26. Cameron
CAMERON
He could feel their eyes watching him.
Silent.
Waiting.
Itching to ask him the one thing he was dying to share with them.
But torturing his friends was so much more fun.
Cameron continued to ignore the gossip queens and wondered who would be the first to crack and how long it would ta—
“So, Basher met your mom?”
Of course, it was Lucas, the fun-loving romantic who couldn’t help but celebrate and spread love wherever he went.
The guy was a lovebug on steroids, except when it came to protecting those he cared about.
If anyone tried to hurt them, that lovebug on steroids turned into the revenge-demon from hell.
Seriously, the guy went a little cray-cray.
Let’s just say that there were flamethrowers, crossbows, and even grenades being used to take out all those who tried to hurt someone Lucas loved.
It’s always the ones you least suspect who end up being the craziest.
Cameron looked up at Lucas, then over at Ace, who was pretending not to listen as he typed on his tablet.
“Yeah, but I don’t want to bore you guys with the details. Plus, Ace is busy, and I don’t want to distract him,” Cameron teased.
Ace clicked off his tablet and sat up.
“Fuck off. Spill,” Ace demanded.
Cameron chuckled.
“Well, if you guys insist.”
Cameron spent the next twenty minutes gushing over his evening with Basher and his mom. How amazing it was and how grateful he was that his mother was having one of her good days and could fully enjoy the evening with both of them.
“I’m sorry to hear about your mom,” Ace said. “We had no idea she was even ill. You never talk about your family or childhood, so we just figured it was a sore subject for you and didn’t want to upset you.”
“Yeah, it’s not something I like to talk about. It’s pretty difficult at times, and I often get emotional when I think about my mom and how many good years she has left in her.”
Ace and Lucas both stood and walked over to him. Together, they wrapped their arms around him and gave him a bone-crushing hug.
“You know you’re one of us now, so whatever you need, you just let us know. We are always here for you whenever you want to talk or just have someone to vent to,” Ace whispered.
“Thanks, guys, I really appreciate that.”
“Now, back to you and Basher making porn together, and who is the crazy stalker dude you possibly got coming after you guys?” Ace asked.
“Well, he’s one of the first followers I got when I started filming content.
He usually requests one-on-one sessions with me about twice a week, where he always overtips.
His face is always blurred, so I have no idea what he actually looks like, but he says he lives in San Francisco and runs some tech start-up company, but of course, that could be a lie.
I tell my followers that I’m in college and live in Texas, so who knows what is real. ”
They both watched as Ace logged into Cameron’s online profile and began digging through messages and profiles, making notes as he went.
He had no idea what Ace was doing, but he was thankful that the guy was willing to help them out.
When dealing with online personas, one never really knew who they were dealing with. So this hunt might be a little difficult.
It was just after noon when Cameron’s cell phone rang.
It was Marcus.
He wanted to meet him at the local coffee shop so they could have a quick word together without the other guys around.
Cameron agreed and found Marcus waiting at an outdoor table, with two coffees and chocolate croissants set out for them when he arrived.
“Wow, what is this?” Cameron asked, slipping into the seat across from Marcus. “Am I employee of the month or something?” He knew he shouldn’t make jokes, considering everything that was going on around them.
Marcus looked up at him, his eyes serious with concern.
“I know your mother is in a home, and I’m guessing that’s the reason you’re making adult films. To help make extra cash?”
Cameron’s breath caught in his chest. He wasn’t sure how his boss had found out. He had just barely finished telling Ace and Lucas about his mom. But, however he found out, it was out in the open now.
“I want you to know that we consider you family. You’re not just an employee—you're our brother and part of this family. And family helps out one another.”
Marcus slid an envelope across the table.
“What’s this?” Cameron asked, picking up the envelope and pulling out a white piece of paper that had been securely stuffed inside.
“I paid for your mother’s care at the facility for the next three years for you. We can figure out afterward whether you want to extend her stay or move her to another facility when the time comes.”
“What?” Cameron asked, looking confused and shocked as hell. “Why would you do that?”
“I don’t want you to struggle or feel like you are forced to sell your body just because you need extra money. Hey, don’t get me wrong—I’m a big fan of porn, and I feel that people should share it with whomever they like. But I want you to do it because you want to, not because you have to.”
“But… Marcus, you shouldn’t have.” Cameron didn’t know what to say. The gesture was so sweet and generous and totally unexpected. “I… I…” He didn’t have the words.
“There’s nothing to say. You’re family, and I will always take care of my family. I just hope this helps take some of the weight off your shoulders. I know how tough things can get when people are worried about money.”
Cameron got to his feet and made his way around the table to Marcus’s side. Wrapping his arms around his boss, he hugged him tightly and murmured a heartfelt “Thank you.”
No one had ever been so kind and generous to him.
He really appreciated the assistance.
Cameron stayed another hour, drinking and chatting with Marcus before deciding to run home for a bit of a break. He was working later that night, so he thought he might take a quick nap before he had to head in to work at six.
As Cameron charged up the stairs to his third-floor walk-up, a smile began to spread across his face when he spotted the nicely wrapped box sitting on the floor in front of his apartment door.
Jesus, could Basher be any sweeter?
He picked up the box and admired the silver bow tied around the black wrapping. The whole thing looked so… classy.
A little too classy for someone like Basher to pull off.
For some reason, he pictured heavily crumpled paper with way too much tape plastered to the sides, topped with a bow that didn’t quite sit right, more in line with Basher’s level of wrapping skills.
Perhaps he got someone at the store to wrap the gift for him?
Either way, it was the thought that counted.
He tucked the box under his arm, then proceeded to unlock his front door and enter his home.
His place looked exactly as it had when he and Basher had left earlier that morning.
Placing the box on the kitchen counter, he dropped his keys next to it and fished out his cell phone.
The damn thing suddenly began to ring in his hand.
Cameron jumped, startled, until he saw the name calling on his phone.
Super-Hot Biker Dude (with a big piece).
Yes, that was how Basher’s name had been entered into his cell phone—by Basher himself.
Smiling, Cameron accepted the call, then began slowly pulling the satin ribbon off the box.
“Did I ever tell you how sugary-sweet you actually are?” Cameron asked without even bothering to say hello.
There was a momentary pause on the line, causing Cameron to wonder if perhaps his compliments weren’t appreciated.
“Umm, no. Why are you acting all… weird? Did you take some edibles or something?”
“No.” Cameron laughed as he pulled back the wrapping paper, then lifted the lid.
Sitting on the very top was a purple rose.
His favorite.
Cameron’s heart melted.
How did Basher know?
He loved the color's rarity and the fact that it was unlike all the other roses. It was unique in its color and beauty.
Cameron picked up the rose and sniffed it.
Gorgeous.
He placed the rose down on the counter, then lifted the box of imported Belgian chocolates.
A rose and chocolates?
Who was this guy?
“I’m just opening your amazing gift,” Cameron added, placing the box of chocolates down next to the rose.
Next, he picked up the tiny card left at the bottom of the box. His name was written in elegant script.
Once again, the writing looked too fancy to have been written by Basher’s calloused hands.
His stomach dropped.
“What? What gift?” he heard Basher say through the phone.
He felt like he was floating outside his body, watching his hands shake as he slowly lifted the tiny card out from the bottom of the box.
“Cam? What’s going on?” Basher’s voice suddenly came through the speaker, dripping with panic. “Cam?”
Pulling the card from the envelope, he quickly slid his eyes over the words.
Cameron, my sweet and lovely boy.
The rose is a reminder of how unique and special you are, a beauty that cannot be contained or rivaled by any other.
The chocolates are for you to enjoy. A reminder of all the sweet and delicious times we’ve shared together. No one can take those memories away from us.
And this card? Well, this is a reminder of what happens when you ignore my warnings and continue to fuck that piece of shit criminal!
I warned you! I told you that there would be consequences.
Well, now you have set the wheels of fate in motion.
I can’t be held responsible for what comes next.
Just know that I will always love you, and one way or another, you and I will be together.
Good luck, and let the fun begin!
—Your Love Always,
You he did what he could to take it away.
But if the moment ever came when either his or Basher’s life was in danger, would he have the courage to pull the trigger?
He sure hoped he would.
“Cam? You still there?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m here. No, I don’t own a gun. Never felt the need to have one.”
“That’s alright,” Basher said in his calm, ever-so-confident voice. “I have plenty here I can bring over.”
Of course he did.
“In the meantime, grab a knife and wait in your living room until I get there. That is the safest spot in your apartment. You have a good view of all the rooms, with plenty of time to react if someone were to…” He didn’t finish his sentence.
Cameron had a feeling he already knew what Basher was trying to warn him about. Just in case someone came out of hiding and decided to attack you.
“I’ll be there in ten minutes. Don’t hang up. Stay on the line.”
Cameron nodded as he reached for the large butcher knife he kept in the block on his counter. He cautiously slipped into his living room and stood with his back against the wall, waiting for his savior to arrive.
He hated feeling so scared. He hated feeling so vulnerable. But what else could he do?