Page 17 of Finding Forever in Cedarwood

“Yeah.” He’d rather not discuss Jeff.

Liam nodded. “Wishes he had you back?”

“He does.” He groaned. Liam confused him. The words he’d used were bland, but he had a serious, yet sexy tone to his voice.

“He should wish with every cell in his body that he’ll lure you back because he knows to his core it won’t happen. You’re not going back.”

The tone of Liam’s voice, combined with the passion in his eyes, got to Stone. “Yeah.” He sounded goofy, but he’d never had anyone talk about him this way. He rather liked it.

“He knows what he lost.” Liam nodded. “You’re smart to move on.”

“Are you interested in taking his place?” He pressed his lips together. He shouldn’t have been so pushy, but he’d never know where he stood with Liam.

“Me?” Liam paled.

Oh, shit.He’d misread the vibes. “I’m sorry.” His brain screamed retreat. He’d gone too far. “I’ll…I’ll be out front if you want a ride home or something. I—bye.” He left the weight room. He had to get out of Liam’s personal space and get away.God.He’d cocked everything up. The way Liam talked, he thought there was attraction. Then there was that kiss…the desire was all in his head.

“Hey, Stone.” Colin Baker strode up to him. “You look stressed. Are you okay?”

“I…”Why lie?“No, I’m not.”

“What’s wrong? Tough rescue?” Colin steered Stone away from the front doors to the garden area. “Talk.”

“It wasn’t a rescue, unless you mean me.” Stone sighed. “I made a tactical error.”

“Honey. With Jeff?”

“No, but he didn’t help matters any.” He sank onto the bench. “I feel ridiculous. I read someone wrong and thought things were one way…they weren’t. If the Coalition found out what I did, they’d be all over it and I’d be run out of town.”

“Why don’t you start coming to the group meetings? It might help. I came up here to post fliers.” Colin sat with him. “But unless it’s getting back with Jeff, I don’t know why any guy would turn you down. Screw the Coalition. They don’t have any power. You can love whoever you want. You’re handsome and sweet. Whoever the guy is, he’s nuts for passing you up.”

“I don’t think he’s gay.”There.He’d said it. “I heard a rumor he’s an actor. I don’t want to question him, because if he is an actor, then he’s trying to be quiet about it.”

“Oh…Arthur mentioned there was a celebrity in town. He said something about the guy wanting to be on the down-low. He used the phrase, ‘we need to protect Stone from getting hurt.’ I wondered what he meant,” Colin said. “I think I know.”

“See? Even my brother doesn’t trust me.”God.Everyone knew about what Liam might be and his brother was the biggest gossip. Who cared if Liam was a celebrity? Not Stone.

“I don’t think your brother doesn’t trust you. He’s protective, yes, but he’s being a brother,” Colin said. “I do the same thing with Farin.”

“Just…it sucks. Why can’t I find someone? Why can’t the Coalition just leave us all alone for good? Do I need to come with a warning label?” Stone asked. “I seem to be okay with animal rescue. I think I can handle a relationship.”

“You’re being too hard on yourself.”

“Maybe it’s me, but I actually thought Liam liked me.”

“What’d he say?” Colin asked, his voice calm.

“I believed him. He gave an impassioned speech about being interested and how any guy would want me. He said Jeff should be begging for me to take him back and realizing I never will because he screwed up. Liam convinced me to buy in,” Stone said. “It was all bullshit. He was practicing for the role, I bet. I thought he liked me.”

“I’m sorry.” Colin toyed with the stack of fliers. “I don’t know what to say. I wish I could fix this, but I’m not sure how.”

“I don’t expect you to.” But talking helped. He wasn’t alone. Maybe he should visit the support group. “Give me a flier. I’ll post it at the shelter.”

“Sure.” He offered up one of the papers. “Maybe Liam is the actor and he’s playing a role. It’s possible. But it’s also possible he isn’t an actor. He might be figuring himself out. He’s attracted to you and the words are there, but his world experience tells him not to go for what he wants. He’s conflicted. If you get combative or push him away, he might stay conflicted or decide he doesn’t need to be true to himself.”

“Don’t put that on me. I’m not a miracle worker and I don’t understand guys. I can’t make him come out,” Stone snapped.

“No, but you can be his friend. Be there for him. You might help him see being himself isn’t bad. The gay community welcomes.” Colin hugged Stone. “Invite him to a meeting. The more you’re together, the more sparks could fly.”

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