Page 104 of The Boyfriend Gamble

And then I panicked because I worried he might be driving here. I’d been about to pull out my phone when a car approached. I’d watched with a weird fascination as Cameron had sort of been shoved out of the car.

By Tanner, if I remembered the coloring correctly.

Cameron winced in the crappy light of the garage. “Yeah. He loves Kade and Kade loves me and Kade wants me to do this and I want to do this because I love Kade... and dammit Jasper, I think I love you.”

I eyed him. “I thought you said you weren't drunk.” I gestured. “Why don’t we go inside where it’s warm and where, you know, all your neighbors won’t witness their dentist inebriated.”

“They’re notallmy patients.”

“Perhaps not.” Once we made it to the back wall, I hit the button to close the door. “But they are your neighbors, and you want to be able to look them in the eye the next time you see them.”

“Well…yeah…I suppose.”

I unlocked the back door, entered the alarm code, and guided Cameron into his townhouse. “Here, let’s get you out of your boots and jacket. Then we’ll get you upstairs to bed.”

He frowned. “I just told you I love you.”

Despite myself, I smiled. “Tell me when you're sober and I'll believe you.”

“I’m…” He winced. “Not sober. But I’m super sorry. I shouldn’t have abandoned you at Christmastime. That was so mean of me. And you…alone for the first time. And me, not being a good boyfriend. We’re boyfriends, right? Except you’ve been my secret boyfriend up until now. But, uh, I kind of told Tanner and Kade. And if I know Kade—which, given it’s been almost thirty years, I really do—he’s, like, already told Nita. Who has told her husband Rohit. And someone will have told Nita and Kade’s parents because they won’t want them to be surprised when I show up with you tomorrow.” He squinted. “Did I invite you to come with me tomorrow? Like…I’m sorry I was a dick. I was scared. And then I told Kade and nothing bad happened. And then he told Tanner…and nothing bad happened.”

I stared. Because that was more words than Cameron had said during our entire coffee date. I patted his arm. “I understand, baby. I really do. We can take it slow. And I love you too. Now…bed.” I considered trying to sober him up, but coffee at this hour didn’t make sense. I’d sleep next to him and, in the morning, if he still felt the same way…then we’d talk. And, apparently, I might be joining his family for Christmas.

We did make it up the two flights of stairs. I sent him to the bathroom, then made him drink a large glass of water. Might stave off a bit of the hangover.

I chuckled to myself as I remembered him the morning after the blow job.

We’d won that badminton game.

And, apparently, never looked back.

I managed to get him undressed and into bed.

Naked.

Because pajamas were truly beyond him.

He shivered.

“It’s okay, baby. I’ll get in with you and make you warm.” I’d shed my jacket and boots downstairs. Now I removed my jeans, henley, socks and—because I was a total masochist—my underwear.

“Am I?” He burrowed into his pillows.

“Are you what?” I switched off the overhead light and then crawled into the bed behind him. I pulled him into my arms.

“Am I your baby?” Then he yawned and, before I could answer, was asleep.

“Yeah, you are.” I’d have never considered using a pet name with my ex, but with Cameron? It just…fit.

Several hours later, while I was still mostly asleep, Cameron sat bolt upright.

“Jasper! Jasper! Wake up!”

I sat up, turned on the light, and rubbed my eyes. “What? Are you okay?”

“Wake up.”

I blinked. “Cameron, I’m awake. What's wrong? Is the house on fire?” I figured I’d hear the fire alarm if it were. Or the carbon monoxide detector.

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