I could talk about it with Lindsey, like he suggested. She’s my number two here at J&Co. and one of the fewpeople I trust in our industry. She’s honestly one of my few friends, and I know she would give me great advice, but I don’t feel ready yet to talk to anyone about this, not when they can see my face and... well, she knows me so fucking well.
We started out together straight out of college. Her a woman and me a black gay guy, we were both singled out sometimes, and could both understand why we each had it hard. We supported each other through it all, and I don’t know if I’d have taken the jump into opening J&Co. if she hadn’t agreed to join me.
I think it’s telling that I’m hesitating so much to talk to her about this, but right now I refuse to think about it any deeper. Instead, I focus on thinking about it, like AJ said. It seems like the logical thing to do, and I do have time before I have to RSVP, so...
An idea pops into my head, and I know that if there’s one person who can either tell me the one reason why I shouldn’t even be thinking about this or can back us up at the reunion, it’s Caden—and he can’t see or hear me if I text him, so that’s going to save me some embarrassment. Caden also has one very good reason for potentially wanting to avoid going to the reunion.
Cam:
Hey, can you talk?
Caden:
I’m guessing this is about the invite to the reunion?
Cam:
Yes.
How the hell am I supposed to explain the fucked-up conversation I just had and AJ’s insane proposal? He writes back before I can figure it out.
Caden:
Are you going?
Cam:
I don’t know.
AJ was here when I got the email, and to make a long story short, he suggested he should pretend to be my boyfriend for the weekend so I don’t miss out on it.
High school reunions are the best thing in the world, apparently.
Two minutes go by and I can only watch the dots appear and disappear, until finally a message comes through.
Caden:
First, that sounds like him.
Second, wtf?
Is this because of Soren?
Aaaand he hit the nail on the head.
Cam:
Triple bingo for you.
I know he’ll interpret the sarcasm, so I don't bother with emojis.
Caden:
It’s not the worst idea.
I know how badly he fucked you up.
Those words are enough to bring back the pain, the embarrassment, the sheer humiliation one can only fully feel in high school.
