#Rev (GearShark #2)(90)

I didn’t make a sarcastic comment because he was being real, and I knew he was thinking of his brother and the fact that he had two guys in his life who were making their relationship work despite the reasons not to.

I held out my fist. “Thanks.” We pounded it out, and then he walked off.

Drew gave me a look. “Was that so hard?”

“What?” I scoffed.

“Being nice.”

“Did I tell you that photographer offered me a modelling gig? For boxers?”

“Fuck you, frat boy,” Drew said fondly.

I laughed.

“C’mon. Emily’s waiting.” He tugged my hand, and we walked across the pavement, our hands still stuck together. I liked being with him like this.

“By the way, you aren’t doing that shit,” Drew said nonchalantly.

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” I promised, still reveling in the feel of his fingers tangled with mine.

The interview with Emily went well. We talked for what felt like a long time. She asked questions; I answered them.

Sometimes Drew butted in, but mostly he just listened. Every now and then, I’d say something and look at him to make sure he agreed or that what I said was okay.

He never once looked like the interview was difficult for him. If anything, he looked proud of me.

I’d be lying if I said that didn’t mean something.

We were breaking down walls, Drew and I. Not necessarily out in the world (but maybe we would), but with each other. We’d come a long way, and through it all, we still stayed friends. Best friends.

“Hey, so, Trent,” Emily said, approaching after we wrapped everything.

“Yeah?”

“It’s a little unorthodox, but I was wondering…” I nodded, so she went on. “I usually write like an intro into my interviews… You know, like the one I wrote when I interviewed Drew?”

Again, I nodded. I read the article. Hell, I bought about twenty copies of the magazine.

“I was wondering if you wanted to write the intro this time? Like, you know, as another way of saying everything you want to. The interview will be great regardless, but I feel like having you start it off would have more of an impact for the readers.”

“What do you want me to write?” I asked.

“Whatever you want to say.”

I nodded. “Sure, I’ll give it a go. If you don’t like it, you can scrap it and write the intro.”

She laughed. “Awesome. Thanks.” She reached in her bag and pulled out a card. “Here’s my email. Just send the copy over when you have it done. I’ll have it edited for errors and add it to my interview and then send the final draft to you.”

I added her card to the one already in my pocket.

Once the GearShark crew packed up and headed out, we shot the shit with Arrow and Lorhaven for a while and did a little friendly racing around the strip. It was good times.

We hadn’t spent enough time just f*cking around (not the sexual kind of f*cking) lately, so after we left the airstrip, we worked on the cars, then watched a movie.

Finally, it seemed like shit was settling down. We weren’t weighed down with the worry of telling people or hiding. We weren’t stressed and looking over our shoulders. We were back to being what we always were: best friends.

Except now it was better.





Drew

Emily emailed the draft of the GearShark article. She also sent the cover. Trent was on it.

Without a shirt.

Frankly, I was equal parts turned on and appalled.

The article itself turned out pretty good. Better than good because Trent was the majority of it.

I didn’t know if it was going to make a difference in someone’s life, but looking at it now…

It made a difference in mine.





It wasn’t that long ago when I sat down with Drew Forrester for his first official interview and the first official announcement of the brand new racing division spotlighting indie drivers on a track where there are no rules.

That article and cover has been the most read and searched issue GearShark has released this year. I didn’t think anything could top that issue… until now.

It seems only appropriate the magazine is essentially topping itself. I guess the only way Drew Forrester gets knocked out of the top spot is when he does it to himself. I’d say that bodes for some interesting driving during the fast-approaching debut season of the yet-to-be-officially-named indie division.

But Drew isn’t here by himself today. In fact, Drew isn’t the feature of today’s article. The person who loves him is here with him.

You might be surprised to know that person is another man.

Trent Mask was here with Drew the last time we met. Not only are Trent and Drew friends, but Trent is Drew’s manager. I picked up on the dynamic and somewhat multifaceted relationship between these two almost instantly.

When I asked about it (off the record), I was met with something that couldn’t quite be defined as hostility. It was more shock, denial, and a high degree of protectiveness for one another.

Looking back, I can understand why I got the reaction I did. Which is also why today’s article is even more special.

To say I was surprised when I got a phone call from Drew would be an understatement. When he asked if I was interested in an article that maybe focused more behind the scenes of the new division, along with a personal touch, I was intrigued.