“He could, but I doubt it. He’s bending over backwards to get with you,” Liam said. “I have no need to film this movie here. I only dragged everyone out to the farm for Cain.”
“It’s not a good enough location?” Andrew asked.
“I don’t have any scenes that would fit being filmed at a farm. It takes place in a small town, but there’s nothing a farm would work with.” Liam leaned against the doorframe. “You’ve got a beautiful place, and I’ll bet the sunsets are dynamite. They are at Stone’s place and it’s sort of a farm. It’s more of an animal menagerie.”
“The sunsets are pretty.” He’d never been to Stone’s property. Andrew met Liam’s gaze. “What do I do?”
“What do you want?” Liam asked. “If you could have anything you want, what would it be?”
His gut response?Cain.That was too much to ask. He thought about his desires for another moment. “I want Cain to be happy and out—if that’s what he wants. I’d like him to be here, but working, too. I don’t want to hold him down because I don’t think anyone could if they tried.”
“True.” Liam half-smiled. “Do you truly love him?”
“I do.”
“Then tell him and stand beside him as he goes through this. He needs you. He’s going to have to get really tough, and you need to be his strength. You will be his soft place to land, too. Can you do that?”
“Yes.” He had no choice. He needed Cain.
“Good.” Liam wrestled his hands free from his pockets and shook hands with Andrew. “By the way, I’m signing you up as an advisor on the film. Nic out there is going to make sure it’s all legal.”
“He is?” Andrew shook his head. “Why?”
“So you’re permitted on the set and you get a little bit from the film.” Liam winked. “We need you there to keep Cain centered, and you should get paid something for your efforts.”
“I don’t know about the money, but I’ll be there for Cain.”
“Good.” Liam walked through the house to the front porch. “I’ll be back, but you need time with Cain right now.”
“Thanks.” Andrew waited for Cain. Once Liam left, then Maddie and Nic followed, Cain headed up to the porch. Andrew sucked in a ragged breath. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Cain didn’t touch him. “We need to talk.”
Not the rousing hello he’d expected… “Okay?” Was this goodbye or the next Chapter of their story? “Come inside.”
Cain followed him into the house. “Andrew.”
“Liam hired me to help with the movie,” Andrew blurted. “I know nothing about movies.”
“I know.” Cain grasped Andrew’s hand. “Stop.”
“What?” His nerves got the best of him and his fear overwhelmed Andrew. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry.” Cain smiled. “I wanted to show you something.”
“Yeah.” He allowed Cain to lead him into the family room.
“Sit.” He settled next to Andrew on the sofa. “Here.” He whipped out his phone. “I’m out. It’s all over social media and there’s no taking it back, but I don’t want to because I’m free.”
“I saw the article and our pictures.” He nodded and his hands shook. “You called me your boyfriend.” Andrew measured his breaths. “You’re not taking any of it back?”
“No taking it back, like I said.” Cain pulled up his social media feed. “I’m out, and our pictures are popular. Andrew, we’ve been accepted. The fans love us together.”
Relief swept over Andrew. The fans were a big part of the problem. “What about your parents?”
“We’ll handle that on Saturday, and I have a plan. Nic’s in on it—mostly because I needed a lawyer and he’s smart with legal shit,” Cain said. “I need you to trust me.”
“I do.”