crossing her arms as Cam tries to remember what she means.

It happens, slowly. The realization in his eyes, as he swallows his bite of food, and it’s as if he’s firing on all cylinders, “The birthday party!” he snaps his fingers, “Too bad about the cake though.”

You sink in your seat, <i> There’s no way. No fucking way. </i>

Emma covers her face with a hand and groans, “Yeah, but who hired you for the shoot?”

Cam gives you a curious look then shrugs and looks back at Emma, “Ardent, something. Weird name, like a tree. Grumpy too.”

“Cameron Clarke, what was his job!?”

Emma’s outburst causes Cam to sit straight, “A landlord….” You both stare at him, dumbfounded, “Oh..oh!”

You love your best friend you truly do, but sometimes he has a one-track mind. “Cam, does he have any places open?” You know it’s a long shot, a real long shot, but one you needed to take. It can’t be the same guy, that’s way too much of a coincidence. <i> No way. Not a chance. </i>

He shoots you a grin, “Yeah, he mentioned he was having trouble filling some units, plus he owes me. Still hasn’t sent the payment. Could work in our favor.” Cam was practically buzzing thinking about it.

“Alright, after dinner you call him.” Emma left no room for argument; you all began digging in, Cam finishes first, heading out onto the porch to call.

You and Emma finish several minutes after, “You relax, I’m going to finish up some dishes. You still have boxes in the guest room you can look through from, well.” She doesn’t have to say from when because you both remember you stumbling into her apartment, Cam hot on your heels. Seeking some sort of familial support. The support your parents denied you.