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A feeling a dread washed over him and he knew whatever Rylan was about to tell him would either break his heart or make him murderous. Whatever it was, Cameron already hated the other man because of the way Rylan’s voice quivered with fear even thinking about what happened to him. Cameron held him tighter, hoping to take the burden from Rylan’s shoulders.

“He was the only one that figured out I was gay. Or at least, the only one who didn’t ignore it.”

He rubbed Rylan’s back, encouraging him to continue his story without interrupting.

“A few months before the end of my senior year in high school, Tristan came home during spring break to visit Declan. I stayed away from both of them, knowing Tristan would start something if he spotted me.”

Rylan squeezed his waist and Cameron felt the dread again.

“Late one night, I woke because I smelled alcohol. When I opened my eyes, it was Tristan hovering above me, his face so close to mine. As he realized I was awake, he dropped his weight down on top of me and pinned me to the bed. I struggled, told him to get off, screamed it even, but he didn’t move. His voice was so slurred when he yelled at me I couldn’t understand what he was saying.”

Cameron couldn’t help it, he tugged Rylan close, making sure that Rylan’s body was on top of his own.

“I struggled until my muscles burned and then I beat at his chest to get him off. I even tried to knee him, but he wouldn’t budge. Then he tried to kiss me.”

“What?”

Rylan’s tears splashed onto his chest and he took a deep, shaky breath.

Cameron kissed his forehead. “You’re safe with me, Ry. No one will ever hurt you again, I promise.”

“The more I fought, the angrier he became until he snapped. He punched me twice in the face, stunning me. My arms dropped to my sides, and he took advantage and ripped the blankets off me. I had my hands up, protecting my face from his strikes, struggling against his touch. He gripped my sleep pants and yanked them down my legs before pinning my arms above my head. Before I could scream or he touched me, Declan called for him and it snapped him out of his actions.”

Cameron closed his eyes as pure rage made his body shake, even more so when he pulled Rylan closer and felt the hot tears drop on his neck.

Rylan’s voice almost broke Cameron. “I pulled my clothes back on as he stumbled toward the staircase, calling me a cock tease, that no one would ever want my ugly, bony ass and he was doing me a favor by even touching me. After that, I stayed away as much as I could and bought and installed a stronger lock on both doors. I haven’t been in the same room with him since that night.”

The growl that escaped Cameron’s throat took him by surprise, but he continued aloud with his thoughts. “And you won’t ever have to be. Ever again. Tomorrow, we will get your stuff. I’ll text my friends to help and you won’t have to deal with Tristan ever again. Do you have nightmares about that night often?”

Rylan shook his head. “No, I guess seeing him tonight brought it all back. I’m sorry for waking you up.”

Cameron laughed, and it sounded hollow, even to his own ears. “You didn’t. I’ve been awake, staring at the ceiling.”

Rylan leaned back and looked at him. Seeing the tears on his face almost broke Cameron, but he wiped them away with gentle strokes.

“Why?”

“It’ll sound strange…”

Despite everything being brought to the forefront, Rylan leaned forward and kissed him on his chin.

“Everything feels natural between us, so no, I don’t think whatever you’re about to say will be strange at all.” Rylan placed another quick kiss to the corner of his mouth.

Cameron swallowed and blurted out the truth. “I didn’t like you were sleeping in the other room and it felt as though a piece of myself was missing.”

Rylan’s low laugh made Cameron smile, but it was the next words out of his mouth that made him realize everything between him and Rylan felt right.

“I wanted to ask you if I could sleep with you, but I didn’t want to intrude. To be honest, I have no experience with relationships and I have two close friends, but mostly, I keep to myself. But with you… I feel I am myself and I can’t help it, I like you already Cameron. And more than just friends.”

He squeezed Rylan closer to him. “I know what you mean. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, because you’re the first person I crave to touch, but more than that, I want to be with you. For the longest time, I thought I was different because I couldn’t connect to anyone and in one night, you changed everything for me.”

Rylan pressed another kiss against the corner of his mouth and lay back down with his head on Cameron’s chest.

Knowing his question might cause Rylan pain, he rubbed Rylan’s back through his tee and asked. “Why do you think Tristan came to the club looking for you?”

“I don’t know, but it was the first time I was in the same room as him since I was seventeen.”

Rylan yawned and Cameron was getting used to the pressure in his chest whenever he looked at the man in his arms. He had known Rylan for only hours, but some part of him understood this man would be essential to his happiness.

He allowed himself to relax and cuddled Rylan closer to his side.

“Night, Rylan.”

“Goodnight, Cameron. Thank you, for everything.”

Cameron hid his smile against Rylan’s soft hair and when Rylan’s breathing evened out, only then did Cameron allow himself to close his own eyes and drift off to sleep.