“Yeah, ’course.” He nods and leans back, satisfied now.
“I thought you would be, but I just wanted to check.” Thatismy job, isn’t it?
I deal with his contracts with the LA Warriors—negotiations for his next extension will begin in the summer, as per AJ’s request—and I get him sponsorships, brand deals, interviews, and whatever else he’s interested in.
It’s not hard to seal deals for AJ, everyone loves him and wants him to represent their brand or company. It’s been that way since he was drafted.
I was surprised back then that he had such restraint when it came to which companies he’d partner with, and nowadays I know that’s mainly because of his mom and how much she’s ingrained her worry over the environment in him.
“I think that’s it for now,” I continue, hoping I can have him out the door before he remembers my reaction to the email with the invitation. “The season’s going great, and you guys are for sure going to make the playoffs.” They’re about to clinch a spot, and will clinch theirdivision soon as well if San Francisco loses a game or two. “I’ll be at the game on Monday?—”
“Just tell me what’s wrong, Cam.” His softer voice has me deflating in my ergonomic chair. It’s time to face the fact that I’m not going to get away with not talking about this. Not with AJ.
He’s not your usual kind of friend. He’s more warrior than friend, actually, especially when he can tell something’s wrong, so I resign myself to the humiliation and spill it out.
“I just received an invitation to my twenty-year high school reunion,” I confess, then bend my head to rub at my temples.
“Oh, that’s cool.” He’s back to his happy-sounding self. It must be nice to have that immediate reaction. “I had a lot of fun at my ten-year reunion.”
“Yes, of course you did.” I try to smile completely genuinely, but I fail if the tilt to his head is anything to go by. “You were probably mister popular, right?”
“I think people liked me, yes.” And he manages to say that with a straight face and with no real smugness behind it.
“And who wouldn’t?” I ask no one in particular before I can stop myself. Heisthe most likable person in the world as far as I know, and I know a lot of people.
“It wasn’t like that for me,” I tell him honestly, hoping that’s all he’ll need to let this go, but deep down I know better.
And my gut is right.
“Why not?” Again with the adorable tilt of his head. Damn him, he’s disarming as fuck. “You played varsity basketball, didn’t you? And you wereawesome. I saw some clips of you in college games a while back.” He nods repeatedly, and I don’t know if it’s to assure me I was awesome or that he saw the clips.
“Thanks,” I mutter.
“So what’s wrong?” he repeats, and I have to rub at my temples again.
“Is there any chance you’re going to let this go?” I sound like I’m in pain, and I know I will be if I have to tell him this, because I can’t really ever say no to AJ. Not when there’s no real reason to.
“Nope.” He pops the p and smiles in that infuriatingly sweet way he has.
“I have some bad memories of high school,” I start, finding the words as I go. “I was with this guy and he dumped me on Valentine’s Day, then he?—”
“What an asshole,” AJ interrupts, scoffing. He crosses his arms over his chest and yeah... Soren really is an asshole. Or was... I don’t know anything about him other than the fact that he still lives in Gomillion.
“Yeah,” I agree. “Anyway, I really don’t feel like going back there.”
“Just because ofthatdude?” he asks loudly, then throws up his arms. “You have an awesome life. Nothing to be ashamed about. And maybe he’s not even there anymore, or maybe he won’t go.”
“Oh, he’ll be there,” I assure him. “His father’s still themayor, but it’s not having to see him that’s the issue,” I admit, then I have to wince. I shouldn’t have said that because now he’s going to ask?—
“Then what’s the issue?”
That.
Fuck.
“He—” I have to cut myself off. I need to think of something else to say, anything but the truth, but I can’t come up with anything. “He basically said I’d never find someone who would love me because I’m so needy, and well... he’s been right so far.” That’s the painful truth right there. “The last thing I want is to show up there, still single after all this time, and just prove him right. He doesn’t need to know.”
AJ’s off his chair and pacing in a fingersnap.
