“I’m really happy for you both?” Theo echoes with a scoff. “That’s the comment we’re getting?”
I blink a couple times. “As opposed to…?”
“I have no idea, but usually it’s something fucking wild coming outta your mouth at times like this. I mean, who are you and what have you done with my favorite dunce?”
My eyes sink closed, and I do my best to let the comment roll off my back. But I’m skinned raw and bleeding right now, and some sort of choked sound slips past my lips.
Holden frowns, cocking his head. “You good, man? You look like you’re gonna be sick.”
Peeling my lids open again, I wave him off with another tight smile. “Oh yeah, good as gold. Just a bit tired from the weekend.”
And I think I’ve slipped the mask on just in time as Quinton dives into the story about how Oakley popped the question. But I notice Oakley is deathly silent, studying me through the screen instead of gazing lovingly at his fiancé.
“Cam, what’s wrong?”
Despite holding it together this long, something about that stupid fucking question puts a deep crack in the composure I’ve managed to maintain. But then it shatters in an instant, and all the crap I’ve been feeling—not just about Logan, but abouteverything—comes spilling out.
The dyslexia, the joking chipping at my self-esteem.
The fake relationship, the real feelings.
I dump all of it on them in a massive pile at their feet, despite knowing this is the worst possible time. And I know that, but once it starts, I can’t seem to make it stop until I’m left gasping for air after the last few words leave my lips.
For a second, they’re all silent. Every single one of them. And I almost laugh at the irony of this being the quietest moment in FaceTime history before Holden speaks.
“It’s a seven-hour drive, but with Nix behind the wheel, we can probably make it in less.”
“Nah, Hold. We’re already in Milwaukee for Opening Day.” Theo glances at his boyfriend before saying, “We’re less than two hours away, babe. I can just get a rental car and meet you back in Denver—”
“Fuck a rental, I’ll pay for the Uber,” Madden murmurs, only to shoot me a sympathetic look before disappearing from view.
I shake my head, my chest feeling so full and like it’s caving in all at once. Because I’ve already ruined this night for two of my friends, I don’t need the rest of them to come rescue me from a disaster of my own making.
I wipe away the tears that’ve started to dry. “No, it’s okay. I don’t need—”
“With all due respect to what you’re going through, just shut the fuck up, Camden,” says Holden.
“But I’ll be fine, guys. I just—”
“Did I notjusttell you to shut the fuck up?” he gripes before glaring at Theo. “Tell Madden to hurry before I’m forced to strangle him through the phone.”
“But, I—”
Holden looks like he’s ready to put me six feet under from just the two words, but it’s Oakley who actually speaks this time.
“We’ve all been there, man. Every one of us. And when shit hit the fan, everyone was there, at the house.” Worry draws his brows together before he murmurs, “You deserve the same thing. Or as close as we can give you right now.”
“I already booked you a hotel, Cam,” interrupts Phoenix, who is staring at his own phone. “I’m texting you and Theo the address.”
“Can you make it there safely, or should I call you an Uber too?” Madden asks from somewhere off the screen.
Quinton frowns and motions toward the screen. “He’s in his car already.”
“Yeah, but he probably shouldn’t be driving if he’s this upset,” Phoenix chimes in.
All these questions and plans start coming at me left and right—Ubers and addresses and texts—and I open my mouth to protest once more, but Holden is already cutting me off before I can make a sound.
“Goddamnit, Camden! Just let us be there for you the way you were for us!”
