ChapterTwentyFive:Secret Boyfriends

Thursday, April 5, 2006

Alex stared at himself in the mirror. He checked his face, seeing stubble appearing around his mouth. Another sign he was almost a grown man. A part of him had thought about sporting it, show his fans that he wasn't that kid from the Junior days. No, it was trendy for men to have clean-shaven faces. I wonder if Andrew would like this?

Alex didn't shake off the thought this time. No, he should. He practically stole Andrew from Alyson while cheating on Amanda! He wasn't sure what to do. He should probably call this off, but Andrew said he'll help him. How? Neither guy seemed to know except exchanging greedy kisses.

He knew UTurn were back in London for photoshoots with Connect8 for the tour. The booklets had been made a month ago that featured a UTurn section. These new photos were for the bands' MySpace pages and official websites.

Alex felt the smoothness of his face after shaving off the stubble. He looked like he was at a crossroads between being a teen and a twenty-something. He noticed his face was longer, almost no sight of his baby fat in his cheeks. His lips were fuller compared to a few years earlier.

He decided to check on the progress of his abs. They grew more defined with a six-pack beginning to appear. He put his shirt down, knowing it would be a long time before he could ever be allowed to show off his torso.

He continued to get ready for the day as his thoughts went toward Andrew.

                                                                                  >>>>>>>>>

UTurn and Connect8 entered the studio where the photoshoot was being held. Alex looked at Andrew, who was attached to Alyson's hip. He could hear their conversation of Andrew not liking wearing the harness for the entire tour. He watched Alyson rubbing Andrew's back as a way to comfort him.

Alex felt something burn in his heart and mind. Break up with your girlfriend, Andrew. Alex closed his eyes for a quick second. He was jealous. He wanted Andrew all to himself, make that guy scream his name out.

Alex glanced at Amanda, who looked up at him with a smile. Immediately, Alex felt guilt as he smiled back. He had a girlfriend; he already had someone. Do you really feel that way about her?

"You okay?" she asked, taking him out of his thoughts.

Alex replied, "Yeah, I am."

"You seem like something's bothering you."

Alex rubbed his head. "Yeah, I just have a lot on my mind, but I'll be fine."

He noticed Amanda was holding his hand, most likely as a way to help him feel better. He kind of did, but he could feel his heart yearning for someone he knew he couldn't have.

                                                                               >>>>>>>>>

Alex put on his thin, black bomber jacket. It was part of a tour outfit, the blond bad boy of Connect8. He studied his hair, wondering if the dye will do anything to his scalp. He hoped nothing, but he couldn't help but feel nervous. Luckily, his natural dark brown hair roots were beginning to appear, but for how long?

He glanced at Andrew, who was putting on the harness over his white buttoned shirt. He already knew how the American guy felt about wearing it. He wondered if Andrew was going to have to wear it during the tour. It looked uncomfortable.

He noticed most of the guys had walked out of the room except for Andrew, Derrick, and Jerrod. He didn't want to seem like he was flirting with Andrew. He just wanted to talk to him.

Alex walked up to Andrew, who was putting on his moto-style blazer. He asked Andrew, "How does the harness feel?"

He looked up, seemingly a bit confused. He said after blinking his eyes, "Oh, it fits okay. I'm just trying not to tighten it. I have to be able to move in it."

"Do you have to wear it during the tour?"

Andrew sighed as he rolled his eyes, "Yeah, unfortunately."

Alex bit his lip. He asked as he felt his face warming up, "Do you want me to loosen it up for you?"

Andrew moved his mouth, as if he was trying to stifle a smile. He said, "No, I'll be fine. I just have to get used to this thing."

Alex nodded his head, glancing at Derrick and Jerrod. His bandmate seemed surprised, while Derrick looked peeved. Alex felt his face warming up as he looked away.

Andrew chuckled as he grabbed his arm, "Let's get the photoshoot done, okay? I'll be fine, I promise."

Alex nodded as he kept biting his lip. He hoped neither Derrick nor Jerrod will ask any questions. The four guys walked out of the room, but Alex felt his shoulder being grabbed. He turned to see Derrick standing there with a glare.

Derrick asked, "What's going on with you and Andrew?"

Alex replied, "I was just talking to him."

Derrick stared at him, as if he didn't believe a word Alex was saying. They both walked up to their bands. First was UTurn doing their poses. They all gave their toothy grins, including Andrew. His smile looked like it came from a dream with teeth that he might have paid for instead of getting braces. After all, he had said his parents were lawyers. The smile was most likely made of money.

Soon it was his band's turn. Alex gave out his famous grin, the one that made all of Britain fall in love with him since he was fourteen. He knew his fans still loved his smile. Why not give them what they want?

He saw UTurn walk up to Connect8 as it was time for both bands to pose together. UTurn got on the floor with Andrew underneath him. Alex knew he needed to watch how he acted and talked around Andrew. He needed everyone to still think he was fully straight when Andrew knew the truth.

He slowly put his hand on Andrew's shoulder while keeping his grin. He didn't feel Andrew flinch or anything. It was like he accepted the gesture.

UTurn stood up next to Connect8. Alex asked Andrew, hoping he would know what he meant, "Was that okay?"

Andrew smiled, "Yeah, it was fine."

Alex could feel his grin getting bigger by the second. He noticed the same on Andrew's face. The two ended up laughing, feeling giddy with love. Or was it lust? Alex wasn't sure, but he didn't care.

"Well!" he heard Alyson saying, "you two seem to be getting along pretty well."

Andrew said, "Yeah, we're pretty good friends."

Alex smiled, though he felt somewhat heartbroken by those words. Then again, he had to remind himself that their relationship was a secret. Wait, was it a relationship? What was going on? He hoped Andrew would clarify the situation.

The moment the photographers said the shoot was done, Andrew asked him, "Can we talk? In private?"

Alex nodded his head. The two guys walked around, away from all the people, soon entering a quiet, empty room. Andrew closed the door, grabbed Alex's jacket, slammed him on the wall, and began kissing his lips with primal lust. Alex was shocked by this, but he didn't fight it. No, he embraced it as he gripped on Andrew's waist.

Andrew pulled away, looking at him with lust inside his blue eyes. He said seductively, "You look so sexy in this jacket."

Alex smiled as he felt his face warm up. "You think I look sexy?"

"You always do."

Andrew went back into his mouth, kissing him with lustful hunger. That was what it felt like to Alex. He deepened the kiss, but Andrew pulled away. Alex pouted.

Andrew said, "But we have to be careful. A couple of people are starting to catch on. I saw how Jerrod and Derrick looked at us. Even my Aly is starting to notice."

Alex sighed. "Right, you're with Alyson."

"And you're with Amanda."

Alex looked away, feeling guilt creeping inside of him. He didn't want to hurt everybody, but he wanted to be with Andrew. Maybe he was being selfish. Maybe he should just end whatever this relationship was.

Andrew said, "But it doesn't mean we can't see each other in private?"

Alex asked, "How? We're both surrounded by our own bands?"

The American guy looked away, seemingly trying to figure out what to do. They both knew this was risky, but it was clear neither guy was ready to end things just yet. Alex noticed Andrew giving a smirk. It seemed an idea came to him; and Alex was ready to hear it.