Page 90 of The Long Way
Chapter 21
One Week Later.
“I’m gay. It’s as simple as that. And while that fact in no way defines me, it’s also not something I ever intend to hide again.”
Cam Seaver looked up from his iPad, where he’d been reading theHeraldarticle by Gary North that had gone viral in the hours since its release. Slim and lanky as ever, dark hair mussed and blue eyes serious, he nodded approvingly across the table at Cain, who was currently tucked against Damon’s side in Drew’s sunny kitchen. “This is fucking awesome, Cain. You’re a rebel.”
The impromptu breakfast gathering had been Drew’s idea - a chance for their unlikely band of friends - friends who’d become something like family - to regroup, discuss all the things they’d learned from the senator, and decide on the next steps they needed to take. But first, Drew had insisted, they needed to have breakfast and reconnect - which seemed to be shorthand for teasing Cain by reading his interview out loud. For once Damon was okay with waiting, at least for a little while.
Cain squirmed in embarrassment at Cam’s praise, and Damon smiled as he pulled his man even tighter. “It’s not rebellious or awesome. Just… true,” Cain demurred.
“Yeah, well. Sometimes admitting the truth is the hardest thing a person can do,” Drew said from the other side of the kitchen, where he was making coffee and something that smelled like pumpkin and cinnamon. Damon looked at him curiously. Drew’s voice had a hard edge, and his body was imbued with a tension that was totally incongruous with his baggy sweats and perfect brown hair, the bright sunshine floating in through the French doors and the homey smells in the air.
At the head of the table, Bas Seaver pushed his chair back with a loud screech and stood, throwing open the door behind him and letting in the chilly autumn breeze.
“I need some air,” he said, stepping outside.
Cam watched his brother worriedly as he walked out the door, but when he moved as if to stand and follow, his boyfriend leaned over and nudged his arm, shaking his head slightly. “Keep reading,” Cort urged.
Cam gave one last glance at Sebastian, then returned his attention to the article.
“Cain Shaw’s comments are not what one would expect from the twenty-something son of a politician best known for his conservative, and some would say outright discriminatory, views on LGBTQ rights. Until recently, Cain was a highly visible if silent part of Emmett Shaw’s campaign fundraising machine, a handsome, intelligent presence that appealed to young women, inspired young men, and gained near-universal parental approval. In other words, Cain Shaw was precisely the type of guy your parents would want you to bring home for dinner.”
“Fucker wanted to bringyouhome for dinner,” Damon muttered under his breath. “Wanted toeatyou for dinner, more like.”
“Oh, shush,” Cain said, elbowing Damon lightly. “He did not. He’s a professional.”
“A professional who tried to give you his personal phone number three times even though you were sitting right next to me.”
“You mean even though you’d practicallypulled me onto your lapwhen we sat down with him?”
Cort laughed out loud and wrapped his arm around Cam, drawing the smaller man close to his side. “I feel you, brother.”
Damon rolled his eyes. It hadn’t been like that. He wasn’t jealous. He was just… invested in making his relationship with Cain clear to all observers.
Okay, so maybe it was the same thing.
“Cain blushes when he hears this,”Cam continued, and they all turned to smirk at Cain, who was a deep shade of pink once again at hearing this read.“He refuses to comment, except to say that he hopes he’s far more inspiring to young men in his new role, that of an out-and-proud man who is already fundraising on behalf of social justice groups while he continues his law degree.”
“Badass,” Cam said again, shaking his head.
“Notbadass. They make it sound like this whole big thing, when I just started organizingoneChristmas fundraiser for a nonprofit that provides scholarships to LGBTQ youth.” Cain shrugged. “It felt right. Important. And organizing is something I’m good at. The law degree part is still up in the air.”
Damon squeezed Cain’s shoulder. “You have time,” he reminded his man. “I’m going to make sure of it.”
Cain looked up at him and smiled.
“There is a quiet assurance to Cain, a maturity that sits well on his strong shoulders. He claims he’s grown up much in recent weeks, and attributes that growth to the new man in his life, pilot Damon Fitzpatrick. The mysterious, but undeniably handsome Fitzpatrick, nearly seventeen years Cain’s senior, has a rather dramatic past of his own.
“Oh, this is even better,” Cort laughed, green eyes dancing as he ran a hand through his dark-blond hair. “The mysterious and undeniably handsome Fitzpatrick. From now on, that’s what I’m going to call you.You know my brother? The mysterious and undeniably handsome Damon Fitzpatrick?”
“Fuck off,” Damon said mildly.
Drew brought a tray of coffee and cups to the table, and Cort immediately poured himself a cup.
“You sure the reporter had a thing forCain?” Drew asked as he returned to the kitchen. “Because I could make a case that he’s definitely aDamonfan.”
“Right? He was totally buttering you up for a threesome,” Cam said confidently, waggling his eyebrows. “Maybe it can be the follow-up article. I’d read it.”
