Page 71 of Cleats and Pumps

“As you know,Proudestis a new magazine. We’ve been working the past five years trying to build the business to the point where we can hire full-time staff. Last week, we closed on funding that makes that possible.”

Tommy’s eyes grew large. “You… you’re offering me a journalist position?” he asked.

Orion smiled but shook his head. “No, not exactly, Tommy. We’re creating a CEO position in the company. I will be taking that, which means we need an editor-in-chief.”

Tommy froze and swallowed hard. “Editor-in-chief?” He all but squeaked.

“Yeah, and you, my friend, are the man who we believe would best fit the position.”

“But… I’ve only ever been a journalist.”

“A savvy one, and one who knows how to appeal to the masses… our masses. Tommy, do you know the articles you’ve written for us have had ten times more reads than our other articles? Did you know that we secured a beer manufacturing company ad campaign because, quote, ‘Tommy Sanders’s article is what we’re all about’ end quote?”

“I… I’m flabbergasted,” Tommy said, causing me to chuckle.

“Flabbergasted, is it?” I said, causing Tommy to give me the stink eye, but I saw the smile forming on his face.

He turned back to Orion and nodded. “If… well, of course, if you think I’m the man for the job, I’m certainly willing to try.”

“I’m convinced you are, as are the board and our new investor. Here’s the location of my office here in the city. Your position will be mostly remote, but we keep an office here for meetings and interviews. If you can meet me here tomorrow, we’ll discuss the particulars.”

Tommy beamed, and I could tell he was ecstatic. Orion left after that, taking his coffee with him. Tommy just stared at his vacated seat. “Um, Amos, did that just happen?”

I laughed. “Yeah, I think so. You ready to be editor-in-chief of an up-and-coming magazine?”

“I have no idea.”

“Well, you better figure it out, ’cause that train’s coming into the station.”

Tommy’s bewildered and happy smile never failed to thrill me. I hoped to all that was good that this worked out because keeping him here with me would be the best thing to ever happen to me.

53

Tommy

Ourworldwasspinningfast. The musical was a major hit, likely because the reviews for Amos’s performances continued to be over the top. I had always hoped I’d one day be editor-in-chief to some major magazine or newspaper. I just never thought it’d happen before I was middle-aged or something.

Proudestwas the perfect job, as I’d already suspected it would be. Orion and the board spent all their time building the brand, while I was given pretty much free rein with the articles. Of course, I tried to write at least one article a month myself so as not to lose my abilities.

I hired a mix of LGBTQIA sports writers, as well as a few who specialized in the arts. The articles that combined more than one field, magnifying the reality that most LGBTQIA people had multiple interests, were by far the most popular. That became our sweet spot as a magazine.

Before I knew what was happening, a full year had swept by us. My book was released and was flying off the shelves. Even the haters were buying the books. One church in Florida hosted abook burning, which probably made me and my publishers a few thousand dollars.

I hadn’t reached the oh-so-desired bestseller list, though we were close, but that wasn’t really what was important, not to me at least. What was important to me was that I’d shared my love for Amos to the world, a love that seemed to be getting better every day we lived it.

Our lives were ridiculously busy. Stupid busy, but that was just how we liked it.

When Amos’s case against the team came up, I could see he was struggling. He lived his life so out and proud these days that it seemed like a lifetime ago he had to live in the closet. Going to court forced him to look at that time in his life. Hell, it forced both of us to face it.

I sat behind him and his attorneys as the case was laid out for the jury. I knew I was prejudiced, because Amos is, and always will be, my life, but I knew instantly that the team’s attorneys were tanking, and the case had only just begun.

We didn’t get past the first week of the trial before the team struck a deal. Of course, Amos turned it down because it was weak, to say the least. Then, after some negotiation, the team ended up paying him what he’d made, not only with the final contract he’d had, but enough to cover the assumption he would have signed at least two more with them. Then there were amounts for damages on top of that, and, thankfully, those covered the attorney’s fees.

“Fuck,” I said when Amos showed me the deal. “You’re taking it, right?”

“Oh yeah, already did… I, well, I also turned down anything that forced me to remain quiet. I refuse to be quiet. So, someone, not naming names, needs to write the article.”

“Wait. You want me to do it?”

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