Fermented Desires

The Talk

Cam's POV

After returning home, Cam made a quick stop in his room to drop off his bag. He had just returned from a photoshoot. The faint tap of water from a shower echoed from another room. He knew he wasn't alone in the house but decided to lie on his bed and scroll through the photos he had taken.

A few moments passed, and the front door opened again. Curious, Cam made his way downstairs to see who had arrived. Secretly, he hoped it was Issa so they could steal a few moments alone. However, his steps faltered as a soft, muffled moan reached his ears from the only closed door down the hallway. The sound sent a jolt through him, freezing him in place.

His pulse quickened, and his thoughts raced. "Issa," he thought, the name lingering on his mind like a forbidden temptation. A mischievous grin slowly curved at the corner of his lips, though it barely masked the nervous energy bubbling beneath his surface. Slowly, as if drawn by an unseen force, he crept back up the stairs, his breaths shallow.

"Issa? Are you okay?" he called out, his voice low but tinged with anticipation. The moan echoed in his ears, each step toward the door feeling heavier than the last. He reached out, his hand hesitating on the handle for a moment before he pushed it open.

The sight before him made his breath catch. Isabella was sprawled across the bed, her body wrapped in a thin towel that clung to her damp skin. Her hair was still wet, cascading around her flushed face. She scrambled upright, her movements hurried and unsteady as if she'd been caught in a moment she hadn't meant to share.

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine. Just... tired," she stammered, her voice shaky. A slight whimper escaped as she pulled the towel tighter around her, her cheeks a fiery red. The room seemed to hum with unspoken tension, and for a moment, Cam couldn't look away.

His expression softened, his mischievous grin fading into something more tender. "Alright. Just checking on you. You looked flushed," he said, his lips quaking into a small smile. He backed out of the room slowly, his heart pounding as he closed the door behind him.

He continued his journey downstairs, but the image of Issa on her bed refused to leave his mind. Heat crept up his neck, spreading through him as he fought to suppress the feelings clawing at his composure. By the time he reached the living room where the rest of the guys were gathered, he had managed to school his expression into one of casual indifference, though his thoughts betrayed him at every turn.

The area was filled with an air of tension, but it wasn't the serious kind. It was more like the undercurrent before a storm of banter—charged but laced with familiarity. Hudson stood by the fireplace, his posture straight and his expression unreadable, as usual. Ashton, on the other hand, lounged in the armchair, one leg draped over the other, sipping whiskey like he didn't have a care in the world.

Hudson leaned against the bookshelf, arms crossed, his piercing gaze bouncing between the two men. He knew this conversation was going to get interesting—fast.

"So," Cameron began, his tone clipped, "we need to talk about Issa."

"Agreed," Ashton replied, swirling his drink. "I think it's time we all admit the obvious—she's into me."

Hudson arched an eyebrow, his lips curving into a dry smirk. "Into you? That's funny. I seem to recall her laughing at your terrible joke about wine pairings the other night. You know, the one that fell flat."

"It didn't fall flat," Ashton shot back, straightening in his seat. "She was charmed. You, on the other hand, spent the entire dinner lecturing her about vineyard soil compositions. Thrilling stuff, Hudson."

"Some of us have substance, Ash," Hudson quipped. "It's not my fault she actually values intelligence."

Ashton let out a mock gasp, pressing a hand to his chest. "Are you suggesting I'm not intelligent? Because I'm pretty sure Issa finds my wit far more engaging than your... spreadsheets."

Cameron snorted, unable to hold back any longer. "Alright, children, calm down. This isn't a contest."

Ashton and Hudson both turned to him, speaking in unison. "Yes, it is."

Cameron rolled his eyes. "Of course it is."

Hudson crossed his arms, leveling Cameron with a pointed look. "Look, let's be realistic. We've been friends for years, and we've shared plenty—houses, cars, even that ridiculous yacht you insisted we buy together."

"The Sea Siren was a great investment," Ashton interjected.

"It sank," Hudson deadpanned.

"Details," Ashton said with a wave of his hand.

Cameron sighed, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "The point is, we've shared everything else. Why not this? If Issa wants all of us, I'm willing to let her decide."

Ashton's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Oh, I see what this is. You're just saying that because you know she'll pick me first."

Cameron tilted his head, his smile sharpening. "You think so? Because I've noticed she lingers a little longer when she talks to me. And she asked me about the vineyard tour tomorrow."

Ashton laughed, shaking his head. "She asked me to show her how to make that cocktail she liked. Seems like she prefers someone who knows how to have fun."

Hudson groaned. "You two are insufferable."

Ashton leaned forward, his grin playful but challenging. "Come on, Hudson. You've been quiet. Don't tell me you're not in this too."

Hudson shrugged, his tone calm but firm. "I'm not interested in playing your game. This isn't about who wins her attention first. It's about her. If Issa wants one of us—or all of us—she should get to decide on her terms. No pressure."

Ashton and Cameron exchanged a look before Cameron spoke, his tone teasing. "You know, for someone who's not playing, you're awfully invested in sounding like the noble one."

"Exactly," Ashton chimed in, pointing his glass at Hudson. "You're trying to come off like the romantic hero. Smart strategy, by the way. Issa would eat that up."

Hudson smirked. "I don't need a strategy. Unlike you two, I'm not trying to impress her every second of the day."

Ashton laughed, shaking his head. "Alright, fine. Let's make this simple. No games, no tricks. We let Issa decide. And if she wants all three of us, we share. Just like we've shared everything else—only this time, no sinking yachts, okay?"

Cameron sighed but nodded. "Agreed. But if we're doing this, we keep it respectful. No trying to one-up each other or manipulate her. Understood?"

"Crystal clear," Ashton said with a wink.

Hudson uncrossed his arms, pushing off the bookshelf. "Good. Now that we've settled that, can we please stop pretending you two are going to change? I'll be here to clean up the mess when your egos get in the way."

Ashton smirked. "You're awfully confident for someone who's already admitting defeat."

Cameron chuckled. "Yeah, Hudson, don't worry. We'll let you babysit the bruised egos when she picks me."

Hudson rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of a smile as he headed for the door. "You two idiots better hope Issa has a sense of humor."

The room fell quiet after Hudson left, and Ashton and Cameron exchanged a look, their rivalry tempered by decades of friendship.

"She's going to keep us on our toes, isn't she?" Cameron asked with a grin.

Ashton nodded, his smile small but genuine. "Absolutely. And I wouldn't have it any other way."