Chapter 84 84: The Third Pillar
"On the count of five, everyone on the fucking ice. One..." He started, his face cold as the ice itself.
"If the devil were a man," Rode muttered and started walking out of the locker room.
Other guys groaned in disappointment as they marched away; Wong wiggled his brow at Baby as he left, a sigh that their conversation was far from over.
"Cam," Baby quickly grabbed Cam's hand as he turned to leave with the others.
"Don't go, please..." He murmured, his eyes glancing at Saintho wa still at the door before he walked around to stand in front of Cam, who still refused to look at him.
"Cam, can we talk? I'm sorry," Baby whispered, tugging Cam's hand.
Saint's footsteps approached them, "He's not worthy to be called your best friend if he unfriended you for your sexuality, and definitely not a friend if he threatens you with the knowledge he's discovered–shit!" Saint's words were wiped off his lips by Cam's fist, brutally snapping his head backwards.
"Cam!" Baby gasped, hurting to fix himself between his best friend and his boyfriend, "Don't, please, stop hurting him –"
"Then fucking ask him to mind his fucking words!" Cam barked.
For the first time, Baby saw his best friend heaving with anger, he saw him hurting.
"I was just stating a fact –"
"Saint!" Baby snapped, glaring back at him, "Just stop, please," He spoke softly.
Saint muttered under his breath and wiped away the blood from the side of his lip, pinning his dark, daring gaze at Cam.
Cam suddenly puffed out a short humourless laughter, shaking his head.
"So that's it?" Cam asked, gritting his teeth.
Baby gulped, "What, Cam? I know I have a lot of explaining to give but I need you to listen... really listen." He said, watching Cam's betrayed look.
Cam chuckled, "So, what he said... that's what you believe? You think I give a fuck about your sexuality? Or you think I'm such a backstabber that I'll run straight to Sloane with my findings. If yes, then, perhaps the idiot behind you is right, I'm not worthy to be called your best friend." He nodded once and turned away.
"Cam," Baby held him again, "Can you just listen?" He asked quietly, his eyes glancing at the door to make sure no one else was coming.
Cam stopped but didn't face Baby again.
"I'm not going to lie... yes, I did think all those things he said. But, I'm scared Cam... you know exactly why I'm scared. And now, losing you, the only true friend I've had, I'm losing my shut, Cameron. I didn't know how to tell you not because I didn't trust you enough, but because I didn't want to lose you. And now... I think I'm on the brink of doing just that." He spoke so softly that his voice would be missed by another who was two feet away.
Saint moved closer, not touching him, but close enough for Baby to feel his reassuring presence behind him.
Cam finally turned, holding Baby's gaze for a few seconds.
"I see the fear in your eyes Baby, and I hope you see the hurt in mine just as clearly," Cam said, taking a deep breath.
"I'm hurt, Baby. I feel betrayed, unacknowledged. I thought we could tell each other anything, and I'm going to be honest, I'm so disappointed it's Kross. I mean, why not Rode? Or Oliver? I think I perceived something like that from them, but, Kross?" He paused, glancing at Saint who was now giving him a death-glare, he scoffed and shook his head, "I don't like him." He muttered.
Baby smiled, taking a step forward toward Cam, "I'm sorry –"
"Are you apologising for loving me?" Saint asked.
"Keep shut, Saint," Baby narrowed his eyes at him.
"Cam, I love you, and I didn't tell you because I was scared... ashamed –"
"Yeah, I would be if was daring his ugly ass, too," Cam smirked at Saint.
Baby laughed, his first little genuine laugh since yesterday.
"Come on, Cam. He's not that bad. If you ignore the ugly attitude hes quite a catch," Baby whispered, smiling, tears forming in his eyes.
"Beauty is indeed in the eyes of the beholder," Cam muttered, pulling Baby in for a tight hug.
"Heg, dont cry, champ. I'm sorry, too. I think most of my stupid reaction stemmed from having to face the fact that my best friend is dating my enemy. I don't give a fuck who you fuck, I just want to know who and when," Cam said, rubbing his hands on Baby's back.
Saint scoffed, "It's going to be just me from now –"
"Shh... he wasn't speaking to you, Kross," Baby mumbled against Cam's hug.
Saint sighed, "Maybe, I preferred it when you guys weren't talking." He murmured.
"Deal with it," Cam said, stepping a foot back and hanging his arm over Baby's shoulder.
"Yeah... deal with it, Kross," Baby mimicked Cam's stand, smiling at Kross.
"Does the bastard make you happy?" Cam asked, staring at Saint as if he was still trying to understand what Baby saw in him.
"He –"
"You know what? Don't answer that. I can see the way you look at each other. But just know, Saint. No one's ever taking my position beside Baby." Cam warned.
Saint smirked, "Don't worry, Cam. Your position is just fine. Baby and I have different positions to –"
"Okay, okay, okay, don't make me barf. Now, we need to go out there and act like everything is okay, and before any of you say you already got that under control, no! You don't. You guys literally eye-fuck each other. Please, bring the hate back... temporarily, of course." Cam sighed and gently pulled Baby away.
"Hands off, Kross, he's in my team today," Cam snapped as Saint wanted to hold Baby as they walked past him.
"At least apologise for hitting me?" He asked, staring at their backs as they walked away without sparing him a glance.
"No. I guess no apologies for me," he muttered and followed them behind.
He was happy because Baby was finally happy. He no longer had to watch his boyfriend toss and turn all night because of some dumb best friend.
For now, the shadows were protected, hopefully, it will stay that way.