“Knows what?”Leanne asks, her eyes widening.“Oh…she knows?”
“Yeah.”I sigh, running my fingers through my hair in frustration.“She came to the apartment the other day, yelling and threatening us.She said she took a photo of Fox and me kissing.She’s using it to try and force Fox to get back with her.She said she’d ruin his life if he doesn’t.”
“God, that’s bad,” Leanne murmurs.
“How’d she get the photo?”Landon asks, leaning in.
“We were out for dinner at this Chinese restaurant.Fox and I kissed in his car before we drove home.I guess she was there, saw us, and took the photo.Fox deleted it from her phone, but she probably has backups.”
Landon whistles low.“That’s messy.So what’s Fox planning?”
“He told me not to worry.He said he’d handle it,” I reply, though my tone doesn’t sound convincing, even to me.
“And you?”Landon asks gently.“What about your parents?”
“I’m going home this weekend,” I admit.“I’ve been avoiding them long enough.It’s time I tell them the truth.They deserve to hear it from me, not someone else.”
“That’s a bold step,” Leanne says, admiration flickering in her voice.
“I’m scared,” I confess, my voice barely above a whisper.“They might disown me.”
Landon reaches across the table to squeeze my hand.“Cam, you know you don’t have to tell anyone if you’re not ready.”
“I know,” I say, glancing at him, “but I can’t keep lying.They’re my parents.And if they reject me…then so be it.”
Leanne’s face softens as she speaks.“You’re brave, Cam.And if they can’t see how wonderful you are, that’s on them, not you.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, fighting back tears.“I just…I want them to understand.I’m still their son.That hasn’t changed.”
“And it won’t,” Landon says firmly.“But you’re right.The earlier they know, the better.Hiding doesn’t help anyone.”
The thought of being disowned by my parents aches like a physical wound.My heart feels heavy as I lean back in the booth, glancing around the bustling café.I know they won’t take the news well—especially my mom—but it’s a truth I can’t keep bottled up any longer.
“Good afternoon, folks.Ready to order?”the waitress asks, breaking the tension.
We nod, placing our orders, but the unease in my chest doesn’t fade.Whatever happens next, I’ll have to face it head-on.I just hope I’m strong enough to handle it.
“Do you have to go?”Fox asks, his voice soft as he types on his laptop.We’re in the living room, and I’m sprawled across his lap with my back to the ceiling.His laptop rests carefully on me as he works on a project.
“I have to,” I reply, shifting slightly under the weight of his laptop.
“If this is about Lexi, then you don’t have to tell your parents anything,” he says, pausing his typing.I can feel the intensity of his gaze on the back of my head.
“It’s not about Lexi,” I assure him, my voice steady.“I don’t really care about her that much.They want me to visit.It’s been months since I’ve seen them.Plus, I thought this would be a great opportunity to finally come out to them.Whatever happens—good or bad—I’ll just be relieved it’s off my chest.”
Fox exhales, pushing his laptop off my back and placing it gently on the coffee table.His fingers start tracing the fabric of his oversized shirt that I’m wearing.
“Cam,” he murmurs.
I turn around on his lap to face him.His eyes soften, and he smiles faintly, his hands settling on my hips.
“You don’t have to do anything, you know?”he says, his voice calm but firm.“And whatever happens with your parents, I want you to know I’ll always be here.”
A wave of warmth washes over me, and I sit up, straddling him as I lean forward to wrap my arms around his shoulders.I bury my face in the crook of his neck, inhaling his familiar, comforting scent.
“I love you, Fox,” I whisper into his ear, my voice full of emotion.
His arms tighten around my waist, pulling me closer.“I love you too,” he replies, his words steady and sure.
