“Yourself,” I tell him loudly while walking backwards to my front door.
He does look kind of lost, but he’s Cam. He’ll get his head on straight and tell me what he really thinks and wants when we get a bit of time alone.
Hopefully that’ll happen Saturday night.
For now... I turn and walk into my house, then sprint up to my room.
I could wear the same suit I’m wearing now, since it’s pretty nice, but this is late-night television, and I always dress it up for those interviews.
This one is especially important, since I’m gonna be talking about the program I’ve been working on with the Warriors to hang out with at-risk kids in the city, and I’m hoping people watching will donate some money to keep the community centers we use well-stocked and in order.
But because it’s so important to me, I have everything I need to say memorized, so I use the little time I have to call Derek.
I need his help.
“What?” he barks out the second he answers.
“Hi, Derek, nice to hear from me, I’m sure.” He growls and I laugh. I find a deep blue shirt I think I look awesome in and shrug it on. “I need your help, bro.”
“With what?” he asks, more curious than growly—that bodes well for me.
“So I just kissed Cam, and man I gotta tell you, it was awesome and I wanna do a hell of a lot more than kiss him, but I need you to help me plan this thing out.”
“Uh...” He stalls, and sounding awkward, he says, “I don’t think we’re that kind of friends, AJ.”
“I don’t need your help with that,” I protest, getting the subtext. “Look, I don’t wanna do anything wrong. Not with Cam. He’s too important and he’s been through too much. Just come over tomorrow morning ready to help me figure this shit out.” I think of leaving it at that but thenchange my mind. “And bring Hawk.” He’s probably going to be helpful too.
I hang up before he can eventhinkof saying no, and then go back to getting ready.
Deodorant, cologne, and new pants paired with shiny shoes, watch, and belt, and then I’m out of the house again and on my way to the studios.
It’s not far, but it still takes me forty minutes, so I’m a bit late.
It doesn’t matter, not to the nice assistant who greets me anyway, and not to the host who comes to say hi in my dressing room ten minutes before he starts the show.
I get it all done, and yeah, the next morning I have a text with the amount of donations from last night that I’m more than happy with, so when my doorbell rings, not even Derek’s monstrous frown could tamp my excitement down.
“Let’s get this thing started,” I tell him and his husband, and then I realize he brought his brother-in-law Wolf, andhisfiancé CJ too.
“My man,” I tell CJ and bring him in for a hug. We’re kindred spirits with our letters for names, and he’s way more fun than Wolf.
And speaking of Wolf . . .
“Why are we here?” he demands, tone as grumpy as Derek’s always is.
“I kissed a guy and I liked it,” I declare, and I even throw my hands up in the air.
“Yay,” Hawk cheers. “It’s awesome, right?” His wide,bright, and excited eyes tell me he’s going to be the most helpful of the bunch—well, CJ is a doctor so he’s probably got some great advice to give me too.
“It’s fucking amazing,” I agree and nod. “I ordered us breakfast,” I tell them, and lead them into the kitchen where I have it all set up family style.
“I just want coffee,” Derek mumbles and Wolf grunts in agreement.
“I have a pot ready right here, and I’ll start another for all of us who are civilized,” I tell them with a smile.
I know my people, and though I didn’t know half my guests were coming, I did go a bit overboard with the food, so there’s more than enough for everyone.
We all fill up our plates and yes, more coffee is started, and after Derek finishes his first cup he actually smiles at me.
