Chapter 1
Partners in Pride
“Jeez, bud, this is some dinner.” The scent of spiced couscous and buttery biscuits lingered in the air, cozy and rich. A soft clink of cutlery on ceramic echoed as Colin dragged a fluffy biscuit across his plate, chasing every last drop of gravy. He arched a brow at his husband. “Is this a thank-you for something I did, or a bribe for something you want me to do?”
Joshua laughed. “So suspicious! Is that your lawyer mentality leaking out? Does everything need a motive?”
Without a word, Colin leaned back and gazed intently at his husband.
“Want seconds, sweetums?” Joshua teased, reaching for Colin’s empty plate.
Colin pulled the plate back, shaking his head. “Now I’mreallyworried! Spill, Josh. Did you wreck the car? Break a family heirloom? Flirt with some dude behind my back?”
“Flirt with some dude?Really, Colin?” Joshua’s brows furrowed as he yanked the plate from Colin’s hand.
“OK, OK. Apologies. Just sit down and tell me what’s going on because Couscous Royale on a random weeknight is setting off all my cop instincts. Something’s brewing in that overactivebrain of yours.” He stood, took the plate from Joshua, and pointed to a chair. “Sit.”
Joshua sat.
“Talk.”
Joshua settled back, drawing a deep breath. “Did you ever go to camp as a kid?”
“Camp?” Colin asked. “Like …camp-camp?”
“Yeah. Boys camp. Or even boys and girls. Out in the woods. Y’know. Tents, trails.”
“Does baseball camp count?”
“Was it in the woods?”
“No, on a baseball field.”
“Did you sleep in a tent?”
“No, in my bed.”
Joshua sighed. “Then it’s not camp.”
“And why not?”
“Because you weren’t camping.”
Colin laughed, waving his hand for Joshua to continue. “OK, OK. Is there a point hiding anywhere in here?”
Joshua took his hand, his voice softening. “Rainier Clinic is teaming up with several therapy centers across Albemarle County to host Camp Pride this summer—a weeklong camp for LGBTQ+ boys. Activities, socializing, crafts, classes....”
Colin raised a brow, sensing more. “Aaaaand …?”
“And I want us both to be counselors,” Joshua said in a quick rush.
Colin’s fingers tightened around Joshua’s. After a pause, he leaned forward. “Is thatit?”
Joshua’s grin contorted into a comical grimace. “Yep. That’s it.” He gripped the front of Colin’s shirt, pulling him close. “What’d you think? Will you do it?” He pressed his lips to Colin’s cheek. “Hmm? Pretty please?”
Colin scowled and backed away from Joshua’s nuzzling. “Oh, stop it! Of course, I’ll do it. You don’t have to schmooze me.”
“I know,” Joshua said, smiling. “But schmoozing you isfun. So, I can officially add you to the roster?”
