Page 37 of Finding Forever in Cedarwood

Chapter Eight

Stone deviated from his route to the farm and pulled to a stop in the shaded lot in Cedarwood park. Whatever Liam had to tell him, he wanted to know now. “I’m listening.” He shifted in his seat and faced Liam. “I’m all yours.”

“I hope you are,” Liam said. “I came out to my agent.”

“Congratulations. I’m proud of you.”Is that it?The news wasn’t terrible. He held Liam’s hand. “Feel better, don’t you?”

“About that, I do, but there’s more.” Liam squeezed Stone’s fingers. “I meant to get to the store. I wanted to buy stuff to have at the house so I could adopt Big Orange.”

“I’ll help you. No sweat. The cat will still be there, waiting on you.” Both problems weren’t huge and he’d help. “We’ll get you set up—assuming you still want to adopt the cat.”

“I do.” Liam nodded. “Thank you.”

“I know that look. What else is there to say?” Stone asked.

“You like me, don’t you?”

“I told you I did. Still do.” He scooted over on the bench seat and draped his arm across the back. “I’m intrigued by you. I want to spend lots of time together.”

“Even if I’m being chased by the paparazzi?”

“Are you?” He hadn’t seen anyone following them.

“I will be.”

“Are you sure?”Stupid question.If Liam had been followed in the past, he most likely would be in the future.

“My agent, Pat, says the incident with the SUV has been splashed all over social media. Speculation is rampant about my being gay and hiding it. I am gay and I’ve been hiding it, so the rumors are true.”

“But coming out is your decision.”

“Not now. I’m not upper-tier celebrity, but I’m popular enough that coming out is a big scoop. If the national media doesn’t come looking for me or come calling, the local media will because I’m a celebrity. They all want a scoop.”

He couldn’t imagine how Liam felt or how he handled this kind of trouble.

“I wanted to come here and observe. I wanted to lie low. I had a plan that changed the second I saw you. I realized I wanted to be with you, adopt the cat, help raise Champ and learn my character—not being the media circus to town.”

He needed a second to process what he’d been told. Their quiet existence was about to be imploded. He needed help, but Liam needed more. “Come home with me. The farm is a big property. It’s gated and private. The kids won’t tattle because they’re invested, too. We’re like a big family. We protect each other.”

“What about Big Orange? I don’t want to leave him at the shelter and I can’t impose on you.”

“One more cat won’t be a problem.” He rather liked the commotion. Having Liam close would be good, too.

“You want me? I’m a mess.”

He gathered Liam in his arms and petted his hair. “You’re a mess in some ways, but you’re not in others. You’re lost, but that’s why you found me. We’ll get you through this. We’ll go to the shelter during my shift and bring Orange home.”

Liam kissed him. “Thank you. I don’t deserve you, but I’m glad I came here.”

“What are friends for?”

“Boyfriends?” Liam asked. “We’re more than just platonic guys. My heart races when I see you and I can’t wait for another kiss.”

“Same here.”

“Then take me home. I want some quiet time with you,” Liam said.

“Then we’re on our way.” He let go of Liam and drove to the farm. He stopped long enough to close the gate behind him, then hurried the rest of the way up the lane. He parked in front of the garage.

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