Unload: Loaded, #3

1

Camden

Camden flicked up his coat collar against the November chill for more protection as he headed to work. The fresh layer of snow crunched beneath his boots as snowflakes swirled around him. Although Camden was not a fan of the cold, there was something magical about fresh snowfall around this time of year. The way the city lights caught the snowflakes, adding that extra shimmer, and how picturesque the snow looked on the ground. It really did have the makings of a holiday card.

In New York City, the pristine snow was not going to last long, though.

Camden Perry dreaded going to work this time of year. He was surrounded by Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations and sales. While a lot of people were looking forward to the holidays spent with loved ones, Camden was neutral.

When he stepped into the store and shook off his jacket, he headed for the staff only area to get ready for his shift. Even on normal days, Macy's was bursting with customers. Now it was chaos. Camden was glad he got to stand behind a counter out of the way of the hordes. Although he wasn't typically an anxious guy, there was no room to breathe in the masses around the holidays.

Camden flashed smiles and greetings to his fellow coworkers. A lot of them were weary, of course, since the busiest shopping time of the year took its toll. There was no stopping for anything.

By time the end of the shift came around, Camden was exhausted. Since it was a short shift that day, his feet weren't as tired as they usually were. At least working in customer service kept him from being in the middle of waves of people.

As he walked outside, headed for home, the cool air filled his lungs and revitalized him. As he gazed around, he spotted people hurrying about their night. So many people had shopping bags.

When Camden spotted couples holding hands and smiling those beautiful smiles, his stomach twisted as envy filled him. It had been awhile since Camden held anyone's hand like that. It almost seemed like a dream. With the magic of the season floating all around, the fact that Camden was alone really hit him.

A bus ride later, Camden arrived at the apartment he called home. He unlocked the door and stepped inside.

Hey, his roommate and friend, Jaco, greeted from the living room where he was playing a game on the couch.

Hey. Just you here?

Yep.

Will and Heath were two other roommates sharing the space, although they both tended to be away more than actually home. Camden didn't mind this one bit since he was more of a quiet, private person. Jaco was as well, so the two got along.

How was work? Jaco asked while still playing the game and half-paying attention to him.

Oh, it's starting to get really busy now, Camden responded as he shed his outerwear, brushing the last bits of snow from his clothes that hadn't melted. And it's only going to get worse the closer we get to Christmas, too.

Yeah, I don't envy you, Jaco chuckled.

Are you seeing Sean tonight? Camden asked as he strolled by Jaco into the kitchen to grab himself a soda.

Yeah, he's coming over. Why?

Just making conversation, Camden responded with a shrug as he returned with two sodas.

Why did he ask? It wasn't like he couldn't ask in general but why that particular moment? Did it have to do with the happy couples in the streets with their rosy cheeks, bright eyes, and dazzling smiles?

Jaco put the controller down to accept his soda, cracking it open. Does it bother you that he's coming over?

What? No, don't be ridiculous, Camden was quick to answer. The last thing he wanted was to make Jaco embarrassed about spending time with his boyfriend. After the year he had, he deserved to be spoiled rotten however he could. Jaco had really come out of his shell since Detective Sean Hunt walked into his life.

Camden didn't need to look at Jaco to know that he was being stared at. "I'm serious. It doesn't bother me. It's just... All of this holiday spirit is bringing out the glow in people."

And you want that glow, Jaco said simply. Why aren't you going for it?

Camden leaned back, chugging some of the soda. I don't know, man. I'm already busy with life as it is.

You have a forty-hour week job, Jaco corrected him. There's still plenty of time to get out there and have fun. Actually meet people. What about all the socials you were talking about?

To help combat the loneliness gnawing at his insides, Camden had signed up to a couple of websites that shared various events for people to meet up and do activities together. Although it had all looked fun, he hadn't had the courage yet to go ahead and participate. That had to change soon, though, or he was bound to start another new year alone.

No, you know what, you're right, Camden agreed as his grip on the bottle tightened. I need to get out there.

That's the spirit! Grab your laptop and get on that.

Yes, Mom, Camden snorted but did exactly that. He snagged his computer from his room and rejoined his friend. Even as he did so, Jaco got a call from Sean. Instantly, Jaco's face lit up and his happiness radiated through the room.

Would Camden be lucky enough to find someone that made him that happy as well?

2

Max

Max Connolly loved the holidays. It wasn't because of the feel-good Christmas movies or touchy-feely family gatherings but the endless stream of parties. Everywhere he went, people high off the holiday cheer were happy enough to share drinks with him. Of course, the Grinches of the group didn't mind sharing drinks either in hopes of finding others to share the misery of the season with as well.

The NYPD detective was having a grand time that night at The Owl, a popular cop bar near his precinct. He was off duty for the weekend but even so, he still dropped by to grab a drink with buddies. This was going to be the start, at least, because he figured he'd hit some clubs later and see if he'd get lucky.

Hey! What you doing here? one of his buddies, Moore, greeted.

Don't you ever work? Max teased as he slid into the booth, nodding to Moore, who was drinking alone at the moment.

The same could be said of you, Moore scoffed.

Max settled with a hand around his beer, grinning. I'm off for the weekend.

And you're choosing to spend it here?

Oh, come on. We all spend more time here than we should, Max snorted. It was true enough. Many of cops and detectives filling the place considered The Owl to be their second home. A lot of their own hung out there between shifts when there was barely enough time between them to sleep.

That's why none of us have lives, Moore grunted.

But you have a girlfriend, don't you? Max asked as he took a swig from his beer bottle.

Yeah, but things are already rough between us.

Max had been there and done that. He's tried to have relationships alongside the job but it never ended well. It was hard finding someone that could handle the risks involved with dating a cop. Not many handled the stress.

"Hey, man, I'm here to try to forget my troubles?" Moore grumbled.

Max laughed and held out his beer bottle to Moore. It'll work itself out if it's meant to be.

Listen to you being a romantic.

It tickles my fancy now and again. I'm only having this one drink, though. I'm on the hunt tonight.

And all that romance just went out the window.

Max laughed and leaned back to enjoy the beer with his friend. He wasn't typically a romantic guy, although he had his moods. No, he gave up playing that game awhile ago and didn't have any intentions of getting involved again. He didn't want the stress of breakup after breakup.

Especially not after he sabotaged the greatest relationship he ever had three years ago.

Once the beer was finished, he finally took his leave, clapping Moore's shoulder on the way out. He took out his phone and checked the time. He had plans to hit the club that night to get some and satisfy his primal urges. It'd be hours yet before the party started and all bets would be off.

3

Max

Flashes of light, music with too much bass, and the taste of alcohol on his lips dominated the senses. Max was in his element as he hunted on the floors of one of his favorite clubs, The Drop. All around him there were men dancing and grinding, casting hopeful and sultry looks to one another in attempts to avoid leaving the place empty handed.

Then, one familiar man suddenly swam into view and caught his eye. It was a guy named Joey who was around his age and handsome enough. He raised a brow, observing Joey, someone he knew through playing poker, trying his hand on the dance floor.

The guy was married. He talked about her enough during their games.

How did I miss this? Max had thought Joey might've been interested in men before but he still hadn't been expecting to see him at an actual gay club.

A quick flick of his gaze to Joey's hand held up in the air revealed that there was no ring.

Oh, Joey, Max clucked to himself while shaking his head. You're only setting yourself up for trouble with that move.

He turned his attention away from Joey and headed to the counter to grab himself a drink. Of course, one drink led to another and another, and it wasn't long before the night was a swirl of distant thoughts and warm bodies.

The next morning, Max awoke in unfamiliar territory. The room that swam in front of him was not his own. Immediately, his police instincts kicked in and his senses were on high alert within seconds. It was as if he hadn't been sleeping at all.

Laying next to him was a familiar guy still fast asleep on his front.

Too familiar.

Oh, shit. I brought Joey home?

The night came rushing back to him. Although Max had tried not to pay attention to him, Joey ended up coming onto him later in the night. He had the mark of a closeted man. Although he had tried to resist Joey's advances, he had eventually given in. The guy seemed so sad and desperate for the touch of another man. Maybe it was the fact that he was at least familiar with Max that made him the target of his frustrations.

And maybe it was simply that Joey was somehow trying to pay back what he owed to Max after losing the last game of poker.

Either way, against his better judgement, Max had went to a nearby hotel with him. It was a pity fuck. It was fun at the time but now he was being hit with the reality of it. It wasn't one of his proudest moments.

Why do I keep doing this to myself?

He blew out a breath and rubbed his face as he eased himself up into a seated position. He gently pulled the blankets away and stepped out of bed. He didn't want to wake Joey because it was best to make a clean getaway and avoid potential awkwardness.

Max quietly got dressed, pulling his disheveled clothes onto his toned body. After he was dressed, Max left the hotel. The surroundings were familiar enough. He wasn't far from the club. He reached inside of his coat pocket for his car keys but they weren't there. Of course they weren't there because he never took his car when he went out clubbing. Still, it was habit. He grumbled under his breath and headed for the nearest bus stop to make his way home.

As he waited at a bus stop, his phone went off. He dug it out of his pocket and removed his gloves, reminding himself that he needed to get those gloves specifically made for smartphone screens. It was a message from his friend and partner, Sean Hunt.

Good morning :) Want to grab some breakfast?

Such invitations weren't completely out of the blue. Although they hadn't been partners for long, they did hang out outside of work. Sometimes it was breakfast or a drink at the bar. Right about now, with his breath hovering in the air as ice crystals and his stomach growling, a hot breakfast sounded great.

Sure. I'm catching the bus though and will be back at my place soon.

Where are you? I'll come pick you up.

Max smiled to himself as he relayed the address to Sean. As he waited for his partner to come pick him up, he shoved his hands in his pockets and shifted around to keep warm. Fortunately, it wasn't long before Sean's car showed up. About time, too, since each bus that passed looked all the more tempting. Although Max didn't mind the winter, and was known to enjoy a winter activity or two, he wasn't prepared for it right now.

Hey, Max greeted as he climbed into the passenger's seat and clapped his hands together to get a bit of