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“Sure,” he said with a smile.

“Um… who’s your agent?” I asked.

“Oh. Mike Wells,” he said easily. “He's a good guy, friends with my dads. Had to deal with me being with Brody and all that fallout, and yeah, he was pissed at first, but he's got a solid roster of queer players.”

Something inside me deflated. Of course, that was how it worked when you had dads surrounded by people who cared. And the queer thing? I wasn't going to be a good fit, given I wasn't out.

“Why?” Noah asked, lowering his voice instinctively. “You thinking of moving on from yours?” I hesitated. “I don’t hear good things about Hughes,” he added quietly, naming my agent without me having to say it. “And Mike's always looking for new talent.”

I let out a short breath. “He just takes on queer clients?” I asked just as quietly.

Noah shrugged and didn’t seem offended. “Nah, he has the whole spectrum of clients. You should contact him.”

“He won't want me.”

Noah didn’t argue. He just pulled out his phone, already typing. “I’ll ask him.”

“No, I⁠—”

“Too late,” he grinned at me, then leaned in. “He won't say anything to anyone, I promise.”

The landing was quick, wheels hitting the tarmac with a jolt that rattled through my bones. Raleigh blurred past in buses and bags and routine, the kind of travel muscle memory that carried me all the way back to the hotel before I realized how tired I was.

Back in the room, the quietness hit hard. Noah’s bed was empty, his things gone—he’d said something about stepping out to make a call, and I knew exactly who it might be to. His partner, Brody. His dads. Siblings. Friends. Conversations I didn’t have.

I sat on my bed and stared at my phone. Should I message Cam?

We couldn’t video call as he’d asked. Not tonight. Not with my head like this. But the distance pressed in anyway, heavy and insistent, and I found myself opening the thread before I could overthink it.

Jari: I'm in the hotel. Sharing with Noah, so no video call.

The reply came fast.

Cam: Hey, you! Are you okay? And no worries about the video.

I hesitated, thumb hovering. Honesty felt dangerous. Silence felt worse.

Jari: Long day.

Cam: I wish I could see you.

That did it. A tight ache settled behind my ribs.

Jari: I miss you.

Three words. Too much and not enough all at once.

There was a pause—short, but noticeable.

Cam: I miss you too. Five days will go fast

Jari: Yeah

Cam: Then you could move into the pool house. No pressure, but I ordered a new bed for out there just in case.

Jari: I can pay for it

Cam: Sure, we'll see.

The door burst open, and Noah nearly stumbled inside, Trick’s hand at his back and Mules and Becks laughing.

Jari: Have to go, Noah's here.

Cam: Good luck tomorrow. Bye x

I lay back on the bed, staring at the idiots demanding we play poker at the small table, phone warm in my hand. For a moment, with kindness from Noah and the start of a friendship with Trick, Mules, and Becks, I had the promise that someone, somewhere, wanted me.

It was a nice feeling.

Weird, but nice.