45
FRANK
"Your boyfriend? You have a boyfriend? I'm pleased you've found someone." Granted, Jeremy clearly wasn't expecting that news, but no one could have sounded more insincere.
"You needn't be so surprised. I'm not so totally unlovable," Chris protested.
Frank couldn't believe totally adorable and very loveable Chris would have wasted his time or energy on a man like this at any point. He always seemed to see the best in people, so Frank tried, with difficulty, to consider that Jeremy might not be so bad if he were sober.
"You have a boyfriend?" Jeremy repeated slowly, considering the words. "And all of the media about you says you're not just single but permanently unattached?"
"Don't believe everything you read in the papers."
"So, who's the lucky man dating my artist? Will I get to meet him? Or do you keep him away from all this?"
"All what?" Chris asked, regretting his curiosity but unable to stop himself from asking.
"The stuff you call art, and the pretentious people with more money than sense who buy into it? Don't get me wrong. I love proper artists. And I know you can do proper art. If you'd have worked at it, Chris, you could be the next Antony Gormley or—" Jeremy looked around, searching for a name. "David Wynne! Or even Tracey Emin."
"I'm perfectly happy being the one and only Chris Cooper."
"I hope it's not too serious. You and this boyfriend. I was hoping to take you to dinner and proposition you. I'm sure, whatever he can offer, I can offer you more." Jeremy moved closer, and his voice lowered. "Chris, we've known each other a long time. You know we could be good together. Artistic, creative types like you always go with wealthy men like me, so whatever he is giving you I'm sure I can do better."
"Are you for real, Jeremy?" Chris asked.
It wasn't for Frank to intervene but he stepped up, taking a position next to Chris.
Jeremy looked him up and down as if he was something the cat dragged in. "Do you mind? We're having a conversation."
"I can understand why any man would regret splitting up with Chris, but there'll be no second chance, this time. Chris has a boyfriend," Frank said firmly. "And, yes, I do mind. Chris is perfectly capable of choosing who he dates and of telling you to take a running jump. Clearly, this is the wrong time and place for you to corner him like this. In the middle of the night, and when he's working."
Jeremy stepped back, and his face reddened slightly. He hadn't expected to be put in his place by one of the men he’d dismissed as hired help and a ‘henchman’ earlier. "You don't know anything about me. Do you even know who I am?"
"I don't need to. I know Chris. And I am quite sure we're not going to split up anytime soon. So if you're looking for a famous boyfriend to add to your list of assets, this one is taken."
Simultaneously, as if telepathically synchronized, the couple slipped an arm around each other's backs.
Jeremy turned his attention to Chris, while the expression on his face showed realization dawning in Jeremy's head. "A scaffolder? What is he after? Your money? And, what, you want some rough trade?" Jeremy sneered.
Frank should have felt angry at being talked about like this. At witnessing such disrespect toward his boyfriend, however, he could only see Jeremy as sad and pathetic. The warmth emanating from Chris standing solidly beside him was too pleasant to let negativity take hold.
As if he were encased in a protective bubble of love, words couldn't hurt him, and he doubted whether sticks and stones would penetrate their feel-good shield either.
Daniel rolled his eyes and turned toward the door, ready to leave.
"You couldn't be more wrong, Jeremy. Frank is my—"
"—fiancé. We're a permanent couple. And as for money, I'm not sure Chris has any, I mean, have you seen his art? There aren't going to be many people willing to spend money on those snow globes. It's just lucky I've got a proper job to tide us over."
From across the room, Kevin coughed as he stifled a laugh. Another snicker sounded from the direction of the long gallery, where Steph was witness to it all.
Chris squeezed Frank a little closer and whispered, just loud enough for everyone to hear, "I love you."
Any sober ex-boyfriend would surely have taken that as reason enough to leave. But alcohol infamously dulls the intellect and champions bad judgment. "You have got to be kidding. I don't know which of you is most deluded. The world-famous artist or the lowly scaffold monkey."
"Jeremy, you might be an investor in this gallery, but you and I have no business together. You've come here and insulted my work and my boyfriend. It's time you left now."
Not a moment too soon, the security guard stepped forward. "Come on. Time to go." He put his arms out wide to shepherd the men in the right direction.
Finally, they left without any further objection, although Jeremy shook his head a number of times and muttered, "I don't believe it."
Everyone stood still and silent until the guard locked the door.
"Shit. Guys. I thought it was going to really kick off." Kevin walked over to them while combing his fingers through his short black hair. "I can't imagine anyone speaking to me and Perry like that. Frank, didn't you want to just smack him in the face?"
Frank grinned at wide-eyed Kevin. "Of course I did. If I'd have hit him, he'd have had the satisfaction of knowing he got to me. His opinions don't matter. He's unimportant."
"True. But he did get to me," Chris confessed. "Not what he said about us. Just that I don't want to see him. He's always been dismissive of my work, and clearly he still is, but his comments show he knows nothing about contemporary art. Just a few popular names."
"You shouldn't let him bother you." Frank squeezed Chris a little tighter and planted a kiss on his cheek. It seemed the natural thing to do at the time, even though they'd never before shared a display of affection in the presence of others.
"I wonder if he'll turn up again?" Steph put a hand on Chris's shoulder. "You could have a word with Sebastian and make sure Jeremy isn't allowed back into the private view."
Chris sighed. "I certainly wouldn't invite him, but Sebastian wants his investment in the gallery and Jeremy has the spare funds. If he does turn up, at least he'll know where he stands with me."
"I hate to ask, but I have to know," Steph said. "Is it true about the relationship status? Are you guys engaged and not told anybody?"
Chris looked at Frank. He'd said it.
"Um." Frank hesitated. "We haven’t been seeing each other long enough. I just said that to throw that prick’s confidence."
"I thought so. It's late. You boys should get going to your hotel before the dawn chorus starts up. And remember what I said, Chris, try to get some sleep."
They'd kissed and embraced, but the subtlest reference to action in their hotel room had Frank flustered. He felt his skin heat up with a combination of embarrassment and desire. He wanted to get Chris into that hotel room swiftly.
Obligingly the guard unlocked the door and held it open.
Kevin led the way to the hotel, which was conveniently three hundred yards away.
"Frank, I was just on my way over. I thought you'd already left." Chris moved so that their arms slipped from each other's backs and they held hands.
"Frank, I was just on my way over. I thought you'd already left."
"After you approved the scaffold we still had to cushion off a few sharp edges for safety, that took us a while," Frank explained.
Rarely had Frank, as an adult, held someone's hand in public—and never a man's. Here in London it felt like much less of a big deal.
Kevin led the way into the hotel, using his key card to swipe open the main door. "It's too late for stairs," he said. The men took the elevator up to the first floor where they separated to their rooms in opposite directions. "Get some sleep," Kevin chirped as he walked away.