Page 49 of Taking Chances in Cedarwood

“You did fine.” Andrew draped his arm around Cain. “You took control of your life.”

“Why does it feel like I made a mistake?” Cain asked.

“Because it’s a big choice and scary,” Nic said. “You’ve struck out on your own and now they can’t be your safety net.”

“I’m not on my own.” He had Andrew. “It sucks because I don’t like having to cut things off with my parents, but I can stomach the pain now that I know their true motivations. It’s time I lived my life with the people who love me and in the place that makes me happy.”

Andrew kissed Cain’s temple. “You’re right where you belong.”

“I am.” He nuzzled Andrew’s neck. “With you.” His life felt upended, but he had grounding with the man he loved.

Chapter Sixteen

Andrew drove the last few miles to the initial filming location for Cain’s movie. He’d been told to meet Cain and Liam there to discuss the next steps for the film. In the six months since he’d been with Cain, Andrew still didn’t understand the business of making movies. He’d never seen so much planning and reorganizing. Maybe that was why he wasn’t in that industry and grew crops instead.

He didn’t know how much he’d contribute to the film, but he barely tamped down his excitement about seeing Cain.

He pulled into the old school building lot at the south end of Cedarwood and parked. Liam’s car was already there, next to the sporty one Cain had bought when he’d put down roots in town. A few other vehicles were there, but none he recognized.

His stomach fluttered, and his giddiness washed over him. He left his truck and locked up, then headed into the building. The February wind surged around him and stung his cheeks. He tugged his parka tighter around his body. If given the opportunity, he wouldn’t have chosen the old school for a filming location—especially not to serve as an apartment building.

Six months on, he’d fallen deeper in love with Cain. Seeing Cain’s face in the morning and falling asleep beside him at night, plus watching Cain come into his own, pleased Andrew. Also, the sex was off the charts. His body warmed as he thought about having made love to Cain the night before.

“Andrew.” Cain jogged down the hallway. His voice echoed and he grinned. “You made it.”

“I did.” He hugged Cain. “You thought I wouldn’t?”

“It’s cruddy out and cold. I thought you’d change your mind.” Cain threaded his arm around Andrew’s waist and tugged him into one of the old classrooms.

“You really want to have a quickie here?” Andrew asked. “Isn’t it risky?”

“It is,” Cain said. “But it’s not why I dragged you in here.” He laughed. “I did it because I wanted to ease you into the movie lifestyle. It’s all smoke and mirrors. There are a lot of lies…and I’m expected to kiss Liam. Shit’s going to get real and I need to know you’re okay with it.”

“Shit? Like you’re going to have a love scene?”

“Probably.” Cain waggled his head. “The script says we’re going to kiss, and one thing leads to another. It means nothing.”

Relief swept over Andrew. He didn’t mind Cain kissing Liam, because Liam was in a committed relationship with Stone and he trusted the bond he shared with Cain. He didn’t need to hover over a movie set to know how Cain was behaving.

“Andrew?” Cain’s brow furrowed. “We’ve talked about keeping the scene very PG, but we’ve also considered making it a little hotter. One of us will probably show our ass.”

“I expected that.” Why have a love scene if it wasn’t hot and steamy? Andrew laughed and ruffled Cain’s hair. There was nothing to worry about.

“Why are you laughing?” A blush crept up Cain’s face and he met Andrew’s gaze, but fiddled with his hands.

“Because you’re worried that I don’t trust you. I do.” He tugged Cain into his arms. “Besides, you have a terrible habit of telegraphing your guilt.”

“I do?” Cain wobbled against him. “Maybe I’m not such a great actor after all.”

“You are. It’s not super visible—unless you’re looking for it—but I know what to expect. You meet my gaze, but you blush and you twiddle with your hands.”

“How’d you figure that out?”

“When you managed to bleach my football shirt, you didn’t want to admit what you’d done because it ruined the shirt. But…you and I are the only ones who do the laundry at the house. If I didn’t bleach my shirt, you had to be the bleach-er. When you finally told me, you blushed, but did your best to hold my gaze. You fidgeted and picked at your hands, too. I didn’t go hunting for the gestures that time and I don’t actively look for them, but I’ve noticed. Doesn’t matter to me if you do this love scene. I trust you.”

Cain sighed. “I should be embarrassed, but I’m not. No one else knows me well enough to have realized I have nervous gestures. You have.”

Andrew shrugged and unzipped his parka. “You being guilty every so often doesn’t make me love you less or distrust you. It shows you’re human.”

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