Chapter 2
Cam
Other than a five-year-old with a sprained wrist, Dr. Grivick’s offices are quiet this morning. We have a few appointments for later in the day, but otherwise, I have time to get some filing done in between very important sessions of scrolling social media.
There are definitely worse places to work, and at least here, I’m putting my nursing degree to use. It was my only choice anyway, because there aren’t any other doctor’s offices in Sunbury.
I wouldn’t trade being here for the world though. After high school, I was accepted to a college in Seattle, where I lived for the better part of three years. Getting away from Sunbury helped me get perspective on things.
When I returned, I did so as an out gay man, and I haven’t looked back since.
I stifle a yawn against the back of my hand and weigh my chances of ducking out early today. Last night was … long. I’d planned to have a chill night at home, but then I’d seen Rafe mowing his lawn shirtless, and that set me off on a trip down memory lane.
I think of Rafe and all those long summers we spent together as kids … then quickly lock those memories away.
Getting mopey is not something I enjoy.
I approach the door to Dr. Grivick’s office instead and gently knock on the frame. “Hey, Doc, you want some lunch?”
“God, yes. Who’s paying this time?”
“I’ve got it.” He’d pay every time if I let him.
When I leave the clinic behind and step out onto O’Connell Road, a smile twitches my lips. It’s busier than usual because people are preparing for the festival this weekend. It’s my favorite time of year because the Pumpkin Pride Festival marks the start of fall, and who doesn’t love fall?
“Campbell!”
I shield my eyes against the sun and look over at where Mom is supervising a giant banner being hung over the street.
“Hey,” I say as I reach her. “It’s crooked.”
I swear Mom almost sprains her neck looking up. At the perfectly straight sign. She sighs. “Why are you the way that you are?”
“Love you too.”
She looks at me in that indulgent way she’s perfected over the years. Where she knows she shouldn’t be amused by my antics but can’t help it anyway. “Where are you heading to?”
“Pegs. I’m on the lunch run.”
“Watch out for Teresa Ortega. She’s all fussy about something this morning.”
“Ortega and fussy in the same sentence? I’ll never believe it.”
“Yeah, it’s a real stretch,” she says dryly. “You better go, or Gerald will wonder what kept you.”
Gerald actually doesn’t care how long I’m gone, but I leave anyway because the last thing I want is to get into a discussion about Rafe’s parents with Mom. It’s up there with use protection and discussions of virginity on the tier of most uncomfortable talking points.
Rafe’s mom is a pain in the ass, but I like his dad and … I really like Rafe.
Still.
Buying the house next door to him was a mistake, but I’d been dumb and na?ve, and I thought that living in such close proximity to each other would mean that we’d naturally start to rebuild our friendship.
I knew that going to a different high school would create some distance between us, but I’d been completely unprepared for how much.
We still caught up, but we both also had new friendship circles to hang out with, and we went from seeing each other every day and texting every night to once a week … then once every two weeks.
Then he got a girlfriend, and the distance wasn’t only a natural progression, but a necessity. I needed the space to protect myself. What I didn’t factor in was that not having Rafe in my life would be more painful than being friends and nothing else.
He went from being my ride or die to the guy I missed like crazy.
Still do.
So the fact Rafe has brushed aside all my attempts to become friends again has done nothing but make me bitter.
And when I’m bitter and petty, it makes for good fun.
I’ve resorted to doing dumb things that I know will piss Rafe off purely to get his attention.
It’s like I’m in freaking elementary school.
And there I am thinking of him again. This can’t be healthy.
I laugh at how dramatic I sound, even in my head. Other than one guy who’s barely in my life, I have it good. I’m a registered nurse, have my own place, even if the mortgage is a pain in the ass, I have parents I like and friends who are in the same place in life as me.
It’s useless telling myself that I don’t need him and should move on. I’ve tried. So many times.
I’m left to cling to the scraps he’ll give me.
Because I’m not desperate or anything.
I pick up lunch from Pegs and duck into the Ugly Mug, Sunbury’s one and only bar, to see my friend Reynolds. He’s working behind the bar, but because it’s slow, he’s more focused on whatever is on his laptop than the clientele.
“Coursework?” I ask.
“Yeah, I’m almost done. Finally.” He cracks a smile. “Then goodbye, business degree, hello, promotion.”
“That sounds like it needs a celebration. Strokers tonight? What time do you get off?”
“Nine. We can head over after?”
Even though I’m tired and regretting the late previous night, I figure I’ll have time for a quick nap this afternoon. “Done and done.”
After thinking about Rafe, there’s nothing I need more than to get hot and sweaty on the dance floor with other hot and sweaty men. It’s been a couple of weeks since I last hooked up, and I’m ready for some fun that doesn’t involve my right hand.
The pickings are slim in Sunbury, but thankfully, Port Welling has a decent queer scene. Leaving town to find a guy also means I rarely run into them outside of the club again, which is a total win in my opinion.
I stifle another yawn as I head back to work, already looking forward to tonight.