Page 13 of Puppy Pride (Pride Camp 2025)

Chapter Thirteen

Jai

W hy did I dump all that shit on him? Why the fuck did I tell him about Gary?

Questions I had no answers for.

As we lingered over baklava, those questions receded into the background.

He drew me out by getting me to recall funny anecdotes from when I’d been a kid.

Wait, there had been some? Oh, usually having to do with something Arnav had gotten up to.

With six older sisters, one could be forgiven for thinking that with so many prying eyes, he’d be well behaved.

Nope. He loved to give his sisters a hard time.

Especially Rashmi. The sister who was thirteen years older had been the bane of his existence, and they still went after each other on a regular basis.

Or so he said when we’d gathered at his house.

Whether he was exaggerating or not was an entirely different story because my friend could do that well.

Friend .

Demetrius laughed at a story I told—about a particularly interesting visit to the library where Arnav had been on the hunt for a book about gay sex, and the librarian, Loriana, had caught us. She hadn’t been fazed, though. She’d found a book for my friend—which I might’ve also read later.

Timothea returned to remove our empty plates. “Coffee? Tea? Liqueur?”

We shook our heads.

“Just the bill.” Demetrius offered her a genuine smile. After she left, he grinned at me. “Big tip.”

“Well earned.” We hadn’t spoken about money. Pride Camp had a sliding scale so everyone who wanted to attend could—but he’d paid the full price for Keegan to come. That wasn’t, relatively, a ton of money. Neither was it chump change.

Timothea arrived with the machine, and Demetrius paid. She wished us a goodnight and headed off.

“I feel like I need to walk off all that amazing food.” Demetrius patted his flat stomach.

Does he have ripped abs under his shirt? Or does he have a little extra padding? Is his skin soft and smooth or rough? Chest hair or not?

As a teenager, I’d lamented at not having lots of body hair to make me manly. I’d wondered if that was part of the reason I was gay.

A couple of journal articles assured me I was born this way , and I moved on.

My chest hair did not, however, grow.

Gary used to say he liked the sparse look. Which, in the end, made me hate myself even more.

“Hey, are you okay?” Demetrius’s brow furrowed in evident worry.

“Yeah, fine. ”

“You don’t look fine. In fact, you look upset. Do you want to stay here and talk, or would you like to go for a walk? Downtown Mission City at dusk is lovely.”

I glanced at my watch. We’d been here for almost three hours. Huh. “I should get going. You know…”

“Makenna, Grey, and Cody all have your phone number, right?”

“Well, yeah.”

“And no texts or calls?”

I shook my head.

“So walk with me.” He rose and held out his hand.

Without thinking, I took it. He guided me up and then let go and led me back toward the front of the restaurant.

“You gentlemen have a lovely evening.” Stavros beamed.

“We had a lovely time. The food was perfection.” Demetrius smiled right back.

“And Timothea was very attentive.” I had to contribute.

“She’s a good woman. I’m lucky to have her.”

“I heard that, Uncle Stavros.” Timothea pushed through the kitchen door with a tray of food. She grinned at us before heading to a table.

Stavros patted Demetrius on the back with a familiarity I found disconcerting. Would he pat me on the back if I came back? Would I be okay with that? Or does Demetrius give off a vibe that makes it clear he doesn’t mind? Because plainly he didn’t.

We headed into the evening—gray now, the sun having dipped out of sight.

“I love the fresh air. You just don’t get this in the city.”

I inhaled—something I’d never considered doing in downtown Mission City. Out at Pride Camp? All the time. In the city? No. “In the soupy summer days, the pollution hangs over the downtown. ”

“Oh, I didn’t know that.”

I nodded. “Not in the tourist brochures. My parents’ house is just above the line, although it’s all relative. Properties in the mountains have fewer issues. That’s why Pride Camp’s location is so awesome.” God, did I just say awesome ? So lame.

“Something to consider. I suppose I should look into finding a realtor.”

“Oh, Arnav said…” I wracked my brains. “Cadence. Cadence Crawford.” Even as I said the name, I laughed.

Demetrius cast a glance my way.

I pointed to the bench at the bus stop.

Cadence Crawford. Mission City’s top realtor.

“Top realtor. Cool.”

“I’d put more weight on Arnav’s personal recommendation, myself. I mean, he and Foster spontaneously mentioned the guy. That’s better than any award or…whatever.”

We continued walking.

“So you’re serious about moving?”

“Yeah, I think so. I mean, even just to put out some feelers. To see what I can get for the money I have saved. Plus, I’d sell the condo in East Van.

I want to ensure there’s enough for the kids’ education, but I can borrow against the house.

Or I might even be able to pay for their schooling myself.

The one disadvantage of living this far from Vancouver is they might have to go away for college. ”

“There’s a university over in Abbotsford. It’s a great school.”

“Oh, right.” Demetrius appeared to lighten as the furrow in his brow disappeared.

“And some people take the commuter train into the city. It’s a really long trip, but it’s also an option—if they want to stay close to home. ”

“Plus, lots of virtual degrees these days. Both kids would have the discipline to do that.”

“Then you have plenty of options.” Please move to Mission City. I need more friends.

“Where are you going to live?”

“Huh?”

“When Pride Camp is over? Or will you live on the property year-round?”

“Honestly? I hadn’t given it much thought. Alessandra’s insisting on making mine a full-time position for the year. I’m free to pick up other work to supplement my income—when camp’s closed—but she doesn’t want to lose me.”

“What would you do? Oh, what a lovely gift shop.”

We halted and gazed through the display in the window. Lots of Indigenous art along with a few other unique items.

“I should get something for Alessandra. To thank her.”

“That’s a nice idea. Probably unnecessary, though.”

“True.” I bit my lip. “What do you buy a woman who is married to a billionaire?”

“Something one of a kind, I suppose. Or something for her cute kid. People always love that. Oh, is that a bookstore?”

We advanced to a stop a couple of doors down.

The Owl’s Nest.

“How did I miss this earlier? Drat, they’re closed.”

“They’ve been here for as long as I can remember. I came in here a few times as a kid.”

“I hope you enjoyed your visits.” A deep voice came from behind us.

We turned to find two guys strolling up with creamy chills from Tim Horton’s in their hands.

The slighter man—with blond hair and blue eyes—smiled. “I’m Dickens. My parents owned the shop before giving it to me. I’ve been running it for a while now.” He focused his attention on me. “Jai, right?”

I nodded.

“You were a year behind me in school. You were friends with Arnav.”

Again, I nodded.

“Well, I was a quiet kid. Always had my nose in a book.”

“And I’m Spike.” The taller man—with longish black hair and equally stunning blue eyes offered a shy smile. His T-shirt showed nice muscles. “If you have a motorcycle or vehicle that needs fixing, I’m happy to help.”

Dickens nudged the man. “My husband is getting better at drumming up business.”

“Well, I’m the best motorcycle mechanic in town.” The man puffed his chest, even as his cheeks pinkened.

“Although MATH automotive gives him a run for his money in the vehicle repair department. Great women.” Dickens continued to grin.

“Yeah, they are.” Spike didn’t appear the least bit upset at the suggestion he had competition from women.

“Would you like to come into the shop?” Dickens gestured.

“Oh, you closed a while ago.” I’d noted the hours, thinking I might come back.

“Well, the great thing about being the proprietor is that I can do whatever I want. We went for our chilled treats and were planning to head home soon. But we can definitely spare a bit of time—no pressure to buy, okay? Browsing is allowed.”

I cleared my throat. “I’d like to buy a book. For a toddler. I mean, the toddler can’t read, but… ”

Dickens nodded. “I know exactly what you mean. You can never start too early. Let’s see what we can do.” He unlocked the door, disarmed the alarm, and headed inside.

Spike held the door open and gestured for us to follow.

I went first, heading toward the counter where Dickens was turning on lights.

“So what might you be interested in browsing?” Spike eyed Demetrius. “I’ve gotten to know the place quite well.”

“Do you have an LGBTQ section for teenagers? My son’s a voracious reader, and I’d love to pick up a couple of books for him. Oh, and something about the history of Mission City. We might be moving here, and I’d love to know more about the place.”

Spike offered a genuine smile. “I’m a transplant myself. Nothing like falling in love with a local and relocating. Although, I have to say I moved my business next door and then fell in love.”

“Not love at first sight.” Dickens wagged his finger. “Loud motorcycles.”

“Yeah, but you love me.”

“I do now.” Dickens turned his attention back to me. “This way.”

Nothing like falling in love with a local and relocating.

I considered Spike’s words. Does he mean Demetrius and me?

That he thinks that amazing man is in love with me?

Huh. Do I explain or just let things ride?

Better not to say anything. One day the lovely couple would see Demetrius wandering down the main street with some other guy—or gal—and they’d realize they’d been mistaken.

Except the image of him with someone else settled like a knot in my stomach. I didn’t want him with anyone else. To my shock, I wanted him with me …

“We have an amazing selection of picture books by local authors.” Dickens beamed .

“Sounds great.”

Twenty minutes later, I’d bought three books—including one by a local indigenous author—and I was quite pleased.

Demetrius had bought several LGBTQ young adult novels, a book about parenting queer teenagers, and a box set of three young-adult fantasy novels.

The Zaragosa trilogy was, apparently, written by a local university professor. Although she was on the shy side, she did regularly sign books.

Dickens explained that once Demetrius moved to town, he could bring the books in and Dickens would arrange to get them autographed.

My new friend was enchanted. Especially pleased at the idea of getting signed books. And, although Alaina was a little young, Dickens assured us the trilogy was good for all kids and hugely popular.

We each left with a cloth bag, emblazoned with the store’s logo, and grins on our faces.

The sun had set and night was truly upon us.

“That was really nice of them.” I met Demetrius’s gaze.

“I want to say we bought enough to make it worth their while, but I doubt they’d see it that way.”

“You got that feeling too, eh? Part of the community and happy to step up. Oh, I mentioned Pride Camp, and Dickens said he could arrange a discount for all the campers attending. He said he’d put together a card and either drop them off or I can come and get them.”

“That’s fantastic.” Demetrius chuckled. “And Spike maintained he was just a mechanic while he helped me find well over a hundred bucks in fantastic books. Oh, I picked up one for Alaina about having a queer sibling. She’s been so cool about everything, but I figured another book wouldn’t hurt. ”

“You’re such a good dad.”

“I won’t argue—although I’ll readily admit I don’t know everything. That I have so much to learn.”

“Yeah.” I glanced up at a streetlight. “I should be heading home.”

“Oh. Let me drop off my books at the hotel, and then I’ll walk you to your car.”

“I’m okay to get there on my own.” We were a block away from The Grand. Only five away from Stavros’s.

“Still, I want to. I need a bit more exercise before bed.”

“You shouldn’t be winding down?” I never exercised this close to bedtime.

“A lovely stroll is hardly hardcore cardio.” He winked. “Just give me one second.”

“Sure.”

We entered the lobby.

“Why don’t you come up? You won’t be able to see Baker, but you can see the beautifully renovated rooms.”

I considered for a long time. You should see the rooms. In case you need to recommend a reasonably priced hotel to one of the parents in the future.

Sure. And for no other reason.

And yet I found myself smiling and saying, “Sure. Why not?”