"Me being gay," I interrupt, staring at her from under my lashes.
She gasps, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment."Don’t say that."
"Don’t say what?That your son is gay?"
"Cameron."Her voice is sharp, her teeth gritted.
I shake my head, looking around the restaurant.I don’t want to be here anymore.
"One day, we’re going to have to talk about this," I say."You can’t avoid it forever.Trying to make me date girls because you’re ashamed of who I am is exhausting.The sooner you accept that I’m not what you want me to be, the better it’ll be for everyone."
She stares at me, her eyes filled with something between pity and anger."What happened to you, Cameron?"
What happened to me?I grew up.I learned to stop letting people dictate my life.I want to scream it at her, but instead, I stay silent, biting the inside of my cheek to keep from losing it.
"Have you started this diabolical attitude again?Chasing after men?What happened to you in high school wasn’t enough of a lesson?What do you want us to do for you, Cameron?"
I want you to leave me alone,I think.But I don’t say it.
"Why did you even come?"I ask, desperate to change the topic.
She sighs, her shoulders relaxing slightly."I wanted to make sure you’re okay.You’ve stopped answering our calls, and you didn’t come home during the holidays."
I’m about to respond when I catch sight of someone familiar—too familiar.Blue eyes lock onto mine, equally surprised to see me here.It’s Fox, and he’s with his mother, Lila.
Lila notices me first, her face lighting up as she approaches our table with Fox trailing behind her.
"Cameron, right?"she asks warmly.
"Yeah," I say, standing to greet her.
To my surprise, she pulls me into a hug.I glance at Fox over her shoulder, and he just shrugs, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"You’re definitely a good-looking man," Lila says as she pulls back, turning to greet my mom.
"Hi," she says, extending her hand.
Mom hesitates but shakes her hand politely."Hello.I’m Jane, Cameron’s mom."
"Lila, Fox’s mom.It’s nice to meet you," Lila replies, her smile bright.
The two women exchange pleasantries as Fox and I share a silent conversation with our eyes.His are practically undressing me, and I can’t help but blush.
Before I know it, Lila is pulling out a chair next to Mom and sitting down.Fox takes the seat next to me, and I can feel the warmth of his presence.
"I was in the area meeting an editor for my book," Lila explains, "and I thought I’d drop by to see my son.I was a little disappointed I didn’t see you, Cameron.How have you been?"
"Good," I say, smiling.
"And I hope you don’t mind us joining your dinner," she says to Mom."I thought it might be nice for us to bond a little."
"Not at all," Mom replies, her earlier tension melting away.
As the women talk, I lean over to whisper to Fox."Does she know about us?"
"Nope," he whispers back, grinning."She just really likes you."
The rest of the evening passes in an oddly pleasant blur.Lila is effortlessly charming, and Mom, to my surprise, seems genuinely at ease for the first time in forever.
