Worlds Collide (Fan Service #6)

11. CJ

ELEVEN

CJ

I bang the door of my apartment closed behind me and still feel numb. Hour twelve of my twenty-four hours off at the hospital is less shitty than hour eleven, but not by much.

I never expected everything I did after I got the Clemson trust to go viral the way it has.

That’s the power of Wolf Storm, I guess. People have always been ravenous when it comes to anything that has to do with him, so of course the second I was linked with him, the whole world had to know every little thing about me.

Hell, with how much they dug up it’s a wonder they didn’t print my work schedule and show it to the whole world for fuck’s sake.

The intrusion into my private life, into every aspect of my so-called family, into every event I ever attended... It’s a bit terrifying. It wasn’t even this bad when the news came out that I was the latest person to join the billionaires’ list.

And now I have twelve hours to get my shit together and get the fuck over the biggest asshole to ever exist, then I’ll get back to work and back to shaping my life into exactly what I want it to be.

I’m standing in front of the breakfast bar, staring off into space when the front door opens again and Gracie walks in, looking a lot more awake than she normally does after one of her shifts.

She smiles triumphantly the second her eyes land on mine.

“Why don’t you make us some coffee. If you wanna talk, that is...” She trails off and looks at me from under her lashes as if she doesn’t know exactly what she’s doing.

“Sure.” I sigh and turn to go into the kitchen.

“I’m gonna take a quick shower and be back here in no time.”

I wonder what she’ll want to talk about first—all the article bullshit or all the Wolf bullshit. I don’t even know what I’m hoping she’ll want to start with. Both subjects seem to be equally as potentially explosive. I never know what I’m going to get with Gracie, which is actually something I like about her.

She plops down on the couch next to me fifteen minutes later and has her phone in front of her face a second later.

“Socialite CJ Sounders, twenty-eight, was very busy the month after gaining control of the Clemson Trust.” She starts to read the article verbatim and I have to bury my face in my hands. “And although he wasn’t as busy as he was last night, his actions are worth noting.”

“Dear God,” I groan and flop back to lie flat on the couch.

Gracie wiggles her eyebrows at me, but returns her focus to her phone quickly enough.

“It seems that Sounders is intent on giving away the legacy fortune as fast as he possibly can. His donations during the three weeks after his birthday are in the billions—that’s right, with a ‘b’—by my calculations, and there doesn’t seem to be any sign that he’s going to stop until every cent is gone .

“Art programs in public schools, ten environmental charities, community centers in Black communities all over the US, charities for women who have suffered domestic abuse, government rehabilitation centers, the community college in Baltimore—all these organizations and more got hefty donations from Sounders. If he keeps going, Sounders is more than likely going to lose his billionaire status before the end of the decade.”

I can’t help but scoff at that. “Whatever. I should’ve done all that anonymously,” I mumble and keep cursing myself for not doing that in the first place.

“It’s pretty amazing that you did all that. Why didn’t you tell me that’s what you were doing all summer?” There’s a knowing glint in her eyes that tells me if I keep this subject open she’s going to take it somewhere I have no place going.

“Because it’s not something I’m ever going to advertise. In my mind I only righted a few of the wrongs the Clemson’s have done to the world, and I’m not even close to making up for all the hurt they’ve caused for hundreds of years, so it’s not something I’m proud of either.”

“You should be,” she says quietly. “You’re already better than all those assholes combined and you’ve had that money for less than three months.” I only shrug at that. I don’t think I should be proud and I’m never going to be, but I’m not going to fight her on this, I just want us to move on. “Now, on to the juicy parts,” she says, clearly excited. I’m hoping that’s all the discussion we’re going to have about the money thing. “Sounders was seen with Wolf Storm, half of the country rock band The Storm, on his thirty-third birthday. It’s believed they were having a quiet, intimate celebration, and have been in a secret relationship for some time now.

“Although we don’t know the exact timing of their relationship, it’s important to note that Wolf’s brother, Hawk, the other half of The Storm, celebrated his marriage to Derek Johnson, the star safety for the Los Angeles Warriors, this summer in a private ceremony. Johnson is known to be a close friend of Adam Darnell—of the Darnell football dynasty family—and what’s linked these two is the fact that CJ is known to be Adam’s lifelong best friend.

“Jesus, they’re intense about linking you two,” Gracie mumbles. “And then they basically go on to say how everyone Adam knows is gay or in a queer relationship, yadda, yadda, yadda, and then—oh yes, back to the good stuff. Despite his well-known bisexuality, Wolf Storm has only ever been in one serious relationship before that ended in tragedy. He was linked to movie star Harley Harper and it was rumored they were together for a few months. Sadly, she passed away only weeks after the relationship ended. Damn, that’s rough, she took her own life?” Gracie stares open mouthed down at her phone.

“I didn’t know she was Wolf’s girlfriend,” I say without thinking.

“Are you like, in love with him?” She worries her bottom lip and looks at me with tight eyes.

“No. He blamed me for the pictures coming out. The first thing he could think is that I somehow orchestrated the whole thing. Believe me, I’m never going to be seen with Wolf again,” I tell her with as much determination as I can. “Look, I’m tired. I’m going to take a nap, and try to get some actual rest before I need to get back to work this evening, okay?”

“Yeah, of course. I’m going to do the same. You want to order in later?”

“Sounds perfect,” I tell her with a sigh and go to my room.

I’m debating whether I should shower before or after my nap when “Best Friend” by Saweetie and Doja Cat blares from my phone. I groan and drop my head back to look at the ceiling. No sense in delaying the inevitable. Man, if Wolf knew what a pain in the ass it is that I was just outed to the world when I haven’t had the chance to tell even Adam, he’d be begging for forgiveness right now.

“You know, it really sucks to hear such an upbeat, happy song right before you’re going to yell at me. Or maybe not yell, but you’re going to lay the guilt on thick, aren’t you?”

Maybe it’s not the best way to start this conversation, but why beat around the bush? I know what’s coming.

“I, uh...” he starts, and I know just from the tone of his voice that this is going to be an emotional beating—as if this day hasn’t been eventful enough. “I understand that you probably didn’t tell me because of your parents. I get that, I do. But CJ, remember when I came out to you? Your first question was why didn’t I tell you, so it’s a little bit hard for me not to be offended right now. Also, it’s been months since you finally cut all contact with them, so why didn’t you tell me before I had to find out about it through the daily news? And last thing, I swear, seriously, Wolf ?!” He screams the last word, and his harsh breaths tell me exactly how not on board he is with this.

“I see the hypocrisy, believe me, and I saw it six years ago too, when you told me you like dick.” The wording makes him laugh just like it did back then and we both breathe out a big sigh at the moment of levity. “You’re right about me not telling anyone because of my parents and because of the trust. You more than anyone know why I couldn’t keep letting them get away with using me that way.”

“I do,” he says urgently. “Believe me, I know that they’re horrible humans and probably would use anyone else for their gain if they had that chance.”

“Okay.” I am relieved that he understands that part. “Just like you, I knew the second I told one person, I’d feel the need to tell more people, and that was just too risky. And after I got the trust fund... There was just so much to do, Adam. I couldn’t find the right time to have this conversation and believe me, I am sorrier than you will ever know for how you found out.

“Last thing, yes, Wolf ,” I say with emphasis. “He’s hot as fuck and I’ve had a crush on him forever. He also delivered, in case you were wondering, but after this morning I never want to see him again, you’ll be happy to hear that.” I can’t help the snark. I’ve swallowed it a million times before and now I never will again—except for when I’m at work, of course.

“I knew it!” I hear Sebas shout triumphantly in the background.

“Babe,” Adam says, clearly defeated.

“You can’t be mad, CJ, we’re married,” Sebas says in a hurried mumble. “What’s his is mine, you know? That includes you! You’re my best friend too. Well not really, God, please don’t tell Glenn I said that, he’s gonna kill me. I’m here for support, you know? We both knew this could be a difficult conversation and I just wanted to support my man. Please don’t be mad?—”

“It’s fine, Sebas. Breathe man, damn.” I hear him do just that and then snicker. “I’ll tell you all the details about Wolf later if you want, ’cause I bet Adam goodie two-shoes doesn’t want to hear any of it.”

“Uh, yeah. No, I don’t.”

“Ooh, yes thank you.”

“I know my people,” I say, pleased with myself.

“That guy is bad news,” Adam says, serious again. “I’m telling you CJ. He was sniffing around you even before he knew you weren’t straight.”

I roll my eyes to the ceiling. What the hell is wrong with Adam?

“You have absolutely no idea how wrong you are about Wolf, Adam.” And I’m not going to explain to him how Wolf’s the one who’s been avoiding me and running away at every turn. “Now is that all? I’m willing to talk to you guys about anything you want later, but I need to sleep.”

“That’s fine, yeah,” Adam says, still sounding just a little bit awkward. “Have you told my parents, though?”

I groan. “No, I’ll call them now.”

“Yeah, good luck with that. Not that you’ll need it, just, you know, they’re gonna make a fuss.”

“I know,” I tell him with a smile clear in my voice. “Talk soon.”

The conversation with Adam’s parents goes exactly like he predicted. They shower me with love and tell me they’re proud of me, and then we talk about everything else. Diana does ask me about Wolf. She tries to be subtle but that’s never really been her style. Gentle, kind, and loving, yes—but subtle, never.

“Are you in a relationship with the man from the picture?”

“No,” I tell her simply. Then reconsider. I’ll have to do better than that. Though I know they’re well aware that hookup culture is a thing, that’s not my style. I want a real relationship someday, with someone who trusts me and respects me. I want them to know that about me. “I thought it could become that eventually, but it looks like that might not happen now.”

“I’m sorry, baby,” she croons at me.

“It’s fine,” I say, clearly a lie but... “I’ll be fine. Just have to get over the shitstorm from the article and get back to work.”

“That’s the best way to look at it. And you’re doing a great job from what I heard.”

“What do you mean? Did you call Dr. Yang?” I demand, trying really hard to sound exasperated but failing miserably.

“No, he called me and asked if I could come help out on a case he has. ”

“And then you asked him if I’m doing a good job?”

“CJ,” she snaps at me in that gentle way. “I only asked if all was good with the residents in general.”

“Uh-huh,” I probe, knowing there’s more to it.

“Okay, yes, I asked.”

I laugh and feel some of the tension in my body release.

“He asked about the medulloblastoma on Cristy?”

“He didn’t tell me her name, just said she’s five and there’s a good chance of getting it all out cleanly.”

“Yeah, he told me he’s not happy with the chief of neuro here.”

“They’ve been trying to get me out there forever, but I’m not moving anywhere unless it’s to New York. Or wherever Kevin ends up since he’s sure he wants to follow in Adam’s footsteps.”

We talk shop for a while longer and by the time I’m lying in bed, waiting for my nap to start, I’m not really mad anymore.

I’m just sad.

Wolf clearly doesn’t trust me—I’m pretty sure he doesn’t trust anyone but his brother and Derek.

It sucks big time, but the worst thing is that I know I’m never going to get an apology from him even if he’s presented with irrefutable proof that I didn’t sic the paps on him.