“Yeah, what’s that supposed to mean?” Rafe said. “It’s awesome. Harvey and the boys go way back, they’ve all known each other since they were teenagers, and it makes perfect sense.”
Nigel took off his wire-framed glassed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Of course, it does. I don’t mean I’m not happy for you, Harvey. I am, at least on the personal front.”
“I say again, what’s that supposed to mean?” Rafe said.
Harvey held out a hand towards him. “It’s okay, mate. I’ve got this.” He faced Nigel. “Explain what the issue is, and it better be bloody good because I expected a lot more from you, Nigel.”
“I’m truly happy for you. To be honest, I don’t know anyone else in a poly relationship but if it works for you, then great, all power to you.” Nigel sighed. “But I’m also thinking with my manager hat on, and that sort of thing complicates things.”
“It shouldn’t.”
“No, you’re right. It shouldn’t. However, not everyone feels the same way. We need to be prepared for some negative press. I’ll get our publicist on board and we can discuss options.”
“Fuck that! My personal life isn’t a subject open for debate.” Harvey was pissed and wasn’t going to let anyone tell him how to handle his love life. Rav and Bo weren’t up for negotiation.
“It’s not about telling you want you should or shouldn’t do, Harvey, it’s just how we frame things,” Nigel said.
“I’m not making any kind of announcement so it’s not relevant.” The idea of any type of statement being issued to the media gave him the chills. Plus, he knew Ravi was nervous about telling his parents. They’d grudgingly accepted his sexuality, but polygamous relationships were outside the usual social conventions and Rav was worried about how they’d react. The three of them didn’t want to live in secret forever, and Harvey was proud and blessed for their relationship, but they were taking it slowly and addressing their personal stuff had to come first. “I don’t want this to reach the press without consulting Rav and Bo. They deserve a say if their personal lives are to be discussed.”
“Okay, we’ll do it your way, Harvey, but the way I see it, we need to manage the publicity carefully or else you need to keep it under wraps. If the public reception to your relationship is less than stellar it could impact the rest of the band and who knows, it might even impact on the popular vote awards.”
“Don’t do that, Nige. Don’t drag us into it. We’re cool,” Gibbo said. He was always laid back, but it was nice to hear his positive words.
“You know we’ve got your back, right?” RG said.
“Yeah, anything you need,” agreed Rafe. “We’re really happy for you.”
“Thanks.”
Chapter Seventeen
Ithadtakensixweeks before they were able to have their long weekend away, but Ravi had decided it was worth it once he’d seen the house where they were staying. On the Central Coast, it was only an hour and a half drive from Sydney, but it felt a million miles away. The cottage was only metres from the beach and surrounded by natural bush. The only sounds were those of nature—the call of the birds, the rustling of leaves, and the gentle, regular sound of the waves crashing on the shore. They’d only been there one night, but already the peace and fresh sea air was working wonders, and the sun lounge beside the plunge pool was Rav’s new favourite place.
A shadow fell across him, and he opened one eye to see Bo standing above him.
“I brought you a cold drink,” Bo said holding out a tall glass of something fruity. “Harvey’s still on the phone.”
Rav took the glass. Bo gave him a quick kiss then dropped onto the other lounger beside him.
“Are you doing okay?” Bo asked.
Rav sipped the drink discovering it was a pineapple orange combination with a hint of fresh mint. “This is nice—cold and refreshing. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome, but no avoiding the topic,” Bo said. “I want to make sure you’re holding up after the phone call before we left.”
Rav put the drink on the side table and lay back. He closed his eyes against the sun and let the rays soak into his body. He took a deep breath. “I just wish they were different, you know? It’s been ten years and they’re no different than they were then. They’re so cold and distant. In a way I’m glad I live over here now. It was harder when they were so close but obviously weren’t comfortable with me being around. They hate the idea of me dating Harvey and for our photo being in the press. Supposedly someone at Dad’s work saw it and it made Dad uncomfortable when he was asked about it which, of course, was my fault.”
He felt Bo touch his hand and looked across to see him perched on the edge of the lounge chair, arm outstretched. He turned his hand over and grasped Bo’s fingers.
“I wish I knew the right words to say, or what to do to make this better,” Bo said, voice gentle.
“I don’t think you can do anything. They’re never going to completely accept me and telling them I’m in a polyamorous relationship is only going to make things worse. I just couldn’t do it.”
Bo squeezed his fingers. “There’s no rush. You don’t have to tell them now.”
“Iwantto tell them. I just need to work out the best way to do it. Maybe fly to Perth and tell them face to face. At least that way they’ll know how serious things are between us.”
“Whatever you need, you just let us know, okay?”
