Page 42

Skyler James made headlines two weeks ago (certainly not for the first time) when he announced to the world that he’s gay. But come on, was it really that much of a shock? The pop/rock singer’s sexuality has been questioned for years, and personally, I think anyone with a set of eyes could see the truth. While his coming out publicly is only confirming what most of us already knew, perhaps the real news here is the fact that he actually had the guts to do it. We all know the unfortunate backlash that still comes from celebrities outing themselves, depending on their industry. But James has always appeared comfortable being entirely himself, and it seems like this reveal of his sexuality can only help take his career to a higher level.

Except now the question is…Where is he?For the past six months we’ve seen his face everywhere. Sure, he was doing a world tour. But how could he end his tour, drop this bomb on us, and then disappear? After his appearance onMidnight Mania, he hasn’t given any other interviews, and even his social media has gone silent. Fans are awaiting James’ next move, and they’re wondering if he’s okay. They’ve shown their support for him all over the internet but haven’t gotten anything in return. It looks like Skyler James could be poised to become this generation’s biggest gay icon—if only he wasn’t too scared to show up to his own coming out party.

COMMENTS

HeartbreakandhoneyOk I’m sorry but this article is super rude. Please don’t frame it like his fans think he owes us anything. We just want to keep supporting him and we understand if he needs some time.

TaliaJamesBlueHe hasn’t been seen because he’s with Trevor obviously!

JohnM4667No he’s not. What would make you think that?

TaliaJamesBlueHe finally confessed his love for him on national TV. Duh!

JohnM4667He said he was in love with the guy years ago. That doesn’t mean anything.

TaliaJamesBlueIt was a grand freaking gesture on Skyler’s part, and if I were Trevor, I’d be running back to him!

JohnM4667But he didn’t confirm if they were ever actually together.

TaliaJamesBlueI could give you so much evidence to prove they were, but I won’t waste my time on NONBELIEVERS.

JohnM4667Oh god, you’re one of those, aren’t you? You Blue Skies shippers are crazy! LET IT GO.

HeartbreakandhoneyHey I never believed in that stuff before, but now that we know Skyler’s gay, I’m starting to wonder. If you watch the old interviews and concert footage it does sort of look like they’re in love.

JohnM4667I can see why people might think that. But you can’t convince me they’re still together now when they haven’t been seen together in five years.

HeartbreakandhoneyI don’t think they are either. If they were together before, I’m guessing they broke up a long time ago based on the themes in a lot of their solo material.

BlueSkies4evaaaThey’re married!!! Of course they’re still together!

HeartbreakandhoneyOk you lost me with that one. *shakes head*

JohnM4667Like I said, you people are nuts.

User3245Who cares if another liberal entertainer is gay? Try reporting some real news.

Chapter Nine

Now

TREVOR

TREVOR INSISTED HE’D BEresponsible for dinner this time, so he arrives at Skyler’s place loaded up with two enormous bags of Chinese food. He feels a rush of importance as he pulls up to the security gate and punches in the code Skyler gave him to let himself in. Like he belongs here.

He knows this is weird. That the two of them being friends after everything more they’ve had between them should be impossible. But Skyler makes it seem easy, and his ease helps put Trevor at ease. And it feels so damn good being back in Skyler’s life, getting the privilege of knowing him again. He can’t walk away from this.

When he parks in front of the house, he awkwardly maneuvers himself and the paper bags out of the car and then manages to adjust his grip on one of them so he can knock on the door. It only takes Skyler a moment to pull it open, but he’s got his phone pressed to his ear. He offers Trevor a tiny wave and ushers him inside before holding up a finger to indicate he needs a minute.

As soon as Trevor steps over the threshold, Skyler uses his free arm to take one of the bags from him and heads toward the kitchen while he mutters noises of assent into the phone. Trevor follows him with the remaining bag, allowing himself a few moments to check him out, taking advantage of the fact that Skyler’s back is to him.

His legs look great in his typical black skinny jeans, and he’s wearing a loose-fitting, low-cut pastel yellow tank top. The moment Skyler opened the door, Trevor noticed how it scoops low over his chest, exposing a smattering of smalltattoos. He recognizes some of them, but not all. And that stings in a way it probably has no right to. But it sucks, realizing he doesn’t know what all of Skyler’s tattoos mean anymore.

There was a time when he knew about every single one. Heck, he was right there beside Skyler for most of them, ready to take his turn under the needle next for a corresponding one. But that was a long time ago—when most of their tattoos were for each other. And while his fingers now itch to pull off Skyler’s top and map out every new bit of ink against his creamy skin until he has it all memorized, he knows he can’t.

When they get to the kitchen, Skyler carefully sets the first bag on the island and then reaches to take the other from Trevor, setting it down as well. He sounds frustrated when he says into his phone, “Yeah, I know. That’s fine, I’ll put something together.”

It’s only his second time here, but Trevor surprises himself by being comfortable enough to go to a cabinet for a glass and fill it with water from the panel on the front of the fridge. Or maybe he’s just more comfortable doing that than risking looking at Skyler’s chest again. He offers the glass to Skyler, who steps closer to accept it, then he grabs another and pours a water for himself.