“Uh, yeah,” the guy answered. “I just moved here last week.” He glanced over his shoulder toward the counter. “I was really lucky to get this job. I don’t want to screw it up.”
Asher was nodding before he realized his intent to do so. Everyone in town had been friendly to him, even welcoming. Still, he got the impression that not many of the business owners would be keen to take a chance on an outsider.
“Don’t worry,” Cameron replied kindly. “Willow is great, and you’ll get the hang of it. She wouldn’t have hired you if she didn’t think you could do the job.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that.” He shoved his hand across the table toward Cameron. “I’m Greyson, by the way. Greyson McAdams.”
“Nice to meet you, Greyson. I’m Cameron Stone.”
Greyson’s gaze raked down Cameron as he lingered over the handshake, his lips curving in an appreciative grin. “I hope I see you around, Cameron.”
And any charitable feelings Asher had for the young man went right out the fucking window.
He wasn’t jealous. Not even a little. Just because his jaw ached from clenching his teeth so hard didn’t mean anything. The fact that he wanted to backhand some manners into the little shit, then drag Cameron to his feet and brand him with a kiss right there in front of the whole world was completely irrelevant. He was just possessive. Not jealous. There was a difference.
“I’m sure you will.” Cameron pulled his hand out of Greyson’s grip and used it to motion to Asher. “This is my boyfriend, Asher Dare.” His smile remained pleasant, but there was a sharpness to his tone as he moved on to introduce Talon as well. Without waiting for a response, he added, “Good luck, Greyson. I think you’ll like it here.”
Asher stared, his cock hard and aching behind his zipper. Watching Cameron realize Greyson’s interest, then casually—yet politely—dismiss him, might have been the hottest fucking thing he’d ever seen. Not long ago, he would have broken into hives at being introduced as someone’s boyfriend. Hearing Cameron confidently stake his claim, however, flipped every one of his goddamn switches.
Apparently, Cameron realized it, too, because he turned to him with a lopsided grin. “You liked that, didn’t you?”
Before Asher could respond, Talon cleared his throat. It was probably for the best since none of his current thoughts would be appropriate to utter out loud in a family establishment.
Cameron settled his hand on Asher’s thigh under the table and turned his attention to Talon. “Yes?”
“So, I have some pretty big news.”
Asher waited, tense and impatient. If Cameron’s hand traveled any farther up his thigh, the meeting was going to be over before it started.
Talon laced his fingers together around his coffee mug and smirked. “I got you a guest spot onWake Up, Dallas.”
“Shut the front door!” Cameron’s eyes widened, and he squeezed Asher’s leg until his fingertips bit into the flesh. “Are you serious? With Meredith Tripoli?”
Talon dipped his head once.
It was exciting news, and way more than Asher had expected. It was a chance to get his side of the story out to literally millions of people across the nation. Even better, the show’s host, Meredith Tripoli, was a staunch supporter of LGBTQ rights, so he wouldn’t have to worry about some preconceived prejudices going into the interview.
But Talon wasn’t smiling, and he didn’t look nearly as enthusiastic as he should have been. In fact, he looked almost reluctant.
“What is it?” Asher demanded, but he was pretty sure he didn’t want to know the answer. “What aren’t you telling us?”
Talon met his gaze unflinchingly and sighed. “I got you a guest spot on the show, but there’s one condition…”
Chapter Sixteen
“You’re freaking kidding me!”
Pulling alongside the curb in one of Dallas’ trendy neighborhoods, Cameron turned to his sister and shook his head. “Nope. They really want him to do an interview with his parents.”
Natalie huffed as she reached for the door handle. “Well, I hope he told them to go to hell. What a bunch of assholes.”
Following her out of the car, Cameron grinned at her indignation. He loved how protective she was of Asher, but in this case, she had the wrong idea.
Oh, Cameron had been completely against it as first. He’d had quite a few colorful words for Talon, and a whole list of reasons why it was the most absurd thing he’d ever heard. Then, he’d had to pick his jaw up off the floor when Asher had calmly agreed to do it.
They’d spent the entire weekend discussing the pros and cons. Cameron had literally made a detailed PowerPoint presentation, which had sent Asher into hysterics. During the week, he’d tried to bring it up casually in conversation, but Asher had just kissed him and told him not to worry.
In the end, he’d had to accept that it wasn’t his choice to make. He still didn’t like it, still didn’t want Asher anywhere near the abusive trash he called parents, but he’d finally let it drop.
