Page 92 of Josh’s Play

“Don’t worry. I’m not changing who I am for him, or whatever diagnosis you're cooking up for me. I’m just supporting my boyfriend. We’ll work our way through this, together. I promise.”

The group was on us then, and Campbell reached out as if he was going to put an arm around my waist. I sidestepped and introduced the family to my brother.

“Jamie!” I exclaimed. “You’ll have to bring Vera up to their farm. There are adorable cow babies!”

“Calves,” Campbell corrected me, laughing.

“Calves, and horses, and this beautiful view that rivals anything we have here in the Valley. She’ll love it.”

“I’d love for her to learn how to ride a horse one day,” Jamie responded.

“Dev and Gavin used to ride. That might be a cool thing for you guys to do together.”

“Oh yeah? I didn’t know that.”

“Yeah, well, he’s still my best friend, after all. Don’t forget it!”

My mother joined us and commandeered Cam’s parents. Hunter introduced Cam’s younger brothers to some of the young people at the party, and Jamie, in an effort to afford us some one-on-one time, I presumed, excused himself. Cam grabbed my hand right after Jamie left us and dragged me into the house.

“Is there somewhere we can talk?”

He followed me into the den, which was empty.

Just then my phone buzzed.

“Holy shit, Cam. I got the job!”

“You got the job?”

“I did!” He hugged me and then stood about an arm’s length from me, face-to-face.

“This is so perfect. You’re going to take it, right? I want you to take it.”

“Cam. I’m so sorry for what I said on that recording. I never want to pressure you. I understand, you know I understand, right? I was drunk and stupid and …”

“You were right.”

“That’s not what I was going to say.”

“Okay, but that’s what I’m saying. Why do I need to be in the closet, Josh?”

I dropped to the couch and leaned forward, my head between my knees. “Because hockey!” I yelled.

“No, because I thought I couldn’t have a relationship and finish school and play hockey. That’s the truth, Josh. It’s always been the truth no matter how much I twisted it to be about sports and homophobia.

“And if you haven’t noticed? I’ve finished my junior year, made it to the playoffs, got signed to the NHL, and I’ve basically been in a relationship since the moment I limped into the physical therapy office and saw the most adorable boy I’d ever met.”

“Cam …”

“Here.” He pulled a set of earbuds from his pocket and shoved them at me before pulling something up on his phone. I took the buds but stared at Campbell.

“I think your diction leaves a bit to be desired, so maybe this is the version we go with for the final episode.”

“Cam… “

Cam knelt before me and took the earbuds from my hand. He stroked my cheek but pulled back when I tried to kiss him, his smile as stunning as ever.

He placed the buds in my ears, and I acquiesced and adjusted them as he handed me his phone.