Roan didn't know where Cam was going with this.
"You spend so much time as the martyr, Roan. You've given up your whole life for others. Namely your sister. Why? Because you felt there was some truth to her saying your mother wouldn't have left if you weren't gay." Cam rolled his eyes. "That's bullshit and you know it. She was looking for a way out from day fucking one. I remember all those days and nights I hung out at your house. They fucking fought like mad. I'm tempted to say your mother hated your father. You were her scapegoat."
"Are you trying to piss me off?"
Cam's smile was sad. "Not at all. But I am trying to get you to see that you deserve to be happy, too."
"I am happy. I've got Liam. He's all I need."
"Yeah? So you haven't been walking around with your head in the clouds since you met Seg? Secretly wishing you could see him again? Don't even try to deny it. I know you better than that."
"I'm not gonna spend my life hiding for him," Roan countered, taking a deep breath.
"And you shouldn't. But don't lie to yourself. You considered it. You were happy enough with him to compromise." Cam took a step closer. "That's what love is."
"Well, love isn't having some bitch perched on your lap to prove to the world that you're not gay," Roan snapped.
"No, it's not. But did you happen to think of what he was going through at the time? If that reporter threatened to out him and Seg thought for a second he was going to lose everything he's worked so damn hard for … "
"Fuck that. He could've talked to me."
"So you've never gone off half-cocked and said or done something you regret?" Cam's eyes flashed.
Roan looked away. He knew Cam was referring to the time Roan blurted out that he was in love with his best friend. It hadn't been true, but he'd been desperate at the time.
Roan sighed. "You know, I really hate it when you're rational."
Cam chuckled. "I know, right? You're lucky it doesn't happen often."
"So what do I do?"
"You give it some time, but you don't write Seg off just yet."
Roan wasn't even sure why he was worrying about it. It wasn't like he'd heard from Seg anyway. He doubted he would. With all the shit he was probably having to deal with, Roan figured he was the last thing on Seg's mind.
"Can you at least promise me that? You won't kick him out of your life just yet?"
Roan shrugged. He didn't know what he was going to do. He needed time to think this over, to figure out what it was he even wanted. Seg had violated his trust in a big way by pulling that stunt last night. And if Seg spent the night with that woman …
That would be unforgiveable.
No way was Roan going to be second to anyone. Ever.
Twenty-Four
Monday, February 6th
SEG BOTH ANTICIPATED AND FEARED having this conversation with Phoenix, but it was long overdue. For one, it had been a week since that article was printed. The one that had directly drawn Phoenix into the spotlight for something that Seg had done.
Well, technically, Seg hadn't done anything to garner the attention of the reporter, but everyone knew they were like sharks when they smelled blood. And that article had spawned a half dozen more by other news outlets. Up to this point, Seg had declined all comments and refused to speak about the situation.
Phoenix, on the other hand, was fielding the questions and being much more politically correct about it. That was probably the very reason the man was a business mogul, running a multimillion-dollar (perhaps billion, Seg wasn't sure) real estate empire along with owning an NHL team.
"Mr. Pierce will see you now," the receptionist informed him, motioning him toward Phoenix's office.
Getting to his feet, he forced his legs to move to the door.
"Come on in," Phoenix called from his spot behind his desk.
Swiping his hand over his suit jacket, Seg tried to smooth out the nonexistent wrinkles. He wasn't sure why he'd dressed up for this meeting, but that was how it worked. When you were directly summoned to Phoenix Pierce's office, you painted on your professional face.
Seg stepped into the plush office, bracing himself for the ass reaming he deserved.
"Can I get you anything? Water? I hear it's got some magical powers or some shit."
Seg laughed, shaking his head. The guy was joking about this?
"No? Suit yourself. How are you doing?" Phoenix asked when Seg took a seat in the leather chair directly across from Phoenix.
"Great."
A slow grin formed on Phoenix's face. "Yeah? Well, you look like shit."
The breath he'd been holding released in a rush. "I feel like shit," he admitted.
"And you should. Your world's been turned upside down in the past week." Phoenix smiled. "But it hasn't affected your game, so I give you props for that."