“They weren’t worth bringing around. Dominic is. He really is.”
“Then be careful, okay? I mean, Dominic is out, right?”
“Totally.”
“And you’re not.”
He knew where she was going, and he wasn’t going to lie to her. “Once we’re finished with Unbound, whichever way it goes, I’m done pretending to be straight. I can’t do it anymore and be true to us.”
She put her hands on her hips. “What about you and me? Our us?”
“I know, okay? I know coming out could lose us fans, I’m not an idiot. I don’t want to hurt anyone, least of all Fading Daze, but you and me is just an image. Me and Dom are real.”
“I get that, okay? You know I want you to be happy, but this band is everything to me and Bobby.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“And what do I tell people who ask me if I knew you were gay all along?”
“Tell them whatever you want. I’ll back you up. Me coming out affects how fans perceive you, too, and I don’t want to hurt you. Or the band. You guys are my family.”
“Stop, I’m drowning in all the feels.” She lightly punched him in the shoulder. “Whatever, I’ll tell the truth. It’s the easiest thing to remember, right? Besides, it’s not like we ever actually claimed to be dating.”
“Thank you. For everything.”
Danielle pretended to huff. “I only put up with you because of your amazing voice, you know.”
“Yeah, I know, and I love you too.”
The camper shook lightly as Andy charged inside and slammed the bathroom door shut.
Trey laughed. “Guess he had to go.”
Bobby came in a moment later, his white sleeveless tee plastered to his chest with sweat. He shut the door, then flopped dramatically onto the sofa. “It’s hotter than Satan’s asshole out there. Fuck.”
Danielle rolled her eyes, then did the dutiful sister thing and got Bobby a cold bottle of water. “Guzzle this, you big baby.”
“Thanks.” He pointed the bottle at Trey. “How’s your head?”
“Better,” Trey replied. “So do you plan on spending the rest of the festival holed up in here with the air-conditioning?”
“No way, the party is out there. I needed a break to refuel.”
The word “refuel” made Trey’s stomach rumble. Now that his performance nerves were gone, and he’d had some time with Dominic, he realized how long ago his pitiful lunch was. “How do you guys feel about pigging out on barbecue ribs tonight? I’m starving.”
Danielle raised a single eyebrow in silent question. “I’m in.”
“Sure, why not?” Bobby said after he’d downed half the bottle in three long gulps. “Andy! Barbecue for dinner?”
“Okay!” was the muffled reply.
Bobby finished his water and tossed the bottle into the recycle bag. “We’re heading out. Light a match before you leave.”
“Fuck you!”
Danielle rolled her eyes. “Men.”
It took them almost an hour to make it to the barbecue tent thanks to their new legion of fans. They were stopped every couple of feet by folks asking for autographs and photos. A few people even had printed album covers and publicity photos for them to sign. Trey almost felt like a celebrity, and he smiled so much he wasn’t sure his face remembered how to make any other expression.
