by Jake Biondi
As guests once again clapped in support of the announcement, Emmett took the microphone and added, “We thank you for your support and now invite you to enjoy the special dinner that our executive chef has created for you. Enjoy!”
After dinner, guests circulated throughout the restaurant as well as the night club. Nick DiCristina staged his dancers on the boxes strategically situated throughout the club and Jensen changed into his Carnivale costume before hopping onto the large dance box at the front of the venue.
At the foot of the stage, Emmett and David spoke with Steve Grand, the musical guest for the evening.
“It’s great to see you again,” Emmett said, hugging Steve.
“Thanks for having me back,” Steve replied. “The place looks amazing.”
“Emmett has given me the pleasure of introducing you tonight,” David said.
Emmett smiled. “Well, he is your biggest fan.”
“That I am,” David admitted.
“Aww, thanks,” Steve said. “You guys always treat me so well. This is really an exciting night.”
“Anything you need before we get started?” Emmett asked.
Steve shook his head. “I think I’m all set.”
“Okay,” David replied. “Here we go.”
David ascended the steps to the stage. The music died down and a spotlight came up on David.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we’d like to once again welcome you to The Boys and the Booze. Tonight, we are honored and grateful to have our dear friend, the one and only Steve Grand with us to celebrate this phenomenal evening. Steve has performed all over the world, but we hope The Boys and the Booze will become a regular spot for him in the future. Please put your hands together and join me in welcoming Mr. Steve Grand.”
The crowd exploded with applause and cheers as Steve hopped onto the stage and began to sing. David stood next to Steve for a few moments and then walked down the stairs to where Emmett was standing.
“You’re blushing,” Emmett joked.
“Well, duh,” David replied. “Have you seen how hot he is?”
“Chadwick’s more my type. Besides, you can hold your own next to Steve, believe me.”
David laughed. “Not so much, but thanks. Excuse me, I have to find Michael.”
As Steve continued his song, David found Michael talking with his brother and Joyelle. He put his arm around Michael and said, “I’m sure you don’t mind if I steal Michael away for a moment.”
Before either Mateo or Joyelle could reply, David escorted Michael from the dance floor to the restaurant area, which was much quieter.
“What’s up?” Michael asked.
“Call me Cupid,” David said with a smile. “Stay here for one second.”
David left Michael alone for just a moment and returned with Keith on his arm.
“Now,” David began, “it’s about time that you two had a talk.”
“David, I--”
David interrupted Michael. “You’re my date tonight and if I’m willing to give up my time with you so that you can have a talk with someone you love, then you have to oblige.”
Keith tried to speak, “David, that’s okay but--”
“I’ve left the two of you on your own about this for far too long,” David said. “Tonight neither of you is going anywhere until you talk.” David hugged Keith and then Michael. “I’ll leave you two alone, but I’ll be right over there if you need me.”
David stepped away, leaving Michael and Keith awkwardly staring at each other in silence.
“I had nothing to do with this,” Keith said.
Michael smiled. “I know, Stormy. David’s been pressuring me to talk to you for a while now.”
“Then maybe we should at least make the attempt?”
“Guess so,” Michael agreed. “Why don’t I start? I love you.”
While Michael and Keith talked, Steve finished a song in the club. Guests paused from dancing and singing to applaud for him. Then he addressed them.
“Thank you very much. Are you having fun?”
The crowd replied with cheers and applause.
“Well, before I start my next song, I understand we have yet another exciting announcement to share.” Steve looked to his right as Derek stepped onto the platform. Steve handed him the microphone and he took center stage.
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to sing,” Derek joked as he held his hand up to his forehead to block out some of the bright lights. “I’m looking for Cole. He needs to join me up here on stage for a moment.”
“I found him,” Jensen yelled out as he led Cole by the hand across the dance floor and up onto the stage.
Blushing, Cole asked, “Should I be scared?”
Jensen returned to the dance floor and stood beside Hugo.
Derek smiled. “Not at all.” Derek took Cole’s hand as Gino, Justin, Jesse, Logan, and David worked their way to the front of the dance floor for a closer view.
Standing next to Emmett at the far end of the room, Max leaned over and asked, “Do you have any idea what’s going on?”
“Yes,” Emmett stated. “Just wait. It’s all good.”
Derek continued. “I’m not great speaking in front of crowds, so please bear with me. As most of you know, Cole and I met a while ago, long before he was the famous face of the Cio clothing line.”
Rob headed toward the stage to get a closer look at Cole while Hank watched Cole from the side of the stage.
“From the moment he walked into my life, he changed it forever…for the better. Initially, I was too stubborn to realize what a special man he is. I’m sure none of you is really shocked to hear that; stubbornness is one of my better qualities, right?”
Some guests laughed.
Mateo’s arm wrapped tightly around Joyelle, they watched the stage from the edge of the dance floor.
“Eventually, I came around. I’m slow sometimes,” Derek said. “Cole and I have been through a lot together. He even saved my life by literally taking a bullet for me. He could have been killed and then I would have lost out on building a life with one of the most incredible people I have ever known. I’ll never, ever be able to pay Cole back for saving me -- or make him understand how special he is to me -- but I intend to spend the rest of my life trying.”
As Derek knelt on one knee, noticeable gasps could be heard throughout the room. Emmett smiled widely, Jensen held Hugo’s hand, Logan put his head on Jesse’s shoulder, and Gino put his arm around Justin. Patrick looked at Emmett through the crowd and Emmett smiled in acknowledgment.
Cole’s eyes widened as Derek reached into his tuxedo pocket and pulled out the ring.
“Cole O’Brien, you are the most handsome, most heroic, most understanding, most intriguing man that I have ever known. You inspire and challenge me to be a better person -- and see the best in me even when I can’t see it for myself. I certainly don’t deserve you but I am so grateful that fate brought us together. And so I am wondering if you would do me the honor of spending the rest of your life with me as my husband?”
Smiling widely, Cole put his hands into Derek’s and helped him stand up. “Let me see that ring first,” he joked. Then he hugged Derek tightly. “I have loved you from the moment I met you.”
“Then say ‘yes,’ bro,” Jesse said loudly, causing some guests to laugh softly.
“Yes, yes, yes,” Cole told Derek, kissing him in front of the entire crowd.
The guests cheered and clapped as Derek put the ring onto Cole’s finger. Then Cole grabbed Derek’s hand, held it tightly, and raised it high over their heads in a cheering motion. The crowd burst into applause again as Derek and Cole hugged.
Steve stepped forward to congratulate each of them with his own hug.
After a moment, Cole and Derek hopped down from the stage where they were mauled with hugs from Jesse, Logan, Justin, Gino, David, Hugo, and Jensen. Emmett made his way through the crowd to join them as well.
“Wow,” Steve said to the crowd. “Could t
his evening get any hotter? How awesome was that? Congratulations Cole and Derek. I wish you all the very best.”
“How about a song in their honor?” David yelled up to Steve.
“I know the perfect one,” Steve replied as he began to sing for the crowd.
In the restaurant area, Michael and Keith continued their conversation, unaware of the proposal occurring in the club.
“On the night you came over, Emmett had arrived earlier. He was very upset and he didn’t know where else to turn. So he came to me for support.”
“That’s not all you gave him,” Michael added.
“That’s not fair.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Max cheated on him and he called off the wedding. He was understandably upset and confused,” Keith explained. “We talked and talked, about a lot of stuff. He forgave me for some things. Before we knew it, we fell right back into our old routine. It was as if we were still together. And one thing led to another.”
“I see.”
“I’m not going to apologize for it or say that I’m not happy it happened. But I am trying to explain it, because you are very important to me.”
“And where are things between the two of you now?”
“We’re friends for sure,” Keith said. “The rest is in limbo, I guess. He’s in no condition to make major decisions about his personal life. And I still love you.”
“So you love me but you slept with him?”
Keith sighed. “What do you want to me to say, that it didn’t happen? It was the right thing to do in the moment. Why were you there that night anyway?”
“I had come to tell you that I forgive you for not telling me about my father’s death,” Michael declared. “And to tell you that I’d like to give us another chance.”
“Do you still forgive me?”
Michael nodded. “I do. All that happened a long time ago. You were young and probably scared. I’m sure you were scared for me to find out the truth and worried about my reaction. And rightly so, since I responded just as you feared I would.”
“It was a lot for you to take in and process, I’m sure.”
“David’s helped me a lot. Talking things through with him has been good for me.”
“You two are very close.”
“We are, but not in the way your tone of voice is suggesting. We are best friends and nothing more.”
“You said you wanted to give us a second chance. Is that still the case?”
“I love you, Keith. Nothing will ever change that. But I can’t get back with you if I have to worry about your ex all the time.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about anyone,” Keith said. “My heart has been yours for a long time.”
“So what do we do?”
Keith laughed. “You’re the voice of reason in our relationship, remember?”
Michael smiled. “I guess you’re right. Well, how about this? Why don’t we spend some time together and see how it goes? In the meantime, you should probably talk with Emmett and decide what’s going on with you two.”
“Sounds like a plan to me,” Keith said. “It’s certainly a start.”
Michael hugged Keith. “I’ve missed you, Stormy. More than I care to admit.”
“I’ve missed you, too.”
“From the sound of all the applause and cheering in the club, it seems like we missed out on something.”
David walked over to the couple with a wide grin on his face.
“Well, it seems like your talk went well,” he said.
Michael hugged David. “Thank you.”
“Yes,” Keith added. “Thank you for making that happen for us. We owe you.”
David smiled. “You two belong together. Just like Cole and Derek.”
“What’s going on in there?”
“Derek just proposed to Cole. They’re getting married.”
“Holy shit,” Keith said. “You’re kidding.”
“Not at all,” David replied. “You should probably come on in there and join the party.”
As David led Keith and Michael back into the club area, Rachel searched the crowd for Mateo. She passed Camille, who grabbed her arm.
“Excuse me,” Camille told Rachel, “but shouldn’t you be out on the street corner where you belong?”
“Get out of my way,” Rachel sneered as she freed herself from Camille’s grip.
Not far from Rachel, Mateo walked with Joyelle toward the bar at the far end of the club space.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Of course,” Joyelle replied. “I’m really happy for them. Cole is a great guy and makes Derek happy. I wish them the best.”
Mateo looked at Joyelle, put his hand under her chin, and gently kissed her lips. “You’re a remarkable woman.”
Joyelle hugged Mateo. “I’m not so sure about that, but thank you.”
Spotting Mateo, Rachel worked her way through the crowd to him.
“What are you doing here?” Mateo asked her.
“I need to speak with you,” Rachel declared. “Privately.”
“It can wait.”
“No, Mateo, it can’t,” Rachel said. She looked at Joyelle and added, “And it’s private.”
“You’re interrupting our evening,” Mateo told her. “We can talk later.”
“No, no,” Joyelle said. “It’s okay. I need to get some fresh air anyway. I’ll step outside for a minute.”
“Are you okay?”
“Fine,” Joyelle said with a smile. “I’ll be back.” Joyelle kissed Mateo and walked away toward the door.
“What is this all about?” Mateo asked Rachel sternly.
“I have important news, exciting news.”
“What’s going on?” Hugo asked as he approached his father and Rachel. “I didn’t know you were invited.”
“I’m not sure she was,” Mateo stated.
Rachel smiled. “Hugo, it’s good to see you. You should probably be here for this as well.”
“What are you talking about?” Mateo asked. “Please make this quick.”
“I’ve just come from my doctor.”
“Nothing fatal, I hope,” Hugo mumbled.
Rachel grinned. “I’m pregnant. Mateo, you’re going to be a father again.”
Hugo looked at Rachel, then his father, before storming away into the crowd.
“Hugo, wait!” Mateo tried to stop his son, but Rachel grabbed his arm to prevent him.
“Is it wonderful news? Now we have to get married.”
As Rachel shared her news with Mateo, Joyelle stood outside the club on the red carpet. The search lights from the sidewalk and roof continued to illuminate the night sky. She took a few deep breaths of the cool, late-June evening, when she heard a soft voice nearby.
“How are you doing?”
Joyelle turned around to face Derek. “I’m okay,” she said, smiling. “Just getting some air.”
“I don’t blame you; there’s a lot going on in there.”
“Congratulations,” Joyelle said softly.
“I didn’t know how to tell you, Joy,” Derek said. “Maybe I should have told you first.”
Joyelle shook her head. “No. You did it the right way -- and it was perfect. Cole looked so surprised and so happy. He’s a great guy. I wish you both the very best; I hope you know that.”
“I do. And I hope you know how much I love and care about you. You’ll always hold a special place in my heart.”
Joyelle hugged him. “I love you, too.”
Derek looked down at Joyelle’s waist. “You’re going to be a phenomenal mother.”
“Thank you.”
“Joy, I don’t think I’ll ever totally get over the loss of our twins, but that little niece or nephew of mine that you’re carrying is going to be the luckiest baby in the world to have you for a mother.”
Joyelle’s eyes filled with tears.
“I’m sorry Tyler isn’t here to help you,” Derek said. “But I’m her
e for whatever you and that baby need...if you let me help. Cole and I are both here for you.”
“Thank you,” Joyelle said, wiping the tears from her eyes. “That means a lot.”
“I need to get back inside,” Derek said. “Do you want to come, too?”
“No, I think I’ll stay out here just a minute more. It’s a nice night.”
“Okay,” Derek said, kissing her on the cheek. “See you back inside.”
Derek went back inside the club and Joyelle looked up at the sky, unaware of Camille’s presence behind her.
“Poor Derek,” Camille said. “He thinks the baby is Tyler’s. They all do.”
Joyelle spun around to face Camille. “What are you talking about?”
Camille whispered, “I know.”
“Leave me alone.” Joyelle turned to go back inside, but Camille held her arm.
“Marco’s baby stands to inherit an empire when it comes into this world...like a little prince or princess.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Camille laughed. “Of course, you do, dear. But be very careful. You already lost twins. It would be a terrible shame if something happened to this child, too.”
“You bitch,” Joyelle said as she pulled her arm from Camille’s grip and walked back into the club.
Camille smiled as she turned to head back inside. “If you only knew...”
Heading back into the restaurant, Joyelle rushed right past Patrick who was saying good night to Emmett.
“I just wanted to thank you again for including me tonight,” Patrick said.
Emmett smiled. “My pleasure. I’m glad you came. And thank you for the beautiful painting. I love it.”
“I look forward to getting to know you better as we work on the youth center project together.”
“That’ll be great.”
Patrick hugged Emmett and held him for a moment. Then, as their embrace ended, Patrick leaned in and kissed Emmett. It began gently, but their lips lingered against each other and Patrick pulled Emmett closer to him.
Emmett leaned into Patrick, running his hands up Patrick’s arms and chest. He kissed Patrick deeply, savoring the feeling of being pressed up against Patrick’s hard body. Before the kiss became a spectacle, Emmett pulled back and ended it.
