The Contract

Chapter 7

"Were you... flirting with that guy?" Cam asked in surprise.

"He was flirting with me, sure. But like I said, he's gotta make tips somehow." I laughed.

"So how'd it go with the blond the other night?" He asked.

"Terrible, she wanted me to look her in the eyes towards the end, and I just couldn't keep going. She got pissed and left." I told him honestly.

"We need to get you laid, man, seriously." He shook his head. "There's a cute girl over there. She was looking at you when you came in."

I turned around, not really caring, more just trying to see whether he was bullshitting me or not. I wouldn't be surprised if Cam just said that to give me hope.

He was actually telling the truth, though, and I realised my mistake because as my eyes met hers, she stood up and began walking towards our table.

"Hey, I was waiting for you to notice me." She smiled shyly.

"Erm, I'm actually into guys... sorry." I said awkwardly, watching as Cam's jaw collapsed.

She nodded, face flushing before returning to her table.

"So because we implied you could be gay, you're gonna turn down every girl that hits on you, using that as an excuse? All because you've had a few bad experiences with them?" He was still slack jawed.

"No, I told her I'm gay because it's true. It became pretty obvious to me a few nights ago." I said honestly, watching Aaron subtly out of my peripherals. He shifted in his seat uncomfortably.

"Oh okay, well good for you for realising it, man. And for feeling so comfortable telling us." He said, his usually relaxed and juvenile demeanour maturing slightly.

"Thanks." I nodded.

"So how'd you realise?" He asked.

I choked on the next sip of my drink, and Aaron looked around the bar, completely avoiding my eyes now.

"Hooked up with a guy, totally different experience." I said. I felt Aaron tense up. I wasn't going to say it was him, of course, but I did have to say something.

"Shit, good for you. Hey, Aaron? Did you already know this?" Cam said, turning his attention towards Aaron now.

"No." He said bluntly, jaw hardening.

"What's your problem then? He's just told us something huge that he just learned about himself, and you have nothing to say about it? What, do you have a problem with him being gay?" Cam's tone grew accusatory.

"What? Do you think I'm homophobic?" He scoffed.

"Well, I wouldn't have thought so, but you're not acting right." He said, becoming oddly perceptive for who he was.

"Look, if Harry wants to sleep with that girl, or if he wants to sleep with that bartender, that's up to him. But I wanna be left the fuck out of it." He said, standing up abruptly and walking straight out of the bar, leaving me to wonder what the hell had just happened.

"I'm sorry he said that, I actually didn't think he'd have a problem with it." Cam shook his head.

"I don't think he does, I know him. I just don't know what his problem is." I sighed.

"Homophobia would be so out of character for someone like him... but he didn't seem right tonight, I mean, from the second you guys came in. I actually thought you two had had a fight or something." He told me.

"We actually did. We were just ignoring it." I admitted.

"Well, whatever it is, I'm sure he'll get over it and give you the right reaction to your news." He said.