Page 101 of Declan
Chapter 24
Declan
Paparazzi were in the parking lot of the apartment complex. Three days had passed since I’d been in Addersfield and news had spread to all media outlets. Reporters, paparazzi, and fans all gathered outside, desperate to get a glimpse of me.
Not surprising, people had taken pictures of me at the lake, and now photos of me kissing Kyler were on the front cover of every tabloid and in the news.
The college kids at the lake had been more than eager to get their five minutes of fame by sharing the pictures they’d snapped with reporters and talking about Kyler as if he was their best friend. In doing so, Kyler’s name was leaked and after some digging, the vultures had found out where he lived.
“I’m sorry,” I said, peeking through the blinds at the ever-growing crowd. “It pisses me off that you were dragged into this.”
“It’s okay.” Kyler came up behind me and slipped his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder.
“It’s such bullshit.” I turned in his arms and cupped his cheek. “I’m not allowed a private life. Guess it’s the price I pay for the fame. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth it.”
“It is,” he said, nuzzling my hand. “I don’t care if they know who I am. I’m sure it’ll die down soon.”
“Back off!” Brysen yelled from outside.
Kyler and I looked out the window. Brysen was swarmed as he got out of his car and started walking toward the front door.
“What’s your relationship with Kyler Michaels?” a reporter asked before holding out her recorder.
“Bite me.” He stuck out his tongue and shooed them away. After he unlocked the door and came inside, he quickly slammed it. Hazel eyes were wide. “It’s a war zone out there.”
“I should apologize to you, too,” I told him, feeling like shit. “I’ve brought all this on you guys.”
“Are you kiddin’ me?” Brysen grinned and sauntered forward, putting a hand on his dainty hip. “My sexy ass is on the news, too. They think I’m banging both of you guys.”
“In other words,” Kyler said, stepping away from the window. “He loves the attention.”
“Damn right I do.” Brysen flopped sideways on the couch and swung his legs over the armrest. He turned his head toward me. “How are you handling all this, big guy?”
“Honestly? It sucks, but I didn’t expect it to go any other way.”
I wondered if I should’ve made a statement before kissing Kyler in front of the damn world. At least then I would’ve been able to come out onmyterms.
Then again, Ihadcome out the way I’d wanted. I’d kissed the man I loved in front of strangers for the first time ever. Pictures were taken to capture the moment and were then spread around, but the initial coming out had been mine.
I’d come out to Kyler first. Showed him how much he meant to me. That’s what mattered most. The rest I could deal with.
My phone was blowing up.
Rita had called immediately after the pictures were blasted everywhere. She’d been peeved at me for not laying low, but it was clear that it wasn’t some publicity stunt like she’d warned me about, so she’d eventually cooled off.
Dr. Warren had reached out to make sure I was okay. After I’d talked to him on the phone, I’d then told Kyler about him. Seeing a therapist wasn’t anything to be ashamed of. Sometimes people needed guidance to work through the shit in their heads.
Jennifer had called and congratulated me. My coming out had given her courage, as well. She’d posted about her and Pete’s relationship and even announced an engagement.
Some of my actor buddies had called me, too, and reached out to me on social media.
Blake Ashton, the main actor in my first big movie, had probably been the one that impacted me the most. He’d met me when I’d been a damn kid at barely twenty-one and never having starred in a big movie before. He’d taken me under his wing and taught me a lot of what I knew today.
The day before, in a social media post, he’d said he was proud of me for being true to myself. With the post, he’d included a picture of the two of us from the set of our action movie. I’d replied to his post, and then he’d private messaged me.
I hadn’t had his number, but he’d given it to me after a few messages back and forth. And then we’d talked on the phone for a while.
“I’m proud of you, kid,” he’d said. “In a business where your personal life is laid out for all to see, it’s important to stay true to yourself. If they’re gonna hate you, let them hate you for who you are and not who you pretend to be. Same goes for them loving you. Keep your chin up.”
