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“Good thing you didn’t doNashville Next, TJ. I don’t think they would have shown you in the golden light you were hoping for,” Sarah says.
“Yeah, you guys were right.”
“Again.” Andie grins. I stick my tongue out at her.
“Well, it’s a good thing you didn’t. I don’t thinkPeople Magazinewould have liked it,” Kiki says casually like she didn’t just drop a bomb in my lap.
“What do you mean by that?” I turn toward her.
“You’re not the only one who can get free advertising.” Kiki smiles.
“Kiki, what are you talking about?”
She smiles at Andie and Sarah before answering my question. “The guys are going to be in an article in the June edition. Well, they’re on the cover actually, and I may have put a little bug in Tatum and his publicist, Kimberly’s ear that it would be cool if they could do a piece on the struggles you and Connor have been going through. Gloria said she’d be willing to give some facts and statistics. That is, if you would want…”
My mouth opens and closes like a guppy fish. “Would I want?Would I want? Of course, I want!” Thoughts race around my brain like what I would wear for the photo shoot and we’ll have to throw a party, of course. Would we have finger food or a sit-down dinner? Can Andie capture me throwing glitter in midair? I wonder if those purple suede shoes are still on sale at Barneys. I have to call Nana Rose, and Connor will be…
Shit. Connor. I clear my throat and take a deep breath.Slow down, TJ. Take the crazy to the curb.Think about Connor.
“You guys, this is amazing and I’m so honored, but I need to run it by Connor first. If we do this interview, we both have to agree.”
“Well”—Kiki throws her hands in the air—“good thing Connor already said yes.”
I hop up and shout, fist-pumping the air. Popcorn spills all over the couch. “The guys were okay with this?”
“Look, I know I said it would never happen, but we all agreed this was important. Laws need to change and be more accepting of gay couples adopting and fostering. TJ, you and Connor are our family, and when one of us is struggling, we find a way to hold each other through it. We all agreed your story needs to be out there. But just so we’re clear, you’re a sidebar story, not the front page.”
“I totes understand. Still, it’s exciting.” I wipe the tears from my face. “Group hug,” I blubber, waving them in and holding them tight in a circle. “You guys are literally the bestest friends a gay kid with bright orange hair from Albuquerque, New Mexico could have ever dreamed about. Thank you for always having my back.”
“TJ, we can’t imagine life without you,” Andie sobs. “Damn hormones.”
“You bring the shine to my sun.” Sarah smiles and kisses my cheek.
“I’m pregnant,” Kiki blurts out.
“What?” Sarah screams.
We break apart and stare in astonishment at Kiki who looks like she’s about to vomit. The girls hug her and chatter nonstop, ecstatic for Kiki. I can’t help the stupid grin from spreading across my face. “Lord, help us all.” I squeeze her into a hug and whisper, “I can’t wait to be Uncle TJ again.”
Chapter 31
Connor
It’s been monthssince we returned from Nana Rose’s house in Florida and things have settled back down in our lives. TJ is no longer baby crazy like he was before the Penny incident and we agreed to take a step back and live every day in the moment. If it’s meant to be, then it will be, is our new mantra.
After a long discussion with Nana Rose, we decided it couldn’t hurt to finish the foster application and take the necessary classes, just in case. We turned in our health records and background checks, took the classes, which took a couple of weeks, and then that was that.
It’s been a blessing, honestly, because between thePeople Magazineinterview and both of us being swamped with work, finding time to relax and breathe has been few and far between.
I flip off the movie and gently remove Bartie from my lap. TJ is softly snoring next to me. I gently shake him. “Love, let’s go to bed.”
“Do you like sparkles? Do you have access to lighters?” he mumbles in his sleep. He’s been doing that a lot lately since he offered to help Andie hire a new receptionist, much to the girls’ dismay. “Harry Styles is a sex god…”
“Thomas, wake up.” I shake him.
He sits straight up. “Nana, I swear I didn’t steal your legwarmers.”
“TJ, it’s me, Connor.” I chuckle. “Come on, ye fell asleep during the movie again. Time for bed.”
