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Kelly smiled. "Thanks. I really appreciate it. I decided to get in touch with Tommy, but I had no contact number, I don't even know his last name."
The cab was warm, and she could smell that expensive cologne from backstage. Was it Jay's, or Clayton's? Maybe they both wore it. She noticed how Jay had has hand barely touching Clayton, as if his arm was just nonchalantly along the back of the seat, but he was secretly reassuring him. It had to be hard, hiding a secret like that, when all they wanted was to be together. They were living a lie.
"My only option was to come to you, to ask you."
"Pushy sort, aren't you?" Clayton said, clearly rattled by her presence in the cab.
"Yes, I am, I admit that. But you don't get anywhere in life otherwise...and it's not like I'm asking for a lot."
Clayton's shoulders were squared, his e
yes bright. "I don't owe you anything at all. Most fans are reasonable, but people like you don't respect the fact that I need some space to myself. You seem to think you own a bit of me. You were creeping around backstage on Saturday, now you're in my fuckin' cab. I could call the police."
He wasn't listening to a word she said. Annoyance ratcheted up inside her. She counted to three while reminding herself of his point of view on the situation. His remarks were justified, and she tried to keep her head. "I agree, and you have a point. I shouldn't have been there, but I haven't told anyone I saw you two together."
As soon as the words were out, she knew it was the wrong thing to say, especially right then. Damn.
Jay's head sank back onto the seat, his eyes closing as he shook his head from side to side.
Clayton tensed visibly. He stared at her, his eyes flickering as he took in the implication, his lips tight. "Are you trying to blackmail me?"
Her heart sank, her body tensing. She put up her hand to calm him down. "I'm not trying to blackmail you, I was merely trying to make a point. I shouldn't have intruded on your space on Saturday. I'm sorry, and I'm not here to cause harm. I said that I haven't told anyone that I saw you two together to show you I have no bad intentions. Do you understand?"
Jay lifted his head, his eyes narrowed as he considered her statement.
She directed her words to him. "I could have gone to the press, but I'm not that sort of person. I'm asking you a favor, not trying to blackmail you. All I want is Tommy's contact details. That's it."
Clayton eased back in his seat, still edgy and nervous, but somewhat reassured. "How do I know I can trust you to stay silent about...us?" Even saying it was hard for him.
"I respect that you've got a private life, and it is private." She paused for a moment to let her point sink in. "Although, I have to say...life would be a lot easier on you if you came out."
Jay smiled at her comment and immediately covered his mouth with his hand, as if he didn't want Clayton to see.
Clayton seemed to develop a nervous twitch at that point, but was apparently unable to come up with a response.
"Clayton has his reasons," Jay explained. "His PR person has advised against it, reckons it might injure the career."
Kelly shook her head. "Sounds as if you should get a new PR person."
"Maybe," Clayton said, grudgingly.
The atmosphere was relaxing, thankfully.
Kelly shook her head. "People come out all the time in the media. In fact, it's likely to get you more attention, not necessarily ruin your career. You know that old saying about there being no such thing as bad publicity."
She had his full attention now. In fact, he was riveted. "Your PR person is showing their prejudice, if you ask me. There will be broken hearts," she smiled, "but it's human interest more than scandal, nowadays. Especially if it's handled right."
Jay's eyes were gleaming. He obviously wanted their relationship out in the open, but was leaving it up to Clayton.
She had their attention, and she was on a roll. "I was reading just the other day that there are a bunch of gay Premier League football players, and they are going to come out together, later this year. The public's gagging for news like this. The press has started to anticipate, rather than denigrate."
Clayton had flopped back on his seat and looked suddenly exhausted. "I don't know if we're ready to face it."
"It would be better coming from you," she added, cautiously. "The next person who inadvertently sees you two together might not be as respectful as me."
"You're not wrong there," Jay said.
Clayton glanced at him, clearly disturbed by that notion.
