The Right Turn

Chapter 1“I still don’t see why I have to go to your dumb company holiday party tomorrow.” A pained sigh accompanied Brandon’s words as he slumped his shoulders with great exaggeration. “I don’t work there. Why should my New Year’s Eve be ruined?” Cam looked over at his boyfriend with a frown. By most standards, Brandon was a good looking guy. Blond hair, green eyes, peaches and cream complexion accented with a touch of manufactured suntan. These days, however, Cam only noticed his ever-present scowl, the unattractive flare of his nostrils when he complained, the dullness of his eyes when he rolled them in annoyance every time Cam spoke. “You don’t have to do anything.” Cam tried halfheartedly to keep the irritation out of his voice. “But I’d like it if you came. I don’t want to go alone.” “You don’t have to go, either,” Brandon grumbled as they trudged along the sidewalk toward their apartment. “You could skip it, if you wanted to. If you cared about me at all, you’d let us go to a fun party this year for a change.” Cam grit his teeth, but remained silent. He didn’t feel like debating the merits of office politics with Brandon right now, or explaining for the tenth time that he didn’t actually mind spending social time with his coworkers on occasion. He knew it would be a waste of time. In the three years that he and Brandon had been dating, Brandon had never shown any interest in Cam’s job, except for the paychecks that got cashed every week. He didn’t want to hear about the hours of data entry and spreadsheet wrangling that Cam slodged through in the HR department to pay their bills. The brief moments of amusement with his ever-changing cast of coworkers didn’t do much to offset the boredom. Cam had to admit, it wasn’t a particularly thrilling life. But it was his life, and Cam often wished for a little more support. Cam shivered and shoved his hands deep into his coat pockets. They were still a good ten minute walk from their apartment, and the wind had picked up considerably. The temperature crept closer and closer to freezing as the sun dipped below the horizon. Cam once again wished he hadn’t buzzed his hair. The knit cap he’d pulled on when they’d first left the house wasn’t thick enough to keep away the chill. He’d grown tired of Brandon criticizing his lack of styling skills, and had shorn it all off in a fit of defiance last month. It wasn’t the best look for him; he’d inherited his Mexican mother’s rounded features, and he liked the way his dark brown waves framed his face, when he’d worn his hair longer. But Brandon didn’t like long hair, and anything in between shoulder length and a buzzcut was a pain in the ass to maintain, so the buzzcut won out by default. The obstinate cheer of the neighborhood only soured Cam’s mood further. Their apartment was tucked away at the edge of the gentrified center of the city, filled with gastropubs, art galleries and curated shops, all of which dripped with evergreen garlands and twinkle lights this time of year. Every storefront boasted a chalkboard scrawled with a trite inspirational quote for the upcoming new year. It was only four thirty, but the bistros and bars were already jammed with after-Christmas sale shoppers and college kids on break. Cam hated the ever-present crush of people on every street, but he appreciated that at least there was, at minimum, one coffee shop per block. He glanced longingly at each one they passed, but Brandon stubbornly kept his eyes focused ahead. Suddenly, Brandon skidded to a halt. Cam jerked away as Brandon’s elbow jabbed into the side of his arm while he waved enthusiastically at a pair of hulking figures heading toward them. Cam recognized them as two of Brandon’s buddies from the gym. Great. Stilted conversation wasn’t going to brighten Cam’s mood in the slightest. All of Brandon’s gym buddies were aspiring i********: fitness influencers, just as Brandon was himself. The group of them spent a lot of time in the gym, filming workouts and videos for their followers. They also spent a good deal of time making messes in Cam’s kitchen as they concocted protein shakes with whatever supplements they’d been paid to hock that particular month. Brandon spent too much time training and filming to hold down a steady job. He was an ambassador for a couple of brands, and he had sponsored links on all of his social media posts, but he hadn’t hit the big time quite yet. Cam struggled sometimes to make sure all the bills were paid on his salary alone, but he tried hard not to complain. He didn’t want to get in the way of Brandon’s dreams. Besides, once Brandon hit a few more thousand followers, he would reach the next level of sponsorship offers and opportunities. Things would be different. Brandon nudged Cam’s shoulder and pointed to a nearby coffee shop. “Go get me an almond milk latte, will you? The boys, too.” He jogged off to meet up with his friends without waiting to hear Cam’s response. Cam sighed as he entered the coffee shop and settled in to wait in the long line, his eyes trained on the floor. At least the store was warm. He shuffled forward in line a bit too fast, and accidentally stepped on the heels of the guy in front of him. The guy let out a yelp as he turned around. Cam felt his cheeks burn as he hastily stammered out an apology. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to—” “Cam? Hi!” The cheerful greeting was delivered by a bright smile accented by hazel eyes and a friendly wave. Cam blinked. “Mattie?” he asked, even though he knew perfectly well who it was. Mattie Valenti, one of Cam’s closest childhood friends, although they’d lost touch after middle school when Mattie’s family had moved from their small town to the city. They’d run into each other again three years ago and had been in intermittent contact ever since. Even fifteen years later, Mattie hadn’t changed much. He’d always been a big kid, tall and broad. A natural athlete, Mattie had played basketball in the winter and baseball in the spring. He hadn’t had to work out much to keep his built physique, although Cam knew from their sparse conversations that these days he did weight lifting and spin class somewhat regularly. Despite his jock status, Mattie had also always been openly bisexual. It was part of why he and Cam had become friends, bonding the way queer kids in small towns did. With Mattie being on good terms with the popular kids, as well as being a kind and friendly person in general, he didn’t have much open hostility to deal with. By association, neither did Cam. Still, it hadn’t been easy, and Cam had appreciated having Mattie to talk to while he’d worked through his own bisexuality. He might have even had a tiny crush on Mattie, back when they were kids. It would have been hard not to. Mattie had been an engaging kid; everyone had liked him. He’d been cute, too, woeful trappings of middle school style trends aside. Mattie was still good looking, truth be told. His olive complexion was just as smooth as it had been when they were kids, never a blemish in sight. He wore his black hair in an undercut topped with curls that always appeared effortlessly tousled. In contrast to Cam’s daily uniform of jeans, T-shirts, and flannels, Mattie’s style ran more toward bright colors and unique pieces. Today, his quilted black winter coat was accented with a teal scarf, and his eyes were lined in gold. Black polish shone on his fingernails, flecked with gold as well. Mattie chuckled and shook his head with a smile. “Has it been that long since we’ve seen each other?” “I think the last time was around Halloween.” It had been October twenty eighth, at three fifteen in the afternoon, in the seasonal candy section of the drugstore. They’d chatted about inane topics such as how many trick or treaters they each expected to get, and whether it was prudent to get peanut free candy in case of allergies, and which bars would have the most annoying patrons out celebrating this year. Not that Cam was keeping detailed notes or anything. He just happened to remember every time that he and Mattie had run into each other over the past three years. “That’s right,” Mattie said. “Wow, it has been a long time. We’ve really got to meet up for lunch or something one of these days.” “Definitely,” Cam said. “Text me.” Mattie’s smile wilted, but he nodded, even though they both knew it was never going to happen. Three years ago, Cam and Brandon had run into Mattie at a bar. Cam had just received word that he’d been accepted into a master’s program for social work. As an added bonus, the nonprofit company he worked for, the Starling Foundation, offered continuing education scholarships for employees who met certain academic minimums each semester. Cam’s supervisor had even assured him that he could switch to part-time while he focused on his studies. Mattie had encouraged him to take it, while Brandon had wanted Cam to decline. Brandon had been angling for them to move in together when his own lease was up next month. His own income was variable; if Cam cut his hours, they wouldn’t be able to afford a place together. Mattie had thought Brandon was acting in his own best interests, rather than Cam’s, and he’d said as much. Brandon had been quick to retort with a snide remark about Mattie’s eyeshadow. Things had quickly gotten heated, and the bartender had ordered them to break it up. Brandon and Cam had only been dating for a few months at that point, and Cam had seriously considered telling Brandon to go to hell and forget his number. He had held his tongue, however, and they’d stuck it out. Cam had deferred his master’s program for a year, then ended up declining it. He could always reapply later, when money wasn’t so tight. Needless to say, Brandon wasn’t a fan of Mattie, and Cam was certain the feeling was mutual. Mattie had been respectful of Cam’s choices, and he was always friendly whenever they ran into each other, but there was no way their brief meetings would ever evolve into anything deeper while Brandon was around. Not that Cam was looking for something deeper. But it would have been nice to have Mattie in his life again as a real friend, rather than a casual acquaintance. Cam fished around for another topic of conversation as they inched closer to the barista. “So, um…how’s Ashley doing? Are you two still seeing each other?” He was pretty sure Mattie and a girl named Ashley had started dating not long after he and Brandon worked things out, though it seemed to be on and off. As of the last time Mattie and Cam had spoken, it had been on. Mattie’s smile perked back up. “Ashley is doing great! She’s been dating Jo since Halloween.” “What?” Cam’s jaw dropped. Jo was Mattie’s extremely intimidating best friend, whom Cam had met once or twice during his Mattie run-ins. “How the hell did that happen?” Mattie grinned wider. “I set them up. Ashley and I were never really serious. I knew she’d be great with Jo. And I was right.” He sighed, looking pleased with himself as he adjusted the teal scarf wound around his neck. “Those two are perfect for each other. They’re both so driven, they never slow down. I should have set them up years ago. It’s awesome, seeing them so happy together.” Cam was taken aback at how genuinely happy Mattie seemed. Cam wasn’t sure that he’d be able to remain so positive if his ex left him for his best friend, even if it was his own idea. Then again, he didn’t really have a best friend these days. Ever since he and Brandon hooked up, his other friends had backed off as he declined their invites to meet up and got slower about returning their texts. “Well,” Cam said, “I guess that’s nice. If you’re happy with it.” “I am,” Mattie said with a smile. “Very happy. Even though Sean teased me about it for weeks.” “He would,” Cam laughed. “He and Avery have been together since kindergarten, they don’t understand regular dating dynamics. How are they doing, by the way?” Mattie’s other best friend, Sean, was much more laid back than Jo. He was possibly even more laid back than Mattie, which was quite a feat. Sean and Avery, his partner and childhood sweetheart, were often around when Cam ran into Mattie. Mattie bit his lower lip before he replied. “Sean’s doing all right,” he said carefully. “Avery’s been having some health problems lately, so…” He trailed off as they reached the head of the line. Cam knew that Avery dealt with mental health issues, specifically anxiety and depression, but he never pried for details. Mattie gave his order to the barista (a medium Columbian pour over, black) and gestured for Cam to give his order as well. Cam shook his head. “Thanks, but I’m ordering for a crowd.” He waited until Mattie had paid, then put in his order for three large unsweetened almond milk lattes and one small chai latte, all hot. While they waited for their drinks, Cam nudged Mattie’s arm. “You keep talking about everyone else. Are you going to tell me what you’ve been up to, or am I gonna have to hear about how your landlord’s kids are doing first?” Mattie chuckled. “The kids are doing just fine,” he teased. “As am I. Still doing the photography thing.” He dug into his back pocket and pulled out a card. Cam took it, running his thumb over the glossy front where a sleek three-lettered photography corporate logo accented Mattie’s name and contact info. “My company just picked up a few big-name retail clients, so I take a lot more photos of cutlery and linens than I’d care for. But the hours are decent, and I get to do my artsy stuff on the weekends, so it’s all good.” “That sounds nice,” Cam said. He was relieved when their names were called before Mattie had the chance to ask how Cam was doing. Cam didn’t have fun weekend hobbies or shiny business cards. Cam had the same boring life he’d always had since he and Mattie had reconnected. They picked up their drinks and headed out of the store. Mattie hurried ahead to hold the door open. Cam was grateful that he wasn’t a blusher as he made his way back into the cold. Mattie always did the gallant act; not just with Cam, but with everyone. He was courteous, but not in a showy way. It was just how he was, thoughtful and kind, which Cam wasn’t used to these days. “I’ve gotta run,” Cam said, not wanting to deal with the embarrassing posturing Brandon always did in front of Mattie. “It was great seeing you.” Mattie looked over at Brandon and his buddies, slouched next to a lamppost halfway down the block. He gave Cam a knowing look. “I get it. I’m headed, uh…in the other direction. But you’ve got my card, right? Text me if you ever get time to meet up.” “I will,” Cam lied. They exchanged awkward smiles, and parted ways. Brandon glared at Cam suspiciously while he handed out the drinks, but said nothing. His friends exchanged arm punches with Brandon and left without any acknowledgment of Cam, or thanks for the coffee. Not that Cam minded the reprieve from forced politeness. As they continued their trek to the apartment, Brandon took a deep sip of his coffee and made a disgusted face. He spat the coffee onto the pavement. “Why the hell did you get me soy? You know it’s not paleo!” “I asked for almond milk,” Cam insisted. “I saw your friends drink theirs without spitting it up. Are you sure it’s soy?” “Of course I’m sure,” Brandon snapped. “I’m not a moron.” He narrowed his eyes. “You did this on purpose.” Cam’s grip tightened on his own cup. “Why would I do it on purpose?” “To sabotage me,” Brandon grumbled. “You know I’ve got to be strict with my diet. Soy isn’t paleo approved. Now my training is going to suffer.” He sighed deeply as he tossed his still-full cup carelessly into a trash can. “You’ve never been supportive of my training.” “That’s bullshit and you know it!” Cam rarely got angry at Brandon these days; he was more resigned to the constant complaining than anything else. But this was a low blow, even for Brandon. “Then maybe you were just distracted by your girlfriend,” Brandon sneered. That wasn’t an uncommon jab. Brandon took issue with Mattie’s style choices whenever they saw each other, calling him a “wolf in twink’s clothing.” Cam declined to respond; they’d had this argument too many times in the past. His jaw began to ache from clenching his teeth so tightly. They walked the rest of the way home in silence. They hadn’t always been like this, Cam reminded himself. When they’d first met, Brandon had been bright eyed and driven, focused on health and natural bodybuilding. He had just scored his first sponsor on i********:; a superfood company who promised that adding their algae to your morning smoothie would increase your stamina tenfold. Cam had run into him, literally, at a juice bar next to the gym. Brandon had charmed him, complimented his T-shirt and bought his drink. Sure, he’d been more than a little cocky, and the business card he’d slipped into Cam’s hand boasted the eye-roll worthy title of Brandon Ford, Health & Lifestyle Influencer. But he’d been attractive and funny, and he’d laughed when Cam ribbed him a little. He’d pursued Cam, texting him as soon as they’d parted to schedule dinner. Brandon had been captivating, and Cam had been willingly swept along into a relationship. Three years later, Cam was significantly less charmed. Brandon had long since moved away from natural weight lifting, instead jumping from one supplement to the next, with the occasional dabble in steroids. Sponsorships came and went, but nothing significant ever stuck. The longer he went without making it big, the more frustrated he became, and the harder he was to live with. They entered the apartment, still not speaking. Cam shuffled through the mail while Brandon tossed protein powder and water into a shaker. There was a letter from one of his older cousins in California, with an invitation to her daughter’s quinceañera. Brandon scoffed as Cam stuck it to the fridge with a banana magnet. “What’s the point of saving it? We’re not going to California.” “I know,” Cam said tiredly, “but I want to send a gift.” “Just send a check like you always do. Which is why they even bother to send you invites in the first place.” Cam bristled. It was true that he wasn’t close to his mother’s family. His parents had met and married while she was on the East coast for college. She had often spoken about wanting to move back to California, but she’d died in a car accident when Cam was seven. Cam and his dad had remained on the East coast, and other than dutifully exchanging cards for birthdays and holidays, they didn’t talk much to his cousins. As an adult, Cam had made the effort to get back in touch, not only out of love for his mother and a genuine affection for his relatives, but also as a way to connect with his heritage. He’d been born Camilo Mendoza Martin; his mother had spoken to him in Spanish when his dad wasn’t around, and she’d baked polvorones for him to bring to kindergarten on his birthday. Once she was gone, he was Cam Martin, ethnically ambiguous and alone. Brandon didn’t understand, and Cam had stopped trying to explain. He wasn’t going to try again tonight. They were both irritable enough already. Cam decided to cut his losses and spend the rest of the evening soaking in the tub. They didn’t speak again until bedtime. Cam had been curled up under the covers reading on his phone for an hour by the time Brandon had brushed his teeth and done his pre-bed pushups. He opened the bedroom window, and Cam shivered at the influx of frigid air. “Can you please close the window?” Cam asked. “It’s freezing out.” “Get an extra blanket if you’re cold,” Brandon answered stiffly. “I get hot when I sleep.” “Then turn the heat down,” Cam countered. “We’re wasting money by having the heat on and the window open.” Brandon gave him a long, hard look. He frowned and shook his head, mumbling something under his breath as he turned to close the window. “Did you say something?” Cam asked. Before Brandon could answer, the window frame shook violently as a huge gust of icy wind blew through the room. Cam gasped as the needles of cold ran across his skin and prickled goosebumps along his arms. He thought he heard a lyrical sound in the background, something like wind chimes in a storm. But as he attempted to listen more closely, the breeze disappeared as suddenly as it had arrived. Cam and Brandon exchanged confused looks. Brandon shrugged, closed the window, and slid under the covers without saying good night. Cam turned on his side with his back to Brandon. He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to let the stress of the day drain away. Hopefully, Brandon wouldn’t be so irritable tomorrow. Evidently, by the next morning Brandon was in a significantly better mood, since Cam awoke to hot breath on his neck and a strong arm draped over his middle. He smiled and snuggled back into the warmth. As his eyes fluttered open, however, he groggily wondered why it looked like there were pictures hanging on his walls. They’d never bothered to decorate the apartment much, seeing as it was just a stopgap until Brandon brought them to bigger and better things. He blinked groggily as he ran a hand along the sheets. They weren’t the usual fake silk ones that Brandon insisted on; they were the soft flannel type that Cam preferred, the type that Brandon said made him sweaty. The type Cam was one hundred percent certain that he did not own. “You awake?” A sleepy voice drifted over Cam’s shoulder. A voice that was decidedly not Brandon’s. Cam’s eyes flew open in panic. A quick overview of his surroundings assured him that he was not in his apartment. He wasn’t sure where he was, or how he got there, or whose body was attached to the strong arm with fingers that were running along his stomach. But Cam wasn’t the type to act rashly. He had always been good at keeping his cool when things got stressful. He wasn’t going to leap out of bed and start making a scene until he had a full assessment of the situation. He steeled himself and rolled over to face his cuddling captor. All pretense of remaining calm slipped away as his eyes roamed up the bare, chiseled abs, to the sculpted chest, to the broad shoulders, to the loving smile and sparking hazel eyes— “Mattie?”