Page 93 of Rock Bottom

I turned to Church. “You hired Orlando back?”

“Well, not exactly. He doesn’t work for After Atom so much as he works for me now, but seeing as how he has such a good rapport with the members of your band…” He grinned and shrugged. “I see no reason not to assign him to the job, at least on a trial basis.”

I stood up on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Thank you. You’re amazing. Have I told you that lately?”

“Probably, but you can keep saying it.”

“You’re amazing,” I repeated and squeezed his hand.

The VIP meet and greet went by in a blur of flashing cameras, excited fans, and autographs. As we greeted each fan, signed autographs, and took photos, Church’s hand rested subtly on the small of my back, a comforting and reassuring touch that grounded me. I could do anything as long as he was with me, and he was soon going to be mine forever.

The last fan stepped up for their turn, a young man with bright orange hair and a wide smile. He held out an album for me to sign and I moved to scribble my signature across it. “Thank you,” he said. “For coming out publicly like you did a few months ago. It um…” He chewed on his lip. “It gave me the opportunity to come out to my parents as bi. I didn’t know how to tell them, but when they saw your interview, it was just…It made it easier, you know? They understood.”

I smiled and finished signing the album cover. “I hope they were supportive.”

He smiled widely and nodded. “They’re cool with it. I just wanted to thank you because I was so nervous, and I didn’t know what to say to them or how they’d react. People act like this this big secret we can’t talk about. Like we should be ashamed or something. But you’re not. That means a lot to me.”

“That’s amazing,” I replied, genuinely touched by his words. “Glad I could help.” I handed the album back to him and flashed a warm smile.

As the last of the fans left, Church squeezed my hand affectionately before leaning in to whisper in my ear. “You are truly something special, Dante.”

I turned to face him with a smile. “I know, but can you say it again? Maybe while you’re on your knees in my dressing room? Maybe with my cock in your mouth?”

He snorted. “It’ll be a little difficult to talk with my mouth full of your cock. Maybe you’d better bend me over the vanity first if you want to hear how amazing you are.”

“Oh, I like the way you think.”

We shared a laugh, and as we stepped around the corner, Church pulled me close, his lips brushing gently against mine in a fleeting but intense kiss that promised more to follow.

“Let's not keep that vanity waiting,” he murmured and took my hand.

As we made our way back stage to the dressing room, my thoughts were a whirlwind of excitement, not just for the intimate moments ahead, but for everything. The tour was just beginning, and with Church by my side, it felt like we could take on the world together. My family and I were talking, and I was getting along with my bandmates better than ever. It wasn’t perfect, but life was pretty damn good.

I squeezed Church’s hand, my heart fluttering when he smiled at me. And it can only get better from here.

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