Paradise Found

Cameron sat on his back deck drinking coffee. He had barely slept at all. He couldn’t get Alex out of his mind. He kept replaying their evening in his mind, more specifically, the near kiss that Alex had stopped. He had said they could talk today if he wanted. Oh yes, he definitely wanted to talk. He just wasn’t sure what he was going to say. Yes, he’d been a bit drunk last night, but he knew what he was doing when he was thinking about kissing Alex. What that meant exactly he didn’t know. Maybe Alex was right. Maybe he was just confused and lonely. Or was there more to it than that? He did find the man attractive, there was no denying that. And they had just clicked when they met. He felt like he’d known him forever. It had been a long time since he’d had a really close friend, and he found himself wanting to spend more and more time with Alex. The fact that he was thinking about him that way was a bit unnerving. He had never had feelings for a man before beyond simple friendship. This felt like more somehow.

He saw Alex walking out into the surf with his board. Just before he dove into the waves, he turned and waved. Cameron waved back. He sat there for quite a while, watching Alex catch wave after wave. He was amazing to watch; the picture of grace and power. He was amazing…period.

The ringing of his cell phone snapped him out of his reverie. The caller ID told him it was his Mom.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Cameron! How are you? Are you having a good time?”

“I’m fine, Mom. Yes, I’m having a good time. I’m still planning on being here until next weekend. How are things on your end?”

“Everyone is fine. Amy asked about you. I told her you were hiding out in paradise. She said she was jealous.”

“It’s been really good for me, Mom. I needed this. I just needed time to get my head together. I’m getting there.”

“How are you really, Cameron? I know this had been hard on you.”

“I really am okay, Mom. And you’ll be happy to know I made a friend, so I’ve got somebody to talk to and hang out with.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful honey! What’s her name?”

Cameron groaned. “No, Mom, it’s not a woman. It’s a man named Alex. He lives in Los Angeles and has his own ad agency. We just hit it off. He’s smart and funny and a lot of fun to be with. I’ve enjoyed spending time with him.”

“Well, at least you aren’t alone. And I’m glad you’re doing okay. I suppose I should let you go.”

Cameron saw Alex walking back towards his cottage, board in tow. “Yeah, I need to go Mom. Tell that doofus brother of mine to behave himself.”

“Will do. Bye, Cameron. Love you.”

“Love you, too, Mom. Bye.”

Cameron ended the call and turned to go back inside. He jumped at the unexpected voice behind him.

“Good morning, Cameron. I trust you slept well?” Alex flashed that killer smile, but noticed the dark circles under Cameron’s eyes.

Cameron chuckled. “Not a chance. Feel like shit this morning.”

Alex shook his head. “Yeah, same here.”

They stared at each other for a moment, not sure what to say. Finally Alex broke the silence.

“So, um…do you still want to talk about this, whatever this is?”

Cameron nodded and spoke softly. “Yeah. I want to.”

“Okay. Then would you like to come to my place for dinner tonight? I make a mean crab and lobster fettuccine.”

“Sure” Cameron smiled softly. “I’ll bring the wine. But only one bottle this time.”

They both laughed.

“Great. Well, I’ve got to grab a shower and then I’ve got some work to do, but how about you come over around 7:00?”

“Sounds good, Alex. I’ll be there.”

“Until then…” Alex winked, turned on his heel and walked back to his cottage.

Cameron was looking forward to this evening, but he was nervous as hell. He had until then to figure out exactly what it was he wanted to say and just exactly how he felt about it all. All he knew right now was that he was becoming more and more attracted to this man. It was frightening and exhilarating at once.

What would happen tonight, he had no idea. What he wanted to happen, he wasn’t sure about that either.