“Hello, Mrs.Brooke,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady.
Her eyes narrow as recognition dawns on her face.“Fox?”
“I need to see Cameron,” I say, urgency lacing my words.
“He’s not here.”Her tone is sharp, her expression filled with disdain.
“He told you, didn’t he?”I ask, realizing from her glare that she knows everything.
“What do you want, Fox?Haven’t you done enough?”
“Done enough?What are you talking about?”
“Oh, spare me the act!”she snaps, her voice rising.“Cameron told us everything—about your disgusting relationship.He was supposed to go to school, date a nice girl, and focus on his future.Instead, you’ve ruined him!”
My stomach churns.“Where is he, Mrs.Brooke?”My voice trembles with restrained anger.“What did you do?”
Before she can answer, a man’s voice cuts through the tension.“Is that his disgusting faggot boyfriend?”Cameron’s father steps into view, his presence as hostile as his words.
“Where’s Cameron?”I demand again, glaring at him.
“You need to leave and never come back,” he growls, his eyes filled with contempt.
“You think Iwantto be here?I’m only here because I care about your son—a hell of a lot more than you apparently do!”
“He’s not my son,” Mr.Brooke spits.“We don’t have a son anymore.Now, get the hell out.”
I feel the blood drain from my face.“You kicked him out...because he’s gay?”
Jane’s eyes glisten with unshed tears, but she doesn’t say a word.
“You people are unbelievable,” I hiss.“He’s your only child, and you treat him like this?All you had to do was accept him for who he is.Instead, you decided to throw him away.What kind of parents are you?”
“Leave,” Jane says quietly, her voice trembling.“And don’t come back.”
I stare at them, disgust and rage swirling in my chest.“You’re worse than pathetic.I hope you know that.”
I glare at the bakery one last time before climbing back into my car.Cameron’s parents weren’t what I expected—especially his mom.From all the stories Cameron told me, she sounded like someone who’d stand by him no matter what.Instead, she sided with his father and threw him out.How could they do that to their only child?Where did they think he’d go?
My hands tremble as I grip the wheel, the weight of their rejection sinking in.Cameron deserves better.He deserves a family that loves him unconditionally—not...whateverthatwas.
“Fuck!”I slam my hands against the steering wheel, my frustration boiling over.Cameron deserves so much better than this.
My thoughts are interrupted by the shrill ringtone from Lexi’s phone on the passenger seat.My mom’s name flashes on the screen.I pick it up and answer, putting it to my ear.
“Mom?”
“Honey, where are you?It’s late.”
“I’m out,” I reply shortly, scanning the quiet street.
“Fox, it’s nightfall.What are you doing out?”
I let out a long sigh.“I’m looking for Cameron.His parents kicked him out—probably disowned him.I’m trying to find him.”
“Oh, my God,” she says, her voice soft with concern.“That’s awful.What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.I just… I have to find him.To make things worse, Lexi sent him a video of us making out.”
