“Is this about that stupid pressshit? Really?”
“Stupid press shit? You didn’tjust let everyone think that I was a sleazy asshole. You started the wholefucking thing.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“Oh, really? I overheard someonepretty knowledgeable saying you and Malcom Haldwell at US Weekly worked thiswhole thing out.”
“And you believe this randomperson why?”
“I believe anyone more than Ibelieve you.”
“What would I have had to gain bystarting such a stupid rumor?”
“Would’ve kept me from sayinganything to make you look bad.”
He looks at me like it’s thecraziest thing he’s ever heard—the way he once did when I confronted him abouthis other boys. Now I really believe that it’s exactly what happened.
“Tad, I’m mystified that you wouldthink I would stoop to such a douchebag level.”
Mystified? He never says fuckingmystified,so unless it’s his word-of-the-day, I figure he’s working way too hard atcovering his tracks.
“I wouldn’t put it past you,” Isay, “but you were stupid to think that I would’ve started anything. I’m notlike that. You are.”
I want to get in his face andshout at him for what a dick he was throughout our relationship, but I alreadyhad this fight. We had them all the time when we were together. I wasconstantly the crazy boyfriend who was misreading situations. Who was alwaysacting like there was more going on than there was, when really, I knew exactlywhat was up. And once again, I don’t have hard evidence, so I’m in no betterposition than I was back then. Only this time, I won’t give him thesatisfaction of defending himself.
“Just leave me alone.”
“Tad, it was one fucking time.”
He doesn’t realize that sincewe’ve broken up, I’ve discovered at least five other guys he was busy hookingup with back then.
“Just consider us,” he says. “Thisbodyguard…how long do you think that’s going to last? We have the same life.We’re two of the few guys in this business who get each other. Who get whatit’s like to be gay and be able to live in this world. Whether you like it ornot, we’re one and the same.”
“No, we’re not.”
“Don’t act like you were always innocentor faithful.”
“Tell yourself whatever you needto make yourself feel better about what you did.”
I turn and head down the hall.Despite my bladder’s needs, I’m not interested in being anywhere where he cancontinue this conversation.
He hurries around me and steps infront of me again.
“Tad, I want you. You’re the onlyperson I’ve ever wanted to be with. I fucked up, yes. And I’m sorry. I don’tknow how many more times I can tell you that, but please…just listen to yourheart on this.”
“I am,” I say as I step around himand continue down the hall.
***
When I return to the hotel room, I’m eager to see Bryce. Timeto get a little action. Still in his button-up and tie, he’s passed out, hishead resting on the pillow, his arm trapped in his sling. His laptop rests onthe nightstand beside him.
Looks like the night was a littlemuch for him. I consider waking him, but seeing that familiar peacefulexpression on his face relaxes me.
I undress and curl up in bed nextto him. He stirs and squints his eyes open.
I smile. “Hey there.”
“Hey, you,” he says. I feel theappreciation in his gaze.
