Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88218 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88218 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Until Blake’s voice cuts through the din. “I, uh, get the impression Denver left a lot of the story out when he told me Mason was leaving.”
We should probably deal with that.
Denver tries to keep kissing me, but I gently break away from him to face the others. I don’t go far, though. I pull him into my side and hold tight because I never want to let him go again.
Harley and Ryder blink at us and then at each other as if asking in silent question, “What are we looking at right now?”
But Blake is on the end with his arms folded. “I don’t know whether to be happy for you guys or mad.”
“Mad?” Ryder asks. “What, are you pissed you’re the only straight one?”
I love that Ryder doesn’t feel the need to question us. It’s so him. He has always been of the mind that anyone can fall for anyone, though. He’s definitely always been fluid-focused, putting sexuality on an ever-moving spectrum.
With Denver and me, it seemed like a natural progression, but when labels get thrown around, I’m uncomfortable and uneasy because of reasons I don’t understand. Societal standards maybe? The notion we have to have everything figured out being shoved down our throats?
“I’ve been hanging out with Jordan, and he’s adamant there was something going on with you two at the club,” Blake says. “I said he was crazy. Even made a bet with him. Please tell me you’re at least staying closeted so I don’t have to do his movie.”
Denver laughs. “You bet the movie role?”
“I didn’t think I’d have to take it!”
“Well, maybe you still won’t.” I turn to Denver. “He’s right, isn’t he? It’s not like we have plans to come out at all. If ever. These two haven’t.” I point at Ryder and Harley. “And if we did, what would we even say? We’re just two best friends who fell in love?”
“Aww,” Harley says. “You should totally do that.”
My forehead scrunches. “What?”
“Oh, only if you’re ready. Don’t use Ryder and me as an excuse or an example. We’re from a different time. It’s only been ten years, but a lot has changed since we started in the industry.”
“But you’re still not coming out,” I point out.
“I will be, but you know me, I’m meticulous and risk averse. I have plans in the works, and Gideon, Brix, and I are trying to work out the best way to do it. For me. That’s my experience only. You two should do what feels right.”
Ryder nods. “Being with Lyric, I’m getting closer to wanting to come out because I think he deserves the world, but then Kaylee … she’s still so young and vulnerable.”
“Dude, I’ve spent time with your spawn,” Harley says. “She could take over the world. I don’t mean in the future. I mean right now.”
Ryder snorts. “I actually believe that could be true.”
Harley turns back to us. “Our point is don’t use our excuses to hold you back. That’s if coming out is something you even want. Going forward, if we do this reunion, we’re all going to be choosing our own narrative. And yours is actually really sweet. You were always close, but I thought it was, like, a brotherly thing.”
“Funny, so did I,” I say.
Denver wraps his arm around me. “He’s just really slow to pick up on these things. I was in love with him for years.”
I look him in the eyes. “I’ve handled a lot of things wrong when it comes to us, but I want you to know that I left for selfish reasons. With Cameron gone, I’d convinced myself if something went wrong, I’d be alone again, so …”
“So you hurt me before I could hurt you by ghosting you again.” Denver’s arm around me holds tighter.
“I may hate Hollywood, but I love you, and with you turning up like this, showing me we can both make the effort … I want to find a way to make it work. I don’t know how, but—”
“If you still need space, you can take it, but just know I’m here for you this time,” Denver says. “All of us are.”
“Why don’t we all take a step back,” Harley says. “Give each of us enough time to grieve, and we’ll talk about the reunion happening once Denver’s schedule opens up.”
“Promise me one thing,” I say. “We don’t get sucked back into the heavy schedule where it’s album, tour, album, tour. I can’t go back to that.”
“We won’t,” Harley says. “This is about doing what we love for fun. Sure, I want us to make money, but I believe we can do that and still enjoy what we’re doing without burning out or killing ourselves trying.”
I trust Harley, I do, but I know how easy it is to spout one thing and have labels do another. If Harley’s new label tanks, he might resort to desperate measures.