I look up and see a flash of copper and pink that I think must be Evo, but considering I don’t know where anyone else on the photo list is, I don’t chase after him.
Gabriel returns with my drink and gestures into the party. “There’s Everett. Let’s say hi.”
It strikes me the lack of media at this party doesn’t make the night much easier. It’s more stressful to fake the marriage in complicated social situations than it is to pose in front of press.
Everett turns with a friendly smile on his face. He’s cleaned up in a stylish gray suit, worn casually with no tie and the sleeves rolled up.
“Gabriel. Spencer.” He shakes both of our hands. “I hear we’re supposed to mug for a camera together tonight?”
“That’s the rumor,” I tell him.
“Makes sense that our teams would want us together.”
“Sure. And it’s not like we haven’t had our photo taken together before a match countless times.”
“Except for once, I’m not going to be thinking about destroying you on the court.” He chuckles. “At least, not as much.”
I relax a little into a smile, comfortable with this dynamic.
“Spencer just finished a thirty-day intensive training program,” Gabriel says. “Careful how much you rile him up.”
Everett nods. “Here I just thought you had that honeymoon glow.”
“No,” I say quickly. “It’s definitely from training my ass off so I can beat you.”
Everett grins. “Two gay men at the top of the game,” he says, way more confident in that role than I am. “We love to see it.” He nods behind us. “And I see Fox and Owen over there. Maybe it’s time to grab my husband, too, and arrange this photo. I’ll be right back.”
Gabriel rocks back on his heels. “It is pretty cool that two of the top players in the world right now are queer.”
I run a few fingers through my hair. “I guess. Although I’d rather people just cared about us because we’re good at tennis.”
“That is why they care about you,” Gabriel says. “It wouldn’t be especially cool that you’re queer if you were just, like, two okay tennis players. Than it would just be fine.”
“Huh.” That’s actually a useful way to frame things in my mind, and I tuck it away. “Tonight’s about your industry, though,” I point out. “Shouldn’t I be hyping up your album when I talk to people?”
I see another flash of metal and pink go by in the crowd, but whoever it is quickly disappears again.
Gabriel frowns. “Would you even know how to hype hard rock?”
“Maybe if you let me hear one of your new songs.”
“He won’t let you listen, either?” Fox asks as he approaches. “I’m glad it’s not just me.”
It takes me a second, but I remember the occasion. “Happy birthday,” I say quickly.
Fox nods. “Glad you could be here.”
I’m standing so close to Gabriel, our sides are almost touching. I realize with Fox in on the arrangement, I could ease away right now. But I don’t want to.
I actually want to slide closer, hope for Gabriel to put his arm around me again.
“So, a photo with Evo?” Gabriel says.
Fox nods. “He needs a boost with the older crowd. And we really can’t beat the reach of his social media for you two.”
Gabriel blinks, surprised, and I let out a chuckle when I realize why.
“You’re the older crowd, Gabriel.”
