AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The morning couldn’t have gone better. The one at work, too.
“I’m great. Didn’t our performance meet your expectations?”
“That, yes, for sure. Everything flowed naturally. I just?—"
Jared looked around and then motioned to the dressing room.
I followed him and he closed the door behind us.
“Feel free to tell me it’s none of my business but are you and Tate—” Jared started.
“It’s none of your business,” I snapped.
I was protective of Tate and the change in our relationship. We were brand new lovers but that didn’t mean we didn’t know what we were doing. Or that I needed anyone else’s opinion on whether this was a good idea or not.
The heart always wants what it wants. For me, anyway.
I tended to push logic and reason to the back burner when my feelings were involved.
“Sorry, I don’t mean to be bitchy,” I continued. “And yes, me and Tate. I’m really fucking happy, and also protective. And distracted. Shit, Jared, be thankful I remembered any of my lines today because I’m so far gone, I’m still floating somewhere in outer space. But despite all that, I know what I’m doing. Tate does too.”
Jared bit his lower lip, and ran one hand through his long hair. “I care about both of you. Not just as colleagues, but friends. And I’m concerned. Given your your recent grief, and the fact that he’s not out yet, can you blame me?”
I couldn’t, so instead I switched tactics.
“Don’t you think this thing between me and him is a long time coming?” I asked.
Few things surprised Jared. But I did.
The director was momentarily speechless.
“I—” Jared paused and nodded. “Well, yeah, I do. Of course, I do. I mean, I’ve known you for years and watched you two together. The teasing, the bickering, the chemistry you have, it’s all real.”
“Well, then?”
Jared sighed and sat down on one of the leather chairs. “If you’re happy, I’m happy for you. But I won’t lie and say I’m not worried. Given your volatile history, you can’t deny that this is a big risk.”
“And you taking on two men as life partners isn’t risky?” I asked him.
“Okay, fair point,” Jared conceded. “But becoming lovers adds a whole new dimension to your previous relationship. The stakes are higher.”
“They are. But Tate and I need to figure this thing out in our own time. And no matter what happens with me and him personally, we always do our jobs.”
Jared shook his head. “For once, I’m not concerned about the work.”
I walked over and sat down beside him. “And your concern is appreciated.”
“I’m always here if you need to talk. Alex and Aiden too,” he nodded. “In fact, I just realized that Tate’s a lot like them. Their brusque manner is a just a shield they use to protect themselves from being hurt. They rarely let anyone see who they really are, but if you’re that lucky person? There’s nothing like it.”
“Oh, I know.”
“And I’m proof that it’s possible to have a great relationship, despite being under a media microscope.”
“It hasn’t stopped you.”
“No fucking way. Aiden and Alex mean everything to me.”
I nodded at his response.
