4 hours of regularly clicking and typing and excuses later, I quit and crack open the whiskey I’d purchased off Beck downstairs. I’d gone again to my condo after my cellphone began ringing nonstop with notifications, sufficient to bother even probably the most callous of Rusty’s regulars. A number of hours spent, and with not one of the on-line fires extinguished, I’m giving up.

I shut the laptop computer decisively and determine that three within the afternoon continues to be 5 o’clock someplace, toasting the liquor bottle within the air to no one particularly.

“Right here’s to the top of my profession,” I say. “It was enjoyable whereas it lasted.”

There’s no containing the story. I don’t know the way the tabloid acquired ahold of it, nevertheless it virtually actually should have been any person at Sizzle, seemingly any person we labored with throughout the competitors. Who else would assume to name us a threesome? Any individual should have seen us that week, although I haven’t the faintest concept who it may need been. I’d spent the higher a part of right this moment going over each minute of these weeks in my thoughts however got here up with nothing. I actually thought we’d been discreet.

I’d have been a complete lot much less stunned if it got here out that Drew and I have been concerned, contemplating the safety footage they discovered of us backstage on the stay occasion. Or if any person had seen me go away with Bailey that one evening she and I… reconnected.

The reminiscence of simply how we related, with my hand up her skirt in that dimly lit dive bar, resurfaces and I let it. It feels good, not like each different second of today to date.

Some individuals are pissed at my obvious bisexuality, some on the considered me being concerned with two folks. Loads of them are pissed I’m concerned with anyone in any respect, which type of stunned me. I didn’t notice my single standing mattered in any respect, however apparently it did.

Doesn’t matter that I’ve denied it all over. My web site really crashed on the preliminary quantity of site visitors, however got here again up quick sufficient that individuals are nonetheless leaving feedback. I used each social media account I’ve acquired to attempt to discuss my manner across the tabloid piece, nevertheless it’s no use. If this had occurred to another on-line character, I’d have been inexperienced as hell with jealousy over all the eye. As it’s, all I can do is look forward to it to be over. There’s no getting back from this.

And God assist me… what occurs when Bailey and Drew discover out? In the event that they haven’t already.

I haven’t heard from them since I left that observe this morning. Usually that wouldn’t be trigger for concern; Drew’s nonetheless acquired a job in any case, and Bailey’s acquired a few days left on the financial institution. Is it attainable they received’t be affected by this?

A boy can dream.

Drew was courageous sufficient to out himself to his household, regardless of realizing they wouldn’t approve. What occurs when your entire world finds out?

28

Bailey

The textual content messages begin over my lunch break, however I’m too busy daydreaming about Cooper and Drew to verify them. I’ve heard from Evie a number of instances the final couple of weeks, although it’s been principally quick “congrats!” kinds of messages. After we swapped cellphone numbers I didn’t really anticipate her to be in contact, nevertheless it’s been good to listen to from her, even when it’s largely in GIF kind.

Drew and Cooper went out of their manner final evening to blow my thoughts, I feel. Each time I feel the shine have to be beginning to put on on the three of us being collectively, they do one thing to make me fall for them even more durable. Whether or not it’s Drew’s all-around thoughtful actions or Coop’s newfound potential to cooperate, each second we spend collectively appears to bind us nearer collectively. A lot in order that I’m beginning to assume possibly a define-the-relationship discuss is pointless. The three of us, we simply are. We’re a reality.

After what occurred with Drew’s household, I’m petrified of taking us without any consideration, however I can’t assist how I really feel. It feels sure, actual. Strong.

So when Evie begins sending me screenshots of Cooper’s web site, you may say I’m caught somewhat off guard.

“Ooh, Bailey, you’ve been holding out on us!” Twenty-year-old Shana on the subsequent teller window leans over the partition between us, a sly grin on her face. “These guys are sizzling.”

A handful of my coworkers begin migrating in our course. Given the useless zone that’s our foyer after lunch, it’s prime gossip hour. And it seems to be like I’m the subject of alternative right this moment.

“Maintain that thought,” I inform Shana, attempting to play it cool. “I’ll be proper again.” I snag my cellphone and haul ass to the women room, locking myself in a stall earlier than swiping to open the messages from Evie.

It’s Cooper’s web site all proper, plus photographs of a number of of his accounts on social media. Apparently, any person reported a narrative about Cooper and Drew and me—there’s a photograph of the three of us from the opening gala. I look fats as hell, however the guys look wonderful. I don’t keep in mind there being photographers round at that time, however whoever took the image undoubtedly captured the air of intimacy between us. I do keep in mind the way it felt standing there with them that evening, lengthy earlier than something occurred between us. It’s staring me within the face, on the market on the web for all to see.

In response to the screenshots, Cooper’s been posting about this for hours and his technique is obvious: deny, deny, deny.

I don’t perceive. Clearly any person’s spreading gossip on function; that half I get. I didn’t actually anticipate to get via a TV present competitors with out some type of drama or publicity of some form, although it’s all been small potatoes to date. However I didn’t win, and the finale hasn’t even aired but, and no one knew my title on the gala. There’s no motive to care, for anyone. Why carry up this shit now?

Cooper’s cellphone goes straight to voicemail. I maintain it easy, asking him to name me again when he can. I think about this have to be one thing like harm management for him, attempting to maintain a lid on his status.

Nothing to fret about. That’s all it’s, harm management. He’s not avoiding you.

I textual content Drew as a substitute of calling, realizing he’ll be on the studio right this moment. I ponder in the event that they’ve already heard. I hope to God this doesn’t trigger extra issues for him. Exonerated or not, he doesn’t want any extra adverse consideration at work.

I’m nearly to gird my loins for coping with my coworkers when my cellphone buzzes with an incoming name. I reply instantly, pondering it have to be Cooper.

“Hey,” I say, somewhat breathless with reduction.

“Bailey Annette Ross,” says my mom. “What’s the that means of this?”

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