I’ve been waiting for a fucking hour Cameron. No one’s going to wait around for you.
You’re not worth waiting for.
No one’s ever going to love someone as needy as you.
My brain snaps back to reality and I remember who I am.
Not only smart and capable but a grown man.
I’ve done more with my life than this asshole can even imagine.
I’m Cameron fucking Jameson, agent for the biggest athletes in the country, the one who gets deals done, the one always in control, always confident.
I’m still that man, even when I’m faced with the biggest mistake of my life.
Whatever he has to offer—if anything—I don’t want it, and more importantly, I don’t need it.
Sometimes high school love isn’t the good kind.
On the one hand you have Caden and Theo who, in my opinion, despite all the tragedies in their history, are perfect for each other even twenty years later. And on the other hand, you have me. I was in love with Soren, or at least so I thought, but in reality what I loved was an idea of him.
None of it was real.
In that moment I realize I don’t care what he has to say or what he had to say twenty years ago, and I better never forget it again.
But I’m so lost in my stupid-ass epiphany that I don’t notice Soren’s leaning in for a kiss until it’s almost too late.
Violent or not, I push him away with all my strength and, not gonna lie, I enjoy his stunned face.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m sorry, baby.”Ugh, gag. “I regret what I said that Valentine’s Day so much. I’ve regretted it for over twentyyears.” The way he cries out just makes him look even more pathetic.
“Cam?” AJ’s deep voice has Soren and his whiny demand disappearing, but when I see the two men behind him, I know shit’s about to hit the fan. I nod at Rhett and Moses, then look helplessly at AJ.
What can I tell him? Especially in front of other people?
People we’re lying to . . .
People I probably won’t see for another decade...
I guess?—
AJ extends his arm and offers me his hand.
That quiet support, that simple gesture is enough for me to finally move on, and as I do, I fall.
9
CAM
A nightwith no words between us, a whole day with Mom, and a five-hour flight didn’t prepare me for this. Getting home, AJ shutting off his SUV and looking at me like...
Like he expects something?
No, that’s not like him.
AJ neverexpectsanything from anyone.
