Chapter 27 Xavier
“I swear to all that is fucking holy, Jess, if you don’t stop laughing at me, I’ll never speak to you again!” I yell at my best friend over the phone.
“I can’t help it, Xav. You are acting like you are either going to your own wedding or your funeral. It’s a charity gala. All you have to do is put on your tux, show up, eat, maybe dance a little with your man, and then leave. It’s not like you are the keynote speaker or anything.”
“No, but I’m going as Declan’s date. It’s basically his coming-out gala.”
“You know I hate that term.”
“Well, I’m sorry that not all of us had it as easy as you did. You basically showed up to dinner with your girlfriend, and your dad was like, ‘That’s nice. Could you pass the potatoes?”
“My parents are awesome, aren’t they?”
“Yes, they are, but not everyone has that.”
“Declan’s family accepts and supports you two. Are you really worried about what complete strangers are going to say?”
“It’s the mob of people. What happens when Declan realizes I’m not worth the trouble? Will being with me be too much hassle for him or his family?”
I am so focused on my freak-out that I don’t notice Declan standing behind me.
“Hang up.”
I yelp. “Fuck, Dec, make some noise, would you?”
“I said, hang up the phone. Say goodbye to Jess.”
“I have to go, Jess. I’ll talk to you later.”
“I hope he talks some sense into you. Bye.”
She ends the call.
“Declan,” I start to explain, but he doesn’t give me a chance.
“Stop. You and I are together. Fuck anyone else and their opinion.” He steps closer to me. “I don’t give a fuck if they like it or not. You are mine, and tonight the world will know it.” Another step. “No matter what, I’m never letting you go. Do you understand?”
His next step erases the space between us. The kiss is hot and demanding.
“I asked you a question.”
“I understand.”
“Good. Now let’s get ready. We need to be out of here in an hour.” I guess I’m going to the gala on the arm of a billionaire heir. I pray that he still feels the same when this is all over.
We arrive at the venue in a limo. There is no red carpet, but the steps are lined with photographers and journalists. Declan holds my hand through it all. Questions are thrown at us from all sides. Declan ignores them until we reach the top. He stops me and kisses me for all the world to see.
The ballroom in the hall is huge. It’s decorated but not overly so. When you see these kinds of things on TV or online, it’s opulence to the max, but this is more demure. The theme of the gala is Greek mythology.
“Hello, Xavier, I’m so glad you’re here.” Alessia wraps her arms around me. “So what do you think?”
“Um, it’s nice.”
“Not what you were expecting?”
“To be honest, no, it’s not. I thought there would be more, umm, fluff.”
“I would rather spend money where it’s needed, with the center and foundation.
I get complaints from all these stuffy people about it all the time.
They can suck it up and remember why we are here in the first place.
” She lowers her voice conspiratorially.
“They forget that not everyone is as fortunate as we are.”
“I’m sorry to say that I haven’t researched too much about the foundation. Is it just for abused women and children?”
“We never turn anyone away. But yes, that’s the main purpose.”
“It’s a great cause. I wish someone would start one of these types of foundations for the queer community.”
“Why is that?”
“There are thousands of queer teens who get kicked out or abused just because they are gay. When I was in college, I volunteered with a youth group that tried to help. I’m sorry to say that I didn’t keep it up after I graduated.”
“That does seem necessary. Let me look into it and see what the foundation can do.” I smile at her because I know she will do exactly that. “I’m going to mingle, enjoy your evening, and I’ll see you when dinner starts.” She takes Kieran’s arm and joins the crowd of people.
“Hello, Xavy, good to see you again.” The cousin that I remember is named Conor, says to me. Declan puts his arm over my shoulder as soon as the four cousins walk up to us.
“Hello. It’s Conor, right?”
“Yep, that’s me.”
“I’m supposed to tell you sorry for getting you evicted. Declan wouldn’t let me come back to the apartment to do it before now.” A very bored-looking Ronan says. I’m not sure what to say to him. After my talks with Alessia, I understand things better, but it still stings that he did it.
“I also told you not to bother him.”
“Mom says apologize, so I apologize. Simple as that. Any problem you have with it, take it up with her,” Ronan says, as he walks away.
“Anyway, how’s it going living with Declan?” Ronan’s twin asks. I can’t tell them apart. If Ronan hadn’t spoken to me first, I still wouldn’t know this is Liam.
“It’s great.” I’m not really good with small talk in the first place, but add in my nerves, and I absolutely suck at it.
“Do you want something to drink?” Declan asks me.
“Yes, please. Can we go to the bar together?” He nods and steers me to the bar.
As we wait for our drinks, several people, mostly women, make a point of stopping to say hi to Declan.
He is courteous, but I can tell he is not interested in small talk with any of them.
At no time during this does he stop touching me.
He holds my hand, has his arm around my waist or shoulders, and I can see that it does not go unnoticed.
No one outright says anything to Declan, but I get the sneers and funny looks.
Declan and Jess are right, what the fuck do I care what these people think?
“Declan, it’s so good to see you again.” The young woman holds out her hand to Declan. She holds it like she’s the queen of England. Declan ignores it. She plays it off. “I thought you were going to call me after we saw each other last.” She purrs.
“Why?” Declan asks.
“You remember we had a wonderful time together. I thought we could see where it goes.”
“No. I would introduce you to my boyfriend, Xavier, but I don’t remember your name.”
“What?” She sputters. “Your boyfriend?” She looks at me with a grimace on her face like she just smelled the worst thing ever. “You can’t be serious.” Disdain is dripping from her words.
“I very much am. Now, if you will excuse us.” Declan takes my hand and leads me to the table where his family is congregating.
“Who was that?” I ask just to see what he will say.
“I honestly don’t remember. I probably fucked her at some point.
” He sees the expression on my face, and I wait to see if he can figure it out.
I’m not mad, maybe a little jealous, but not mad.
He has been honest with me about his past. I don’t like it, but there is nothing I can do to change it. He brings me tight against his chest.
“You are the one that I’m with and can never forget.
No one meant anything before you.” He kisses me gently on the lips.
I have come to understand that even though he is not good at the emotional side of things, he makes up for it by showing me he cares.
Through touch, feeding me, caring for me, he shows me that I’m his.
Dinner takes forever. It’s five courses of a “Taste of Greece”.
The food itself is wonderful. I’ve never had Greek food, so Declan explains each dish to me.
I love to hear him talk, no matter what he is saying.
I am amazed by how much he knows about Greek culture.
He tells me that he and his cousins spent a summer there.
“It sounds wonderful. I’ve never been outside of the U.S. I got my passport when I was in college with this big dream to travel, but I haven’t had the chance to.” I tell him.
“Maybe one day I’ll take you there or anywhere you want to go.”
“Maybe.” I smile at him.
Speeches are given during dinner, so the auction can start when dessert is being served. The auctioneer describes the spa packages, jewelry, and art, and then identifies the generous person, family, or business that donated them.
“Next up, we have an all-expenses-paid three-week vacation to Greece for two. This includes first-class airfare, a luxury hotel, and car service. Murphy Enterprises has donated this. Do I have a starting bid of six thousand?” A paddle toward the back of the room goes up.
“I have six, do I hear seven?” Another paddle.
I find myself getting excited for those who are bidding.
As soon as he asks for another bid, I scan the room to see who is raising their paddle.
The current bid is at eighteen thousand.
I look around the room, but I don’t see who made the bid. I wait for the next. No one raises it.
“Eighteen thousand going once, going twice, gone to Declan Murphy.” I spin around so fast that I almost knock my wine over.
“You won!”
“I did. I can’t wait to take you.”
“Me?”
“Who else would I take, A Ghrá?” I can’t help it, I lean in and kiss him.
The auction concludes, and the tables are moved to make room for a dance floor.
Unlike the club Perfection, the dances are waltzes, with a foxtrot or two thrown in.
Again, several women approach Declan to ask for a dance, but he turns them all down.
He does, however, dance with me several times and once with Alessia.
I dance with her as well. I’m more than a little thankful for all of the dance classes that Jess dragged me to just for the hell of it.
By the end of the night, I am exhausted.
“You ready to go home?”
“Absolutely. I’ll probably fall asleep in the car on the way.”
“You’re that tired?”
“Yeah, I didn’t sleep well last night because of my nerves, and it is after midnight.” I yawn.
Declan grips my waist and kisses my neck. “Too bad I kinda had plans for you.”
“Depending on the plans, I may be able to find the energy.” I smile at him. I can’t remember a time since my dad’s and sister’s death that I’ve ever been this happy.
I do, in fact, find the energy when we get home.