Epilogue
“Troy, Brian. Thank you so much for being here today. It’s such an honor.” Anne-Louise Slater smiled beatifically. Not a single tawny hair was out of place, and her lips gleamed dark red.
“Thank you for having us. It’s a pleasure to be here,” Troy replied.
Brian smiled and didn’t say anything. Troy was much better at dealing with the media and sitting there patiently before the cameras rolled as young women powdered their faces, combed their hair, and fiddled with the collars of their buttoned shirts.
Troy was in dark jeans and Brian khaki slacks. Brian had to remind himself not to cross and re-cross his leg anxiously. He folded his hands on his knee in what he hoped was a casual pose.
Brian certainly wouldn’t call the interview a pleasure—more like a necessary evil.
They were in a television studio in LA that had been soft lit with an indistinct background.
The network had agreed to their list of no-go topics, including Wisconsin, Paula, flying in general, and Troy and Brian’s sex life.
Anne-Louise beamed. “You’ve been together four years now. This unlikely romance certainly took everyone by surprise.”
“Including us,” Troy replied with a smile. He pushed back a stray curl.
“A lot of people said it wouldn’t last, but here you are.” She raised a perfectly penciled eyebrow. “Do we hear wedding bells in your future?”
Brian’s laugh was genuine, and he relaxed a few fractions. “You’ve clearly been talking to Troy’s mother. We don’t have any plans at the moment since we’re honestly too busy. But let’s just say it’s on our radar.”
“Ah, intriguing. Troy, we’ve heard from you before about what it was like being stranded on the island. Brian, this is actually your very first interview. Did you have anything you wanted to share about that experience?”
“I think Troy’s said it all.”
“What did you think of him when you met?”
Brian hesitated, thinking of the answer he’d practiced. It was the truth, which made it easier to remember. “That he was surprisingly down to earth. A hard worker. I figured of all the people I could have landed with on that island, I was lucky it was Troy. Now I know just how lucky I was.”
“Troy, after you finished Next Up’s world tour—which became a farewell tour for the group—you and Brian pulled up stakes and moved to North Carolina. Was it just Brian’s new job that brought you there, or were you feeling restless here in LA?”
“Yeah, I think it was both. I was…” Troy paused for a moment. “I was ready for a new challenge, artistically. Ready to expand my horizons.”
Anne-Louise picked up a CD. “You certainly have. Your new album, From Golden Sands to the Top of the World, sold two hundred and fifty thousand digital copies its first week. It’s a real departure for you—very mature, folk-influenced, guitar-driven songs that you’ve called ‘deeply personal.’ How rewarding has it been to have this music embraced by the public and critics alike? ”
Troy shook his head with a bashful grin. “It’s been incredible. Brian encouraged me to spread my wings, and this journey has been so rewarding. And it’s not over yet. I’m very excited to start working on my next album.”
Anne-Louise said, “Brian, your proud smile says it all.”
He hadn’t actually realized he was smiling at Troy, and Brian turned his head back to focus on Anne-Louise. “Yes, I’m very proud.” Obviously. God, I hate interviews.
“And you’re enjoying your work as an instructor at the new state-of-the-art pilot training center in Asheville?”
“Very much.” She was still looking at him expectantly, so Brian added, “Flight simulators have never been this realistic. It’s like being up in the air, but I can stay close to home.”
“And your home is in the Smoky Mountains above Asheville? Troy, this is what you refer to as ‘Top of the World,’ isn’t it?”
Troy nodded with a smile. “Yes, it’s our little nickname for our cabin. We have a hot tub on the deck, and the view is breathtaking. Some days, it’s like being in the clouds.”
“Sounds like life couldn’t be much more perfect for the two of you. Troy, you’re nominated for five Grammy awards this weekend, including album of the year. Are you nervous for Sunday?”
“I am, but it honestly is such an honor just to be nominated.” He shook his head. “I know, I know, everyone says that. But the reception this album has received has been beyond my wildest dreams.”
“You performed a duet on one of the tracks with your brother Tyson.” Anne-Louise put on her serious face.
“I think our hearts all broke for him when you went missing and were presumed dead, and it’s wonderful to see him healthy and working on his own solo album.
” She lifted an eyebrow. “You also sang a song with your ex-girlfriend, Savannah Jones, which surprised many people.”
Troy shrugged. “We’ve remained friends, so I’m not sure why it’s such a shock. It was great spending time with her in the studio. As you know, she’s incredibly talented, and I hope I can work with her again.”
Anne-Louise didn’t relent. “Well, I think after you left her for a man, it must have been quite a blow for her. She did seem rather heartbroken.”
Here we go. Brian wanted to tell Anne-Louise Slater to mind her own damn business and stop digging for dirt, but he simply re-crossed his legs and kept a placid almost-smile on his face. Troy could handle it.
“Like I said, we’ve stayed friends,” Troy said.
Anne-Louise smiled when it was clear Troy wasn’t going to give her anything else. “That’s so…refreshing. It’s like you’re rewriting all the rules. Neither of you had been involved with a man before you met, yet here you are, going strong all these years later. Does that surprise you, Brian?”
They glanced at each other, and Brian shook his head. “No, it doesn’t surprise me. Everyone makes a big deal of gender, but love is love. Troy’s the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. We make a great team, and we make each other happy. It’s simple, really.”
Anne-Louise smiled again. “Well, when you put it like that, I suppose it is.”
After a few more questions about the Grammys and Troy’s scheduled performance with Tyson, the interview was blessedly over.
Brian tapped his foot while an assistant unclipped his mic, and then there were hands to shake and nods and smiles.
When they were alone in the back of a limo being shepherded back to Bea’s house, Brian exhaled.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Troy grinned. “I know, you hated it. I don’t love it either, but Lara compromised on a lot.”
“It was…acceptable. You’d better win at least one Grammy for all this media stuff we’re doing,” he grumbled before kissing Troy playfully.
“I’ll do my very best,” Troy replied solemnly.
“You know I really am so fucking proud of you.”
Troy blinked, his face softening. “I know. The feeling’s mutual.”
They shared a long, slow kiss.
Sighing, Troy leaned their heads together and rubbed his hand over Brian’s thigh. “Just think, this time next week we’ll be home. In our hot tub. How does that sound?”
“Okay, I guess. If you like that sort of thing.”
Laughing, they kissed again, and Troy nuzzled Brian’s cheek. “So you’re okay?”
“Better than.”
With Troy, he was flying.