Keith and Carl had two carry-on luggage bags lying side by side in their bedroom. While Carl stood at the closet to decide what to pack, Keith held a pamphlet from the film festival lineup. “Lost is going to be shown four times.”
“That’s kind of cool.” Carl held up a shirt.
“I have to be available for a question and answer period after each screening.”
“Okay.” Carl folded the shirt.
“Carl, I can’t sit through four viewings of that movie.”
Carl laughed. “We can sit through one, and sneak into the audience during the end credit roll of the others.”
“Good.” Keith sat on their bed and read the lineup of films being shown. “Jesus. This isn’t a film festival, it’s a showcase of all the top talent in Hollywood.”
“I know. It’s a joke. I think they should just admit it’s all a scam and only A-list celebrities need apply.”
“Yeah, but then they’d miss out on all the hopefuls sending in their exorbitant entry fees.”
“The entire industry is corrupt. It makes me ill.” Carl tossed a pair of slacks into the suitcase.
“I know.” Keith could see every film in the festival was a Hollywood celebrity creation, and nothing was from an independent or unknown filmmaker.
“I’m so fed up.” Carl put his hands on his hips. “The undisguised nepotism, the closeted actors, the bullshit behind the scenes like what they did to Alex, the lies, the gossip, the backhanders…”
“Carl?”
Carl glanced at Keith.
“You don’t have to go.”
“I’m going for you.”
Keith set the brochure aside. “So, you’re still reeling from what Adam said?”
Carl dropped down beside Keith and leaned on him. “I’m sick about it.”
“He warned us, so many years ago. Deny, deny, deny.”
“Keith, it’s not 1950.”
“Carl? You do realize nothing has changed.”
Carl fell back on the bed with a bounce.
Keith relaxed beside him and caressed Carl’s chest. “Can we just pretend this is a mini vacation? I’ve never been to Utah.”
“Of course. I’m sorry, Keith. This is your first movie premier.”
Keith crawled to lie on top of Carl. “Do you think it’ll eventually be released here in LA?”
“If not, then I’m losing all hope. I swear, I don’t understand anything anymore.”
Keith kissed Carl and then rested on him. “It could be worse.”
“How?”
“We could be going to Sacramento for a funeral.”
Carl raised his head up off the bed and met Keith’s gaze. “You’re right. It could be worse.”
Keith slid off of Carl and slipped his hand down Carl’s pants. “Wanna fuck?”
Carl yanked off his shirt, and rolled them over so he was on top of Keith.
Keith started to laugh.
“Shut up and strip, hotshot.” Carl pulled down Keith’s zipper.
Keith removed his clothing and spread his legs, jerking his own cock. Carl reached for the lubrication and used it on his dick, then he nudged Keith’s legs backwards, opening Keith up for the taking.
Keith watched his gorgeous husband as he pushed inside of him. “That’s it.”
Carl braced himself on the bed and thrust his hips, penetrating Keith deeply.
Keith kept jerking his own dick. “What’s so bad about this, huh?”
“Nothing. Man, nothing at all.” Carl closed his eyes and fell into a rhythm.
Keith ran his free hand over Carl’s solid chest. “That’s it, lover. Let go of your stress, and feel the burn.”
“Ohfuck…” Carl snarled as he came.
Keith felt Carl’s dick pulsate strongly inside him. When Carl shook out of the climax haze, he pulled out, dropped down, and sucked Keith’s cock.
Keith lost himself on the pleasure of making love to his leading man. He knew what they were up against when they came out, ages ago. But letting the world know Carl Bronson was his husband? Fuck everyone. He was so proud he was, nothing else mattered.
As Carl’s blowjob brought Keith to a climax, he arched his back and came, closing his eyes, knowing, somehow, everything would be all right.
~
Alex woke from a deep nap to the sound of his phone alarm beeping. He lay still a moment and then reached for it to shut it off. After nearly four weeks of filming, six day weeks, twelve hour days, Alex could sleep for a month.
But tonight, they had their cast party. It was time to celebrate before he flew out tomorrow morning and was back in Billy’s arms.
He managed to get out of bed, stripped, showered, and dressed in a pair of skinny black jeans and a sleeveless black top, going commando. He shaved over the sink and moisturized his skin, then blew his hair dry, dying for it to grow back. He didn’t like seeing his father when he looked into the mirror, and he missed his long mane of hair.
Alex shut off the hairdryer and gave his appearance a critical inspection. He shrugged. Best I can do. He dabbed on a little of his and his father’s cologne.
He checked his phone, craving letting Billy know they had wrapped and he was coming home tomorrow, but instead, he smiled and couldn’t wait to surprise him. He left the phone behind, and only took his room key. What else did he need?
He was about leave his room to look for where the party was when a light tap hit his door. Alex smiled and opened it.
“Wow!” Jeremy gawked at him.
Alex gave Jeremy’s tight blue jeans and tank top a look as well. Damn, he’s hot. “Hi.”
“I was about to be brave and head down there. I took a nap and now I feel as if I need caffeine.”
Alex closed the door behind him, sliding the card-key into his back pocket. “Me too. Do you know where the party is?”
“I figured it has to be on the main floor. They usually have these affairs in a ballroom or courtyard.” He and Jeremy walked to the elevator. “Did you call Billy to let him know you’re coming home early?”
“I want to surprise him.” Alex stuffed his hands into his tight front pockets.
The two of them stepped into the elevator and Jeremy poked the lobby button. As they descended, a few other people got on, and Jeremy and Alex were nudged to the back of the small space.
Alex could hear Jeremy sniffing his cologne. He smiled to himself and then waited for the others to exit the elevator before he did. Jeremy waved him on and Alex heard a live band playing somewhere beyond a wide carpeted hallway.
“That has to be it.” Jeremy pointed to crew members near the entrance. They smiled and opened the doors for them.
The moment Jeremy and Alex entered, a cheer rose up from the crowd and Alex could see a wild party was already in full swing. Balloons and banners were everywhere; the theme was cowboy western, and silly props and hats were spinning from the ceiling while a band played everything from line-dancing numbers to pop rock.
Alex and Jeremy headed right to the open bar, and it was lined with shot glasses, limes, salt, and margaritas.
Jeremy picked up a shot of tequila. “Cheers!”
“Cheers!” Alex tapped his glass and they drank the booze down. “Smooth!”
“Oh, that’s dangerously good.” Jeremy picked up another and then had a look around.
Alex was surrounded by a few of the Canadian cast members, asking him to dance.
“I don’t dance.” Alex laughed and picked up another shot glass.
“Then let us take pictures with you!” A swarm of women surrounded Alex and camera-phones were out for selfies.
Jeremy laughed until he was pulled into the group and he and Alex tried to keep their sense of humor, but after a long film production, Alex wanted to relax and get drunk.
Jeremy had enough as well, and held up his hands. “Please! Come on. Let us just enjoy ourselves.”
Alex was glad they got the hint, and let up. He and Jeremy stood at the bar together, doing shot after shot.
Jeremy bit into a lime wedge and shook his head. “I am so ready to get wasted.”
“Me too. Damn!” Alex picked up a margarita and rubbed off the crystal salt. As he gulped it down, he could see servers making the rounds with hors d'oeuvres. He picked up a napkin and what appeared to be ahi tuna.
He and Jeremy devoured the bite-sized food and Alex gulped the margarita like water. Since he had nothing in his stomach, the tequila and sweet drink went right to his head.
The director and cinematographer made their way over and Ms Winters held up her champagne glass. “To our two superstars! I can’t wait for the LA premier! Wooooo!”
A loud cheer went up and Alex and Jeremy laughed at each other and downed a few more shots of tequila.
“Whoa!” Jeremy shook his head after the last shot. “I’m already toast!”
“You watch over me, partner, and I’ll watch over you.” Alex grabbed another shot.
“You got it, cowboy.” Jeremy tapped Alex’s glass and Alex drank it down.
~
Keith had the window seat, and Carl, the aisle, as they flew to Utah. They consumed a few cocktails and a small meal, since they were in first class, and this was all on the production company’s expense account. Keith stared at the lights below, which quickly were obscured by clouds. He held Carl’s hand as Carl wore a headset and watched whatever was playing on the screen in front of him. Keith had his music with him if he wanted to listen to it, but for now, he was happy to be with Carl, about to see his first debut in a feature film.
He didn’t know how the film would be received and tried to prepare himself for the critics, which could be brutal. Making the leap from television to the big screen was always scary.
He had no hope of doing what Carl had done, winning an award for Best Actor, or for Lost to win Best Picture, because, after all, this was premiering at a film festival, not in Hollywood.
He had to be okay with that. With whatever the future held. Unlike Carl, who was beginning to become resentful over the homophobia in the business, Keith felt very lucky to have done what he had already accomplished. As a kid, he never thought he’d see the day where he was in a long-running nighttime cable drama, and starred in his own feature film, and… was married to an award winning stud.
To Keith, it was all good, all magical, and he was very grateful. If, or when, Forever Young got cancelled, he’d find something. Even the biggest actors in Tinsel Town were doing commercials. They’d be okay. They owned their home, so there were no mortgage payments, they owned their cars, again, no payments, and they saved most of their salary.
They’d be fine. And being involved with a huge festival like this, even though, yes, it was reserved for the elite, Keith was thrilled. Nervous, but, so far, happy.
He squeezed Carl’s hand. Carl glanced at him taking the headphone out of his ear. “Yes?”
“I love you.”
Carl’s expression lit up and they kissed.
Keith rested his head on Carl’s shoulder, as Carl continued to watch the in-flight movie. As the miles grew behind them, Keith had no idea what the future held, but right now, here with his husband, he was one lucky man.
~
Billy packed only a backpack for toiletries and clean briefs, and, he had his black suit in a garment bag. He placed it by the front door and checked the time. He was going to text Alex, but figured he was probably still filming.
He sat at his computer, not having to print up a boarding pass since they were flying in Mark’s father’s company jet, but he did want to print out his hotel confirmation. As he did, he wondered if Mark was going to get emotional, or if this was just his way of letting go.
First, Mark had lost his father, whom he detested, then his family home was sold. Now? His mother is gone.
All Mark had left was his son.
His son, and a huge group of friends that would do anything for him. But, friends weren’t family.
Billy was detached from his family as well. His nephew, who was now in the military, wrote him letters on occasion, but Billy wasn’t close to anyone else.
He had a feeling his nephew was gay, and that he was dreading telling his mother. Billy’s sister was a prick. She thought if Billy and Alex hung around Matt, that he would ‘become’ gay by association. That kind of ignorance was intolerable to Billy.
Yes, they came to his captain promotion ceremony, but with Matt away now, he doubted if he ever got to be Chief of Police if they would show up.
In reality, they didn’t care.
And he tried not to let it hurt him.
He set not only his alarm by his bed, but his phone as well, to make sure he was ready when Mark’s limousine picked him up. He had heard nothing back from Ms Drescher, and knew that was a very bad sign.
He probably didn’t get the position, and that meant he had to go back to the books to study for each promotional exam at the LAPD.
What else was he supposed to do? Unless some huge inheritance was coming from Leslie’s death, which Billy highly doubted. Alex already had received a trust fund from her, big enough to buy this home in Bel Air. Billy figured this was it. He’d work with the LAPD until retirement, and Alex would work on and off as an actor in films.
They couldn’t complain. They’d done all right.
Billy walked through the house, shutting lights, and even though it was early, he headed to bed. Before he went, he picked up the glamour magazine and brought it with him to his bedroom.
He showered and shaved, so he wouldn’t be bothered to do it in the morning, then lay naked on the bed, and used a little lubrication on his palm. He spread his legs, stared at Mark in the cologne ad, and jerked off, trying to get drowsy enough to sleep.
~
Yes, he’d had a lot to drink. He stopped doing shots an hour ago, switching to water, but Alex kept feeling waves of dizziness far exceeding a booze-high. The dancing on the expansive wooden floor had hit a frenzied peak. As he tried to watch, his vision blurred and he had to keep rubbing his eyes and shaking his head to see straight.
“Dance, Alex!” A woman grabbed his arm.
“No. Sorry. No.” Alex wasn’t nauseated, like he’d overdone the tequila, no… this was… weird.
He tried to see the exit, to leave. He felt as if he may fall. Using the bar to keep him upright, Alex tried to make it out of the noise and chaos.
Two men came out of nowhere, holding onto him.
Alex struggled to see who they were, but his vision became cloudy. “I just need to get to my room.”
He was hustled out of the loud ballroom.
Alex tried to dig in his heels to stop, since they were not taking him to the elevator. “Hang on. Who are you?”
He was dragged to a dark hallway.
Alex began to grow afraid. “Stop. I mean it. I don’t know who you are!” He shoved at them but whatever was in his veins was potent.
One man started to pull Alex’s shirt over his head while the other had his fist in Alex’s hair, hurting him.
“Stop!” Alex threw punches but they didn’t make contact. When the man dropped his shirt on the floor and went for Alex’s jeans, Alex started yelling for help.
His mouth was covered and he was picked up and carried farther down a dark passage.
~
Jeremy wiped his face from sweat after dancing and headed to the bar for water. He looked for Alex. He got the bartender’s attention. “Water, please?”
He was handed a highball glass with ice water. Jeremy drank it down and had stopped boozing it up, or he’d be sick. He looked for his costar. “Hey, did you see Alex? Did he leave?”
A woman said, “Two guys escorted him out. He was pretty drunk.”
“Two guys?” Jeremy set the empty glass down. “Which two guys?”
“I don’t know.” The woman shrugged.
“How long ago?”
“Just now. They left that way.”
A wash of terror filled Jeremy. He shoved his way out of the ballroom and looked around. “Alex?” He checked the men’s room. He stepped back out and noticed something on the carpeted floor. He picked it up. It was Alex’s sleeveless shirt. He sniffed it. Yes, Alex’s cologne. “Alex!” Jeremy hurried down the dim hall. “Alex!”
~
“Get the fuck off me!” Alex wished his limbs would obey him. He wasn’t that drunk. He tried to push the man away from him as his jeans were dragged down his legs. “Fuck off! My husband is a captain in the police. He’ll hunt you down! He’ll kill you!”
Alex struggled to see as his vision clouded. A man was holding a camera.
“No. Oh, no!” Alex tried to get his pants up his thighs.
“Alex!”
Hearing his name, Alex fought to see who it was. “Help! Fucking help me!”
The two men who had dragged him away dropped him to the floor. Alex hit the ground and tried to stop the odd sensation of spinning. A man ran by him and Alex pulled his jeans up his hips, moaning, and feeling seriously out of it.
He heard a scuffle, noises down the hall. Alex kept yelling, “Help! Someone! Fucking help!” he screamed as loudly as he could.
A couple, dressed as if they were going to a wedding, rushed over to him. Alex pointed. “There. There!”
“Go.” The woman stayed with him, and got on her phone as her husband raced down the hall.
Alex tried to breathe but it felt labored and hard to inhale.
“Yes. I’m with a young man who appears to have been assaulted.”
Alex closed his eyes and wished he would just throw up, because whatever he had ingested was toxic.
A few moments later he heard feet clamoring by. Alex was lifted up, and he felt something wrap around his biceps.
“Alex! Alex, can you hear me?”
Alex reached out his hand.
“Alex, it’s Jeremy. I’m here. Alex.”
Alex forced himself to open his eyes. Jeremy was there, as were medics. “What happened?” Alex squinted to see.
“Two fuckers tried to… I don’t know what. The police arrested them.” Jeremy asked, “Where are you taking him?”
“The ER.”
“No.” Alex shook his head. “I’m fine. Just tired. Let me just go to my room.”
He heard a conversation about him. A debate.
Alex tried to pull off the wrapping from around his arm.
“I think someone slipped him something. He wasn’t that drunk.”
“Unless he can walk on his own, he’s going to the hospital.”
“No!” Alex tore off the BP cuff. “Let me go.” He shoved everyone away.
Jeremy gave Alex his shirt. Alex nodded in gratitude and Jeremy helped him put it on. “Talk to me, Alex.”
Alex held onto Jeremy. “I was tired and ready to go to my room. Two idiots dragged me down this hallway.”
“Alex. We got them.”
“Why did they do that? Who are they?” Alex rubbed his head as it began to ache.
“Can you ID them?”
“I think so.” Alex held onto Jeremy and was escorted down the corridor. The police kept the party-goers in the ballroom, and walked Alex to the front of the hotel.
Two men were in handcuffs near marked police cars.
An officer asked, “Do you see the men who assaulted you?”
“Assaulted me?” Alex held onto Jeremy. “What did they do to me?”
“Alex. Is that them?” Jeremy pointed.
Alex squinted. “Yes. What did they do to me?” He touched his chest, then his ass through his clothing. “They didn’t do anything, did they?”
Jeremy said to an officer, “When I spotted them, they had his shirt off, and were trying to photograph him naked.”
Alex cringed. “Dude!” He managed to walk closer to the two men. “You were going to take naked pics of me? What’s wrong with you?” he screamed.
One of the men shouted, “Money! Asshole!”
A police officer said, “That’s enough. Positive ID and a confession.”
“My husband is an LAPD captain and he’s going to kick your ass!” Alex screamed.
“Fuck you, ya Hollywood cunt!” One of the men in handcuffs spat at him.
Jeremy held onto Alex. “They’ve got them. Alex, do you need to go to the hospital?”
“Did they photograph my dick? Jeremy, for fuck sake.” Alex rubbed his face. “I already do full-frontal, what more do they want?”
“No. I think I prevented that. And, the cops have their cameras if they did.”
“I want to sleep. I want to go home.” Alex patted his pants pockets for his phone.
Jeremy touched Alex for reassurance and spoke to both the medics and police.
Someone came up behind Alex. He jumped in fear and then saw it was his director. “Alex.”
He fell against her and started to cry. “I’m sorry. I ruined the party.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Take me to my room. I want to be in my room.”
“Alex, the police want to know if you want to press charges.”
“Yes!”
“That means you have to come back here for their trial.”
“Fuck!” Alex balled his fists. “Beat them up! Someone. Come on!”
Jeremy stood by Alex. “I did, babe. I kicked them each in the balls. I did what I could.”
“I want to lie down. Can someone please take me to my room?”
“I got him.”
“Thanks, Jeremy. Alex? A car will be here to take you to the airport early tomorrow.”
“I want to go home.”
“Okay. Come on, Alex. Let me take you to your room.”
“Thanks, Jeremy,” his director said.
“No problem.”
Alex held onto Jeremy and he could see groups of people watching him. Jeremy helped him into the elevator and pushed the button for their floor.
Alex started to cry.
“Babe. Stop.” Jeremy held onto him.
“Thank you.” Alex wept uncontrollably.
“Shh. You’re okay.”
The elevator door opened and Jeremy helped Alex walk to his room. “Where’s your key?”
Alex fumbled, feeling uncoordinated, and then said, “I put it into my pants’ pocket.”
Jeremy took it out and slid it into the reader, opening the door. Alex staggered to the bed and fell on it.
“Do you feel sick to your stomach?”
“No. Just tired. So fucking tired.”
Jeremy helped Alex with his shoes and then tried to get him under the blanket. “Okay. You’re safe now.”
“Jeremy.” Alex reached for him.
“What?”
“Don’t go.” Alex cried.
Jeremy looked at the door to Alex’s room and removed his shoes. He shut off the lights and lay with Alex on the bed.
Alex held onto him, feeling confused and frightened.
“Okay. You’ll be home tomorrow with your captain. Alex, you’re okay.”
“You saved me.”
“Just doing my job, cowboy.” Jeremy kissed Alex’s hair.
Alex hugged him and sobbed. “What would they have done with those pictures?”
“Made a lot of fucking money, babe.”
“Sick!”
“You’re okay. Alex. Rest.”
“What did they put in my drink? I was drinking water to sober up.”
“A roofie? Barbiturates? Something strong.”
Alex clung to Jeremy and tried to stop crying. “What would I have done without you watching over me?”
“Hey, we promised. I was looking out for you, and you were looking out for me.”
“Thank you. I mean it.”
“Okay. You’ve thanked me enough. Alexander. Sleep.”
“Stay here?” Alex held onto him.
“Of course.”
Alex rested his head on Jeremy’s chest and shivered. “That was so fucked up.”
“I know, Alex. I know.”