Page 25 of His Christmas Love Song

Shit.

In all the unexpected drama of his new feelings for Ryan and working on the album and renewing their acquaintance with Hank, Jesse completely and utterly forgot about Cameron Keane, Ryan’s ex-boyfriend and the reason he chose Pine Tree Lodge as their destination in the first place.

He rushes to hover behind Ryan. Cameron, looking tanned and healthy, his brown hair longer than Jesse’s own and tied back from his face, is smiling broadly, teeth gleaming in the winter sun. He’s a few years older than Ryan, which puts him closer to Hank’s age than Jesse’s.

Jesse has always liked the guy. He’s easy to get along with, and he’s the best keyboardist Jesse’s ever met. When he and Ryan were dating, he’d been happy that the guy Ryan was spending so much time with was cool and didn’t seem to mind his and Ryan’s friendship. When Cameron left to go on an international tour, he and Ryan started hanging out at pre-Cameron levels, and Jesse had been selfishly glad, until Ryan started getting moody and writing sad, pining ballads all over the place. All signs pointed to Ryan missing Cameron. Jesse steels himself to go through with the original plan—if Ryan wants Cameron, well. Jesse wants Ryan to get what he wants. That hasn’t changed, even if Jesse’s feelings have.

“Ryan, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” Cameron says, sweeping Ryan into a back-slapping hug. “And Jesse, my man, good to see you.”

Jesse finds himself on the receiving end of one of Cameron’s hugs and he tries to smile back. “Hey, Cameron.” He glances at Ryan, who looks surprised and something else. Jesse spends a second trying to figure out if Ryan is surprised-confused, or surprised-happy, or maybe even surprised-upset. He can’t figure it out in the short window of time before someone has to stay something before the moment gets weird.

“What are you doing here?” Ryan asks, which is both logical and the last thing Jesse wants him to be asking.

Cameron rocks back on his heels. “I just got in after literally the flight—make that flights—from hell. I left Bangkok like four days ago, got stuck in Hong Kong, then there was a storm in Seattle. I was just about ready to rent a car and drive across the damn country, but I finally made it on a plane here.”

“That sucks,” Jesse says. He suddenly feels bad for forgetting that Cameron was supposed to be here days ago. He’s always had tunnel vision when it comes to Ryan. Another clue that maybe he should have picked up on his feelings earlier. Well, he can’t freak out now, even if his brain’s still stuck on how Ryan was going to finish that sentence a few minutes earlier. Who did he write the song for, if not Hank? Is it Cameron? Is there someone else Ryan’s been quietly seeing? Is the reason he’s not interested in Hank or anyone else because he’s already in a relationship?

Jesse shivers. He promised himself he’d be okay with Ryan never finding out how he feels, but it’s not going to be easy to stand by and watch the best person Jesse knows bestow his love on someone else.

“Yeah, that sucks,” Ryan agrees. “Uh. Well, it’s nice to see you. You want to come in?”

“Sure,” Cameron says. “I know I’m technically a Vermonter, but my blood’s weak after all that time in the south.” He walks into their cabin, and Ryan shuts the door.

“Right, you’re from this area,” Ryan says, as if dredging up the detail from the back of his mind. “What a coincidence.”

Cameron gives him a funny look. “I’m from right here in Columbia. My parents live five minutes away. That’s why I decided to stay at the lodge for the holidays. My folks just got a puppy and I need my beauty sleep. Plus, I always liked this big place. I worked here one summer in high school, even.”

“You in a cabin?” Jesse asks, walking toward the kitchenette. “How was your tour? Are you hungry? Maybe we should order something.” He’s talking fast and rubbing his scar nervously.

Cameron turns his gaze on Jesse now, forehead creased. “Am I interrupting something?” he asks. “I can come back later.”

Yes. “No, this is great,” Jesse says, cringing at the note of fake brightness in his voice. “We want to hear all about the tour.”

Cameron doesn’t seem convinced. Ryan folds his arms in front of him and looks at Jesse. His eyes are narrow, and Jesse suddenly feels like a kid being asked why there are a bunch of candy wrappers under his bed.

“How did you know we were here?” Ryan’s asking Cameron, but his gaze hasn’t left Jesse.

“When I told Jesse I was coming back to the States, that I’d be here over the holidays, Jesse said you two wanted to get away for a bit, said this place sounded perfect. We were supposed to meet here a few days ago, but, like I said, I got held up.”

“That’s why you chose Pine Tree Lodge, Jesse?” Ryan doesn’t sound mad, but his hands are gripping his arms tightly.

“Yeah.” He knows how it looks, how it sounds. Hell, maybe he deserves the look of ire Ryan’s throwing his way.

“Didn’t I tell you not to—you said there wouldn’t be anybody—” Ryan literally throws up his hands. “You are unbelievable.”

Jesse’s seen Ryan mad before, but it’s never been directed at him. Not like this. “I’m sorry,” he says in a small voice. Meddling in Ryan’s love life seemed a lot more harmless a few days ago. Now he wishes he’d never heard of Pine Tree Lodge.

“Um. Maybe I’ll just see you guys later,” Cameron says, edging toward the door.

“This entire trip was about Cameron? I can’t believe I felt guilty for being suspicious. You must have been disappointed when he wasn’t here, until, surprise, you could just throw me in the path of Hank. Great plan B.” Ryan’s well and truly angry now, his voice booming in the small cabin. “Please hear me when I tell you that just because you saved my life doesn’t give you the right to run it.”

Jesse wants to argue, to protest that he only had the best of intentions, but his intentions don’t matter. “I know. I’m sorry.” He looks at Cameron, who seems ready to bolt. “Jesus, I’m sorry, Cameron. I’m a complete idiot.”

“Hey, no harm,” Cameron says easily, “but maybe I’ll leave you two to work this out.”

What’s to work out? Jesse messed up. He deserves Ryan’s wrath.

“It’s good to see you, Cameron,” Ryan says, voice still sharp, making him sound very un-Ryan’s like, “but yeah, I think Jesse and I need to talk.”