Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“What do you say to those who refuse to buy your album because of this?” Sean asks.
A growl comes from behind me. It’s small, but I hear it. The mics probably pick up on it too, but Harley cuts off Mason’s crabby response.
“I’m more interested in those who will pick it up because of it. There are so many young kids, teens, and even adults who struggle to come to terms with their sexuality. We wanted to do this so people out there can see they’re not alone in this world. This isn’t even so much about coming out in order to be happy because I’ve been very happy the past ten years. Sometimes closet doors hold you back, but sometimes they keep you safe.” Harley looks right into the camera now. “So I want anyone watching this who feels like it’s not safe to come out to know that you don’t have to. You do what you need to do to be safe. But when you’re ready, just know, you won’t be alone.” He turns back to Sean. “That’s the message we want to send out into the world.”
“And it’s a wonderful message,” Sean says and then smiles at the camera. “When we come back, the guys talk about their upcoming tour.”
The crowd applauds, and the lights dim.
We did it.
We actually fucking did it.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Jordan
Okay, so I’ve lived the life of a working actor for a few years now. I have a manager, an agent, and an assistant. I have no fucking idea how Blake does everything without at least an assistant to get him by.
After the interview, things only speed up, and it’s been enlightening to watch.
When Blake throws himself into a project, he’s all in, and the guys hit the interview circuit after baring their souls on national TV.
I’ve had a few meetings with studio execs, one of whom wants to develop a project to collaborate on after the tour.
The tour is only four months national, two months overseas, and minimal venues, and even though they were expecting a huge drop in ticket sales, some shows sold out within days of tickets being live. Most are at least eighty percent sold. They’re definitely not the numbers Eleven is used to, having had sold-out nine-month-long tours previously, but I get the impression Harley was expecting an even bigger hit than they’ve taken. When Harley mentioned adding shows to the cities that were sold out, the four others glared at him. He threw up his hands and said, “Okay, I got it. No overworking us like the other label did. I just thought I’d ask.”
I understand where both sides are coming from. Watching from the sidelines is exhausting enough, but it’s hard disappointing fans.
I told Blake if he wants to extend the tour, he can, but I’ve only allowed myself six months. Then I’ll be back in LA working toward my new goals. Goals I never knew I wanted until I met Blake.
The idea of directing and stepping behind the camera appeals to me more than I ever thought it would. I always wanted to be an actor, but there’s something to be said about stepping back and getting the recognition without the overabundance of attention.
I can’t wait to start the next chapter in my life, and I’d love to do another project with Blake. Until then, I’m playing groupie to a boy band and following Eleven around the world.
And even though they warned me how crazy tours can get, no matter how much I thought I was prepared, it is nothing like the real deal.
From the sidelines, I get an amazing view between what the guys see onstage and how the audience reacts to them.
They only had a few weeks to rehearse after finishing off their album, but you wouldn’t know it. They move in sync, their harmonies are still the best harmonies that have ever hit my ears—even if I’m tone-deaf—and you can tell by watching them that they’re a team.
Lyric is their opening act, and it’s amazing to see his latest single hitting the Billboard charts because of the exposure he’s getting. Concert video of Ryder joining Lyric onstage for a duet has gone viral. Ryder’s kid and her mother are still heavily surrounded by bodyguards, which Ryder hates, but it looks like it will be necessary for the foreseeable future.
Because Eleven are back. They’re breaking down barriers and becoming queer icons around the entire world.
I’ve never felt prouder of another person before. I could watch Blake perform all day. He really is the quietly charming one of the group, and he plays it up so well. Every now and then, during a show, he’ll turn to where I’m standing offstage, and my heart tries to explode.
Lyric is usually at my side, still riding high from his own performance, and Brix is too mostly, though he disappears intermittently to check with his security team.