Episode 18

"Yesss, I'm the best!!!"

"Crap, Cameron, you win for the third time; I'm not playing anymore." Bill tossed the game controllers onto the small table in the game room and flung himself grumpily onto the sofa, listening to the tempting laughter of his friend.

He needed a distraction that afternoon, and the perfect place to find it was at the house of someone who made him feel secure. There they were, in a game room in the basement, with a couple of black leather sofas, a pool table, a large television, and above all, the privacy they needed to talk.

"So now you'll tell me," Cameron observed as Bill reclined on a sofa and covered his face, rubbing his hands forcefully, letting out a large sigh.

"That bad?" he asked again.

"Worse," Bill's voice was heavy, bearing a weight he never expected when he decided to play.

"Bill, whatever it is, you know we can talk about it, and it won't leave these four walls—just say it."

"It's Jason."

"Ahh," Cameron's eyes widened, and he smiled, settling even more comfortably on the couch, short of a notepad to become the perfect psychologist.

"I don't know what's happening to me; I'm not gay." Bill spoke almost irritably, leaning forward and resting his hands on his knees.

"Wow, easy there, buddy; I'm the living proof of your taste for women. I've seen you with endless girls, and to be honest, I was really jealous at times." Cameron’s smile relaxed Bill, who denied it with a shy grin.

"Cameron, I don't know what's happening. I think about him all day, my body shakes when I'm near him, I hate it when he ignores me and buries himself in books when I follow him to the library, I can't stand to see Nara touching him. Am I going crazy?"

"No, you just like him."

"I came here to talk seriously; I'm leaving." Bill stood up irritably.

"If you wanted lies, you should have told me."

Bill stopped at the door, his mind in chaos, and decided to give his friend a chance; he really needed clarity, so he returned to the sofa.

"I know it can't be easy, well, for me it would not be easy, liking a guy, but I would not shut myself off from that possibility."

Bill looked at him in surprise.

"What? Shocked?" Cameron just nodded.

"I'm not the one to tell you what to do. Sometimes I make big mistakes, and unlike you or Daniel, I can’t just talk and let it out. But I find a quiet place and do something stupid." He laughed at the thought.

"What do you do?" Bill was completely intrigued.

"I buy a kilo of ice cream, go to the terrace, and think about the effects that might have on me—don't you dare laugh." Bill pressed his lips together, trying not to let out a chuckle.

"Friend, I never imagined you as a lonely girl, on her period, eating ice cream, and reflecting on life on her terrace." Bill couldn't hold back and burst into laughter.

"You know, that comment is tremendously sexist," Cameron smiled. "There’s nothing better than eating something sweet when you're feeling down."

"Here, eat." Bill took the chocolate bar that Cameron had thrown at him and started to open it.

"I'm going to ask you some questions, and I want you to be honest, okay?" Bill nodded again, swallowing hard.

"Does it bother you being close to him?"

"No."

"When he touches you, even if it's by accident, are you disgusted?"

"No! Of course not." Bill sat up straighter in the couch with renewed certainty.

"When you kiss him, what do you feel?"

"Like I might die; it's never enough."

"Have you ever felt that way about anyone else?"

"Never."

"What's the problem, then?"

"He's a man, Cameron."

"Look, Bill, don't let fear cause you to miss out on something good, because I assure you, brother, you’ll regret it."

"You say it as if it happened to you."

"Well, I thought I mentioned I'm not the best example, right? Now stop thinking so much and let's play."

Bill smiled and resettled in front of the screen.

"Cameron."

"Yeah?"

"Do you have any ice cream?" Bill asked, his tone teasing.

"Get lost, Brennan."

Jason walked angrily with his tools and bike at his side, cursing himself for not bringing a spare patch. To his misfortune, his mode of transportation was badly damaged; both wheels were affected.

The sound of a horn stopped him in his tracks; he turned to find the cheery face of Jack in his blue truck.

"Jump in, Jason, I’ll give you a lift."

Without much thought, Jason loaded his tools and bike into the back, then climbed into the passenger seat.

"What brings you here, princess?"

"Jason rolled his eyes—"you too, and that damn nickname"—but he smiled.

"Well, it suits you—good skin, nice eyes; you look pretty, princess." Jack said, not taking his eyes off the road.

"Jason shook his head and changed the subject. "I came to fix the Anderson's garden."

"Don't you usually do that on weekends?" Jack asked, sounding doubtful.

"They’re having their first grandchild's birthday party and wanted everything ready. Plus, it’s extra money for me. I couldn't say no."

"Why are you riding that piece of junk?" Jack indicated the bike with his index finger.

"Show some respect; Doris gets me wherever I want to go."

"Doris," Jack burst out laughing—"you call your bike Doris."

"Sure, it’s a sweet name; I like it." Jason took a water bottle out of his backpack, opened it, and began to drink.

"I thought it’d be sweeter, Jason."

Coughing and spitting out the water in surprise, Jason covered his mouth with the back of his hand to clean off the remnants.

"Take it easy, princess. How am I going to explain to your dear that I lost you to drowning?"

"Stop spouting nonsense, Jack," Jason cleaned himself up.

"What? If you were my guy, I'd take you everywhere, so you wouldn't have to ride that thing." Jack stated jokingly.

"Let's see, Jack, you and a guy—I'd pay to see that."

"Well, you'd go bankrupt. Jack turned to find Jason's eyes wide with disbelief at what he was hearing.

"You mean you—no, I've seen you with loads of girls, or you're... Nooo." Jason's astonishment was palpable—he wanted to respond but couldn't find the words.

"Relax, princess. I like love, regardless of where it comes from. I’ve had my experiences and, to be honest, I wouldn’t have minded playing with you."

"Jack, you know this is getting weird, right?"

Jack's laughter filled the truck. "I'm not going to harass you. I'm just saying you're not bad, and yes, I've been with girls and guys, though I prefer the latter older—they have more experience, you know?"

"I'd rather not," Jason preferred to stay oblivious.

"Alright, here we are." Jack parked the vehicle in front of his friend's house and turned to look at him. "You should be freer, don't be afraid to express your emotions with Bill."

"What are you talking about?"

"Jason, nobody gets as nervous and runs away as you did unless that person doesn't stir at least two emotions."

"Two emotions?"

"Either you run because you're afraid—which I know wasn't the case—or you do it because you like them too much. And I'm pretty sure that what you feel for Bill is the latter." Jack tilted his head and looked at him with mischievous eyes.

Clearing his throat, Jason managed, "Thanks for the ride." He hurried out, grabbed Doris, and walked quickly to the entrance.

"Jason!" Jack yelled, and he turned back curiously.

"Now you run out of fear; see the difference?"

"Just drive away." Jason smiled and entered the house.

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