Page 64

Tommy

Our world was spinning fast.

The musical was a major hit, likely because the reviews for Amos’s performances continued to be over the top.

I had always hoped I’d one day be editor-in-chief to some major magazine or newspaper.

I just never thought it’d happen before I was middle-aged or something.

Proudest was the perfect job, as I’d already suspected it would be.

Orion and the board spent all their time building the brand, while I was given pretty much free rein with the articles.

Of course, I tried to write at least one article a month myself so as not to lose my abilities.

I hired a mix of LGBTQIA sports writers, as well as a few who specialized in the arts.

The articles that combined more than one field, magnifying the reality that most LGBTQIA people had multiple interests, were by far the most popular.

That became our sweet spot as a magazine.

Before I knew what was happening, a full year had swept by us.

My book was released and was flying off the shelves.

Even the haters were buying the books.

One church in Florida hosted a book burning, which probably made me and my publishers a few thousand dollars.

I hadn’t reached the oh-so-desired bestseller list, though we were close, but that wasn’t really what was important, not to me at least.

What was important to me was that I’d shared my love for Amos to the world, a love that seemed to be getting better every day we lived it.

Our lives were ridiculously busy.

Stupid busy, but that was just how we liked it.

When Amos’s case against the team came up, I could see he was struggling.

He lived his life so out and proud these days that it seemed like a lifetime ago he had to live in the closet.

Going to court forced him to look at that time in his life.

Hell, it forced both of us to face it.

I sat behind him and his attorneys as the case was laid out for the jury.

I knew I was prejudiced, because Amos is, and always will be, my life, but I knew instantly that the team’s attorneys were tanking, and the case had only just begun.

We didn’t get past the first week of the trial before the team struck a deal.

Of course, Amos turned it down because it was weak, to say the least.

Then, after some negotiation, the team ended up paying him what he’d made, not only with the final contract he’d had, but enough to cover the assumption he would have signed at least two more with them.

Then there were amounts for damages on top of that, and, thankfully, those covered the attorney’s fees.

“Fuck,”

I said when Amos showed me the deal. “You’re taking it, right?”

“Oh yeah, already did… I, well, I also turned down anything that forced me to remain quiet. I refuse to be quiet. So, someone, not naming names, needs to write the article.”

“Wait. You want me to do it?”

He nodded. “Yeah, Tommy, I want you to write it, and I want Proudest to print it. You are my life, and without you, without the support you gave me, I would’ve missed the life I have now. That’s not something I can even imagine. So, will you write it?’

I laughed. “Duh, what a silly question,”

I said, right before I jumped into his arms.