Frame of Reference 2: The Dark Side of Stardom by Christopher Stone

Author:Christopher Stone [Stone, Christopher]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance
Published: 2014-05-23T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Noon

As Grant traveled north on Highway 99 toward Selma, his head and his heart were skittish with conflicting emotions. Seeing his family would be great—but he was anxious about the wedding. Greg was his best childhood friend and the first boy on whom Grant had crushed. That was then.

This was now. Grant was a television star, partnered with a gay adult film god. Greg was a stockbroker, and he was about to marry Linda, his high school sweetheart. Tomorrow needed to be all about them. That’s why he prayed the media wouldn’t learn of his role as Best Man at Greg’s wedding.

Itching, Grant scratched his thin beard. The last thing he wanted was to upstage Greg and Linda at their own wedding—to steal the spotlight—with his newfound television fame. Yet, ever since Our House’s January debut, Grant had been the uneasy recipient of a follow spotlight wherever he went.

§ § §

Grant’s fear was realized the moment he stepped inside St. Joseph Catholic Church for the wedding rehearsal.

Cherolyn Thomas, Linda Pollock’s Maid of Honor, flew to Grant’s side, gushing, “Linda says you were in our class, but I didn’t know you! Your show is great, and you’re the living end!”

A moment later, “Can I have your autograph, Mr. Jackson?” This was bridesmaid Patty Rotramel.

“Sure,” Grant said uncomfortably, quickly signing the television magazine she held out to him. Greg watched this, and he cast an apologetic smile in his Best Man’s direction. Meantime, Patty snapped picture after picture with her camera.

A moment later, Rebecca, Linda’s pre-pubescent Flower Girl, was at Grant’s side, paper and pen in hand. “’Sup, Artie?” she asked, handing him the paper and pen.

After signing his autograph again, Grant went over to Greg. “I’m sorry,” he told the groom. “I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

Greg shrugged. “No problem. I’m just sorry you’re being bothered.” He smiled at Grant. “And I think Father Lahey is ready to start.”

Gratefully, the ruckus created by Grant’s entrance ebbed when Father Lahey called the rehearsal to order. But it didn’t stop Cherolyn, Patty, and the other bridesmaids, from flirting with Grant whenever they caught his eye.

I feel as uncomfortable as Bobby Sherman looked singing in The Partridge Family’s living room, Grant thought, a little irritably.

As the rehearsal ended, Grant bolted from the church before the women could again descend upon him. He bounded into his convertible and drove to Cattlemen’s Restaurant for the rehearsal dinner.

“Well, I’ll be damned!” Greg Rockvam exclaimed in the restaurant parking lot, crossing from his pickup to where Grant had parked the convertible. He whistled as he took in the gorgeous red roadster. “TV must be paying you pretty well to afford this sweet ride.”

“It’s just a lease,” Grant assured Greg, hugging him warmly.

“Your car’s the bomb,” Greg said, as they headed toward the front door. “But you still can’t grow a beard worth a damn.”

§ § §

The guests were seated at a long table in the Banquet Room.

As Best Man, Grant sat beside Greg. On Grant’s other side was Joel Pollock, the bride’s older brother.

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