Page 136 of Raw Notes, Rough Nights

She grinned. “Uh-uh. One, I need to get to the punchline—and believe me, thereisone—and two, I haven’t achieved my goal until you’re rolling around on the floor.” My phone gave a long buzz, and she glanced at it.

I ignored it. “That’s a WhatsApp message. It’ll be from someone in the group chat. They’ve got a rehearsal tonight.”

Probably Julian with one of his snarky comments.It could wait.

“Group?” She frowned. Then her forehead cleared. “Oh, your little boy band.”

I rolled my eyes. “A capella group, if you don’t mind. And they aren’tmyband—they’re Max and Theo’s.” I picked up my coffee, then eyed her warily. “Maybe I should finish this once you’ve finished your story.”

Raquel chuckled. “Oh, trust me, sweetheart, that’s a good move.” Another WhatsApp notification. Then another. She arched her eyebrows. “Someone’s popular this evening.” She flashed me a sweet smile. “Go ahead, read your messages. My tale will keep. Besides…” Her eyes gleamed. “There’s only so much more of it that I can relate in public.”

I unlocked the screen, and my WhatsApp page exploded.

Julian:OKAY BUT WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME THE ART WAS

Finnley:Julian, maybe don’t open with that?

Oliver:Cam, why didn’t Theo know this was live?

My stomach tightened.Art? Live?

I tapped into the chat.

Julian: I’m just saying—if you’re going to paint your boyfriend naked, at least warn the rest of us before the COLLEGE POSTS IT ONLINE.

I froze.Aw fuck, no.

“Cam?”

I scrolled, and there it was, a link.

College of Arts — Spring Exhibition Preview.Featuring selected works from graduating artists…

And beneath it?—

A thumbnail. Muted colours. Soft light. A familiar line of shoulder and throat.

My breath escaped in a long push. “Oh my God.”

Raquel leaned across the table. “What?”

I couldn’t answer. I tapped the link, my fingers trembling, and the page loaded slowly. Then the image resolved. It was cropped, thank God, but intimate in a way no crop could fully disguise. Theo’s posture, his expression, the way he looked unguarded and present and utterly himself.

My chest ached.

Finnley: Cam, we kinda blindsided him when he walked into rehearsal.

My heart stuttered.

Theo’s seen it.And I hadn’t given him any kind of heads up, becauseno one had fucking told me this was going online.

Raquel’s voice sharpened. “Cameron. Talk to me.”

I locked the phone, placed it face down on the table, and leaned against the wall, my head pounding.

“The paintings I showed you earlier on my phone? Of Theo?”

She nodded.