Page 12 of Out on a Limb

“I do not run!” That got the attention of a neighboring team. “I don’t even jog.”

“Yes, you do! You are a Kenyan sprinter when it comes to guys. You hook up, they want to see you again, you get scared, you call it a fling, you cut it off at the knees. And here we are greeting you at the finish line, squirting Gatorade in your face.”

“Well, that’s a lovely visual,” Cameron said.

“It’s not the worst thing in the world to be in a relationship, Cameron.”

That was easy for Henry to say, and for Ethan to agree with. They both had boyfriends. They were both madly in love. It worked for them, but Cameron had other things on his mind. Like his future. He preferred to get his happiness from his work and from himself rather than hanging it all on a guy.

“Monotony is just not for me.”

“You mean, monogamy,” Henry said.

“Same difference.”

It was times like these Cameron wished he had less opinionated friends. Why did he let his life get picked apart in such detail? Was that his role as token single friend? It was usually fun, until they managed to hit a truthful nerve.

“We are not tanking this round,” Cameron said defiantly. He glared at Brain Trust, plugging away at their answer sheet. He chugged the rest of his beer, stood up, and scanned the bar.

“What are you doing?” Ethan asked.

“I am going to find us someone who knows sports.” He slammed his bottle down on the table. “It’s time that we win for a change.”

He looked out in the sea of anonymous faces, until he found one that rang a bell. His lips quirked into a smile. “I’ll be right back.”

CHAPTER SIX

Walker

Walker kept drinking beer until the aftershocks of work wore off. Patricia was true to her word when she said that they’d have to work harder than ever to win this review. He had to blink several times, even close his eyes in the car when he got out. Staring at a screen all day was making him blind, he was sure of it. Maybe it was for the best that Hobie wasn’t staying with him this weekend. He needed to recuperate. But it still left a hole in his heart.

He ordered another beer. He knew the alcohol had to be working because he started seeing things. Like the cute barista, walking toward him.

“Grande vanilla latte.” Cameron pointed at him. “Walker, not Walter.”

“Hi.” Walker tried not to stammer. It was the ultimate compliment when somebody remembered your name.

“How well do you know sports? Specifically sports stadiums?”

This was not the beer talking. It was actually him, looking just as sexy without the green apron.

“I beg your pardon?”

“My trivia team and I know nothing about le sports. I only enjoy when they interview athletes in the locker room. And I know this makes us sound like stereotypical gay guys. Trust me, there are plenty of gay men who know le sports. It’s just not us. That’s why we need you.”

“You’re so sure I know sports?”

“It’s le sports, and yes. You’re wearing a tie. You know things.”

Walker flipped his tie around in his fingers. Nothing made you more of an adult than a tie. It was the crow’s feet of clothes.

“You owe me,” Cameron said, pointing at him. “I gave you an extra shot of espresso the other day.”

“Fair enough.”

Cameron passed him the trivia sheet. “What are you doing in a college bar?”

“I didn’t realize this was college kids only.” Walker felt something coming to life inside him, like an engine revving first thing in the morning. He wanted to compete at Cameron’s level. His energy was infectious, and he forgot how exhausted he was.