Buzz (The Riley Brothers Book 1) (16 page)

Cameron crawled into bed and raised the covers for Noah, pulling his bare body in against him and spooning around him. After dancing for so long, the bed seemed almost too still. The room didn't spin around him, so he was safe from hangovers.

“Good night,” Noah murmured, snuggling back into Cameron and resting his arm along Cam's. Cam found a spot under Noah's head to slide his other arm. “I had a lot of fun. Thank you.”

“Thank you,” Cameron countered, smiling to himself. “You're wonderful to be with.”

“You, too,” Noah murmured, twisting in Cameron's hold to kiss him one more time.

This kiss was slow and sweet, with no pressure to be anywhere or do anything. Their lips gently parted, tongue tips playing at each other's lower lips before they pulled apart with a slight smack.

Noah gave a contented sigh and settled back down onto Cameron's arm and against his back.

With Noah, even a night without sex was one of the best Cam could remember.
This is exactly what I want.
The thought made Cameron smile. He breathed along with Noah's deep, steady breathing and he was asleep.

Bubbles rose through the batter and Noah stood at the ready with his flipper. The edges of the pancake hadn't quite firmed up enough, but they were close.

When it was ready, he flipped the pancake and allowed himself a self-indulgent grin. He was
great
at pancakes. He'd already got bacon done and warming in the oven, and he'd wait to do eggs until he heard Cameron get up. This was the second-to-last pancake anyway.

And, speak of the devil, he heard water running in the bathroom upstairs.

He turned on the heat for the eggs, then dumped the mixed-up eggs and milk into the pan. He hummed under his breath, scrambling the eggs while finishing the last pancake.

“Good morning,” Cameron greeted. “Oh my God, you even cook breakfast.”

Noah grinned at Cam and glanced back over his shoulder at him. “Morning, sleepyhead. Did I tire you out with all that dancing?”

Cameron laughed and leaned against the counter, staying out of his way. “A little. Wow, that looks good. Pancakes and eggs?”

“Bacon's in the oven already, with the rest of the pancakes.”

“Music to my ears.”

“Go sit at the table,” Noah directed him, pointing over to the kitchen table with his wooden egg spatula. It was draped with a yellow sunflower tablecloth and set with condiments. He'd chosen maple syrup, ketchup, butter, and whipped cream... canned, not freshly-made. He wasn't
that
prepared.

Cameron laughed. “Yes, sir,” he teased and leaned in to steal a quick kiss before seating himself.

Noah brought their plates to the table a minute later. He slid Cameron's plate in front of him first and then his own. When he dropped into his chair, it was with a contented smile. Then, he remembered his apron and stood up to take it off.

“Aw, it's cute,” Cameron teased. It was the usual cheesy
kiss the cook
apron, but it had a little rainbow over the words.

“My old roomie got it for me in university, and I never quite grew out of it,” Noah admitted with a laugh. He tossed it onto the counter and sat down to enjoy breakfast.

Only a few minutes in, though, Cameron drew a breath and squared his shoulders.

Uh oh. A conversation. I hope it's a good one.

“I've got something to tell you.”

Noah winced. “Well, now that I've discovered all my deep-seated anxieties...”

“Sorry,” Cameron laughed. “Don't worry, it's not – I don't think it's
that
bad. I should have said something earlier, but... I've got a couple medical things going on.”

Noah blinked, then fidgeted. “Not...”

“No, I mean, a heart problem.”

Oh. Ohhh.
“Like... exercise-aggravated?” Noah instantly felt guilty. They'd danced for hours, and played hockey, and he was always walking over to see him...

“Yes, but it's not constant,” Cameron assured him. “It's not formally diagnosed right now. The doctors tell me I can't do... pro-level sports. No sustained, elevated levels of stress, long periods of exercise, that kind of thing. A casual pickup game every week won't kill me.”

“Okay.” Noah put down his fork to gulp orange juice and cleared his throat. “Even stress?”

“Yeah. High levels, that is.”

“What about beekeeping?” Did Uncle Bill know yet? Probably not. “I can tell my uncle about it--”

“No, that's fine,” Cameron assured him, reaching over the table to touch his hand. “I didn't want you to freak out about it or anything. I know my limits. Beekeeping will be okay as long as I'm not running two miles and vaulting fences to get away from angry bees...”

That broke Noah's tension, and he laughed. “Okay. Sorry, I don't want to make you feel weird about it,” he apologized. It was startling to hear this after several dates, but there hadn't been a good time to bring it up earlier. “And I can still tell Uncle Bill--”

“No, I'll handle it. I'll let him know beforehand, but like I said, I doubt it'll be an issue,” Cameron assured him. “Everything I've been reading says you're supposed to stay calm and... zen around them, you know? So that'll be perfect for me.”

Noah nodded. “So, why tell me? I mean, I'm glad you did, but...” he trailed off, finishing the last few bites of his food and setting down his utensils.

Cameron had already polished his plate back and he was leaning back, watching Noah. “I just need to make sure there's not much stress between us, too. I'd... If you're up for it, I wanna have that conversation.”

“I thought we were about to until you started this one,” Noah chuckled. “The relationship one?”

“That's the one.” Cameron's expression was careful, yet he was smiling. “Do you want to date me?”

A shiver of delight coursed up Noah's spine. “
Fuck, yes
.”

That might have come out a little louder than he'd meant it to, but Cameron just laughed. “Well, that leaves no doubt in my mind.”

Noah laughed, too, and stood up from the table to take Cameron's hand and pull him to his feet. “Leave the dishes, I'll deal with them later. If I'd known I just had to cook you breakfast...”

Cameron chuckled, sliding his arm around Noah's waist and kissing him. He tasted like maple syrup, and Noah resisted the urge to suck on his lower lip.

When they pulled apart, Noah slapped Cameron's ass. “Go on, get upstairs. I've got spare toothbrushes for you. You can even choose your own color.”

“You got a blue one?”

“I don't know. The package is in the middle drawer. I don't keep track,” Noah laughed. He gathered the dishes and dumped them in the dishwasher as Cameron disappeared upstairs. Cameron's chuckle echoed in the stairwell.

When Cameron was out of sight, Noah took a moment to pump his fist in the air, then rubbed his face, trying to calm down.
Play it cool. Oh, God, you have a boyfriend. You're someone's boyfriend. No, calm down...

He followed Cameron upstairs to brush his teeth, still beaming.

***

Cam squeezed Noah's hand as he stood outside the art gallery with him. Once they dropped hands, Noah tucked both his hands in his jacket pockets instead.

“You didn't have to walk me to work,” Noah said for the fifth time that walk, but he was smiling hard. In fact, neither of them had stopped smiling since their conversation over breakfast.

“Of course I did. That's what boyfriends do. It's the honeymoon phase; enjoy it,” Cam teased.

Noah laughed. “Until you get sick of me and send me on the bus?” he teased.

Cameron laughed. “Never.”

“What are you up to today?”

“Sorting out boxes at my broth-- at Jackson's house, and tidying up. Still gotta live for him with three weeks... I want to be a good guest.”

Noah's chest swelled with pride and he leaned up to kiss him goodbye. “Aww. Have fun.”

After they kissed goodbye one more time and Cameron waved, they parted ways. Noah walked into the building sizzling with energy and ideas.

Today was going to be great.

The days passed in a blur as Cameron did spring yard work for his parents and tidied up Jackson's house. Cameron still expected to hear from Bill any time. He kept his phone on him, ready to race to his new apprenticeship as soon as Bill said the word.

He and Jackson decided against renting a storage locker. Jackson just wouldn't look for a buyer until the move was over. They'd work together to clean up, repaint, and do a few light renovations once the house was empty to increase the value.

To his surprise, Jackson showed up to the next pickup hockey game, along with another artist. Both of them lingered around the periphery of the fence, sketching what was going on. Cameron was a little self-conscious at first, but he forgot about them in the excitement and frustration of amateur hockey.

Holy shit, these guys were clueless, but he couldn't expect much more. Kevin was the exception, and fair enough since he was the only semi-pro player. He was just waiting to be drafted. Cameron still didn't push himself to his limits. He didn't want to stand out or seem like he thought he was too good for the rest of the guys.

He and Noah didn't get the chance to see each other after hockey since Noah had to meet the artists and discuss arrangements. By Saturday, he was getting anxious to see his new boyfriend.

The days were warming up. People were walking in light jackets or sweaters without a heavy winter coat over top. It was supposed to be clear with not a chance of rain, either.

It was perfect weather to walk to the art gallery.

Cameron trotted up the steps and inside to the front desk a little before noon, glancing around to spot Noah. There were a few spacious, bright gallery rooms on the main floor, but no signs of Noah.

“Hi,” he greeted the clerk who was already reaching for the computer mouse. “Uh, I'm here to see Noah, if I can...?”

“Oh, of course. His office is through that way,” the clerk pointed down a narrow hall.

“Thanks.” Cameron slowed at each door to read the plaques. Some of the names he vaguely recognized from Cameron's conversations about work, but none made him smile like seeing
Noah Clark
on the third door from the end.

He knocked on the open door and stepped inside.

Wow.
A few deep green houseplants snaked out from between shelves and rows of books. Art snuck into every aspect of the office. Paintings hung from the walls while sculptures sat atop filing cabinets. A mixed media art piece shadowed the computer monitor.

“Welcome,” Noah greeted him. Cameron's eyes were drawn back to his main interest in the room: his handsome lover. Noah was dressed in a grey waistcoat and dark blue collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

God, he was gorgeous.

“Hi,” Cameron answered, gesturing around the room. “Nice place here. It suits you.”

The titles of the books, the decorative art, the bright window overlooking the street outside... It seemed like the kind of place Noah would hang out just for fun.

“Thanks,” Noah laughed. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“When's your lunch break?”

“Right about now, I bet,” Noah winked and glanced at his watch as he stood up. He grabbed a peacoat from the back of his chair to shrug on. “If you're asking, of course.”

“I am. I don't know where's a good place for lunch around here, but I'll take you there,” Cameron offered with a laugh. “There used to be a good lunch place that did sandwiches and stuff.”

“A cafe? Yeah, there's a few good ones nearby.”

“Let's do that,” Cameron suggested, and he was met with a bright smile.

“Nice to see you again, by the way,” Noah murmured. “I've been missing you.” He left his coat unbuttoned as he stepped out from behind the desk and approached Cameron. Noah didn't hesitate to stretch up the inch or so that separated them and press a kiss to Cameron's lips.

Cameron cupped Noah's cheek to peck him on the lips, then put his hand on his shoulder. “How's your day going?”

“Oh, you know,” Noah sighed with a touch of that amusing overdramatic attitude. He led Cameron out of the office and down the hall, pausing at an open doorway. “Sarah? I'm going out for lunch.”

“Okay,” Sarah answered. The petite woman pushed her dyed red hair out of her eyes as she glanced up. She was clearly taken aback to see Cameron standing there with his hand still on Noah's shoulder. “Oh, hello.”

“Hi. I'm Cam,” Cameron introduced himself while Noah smiled at him.

Sarah's eyes lit up. “Ah,
you're
Cam... Nice to meet you,” she winked. “Go on, Noah. Have a good lunch date.”

“Thanks.” Noah steered Cameron back down the hall and around the entrance desk to the door.

When they walked down the steps together, Noah reached out to lace their fingers and swung their hands.

“Was it okay that I did that?” Cameron asked with a quick glance at Noah's expression.

“Did what? Oh, no, that's fine. She knew. Everyone knows,” Noah laughed. “Remember, there was never a closet for me.”

“Right,” Cameron laughed under his breath. Noah was so expressive that he almost took it for granted now. “So, what have you been up to that's so stressful?”

Noah laughed. “Well, when you put it that way... Just arranging a charity show on my off-time, and a few of the artists are more... flaky than others. But for charity, you can't complain.”

“You're always arranging shows. Is that typical for you? Or is this an unusually busy time?”

Noah led them to the crosswalk and paused with him. “Er, no... it is a bit unusual. I usually try to stick to one exhibition at a time, but the charity show is something I'm doing personally and the hockey show is for work.”

“Ahh.”

“Now I have to sign a bunch of loan paperwork and try to help Sarah untangle some... acquisition problems. There's a tour at three, too. And a members-only evening that I have to help with. Well, I shouldn't say
have to
. I like the members. They're much more polite than the general public. Then again, I shouldn't malign the general public...”

“I get the idea,” Cameron laughed. “People can't keep their hands off?”

“Oh, tell me about it. This one guy tried to touch this textured painting in gallery two – I need to take you through it so you know what I'm talking about, by the way. I
just
stopped him in time.”

Cameron winced. “Even I know better.”

“You like to play the uncultured bad boy, but you know a thing or two,” Noah addressed him with a wink. “I've noticed.”

Cameron's cheeks heated up and he squeezed Noah's hand. “Where's the cafe?”

“Just a few doors down,” Noah grinned. “What about you? How was your day?”

Cam struggled to think of anything interesting that had happened. “I finished consolidating some of my boxes and helped Jackson pack some of his stuff in the basement.”

“That's important.”

“Mmm. The move's coming up soon, like it or not. We still have to talk about the details – which of us will move in first. Presumably me since I have less stuff, but...”

“Well, with three of you, you can all help each other. And I'll help,” Noah offered.

Cameron grinned. He playfully squeezed Noah's bicep before pulling open the cafe door. “I wouldn't want to overwork you.”

“Hey,” Noah laughed. “I happen to lift weights at home sometimes.”

“Sometimes?” Cameron teased.

Noah blushed. “When I remember.”

“Ahhh.”

Cameron chose a table with Noah near a window. A waitress approached to hand over menus, and they relaxed into light lunchtime conversation and flirtation.

This time, Cameron didn't let Noah escape back to work without promising him another date on Wednesday. The weather was supposed to be this great once again then.

“Texting alone just isn't enough,” Cameron smiled as he and Noah ambled back towards the art gallery.

“No, it isn't,” Noah agreed. “We should see each other every time the weather's this nice.”

“That'll be every day in a few months' time,” Cameron grinned. “Sounds perfect.”

Noah laughed and leaned in to kiss Cameron. “Wednesday,” he promised before pulling away. “Thank you for the lunch date.”

“Thank
you
.”

Cameron knew he couldn't get used to dropping his boyfriend off at work with a goodbye kiss. His own job would start up soon, and from the sounds of it, he wouldn't have much free time.

For now, he'd enjoy what he had.