Page 51 of Forever Finn
“Then I think it’s my turn.” Sky smiles charmingly at the assembled reporters. “He’s always hogging the limelight.” She winks cheekily, and there’s a low hum of amusement. “Finn isn’t the only one who’s been living a lie. Some of you might wonder why I went with it all these years. What was in it for me, letting you all believe I was his girlfriend. I’m sure there’s many who will think I was stupid, that I was a beard, that I must have been paid. I’ve heard all sorts of idiotic theories over the past few days. So, I’d like to take this opportunity to set the record straight. I’m Ace. I identify as asexual. Like Finn, I was packaged the way the industry wanted me. My worth was placed on my looks. The kind of roles I played I was the fantasy, but I was told no one wants a fantasy who’s not interested in having sex. For so many years I didn’t even understand my orientation, and in those early days, there were many men within the industry who didn’t believe I wasn’t interested in their attention, who thought I could be forced or coerced. I didn’t feel safe until Finn. When everyone assumed we were a couple, it was easier and far safer for me to just let them believe. We protected each other. So, what did I get out of it? I got safety, I got peace of mind. I got someone who loved me just as I am.”
I watch her light up as she gains momentum, speaking passionately and truthfully from the heart, and I’m so proud of her. She didn’t have to flay herself open to be scrutinised. I would have kept her secret. I would have protected her until my dying day. But she’s right about one thing. The world has to change, and it won’t until we stop being afraid and speak out.
“Things aren’t quite the same as they were in the industry when Finn and I were first starting out, that’s for sure,” she says. “But as far as we’ve come, it’s not nearly far enough. We’re doing this not just for ourselves but for the incredibly talented queer actors coming up behind us. No one should ever feel that they should hide who they are just so they are able to do the job they love. Coming out like this, may cost Finn and I roles, or even our careers, but it’ll be worth it if we can break down even one barrier so that the ones who come after us have the confidence and support we never did. We’re not afraid.”
The crowd breaks again, starting to call out questions. Not wanting to look in Simon’s direction, I cast my gaze across the assembled crowd to the back of the room, and my heart almost stops. There, hidden at the back, are all my friends, old and new, but most importantly.
Wyatt.
He’s standing there watching me with a wide and proud smile, and my heart starts pounding. This time not with nerves but with excitement and hope. If he’s here, if he’s come all this way, it has to mean something.
I cover the microphone with one hand and lean over to whisper in Sky’s ear.
“Wyatt’s here.”
She looks at me sharply before casting her gaze surreptitiously to the back of the room. I don’t think he’d be hard to pick out. Not only did I endlessly describe him to her over the phone, I also sent her a picture of him I’d taken while he was curled up on the couch with me watching a movie.
“I got this.” She winks. “Start answering some of the questions so we can get out of here.” She pulls her phone from her pocket, keeping it behind the table so no one knows what she’s doing, and types out a rapid message, although what and to who I have no idea.
“Okay, I’ll take questions now.” I stand and point to one of the reporters at the front.
“Finn, who’s the man in the leaked photos?”
“He’s someone…” I feel the warmth wash over me, knowing Wyatt’s here, and he’s watching me. “He’s someone who’s important to me, and as it’s all very new, I think you can understand I’d like to keep it private.” I point to another reporter. “You, in the blue shirt.”
“Are you returning to L.A?”
“I might at some point,” I answer honestly. “I don’t know. I don’t currently have any projects coming up, so we’ll see. I may take a little time out to re-evaluate what direction I’d like to take my career in. Although I’ve very much enjoyed my time as an action hero and am grateful to the directors I’ve worked with, I think I might be ready for a new challenge.”
Sky and I continue to answer questions while the crowd shifts as they leave their seats, standing as they shout out questions. I lose sight of Wyatt and the others, and by the time an hour has passed, I’m all talked out and desperate to find Wyatt.
“Okay, well, I think that’s enough for today.” Sky smiles at them. “Thank you all for coming.” She takes my hand and leads me back through the door.
“God, I thought that was never going to end,” I breathe heavily.
“Me too.” She smiles. “Now, why don’t you head up to your room.”
“I think I’m just going to go and look for–”
“Finn.” She cuts me off. “Trust me, go on up to your room. I think you might find a little something special in there for you.”
I wrap my arms around her tightly. “I love you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“I love you too.” She laughs as she pulls back and nods toward something behind me. I turn around and see, Jesse, Deacon, Nat, Beck, Colin, Jin, Garrett, Kyan, and a man I don’t recognise standing waiting. “I’m going to go and have a drink and get to know your friends. You have a fun evening.” She winks.
Grinning widely, I drop a kiss on her lips, turn and wave to the others and make a dash for the elevators. Jumping into the first available one, I’m grateful to find myself alone because I punch the button for my floor repeatedly as I dance impatiently on the spot like a five-year-old desperate for the toilet.
The doors are barely open when I squeeze between them and take off at a run down the pristine corridor, my shoes making no sound on the plush carpeting.
I burst into the room breathing heavily and skid to a comical stop like the Roadrunner.
“Wyatt.” I smile, trying to catch my breath long enough to say something meaningful.
He smiles slowly as he takes in my dishevelled appearance. He’s just opened his mouth to speak when the door to my room bangs open and Simon marches in absolutely livid.
“What did you do you fucking moron?” he shouts venomously. “All you had to do was fucking deny it.” His furious gaze tracks across to Wyatt. “You!” he hisses. “I might’ve known you had something to do with it.”
“Leave him out of it,” I say calmly. “It’s over, Simon. I’m done with you. Although I appreciate the good you did for me it’s been completely outweighed by all the nasty, spiteful, vindictive ways you’ve treated me over the years. You’ve played on all my insecurities to keep me under your control, keeping me as your little cash cow, but I’m done. I don’t believe anything you do is in my best interests anymore. I’ve already spoken to my lawyers and started the proceedings to dissolve our contract.”