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CHAPTER FIVE

CAMERON

Cameron hefted one of the last boxes of Rylan’s belongings into the back of Aaron’s truck. He turned back toward the house Rylan lived in all his life with mixed feelings.

Earlier he’d spotted Rylan’s dad, James, when they first arrived mid-afternoon, but with a disgusted look aimed toward his son, he left, slamming the front door behind him.

When all five men made their way down to the basement where Rylan stayed, Cameron was in awe of the hyper-organization on display throughout the small space. The clothing not hanging lay folded in a makeshift dresser created by using milk crates stacked one on top of another. He situated his books and movies in a cheaply made bookcase that sagged in the middle from the weight, but without hesitation Rylan packed the items into the boxes Cameron had purchased before they arrived and discarded the worn out wooden structure.

Rylan had complained about Cameron spending money on him, but it was the least he could do.

Anger and concern flared at the thought of Rylan living with two people who hated him. It was obvious by his father’s reaction and it revealed why Rylan stayed away from his family. And Cameron couldn’t blame him.

Rylan was unapologetic in who he was and comfortable in his own skin. While Cameron struggled to connect to anyone other than the tight friendships he formed with the three men helping, Rylan had known he was gay and with the help of his mother, accepted it long before his father, brother, or brother’s friend could taint that aspect of his life.

And every time Cameron thought about how his family rejected him, he grew excited to see Rylan’s father again and wondered how he would confront the man. Maybe use his size for more than intimidation. But until he spoke to Rylan about his thoughts, he would never hurt Rylan by his actions.

Cameron walked back down the stairs that led to the basement. He surveyed the bare space and growled when Tim moved toward the last dress form left to load. It looked similar to a mannequin in a department store, and since it had curves, Tim had to get close to it.

“If you caress it one more time, Tim, I might throw up on you,” Rylan mumbled.

Cameron laughed as Tim huffed, lifting the dress form in his arms and out of the room.

“Is that everything?”

Rylan nodded. “Most of my stuff, clothing and materials, along with a few toiletries and my laptop are in your SUV and we packed everything else in Aaron’s truck, which was nice of him to offer.”

Unable to stay away from the man, Cameron moved toward Rylan and slid an arm around his waist. Before he could bring him in to steal a kiss, they heard a door slam from upstairs.

“I think Declan is home.”

Cameron turned Rylan in his arms and noted the worried look on his face. He worried Tristan was with his brother. Instead of getting into a confrontation and having them hurt Rylan, Cameron knew retreat would be better.

“Are you ready to go home?”

Rylan nodded and reached for his jacket on the stripped bed at the same time they heard two distinct sets of footsteps coming down the stairs.

Cameron covered his smile when Rylan reached for his arm and stepped closer, allowing his larger body to block his smaller frame from view.

“Let’s go. We shouldn’t give him a shot at you.”

“Yes, please.”

Cameron moved Rylan ahead of him and they walked toward the door. They were almost at the back exit when a sharp voice cut through the silence.

“Who the fuck are you?”

Cameron and Rylan turned to the voice. He noticed it was the man from the club the night before with the same look of disgust and hatred on his face, directed at Rylan. Cameron pulled Rylan close to his side as Rylan gripped his arm so hard, he could tell the man was shaking. He directed them toward the door once again, but paused at Tristan’s next words.

“Where are you going, you little faggot?”

Cameron growled aloud and noticed when Tristan’s gaze pulled away from Rylan and moved onto him. Tristan’s eyes widened as he took in Cameron’s full size and what must have been a fierce look on his face as he glared at the man. His eyes dropped back down to his clenched fists at his side and without thinking, he took one step toward the man, feeling murderous.

When Tristan took a step back at Cameron’s advance, the side of his mouth lifted in a smirk when he noted the fear in his eyes. But when Cameron felt Rylan shivering against his back, he knew he needed to get him home and away from this toxic environment.

He noticed Rylan’s brother, Declan, hadn’t said a thing to defend his brother. Cameron glanced at him to see his reaction to the situation. But his gaze kept moving back and forth from his best friend and his shaken brother with his brows drawn down in confusion.

So, his best friend never told him about his harassment of his brother.