Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2000 01:20:52 EST
From: Cameron J <glenwoodbronco@hotmail.com>
Subject: Mile High Meeting-Chapter 3

Mile High Meeting-Chapter 3

     The three of us agreed on a movie, American Beauty, and we decided to
order a Chicago-style pizza to be delivered to the condo.  The start time
we chose meant that we had about a half-hour before the movie began, so we
had some more time to talk.

     "So, Cameron...I hear that you are a sports fan, and you are thinking
of becoming a sports broadcaster.  What kind of broadcasting would you like
to do?"  Brian asked, trying to make conversation.

     "Well, I think my dream job would be to do play-by-play, either for an
NFL team, a Major League Baseball team, or for a Division I university.  Of
course, I would love to work for the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Denver Broncos, or
the Colorado Rockies, but I would take about anything to start so I could
work my way up."

     "I think that would be a blast," Brian commented.  "I think I would do
that in a heart beat!"

     "Well, to be honest, I would love to have your job.  When I was
younger, I dreamed of being a big star, selling millions of records to all
my adoring fans," I said, laughing.

     "Are you serious?"  Nick asked.

     "Oh, yeah.  I love to sing, although I doubt many people would pay
much to hear it.  I was an all-state musician, but I kind of gave it up
after high school."

     "I would love to hear you sing," Nick said, obviously expecting a
performance from me.

     "I don't know about that...I don't think I would feel terribly
comfortable singing in front of two pop superstars."

     "Oh, come on," Brian pleaded.  "We don't get the chance to hear others
sing very often.  Everyone is always asking us to sing all the time, so we
never get to hear anyone else."

     "Maybe another time, guys.  I wouldn't even know what to sing," I
said, as I stood up, and walked toward the kitchen.  "Would you guys like
something to drink?  I don't know what is in here right now, but I can
surely find something."

     Nick jumped up and followed me into the kitchen as Brian told me that
anything would be fine.  Nick began searching for glasses, as I looked in
the refrigerator to see how well stocked it was.  As it turns out, there
was a gallon of milk, some assorted soft drinks, and a cold-water spigot on
the front of the fridge.  I poured three glasses of Pepsi, and Nick took
one glass into Brian.  He then returned to the kitchen, taking a drink from
his glass.  He then looked me in the eyes for a brief moment, before
looking down at the floor.

    "You know, I would love to hear you sing sometime.  I am guessing that
you have a wonderful voice, just like everything else about you."

     I didn't know quite how to react to that statement, but I told him how
much I appreciated that, and he just grinned, and looked down at the floor
again.  I could tell that he wanted to tell me something, but I didn't want
to rush him, so I let him go at his own pace.

     "Cam?  Can we talk for a minute?"  Nick asked.

     "I thought that is what we were doing," I replied casually.

     "Well, yeah, but I mean a serious talk.  I have something I would like
to talk with you about, but I don't really know how to start," he said,
struggling to find the right words.

     "Sure we can talk, Nick.  Do you want to talk now, or wait until after
the movie?"

     "I'd kind of like to talk now, if we can.  Is there somewhere a bit
more private where we can go?"

     "Yeah, there is.  I have a deck off my bedroom where we can go outside
if that's okay."

     "I'd like that," Nick said quietly.

     We both grabbed our drinks, and headed toward the living room, and
Nick told Brian that we were going to talk privately for a bit.  Brian
seemed pleased, so I surmised that Nick and Brian had already talked about
this, and it was my turn to be 'filled in' on what Nick had on his mind.

     I then walked into my bedroom, with Nick following me.  I opened the
sliding glass door, and soon we were both outside.  Once on the deck, Nick
walked in front of me, and over to the railing, where he began staring out
at the lake.  I took the hint, and walked over so I was standing next to
him.

     "You know, I thought I had things worked out pretty well until I met
you this morning.  You brought out feelings in me that I haven't had in a
long time, and I really don't know how to deal with them," Nick began.

     "What are you talking about?" I asked.

     "Well, I've known for a long time that I was, well, you know...gay."
He looked over to me to get my reaction, but I didn't react.  Somehow, I
knew that he was gay.  From the moment I saw him this morning, I knew, but
I hadn't really figured it out until just now.

     Nick continued, "I knew that I couldn't ever act on my feelings as
long as I was a member of the Backstreet Boys, and I accepted that.  Sure,
I have met other attractive guys before, but I never let them get to me.  I
thought that I would have no problem controlling myself.  Then I got on
that gondola this morning, and before I even knew your name, I felt
something for you.  I don't know exactly what it is about you, but I feel
like I have been looking for you my entire life," Nick said as a single
tear fell from his right eye.  "I know that we haven't known each other
long enough for either of us to say that we are meant to be together, but I
can't help thinking that we need to try."

    That was certainly a lot to take in at one time, and I didn't know
quite how to react.  Of course, I felt attracted to him, but I didn't know
how to proceed.

    "Nick, I don't know what to say."

    "I'm sorry, Cam.  I shouldn't have done this to you.  I think I should
go," he said as he began to cry harder.  He started for the door when I
grabbed his arm, and pulled him into a hug.

     Once I pulled him in, he began to cry harder, letting all of his
emotions out.  We just stood there for a few minutes, until he could regain
his composure.  I knew then that this conversation would not be over before
the movie began, so I told Nick that I was going to tell Brian that we were
going to be a while.  Nick nodded, and I quickly walked inside, and into
the living area.

     "Is everything okay?"  Brian asked as I walked through the doorway to
see him.

     "Well, I think it will be soon, Brian.  We have a lot to talk about,
so we probably won't be in for a while.  Just go ahead and watch the movie,
and we will be in later."

     "Okay, Cam," Brian said as I started to walk back, then he stopped me.
"Cam?"

     "Yeah, Brian?"

     "Nick really thinks a lot of you, and I care for him very deeply.  You
do seem like a great guy, but please be careful with him.  He hasn't really
been in a real relationship before, and I don't want to see him hurt."

      I smiled slightly, and walked over to Brian, sitting down across from
him, putting my hand on his arm.  "Brian, I don't know if anything is even
happening between us, but you can rest assured that I would never do
anything to hurt Nick.  I have only known him for a few hours, but I am a
good judge of character.  Therefore, I know what a wonderful person he
really is, and I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything bad
happened.  I am just trying to get Nick through a tough time right now, and
I am not looking any farther into the future than that.  So, I know that
you are concerned, but I am concerned too," I said as I stood back up.
"End of lecture," I said, smiling as I patted him on the shoulder.

     "Thanks Cam, for being there for him.  Now, go help him out," Brian
said, looking up at me.

     I walked back out to Nick, who was sitting by the table outside,
looking up at the ceiling of the deck.

     "Feeling any better?"  I asked.

     "Yes, and no.  I just have a lot of things I need to work out."

     I sat down next to Nick, and put my arm around him.  "I know what you
mean.  We've all been there.  I just want you to know that I am here for
you if you need anything at all.  I had a lot of issues to deal with when I
first discovered this side of me, and I didn't really have anyone there to
support me.  My friends were all cool with it, but I just didn't feel
comfortable around them."  I then looked directly into his eyes.  "I am not
going to let that happen to you, Nick.  I know Brian is in your corner too,
but I will be here to help you.  I know that you don't know how to deal
with all of these feelings, but we are going to help you in any way
possible."

     Nick started to tear up again as I finished speaking, and could hardly
get any words out.  "You don't know how much that means to me, Cameron.
It's good to know that I am not going down this road alone, and I can't
think of anyone better to lean on then you.  After all, it is your fault,"
he said, laughing a bit.

    "My fault?" I questioned, looking offended.

    "Yeah.  You're the one that is making me feel this way, so I am blaming
you," he said, still grinning.

    "Okay, okay...guilty as charged.  I guess I owe it to you, then."

    "Yep," he said.

     Nick then moved his chair closer to me, and leaned his head over onto
my shoulder.  I put my arm behind him, and began to rub his back gently.
We sat like that for a while, and soon I could tell that he was asleep.  I
knew that he was feeling more comfortable, and I was feeling a lot more
comfortable too.

     A short while later, I heard something, and looked back to the sliding
glass door, and I saw Brian looking at us.  I just smiled, and he gave me a
thumbs-up, before smiling back at me, and walking away.

     I ended up falling asleep as well, and I woke up as I felt Nick
stirring a bit.  We had been outside for a long time, as the sun was
getting close to setting.  I looked at Nick, and stood up, before offering
him my left hand.  He accepted, and we walked over to the railing.  We both
stood there, still holding hands, seeing the sun reflect on the lake as it
disappeared between two mountain peaks.

     As the last ray of sunshine disappeared, I moved even closer to Nick,
turning him toward me.  I got lost in his beautiful eyes for what seemed
like an eternity.  I leaned in and tilted my head slightly to the right as
my lips searched for his, reaching, and stretching until we made finally
made contact.  It was the most gentle, yet powerful thing I had ever felt
in my life.  Our kiss became more intense, as my tongue searched for his.
As I tasted him for the first time, I knew that I would never want to be
with anyone else ever again.


That's it for Chapter 3--I am going out of town for a week-and-a-half (to
Colorado, no less!), so I won't be posting again for a bit, but please let
me know what you think (glenwoodbronco@hotmail.com) now that I have a few
chapters, albeit short ones, in the books.  I will be able to check my mail
while I am gone, and I will respond to all e-mails.

Thanks for reading!