The first promotional event was coming up quickly and there was still a lot to be done.
Clyde and Tom had Gabe and Anthony meet with Laura Thompson, the public relations expert tasked with preparing the crew for all events and interviews. She was a young, hip looking woman. Blonde, of course, because it was Los Angeles.
She thought it was wonderful that people were talking about the potential on-screen romance, but didn't push the issue too much. She said that she frankly didn't care whether they were actually into each other or not. That wasn't her department. Her department was to manage how the public perceived them, and to that end, she seemed to think their relationship was all natural and wanted people to keep that image in their minds.
She urged them though, not to take it too far, otherwise the rumors would turn into facts and no one would be surprised anymore. Laura Thompson was of the opinion that a lingering mystery and unanswered questions not only made you more interesting, but that it would generate a lot more buzz than if people knew the truth, one way or another.
It all felt rather shallow to Anthony, but he went along with it. As did Gabe. There was no explicit mention of them faking it for the cameras, which relieved Anthony to no end. He didn't want Gabe to get uncomfortable right before all these large events.
He was just starting to come to terms with who he was and Anthony didn't want to do anything to push him back deeper into that closet he'd been living in his whole life. While he hadn't officially come out yet, he seemed more at ease with the idea that he could have feelings for a man than ever before. And Anthony didn't want to jeopardize that in any way, shape, or form.
As the day of the event rolled around, Gabe and Anthony went shopping for some new clothes. Since they had all of these promotional events lined up it was about time they upgraded Gabe's wardrobe. Every time Gabe stepped out in an outfit that fit him well, Anthony would have to discretely adjust himself so it wasn't obvious just how hot the outfit looked on him.
This event was a simple Q&A with the media, and given the amount of reporters crammed into the small conference room, the media seemed to be really interested this time. Anthony and Gabe were to sit on a panel with Clyde and Tom, and field questions about the film. It all seemed pretty straightforward.
Before they took the stage though, Laura gathered them together for a last minute pep talk and strategy session. She reminded everybody that no one was to outright answer any questions about Gabe and Anthony's rumored love affair. The more coy and circumspect they could be about it, the better.
Which, of course, was the one thing everyone seemed to want to talk about. Not that it was a huge surprise, since the rumored relationship had been trending on the internet for a while.
Hordes of people lined the conference room where they were announcing the release date along with giving the group interview. Amidst the sea of faces, cameras of all sizes could be seen. He'd been expecting it – perhaps not to the degree it was – but it still blew Anthony's mind to think that all of these people, and the millions who would be hanging on their every word after the fact, were there to see them.
It was a bit of a free for all and barely controlled chaos in the conference room as cameras flashed and reporters were yelling over one another to be heard. Some of the reporters tried to get their attention by yelling their names, and others simply shouted out a laundry list of questions, hoping to get an answer to something.
“Anthony, is it true that you and Gabe are a couple? Any truth to the engagement rumors? Is it true you are both looking at adopting a baby? How will this relationship impact your film careers moving forward?”
The litany of questions seemed never ending. Anthony flashed his perfect smile and waved at the pool of reporters and simply said, “No comment” to most of them.
Gabe seemed to be having a more difficult time avoiding their questions, and they picked up on that like a vulture on a dead animal in a desert. The reporters switched their focus to Gabe and went after him, looking for some small nugget of information to base an article on.
“Gabriel, have the two of you been intimate outside of filming? How do you feel about him?”
Gabe stuttered something that no one could make out. He was looking nervous and flustered, so Anthony took over for him.
“Mrs. Rivera, is it? How would you answer a similar question?” Anthony pointed to the wedding ring on her finger. “Have you and your husband or wife had sex lately? Would you like to tell the entire world just how intimate you are with your partner? I'm sure we'd all love to hear it.”
The woman turned a deep shade of red, but she persisted. “Can you at least tell us whether or not the two of you are an item? People have a right to know.”
Clyde took over from there. “I thought we were here to discuss the movie, not the intimate details of the stars’ lives. If you're unable to stay on topic, we ask that you please remain quiet so we may answer questions relating to the topic at hand. Thank you, very much.”
Mrs. Rivera and a few others didn't look pleased, but the questions about their relationship status stopped. Instead, Gabe and Anthony were able to talk about the film, and they showed a few promo clips that had never seen before. The audience oohed and aahhed, took pictures, and everything was so blinding and confusing. Anthony glanced over at Gabe who still looked a bit shell shocked.
Leaning over, he whispered, “I can't wait to get the hell out of here, how about you?”
Gabe nodded.
Anthony, not caring about public relations or any of that crap, reached out and squeezed Gabe's shoulder softly. A reassuring gesture, but one that got the flash bulbs going. People started screaming their names again, and the questions about their relationship status started flowing in like a tsunami again.
But Clyde called an end to all of it, stating that the stars were exhausted and still had a lot of work to do. He thanked everyone for their time and sent them on their way. As the disgruntled reporters filed out of the conference room, a few tried to get something out of them by firing off a few questions before they were ushered out the door. Anthony and Gabe went behind the set where there were chairs and bottles of water waiting for them. There was also a back entrance, free of journalists and guarded by security.
“Great job, everyone,” Clyde said, gathering Anthony and Gabe together in a group huddle. “You guys did a fine job with it all. What do ya say we all go out for a drink?”
Anthony wasn't sure that drinking was such a good idea, not after what had happened at the wrap party. And honestly, he didn't feel like spending any more time with Clyde or Tom. For his part, they saw way too much of the directors these days. And the more he saw of Clyde, the less he liked the man. He was a bit shady, and always seemingly on the hunt for fame, or at least notoriety.
“Nah, I'm beat. I'd rather head home personally.”
“Me too,” Gabe said.
They parted ways, but Gabe and Anthony walked out together. Once they were alone outside, Gabe turned to Anthony.
“I really don't want to go home,” Gabe said, biting his lip. “I just didn't want to go out with them, you know?”
“I know exactly what you mean,” Anthony said, leaning up against the side of his truck. “So what do ya wanna do? Grab a bite to eat?”
“Maybe?” Gabe admitted, shrugging his shoulders.
Again, there was something he wasn't saying, and Anthony wasn't sure he could pull it out of him. All he could do was try to make him comfortable enough that he'd let it out all on his own.
“Maybe? Seems like you have something else in mind,” Anthony said. “We can do whatever you want. I'm game for anything.”
Gabe wasn't staring at anything in particular. He was just sort of staring out into space, but he turned his gaze to Anthony, letting the full weight of his dark, brooding eyes fall upon him. That look always took Anthony's breath away if he wasn't careful or expecting it.
“I want to go to a gay club,” Gabe said at last.