Chapter 27
DYLAN
N ow, Voyager was eerily quiet.
Instead of moping about missing Max, I focused on what needed to be done to turn the news story to my advantage.
Warren wrote a press release and, once I felt comfortable with the wording, it was sent to Max’s agent.
Warren arranged for the release to be picked up by several major news outlets, and he’d already booked interviews for me back in the US.
I was packing up my clothes, preparing to fly back to California when my phone rang.
Incoming call: D. Druitt
I was shocked as hell to see my sister’s name.
Darby and I were close but opposites in terms of temperament—me being the introverted dreamer and her the extroverted doer.
Darby loved hard and was fiercely protective of family.
She’d reached out to me regularly, but we hadn’t had a real conversation since I entered rehab the last time.
She had done nothing on her part—it was all me.
I was a master at avoiding the difficult discussions.
Not anymore.
I wiped my suddenly sweaty palms on my jeans and tapped accept.
“Hey, Darb, how are you?” I answered, my voice hoarse.
“Dylan, what the hell?”
My stomach dropped and I sat down on the loveseat, gripping the armrest.
“Why didn’t you ever tell us you were gay? You shoulda said something!”
I couldn’t help but laugh. There was no polite small talk in my family. We got right down to business.
“Darby, we haven’t talked in two years. How about we start off with the usual ‘ Hello, how are you’? And yes, I’m bisexual. I didn’t say anything because, let’s be honest, I didn’t know how any of you would react.”
“I don’t care who you love, baby bro, I just wish you’da told me years ago. Now I got Lea, Jay, Mad, and Mama calling me asking if I knew about this, and why isn’t Dylan answering our messages? You’re the talk of El Paso, not to mention the national entertainment news.”
I leaned my head back. “I’m releasing a press statement today.
Look, I’m sorry but my phone has blown up with so many messages, I had to turn off the notifications.
And to make you feel better, I only came out to my therapist last year.
” I paused as my nerves kicked into high gear.
“I’ve been struggling with this for a long time, though.
Now that I’m sober, I can think clearly.
I’ve accepted who I am. And I texted you about the book.
I was supposed to come out around the launch, but then the photo was released so… ”
“And the man in the picture? Max Lowell. Is he your boyfriend?”
“Yes. I’m in love with him. I’ve finally found someone who sees me and loves me just as I am. He’s wonderful.”
“Well, that’s amazing, honey. I’m so happy for you! Is he there with you? Can I talk to him? I need to make sure he’s good enough for my baby bro.”
I barked out a laugh that finally eased the nerves in my belly. There was the fierce protector I knew and loved.
“He had to go back to New York with his daughter. Long story short, he hadn’t told his ex-husband Dante that we were a couple, and when the picture of us surfaced, all hell broke loose. Dante has a habit of taking Max to court to challenge custody of their daughter. It’s complicated.”
“I’m sure you can work it out somehow. Now when are you coming home to see us?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t been back in so long.”
“Get your ass back to Texas, Dylan! You need to be around family now. You shoulda come here after rehab so we could help you. We’ve given you two years, respecting your wishes for privacy, but now it’s time.
All of us are so proud of you, honey. How you’ve faced your addiction and come out a stronger man.
Ain’t nothing to be ashamed of. We love and support you and Lord, we miss you.
It don’t matter to us who you love, as long as you’re happy. ”
I was shaking so hard I nearly dropped the phone.
It was such a relief, after so many years of secrets and pain and feeling uneasy in my own skin.
I could hear sniffling on the other end of the line, and I was glad I wasn’t the only one who was overwrought.
When I finally calmed down, I was able to speak again.
“Thanks, Darb. I’m so happy to hear your voice. It’s been so long. Too long. I’m so sorry I haven’t come to visit or didn’t call. I just…I couldn’t…” I paused to catch my breath. “I was so ashamed. I never wanted to be like him and then…”
“You’re not him . Stop apologizing,” Darby replied. “Book your flight, grab your hat and your boots, and get your Hollywood butt home.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I replied with a watery chuckle.
“Don’t sass me. I’m still your older, but much more beautiful, sister.”
I ended the call and texted Andrew to see if he could change the flight schedule. Then I called Warren to tell him I was going home. After that, I checked all my messages. From Rowan, from Jared, from my family—all of them were supportive.
I checked the site where the story broke, and there was a balance of supportive and downright nasty comments, some calling me all kinds of hateful names.
I reminded myself to stop looking and focus on what I could control.
I’d shied away from social media these past two years, so I was grateful for that.
If I did venture into it again, I’d hire a PR person to manage it so I could avoid the bombardment.
I was getting all my shit packed up and checking the bathroom once last time in case I forgot anything when my phone rang again. This time it was Max, on video call.
“Hey, sweetheart, how are you?” I answered as his handsome face popped up on screen. With his sexy glasses and dark stubble, he was a sight for my tired eyes.
“I’m fine, love. Other than the journalists peacefully camped outside my apartment building.”
“Ah, shit. And so it begins. If things get worse, let me know. I could give you some of my advance to pay for security.”
“We’ll talk about that if the need arises. So far, they’ve been respectful.” He paused and lowered his voice to barely a whisper. “I know we’ve only been apart a few days, but is it terribly corny to say how much I miss you?”
“I miss you too, baby,” I replied. “And guess what? I just got off the phone with my sister, Darby.”
I paced in front of the window.
“I can’t guess how that went. Your expression looks happy, but your eyes and nose are red. You were crying?”
“Good tears, I promise. She ordered me to get my butt to Texas for a visit. I honestly didn’t expect a warm welcome, but she told me they missed me and supported me no matter what.”
The sight of Max’s smile warmed right through me. “That’s amazing, Dylan. If your family has your back, it will make every day that follows a little bit easier. I have some good news too. I had a surprisingly honest talk with Dante.”
“Really? What happened?”
“I was worried that he’d threaten to take Blake back full time, but after listening to her and to me, he agreed to status quo for now.
We had a good family talk, and he realizes that she needs both of us.
Plus, he’s not immune to the press either, given his high-profile business and social life.
And Blake apparently has paparazzi radar. ”
“What?” I chuckled.
“Dante dated a celebrity last year, and he had a reporter following him around Manhattan. And Blake knew all about it. Don’t ask how. Anyway, Dante and I agreed that we want what’s best for her, and that means time with both of us.”
“Oh God, I’m so relieved to hear that, Max.”
“What about you, love? Any urges today given all the stress? Have you talked to your sponsor?”
“I chatted with Quinn earlier, and we text. I’m all right. I’ve got more support now, so that helps.”
“I love you, and I can’t wait to see you.”
“Come with me?” I asked.
“To Texas?” Max’s eyebrows shot up.
“Yes. Blake is back with Dante for a bit, right? It’ll just be a few days. I’d really like you there with me. It would be great for you to meet my family. I can have Andrew arrange for my flight to land in New York first, pick you up, and then we can head west.”
“Meeting your family already?”
“I met Blake, so yeah. Come on. They really want to get to know you.”
Max smiled. “Yes.”
“Thank you, sweetheart. It means a lot.”
“Just don’t expect me to say ‘ y’all ,’ or ‘ howdy ,’ or line dance, or anything like that.”
“That’s a great idea!”
“No way, Dylan. No cowboy boots, no hats, and no line dancing.”
I chuckled and gave him a wink. “You’ll love it, and you’ll look fucking sexy in cowboy boots, guaran-damn-teed.”
“Oh God, what have I gotten myself into?” Max groaned and shook his head.
“You’ll be crooning country tunes along with me in no time,” I joked.
“I don’t think my ears can take that. Rowan warned me about you.”
“What does he know? The man may be a billionaire, but he can’t carry a tune either.”
Max’s laughing face was the best sight ever. I couldn’t believe how much I missed him.
“I’ll let you go, sweetheart. I’ve got to contact Andrew and get him to re-arrange my travel again. I’ll text you the details.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
“I’ll be coming.”
We exchanged more sappy endearments before we finally closed the call. Then I texted Andrew again—but he was only too happy to advise the private charter crew about the change in flight to New York and then Texas.
Andrew: You’re finally going home! And with Max! We’re so happy for you. Next time Ro and I will go with, and we’ll hit up a concert.
Dylan: You got it. We can torture Ro and Max with country karaoke LOL and then go horse back riding. Maybe even attempt the bucking machine.
Andrew: That would be awesome!
I scrolled through my other messages.
Warren: Press release is out. Five interviews scheduled for next week in L.A. Let me know how it goes in Texas, if you need security use the advance.
Dylan: Thanks. I’ll be safe on my sister’s farm.
Warren: No confrontations, press or otherwise. No negative publicity. Some social chatter is less than supportive, so we need to stay focused.
Dylan: Got it
My flight wasn’t scheduled for another three hours, so I decided to take one last swim. When I headed outside though, some of the crew, including George, were gathered around the bridge deck aft.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“We’re going to pull anchor early. There’s a speedboat with paps that keeps circling,” George answered as he pointed to a small boat zipping nearby.
“Shit, I’m sorry about that.”
“We’re used to this with Rowan. It’s no worries,” George replied as he walked towards the stairs to the wheelhouse.
He paused on the first step and turned back to me.
“By the way, thank you for forwarding a copy of the press release so I was aware of what was happening. It’s a big day for you, and I wanted to say that I admire your coming out. It’s encouraging.”
“Thanks, George. I don’t expect things to change in Hollywood overnight, but I’m not going to hide anymore.”
George nodded. “It’s the same in the military and in the yachting world, I’m afraid.
But as you said, slowly but surely the tide is changing.
It’s given me hope.” He paused. “It was a pleasure having you on board, and I look forward to seeing you next time. Is it safe to assume Max will be back also?”
“Definitely.” I smiled back at him.
“Excellent. Until then.” George waved at me and headed inside.
I stared out at the deep blue water, not caring if the nearby pap got my photo. I was standing alone on the deck. Nothing exciting to report here, folks .
Normally I’d be itching to be back in California after a long trip, but I didn’t feel the pull as strongly as I used to.
This summer voyage had not only changed my life, but it got me thinking about what was next.
Max was front and center, but there was a lot to consider with his career and family and a lot of unknowns in my own career path.
Even still, I was leaving with so much love and hope in my heart.
Max was onto something when he claimed this ship was special. Andrew had joked that a merman put a love spell on Now, Voyager and anyone who boarded her. If only I believed in such things. Then again, Ro fell in love with Andrew. And now me and Max.
Whoever boarded next better watch out.