Two minutes later, Mac’s call comes through. When I answer, Mac has a pissed-off, wounded look, while Leon looks more reserved but tense.
“I’m sorry, I should’ve called you before I posted,” I say, already bracing for their response.
“What’s going on with you?” Mac snaps, more intensely than I expected.
I take a breath. He sounds hurt, and I understand why. “This is something I’ve been planning for a long time. I’m making some big changes, and I’m working toward a different life.”
“Why is this the first we’re hearing about it?” Leon asks, softer but just as puzzled. “We’ve known you for five years. We thought we were friends.”
“It’s on me,” I admit. “I’ve always been careful about what I share, especially around collabs. But I should’ve told you sooner.”
Leon gives me a small, sympathetic smile through the screen. “Look, we get it. Trust is hard to manage in this game.”
“Thanks. I didn’t decide this overnight.”
I fill them in on my business plans and that I’ve just finished my MBA.
They bombard me with questions; business-focused talk I actually enjoy. They get it because they’ve got rental properties and other businesses, not just content, so they know what they’re talking about.
“So, why Oregon?” Leon asks. “You live in New York.”
“Well, that’s the other reason I’m making a change. Jay lives in Oregon. We reconnected in Florida, and I’m hoping one day soon we’ll be more than friends.”
“Whoa, that’s awesome,” Mac says. “We’re happy for you. We heard that Ray and Jay broke up. Did you know Ray moved to Miami?”
I take a deep breath, bracing myself for what’s coming. “I knew he’d left Portland, but I didn’t know he’d moved down there. You’ve seen him?”
“Yeah. He’s been putting out a lot of content,” Leon replies. “He made it sound like Jay cheated, but we didn’t buy it. Also, he’s dating Riley now. You remember him from Fort Lauderdale?”
“What the fuck, he’s dating Riley?” I feel ice spike through my veins.
Riley’s a sweet kid; Ray will chew him up and spit him out.
“It seems pretty new,” Mac continues. “We tried to warn him, but he seems pretty smitten.”
“Give me a sec to text Jay,” I say, fingers flying across the keyboard.
They should know the truth about Ray, but I want Jay’s permission first before I tell them.
Aiden: Talking with Mac and Leon. They have info about Ray that’s bad. R U ok if I fill them in?
Jay is working right now, but I don’t have to wait long before getting his response.
Jay: Of course! What’s going on?
Aiden: I’ll finish the convo thencall you.
Jay: K
I fill them in and text them a few of the pictures of Jay after the assault. They’re not pretty, but they show the truth. I want them to see what Ray did and help get Riley away from him.
Mac is stunned. “Something always felt off with him, but I didn’t expect this. We’re on it. He won’t be able to find anyone to stick his dick in from here to LA once we’re done.”
We continue talking for a bit, and they assure me they’ll take care of it.
After we hang up, I FaceTime Jay.
“What’s going on?” he asks, his voice tense.
