Page 224 of Goodbye Note

“I was boiling! I should have changed into it. Nova is clearly better at this.” He slipped his hand into mine once we were inside, away from possible high-powered lenses. “Are you really going to wear it?”

“Yes.”

John did not react well. “It’s only been a week since the divorce announcement. Don’t you think you’re moving fast? Even if Lindsay doesn’t say you cheated, someone will.”

“I’m tired of fitting myself into a box the right shape for public consumption. I’ve distorted myself so many times I don’t recognize me. If people want to say I’m gay and was cheating, they’d say it no matter when we do this. If people don’t understand that sexuality can evolve and change, I don’t care. I don’t want to deny what I want anymore.” I met Arik’s eyes, and he beamed.

“It’s not a good idea.”

“Your objection is noted,” I said, getting up. “Let’s go do this.”

Arik stood with me while we waited for our cue. “Is this official? Or are we teasing them?”

“Why do you ask?”

He offered me his phone with a journal post pulled up.

He hadn’t posted it yet.

I was never any good at math, but doesn’t “you + me” make sense?

“Are you asking me before you post something?” I asked in a teasing, shocked tone.

“You’re the only person I will ever run anything by.” He searched my eyes.

I let a smile capture my mouth. “Post it, but this feels like payback for everyone finding out I’m divorced while you were onstage.”

He grinned. “Payback is a bitch!”

Nova held out her hand. Arik gave her his wallet. All I could do was laugh.

“I have an idea.” Arik crouched down next to Nova. “But it’s a secret.”

She scooted closer, letting him whisper in her ear, and then nodded. “I like it.”

“What?” I asked.

“Can’t tell you!” she said and ran off.

“Uncalled for!”

“That’s your cue.” Arik nodded toward the stage.

“Hold on, we can’t go on yet. I got to feed my boy.” Fox pulled out a Tamagotchi.

“What the actual fuck?” Arik turned to hand Nova money instinctively, but she wasn’t there, still not back.

“It’s the only pet I can have traveling like we do! He’s thirty-six years old,” Fox said, all proud of himself. “The longest I’ve ever kept any relationship alive!”

Bronx scoffed. “He holds it over my head.”

“There is something wrong with them,” Arik muttered.

I kissed him. “I know, and it pisses me off they have been together longer than us, even though we started first!”

“Seriously.” Arik huffed.

I kissed him again and went to play.

---