It’s moments like these I miss the times when I drank.
I mean, I never drank too much, and the hangover the next day or general tiredness is the reason why I gave it up completely, but I feel like a stiff drink would be just the thing right now.
The nerves that began to plague me the second Cam took my hand mere minutes ago come back to life with a vengeance when he stops in front of three guys. Two are taller than me, kind of like Cam I’d say, and the otherone’s about my height, so naturally we’re taller than almost everybody else around here.
I wonder briefly where Caden is, if he changed his mind after all like Cam told me he might, but even the memory of Cam’s friend disappears when he pulls me forward and I’m faced with three very smiley men.
“AJ, these are my old teammates, Shane Bailey, Ray Barker, and Dale Rivers.” He points at them one by one, and since he didn’t let go of my hand, I don’t let go of his while I give them all handshakes.
“Nice to meet you.” And since it really is, I’m no longer scowling.
“Man, it’s great to meet you too,” Shane says, and I force my smile to stay still when his eyes shift down to our hands. “I’m a big fan,” is all he says, though, and I’m glad we don’t have to start explaining everything right now.
“Thanks,” I tell him with a nod, mostly because it’s what I always say when someone says they’re a fan—I don’t know what else I could say to that.
“So what did you guys get?” Dale asks, and thankfully I’m not the only one confused this time—that happens sometimes.
“What do you mean, what did we get?” Cam asks, his eyebrows scrunched up in confusion.
“The food thing,” Dale insists, and shows Cam a piece of paper that says meat. “You’re supposed to find the person who has the other half of yours. I’m guessing mine is loaf.”
That would make sense. Man I’d kill for Mom’s meatloaf right about now.
“Oh, well, uh,” Cam stutters and his hand twitches in mine. I squeeze once so he remembers I’m here and I’ve got his back. Though considering what just happened, maybe he’d rather forget I’m here, or that he’s here... that we’re here. That one’s for sure. “The woman at the entrance was blinded by adoration for AJ, so I guess she forgot to give them to us.” He shrugs. “It’s fine. We’re here to chat with you guys anyway.”
And so the catching up begins. I pay more attention to what Cam does than to anything anyone says, and I’m glad to see his shoulders drop and how his chest puffs out when he takes a deep breath.
He’s relaxing, and that’s all I want for him—to have a good time this weekend, feel good about himself and the life he’s led, and to be more confident in what the future holds.
So I stay quiet, smile at Cam’s friends, and just enjoy being here as much as I can...
I know I’m being watched.
I’m not sure if this feeling is just from the confrontation with Soren, but I don’t think so.
I’ve talked about it with a few other famous guys, and when you become someone people recognize, you very quickly develop this sixth sense that tells you when people are watching you.
Sadly, that sixth sense is no help in the paparazzidepartment, as evidenced by the pictures of me with some of my girlfriends on vacation.
But just in case, I peel my fingers loose from Cam’s grip—which has gone slack thankfully—and put my arm around his waist.
It feels foreign and... funny, but I try my best to make it seem as natural as possible, and all the while I focus on Cam’s face as if it’s the most interesting thing I’ve seen in all my life.
It’s not bad as far as faces go... He’s got high cheekbones, and the way his nose is just slightly crooked makes it... yeah, interesting.
A clap on my shoulder puts me on alert instantly, but when I turn around—and up—and see Caden’s tense smile, I relax.
Damn, everyone here is way more nervous than they were at my ten-year high school reunion.
I greet him with a half hug, and realize it’s the first time I’ve let go of Cam in a while when my arm feels too cold all of a sudden.
“How are you?” I ask him quietly.
“Yeah, I’m good,” he says, voice short. He doesn’t seem to be doing so great, but he goes on to greet Cam—and they also exchange some words I can’t quite make out—and after greeting the rest of the guys, Caden makes a quick exit and tells us he’s going to the bar where the next event is happening.
Okay, then.
That’s not the Caden I’ve gotten to know in the lastfew years, and damn, I hope he gets to exorcise some of his demons just like I’m hoping Cam gets over that stupid asshole, Soren.
