A Slice of Life - 16. Chapter 15 - I Can See What's Happening

Kyle rested against his balcony listening to the activity of the city below. He felt better than he had in months as if the chaos that consumed his life was slowly floating away, which was only momentary, as he looked at an alert that appeared on his phone. The gossip columns were at it again.

“Spotted! Arena playboy is at it again but this time with a much loftier target. Does this spell trouble and heartache for overnight sensation Xavier, the leader of Galant Industries?”

Kyle scoffed in disgust at how they twisted something so innocent and important to him; scrolling further down the picture, Xavier escorting him from the hospital was front and center. Kyle could feel the anger well up within him as that day had meant the world to him when he signed himself out. He expected Steve to be waiting for him but was moved to tears when Xavier was standing there to take him home. He was scrolling through his contact list when his phone began to ring. “Let me handle this, maybe we will work on something more permanent later.”

****  

“There is no cause for concern...Yes, we are fully aware of the situation... I can assure you that the future of the brand is first and foremost,” Charity let out a sigh as she fielded the latest call. “The suits upstairs are acting like their names are on the front page.”

Xavier chuckled closing his laptop and looking over at Charity. He stated with clarity, “You are leading the relaunch of the century; do not let talking heads get under your skin. We have dealt with much bigger fires in the past, and this is nothing – hardly having any merit,” Charity smiled at her boss before Xavier’s office phone rang. “Yes...very well go ahead and put her through...thank you, David.”

"I have an idea,” Jessica announced as she came onto the phone line. “Is there any way you can get Charity on the call as well?”

Xavier raised an eyebrow as he looked over at Charity. Jessica had done her homework. “As it so happens, she is here with me and can hear you just fine.”

Jessica continued, “Perfect, let us stop this now and kill two birds with one stone.” Xavier sat back in his chair as Charity leaned in, clearly interested in what she had to say. Xavier watched as Charity’s eyes lit up with delight.

****  

Jasper checked his watch for the third time that evening and sighed. Jessica had been vague on the details but was insistent that he attend this game at Kyle’s behest. He was just about to reach for his phone when he saw Xavier walking towards him dressed to kill.

“While it is an interesting interpretation, your impersonation of a fly trap is going to make us late for the game,” Xavier laughed as he gently grabbed Jasper’s wrist. To this day, Xavier himself was not much of a sports fan, but should this plan go off without a hitch, it was going to be a very big night.

“Care to fill me in on what exactly is going on here,” Jasper asked. Although he still enjoyed the occasional game when he had the time, he knew this was not Xavier’s preferred choice of entertainment and had expected Jessica to be present.

Xavier simply smiled at him with a wink before patting his knee. “Go with the flow, we are just puppets in this show tonight.” Jasper was left feeling more confused than before, but he did notice that Xavier failed to remove his hand from his knee, and he was not going to point it out to him.

The game was more entertaining than Xavier had expected, and the moment that they were able to catch Kyle’s eye, he was both surprised and overjoyed to see them courtside; Xavier offered him a small subtle wave. Of course, the rumor mill was ablaze by the end of the championship game. Not only was Xavier present, but he seemed to be enjoying himself in the company of a yet to be determined man.

The game was another of Kyle’s highlight career moments, and he was floating on cloud nine as all eyes were on him during the closing press conference. This win brought him another championship. Of course, the standard Q&A session commenced; however, the moment that they were waiting for arrived.

“Care to address the recent rumors regarding your latest addition to your love life,” a reporter asked hoping for a juicy score.

Kyle smiled when he saw both Jessica and Charity nod in his direction as they discreetly lay low in the back of the room. “Unfortunately, I did have a recent stay at the hospital, but I was pleased to have the support of friends who care deeply for my wellbeing. The image you saw was nothing more than a good friend offering me a ride home. On that note, I would like to offer my publicist, Jessica, and Charity of Galant Industries a few moments to speak.”

The room became silent as the two stepped up, all smiles as Charity winked in Xavier’s direction. “It is with great pleasure that I would like to announce the champion himself will be collaborating with many on our talented team for the launch of our new line in, and here in the crowd tonight, we have the man himself to present the champ with his official endorsement.”

Jasper gave Xavier a quick hug and a brief kiss on the cheek as the cameras focused their attention. “Go with the flow, right,” he laughed pushing Xavier forward and knowing that the gossip would be filled with questions. The formal announcement was made, and speculation into Kyle’s dating life faded as Xavier's personal life took center stage.

****  

“I owe you one Jess, that was amazing,” Kyle called out as he sprawled across his sofa. “About this idea of you being my publicist full time, I wished I had done it sooner as it just makes sense."

“That was nothing, besides, it was the least that I could do.” Jessica handed Kyle a bottle of water and sat down on the adjacent love seat. “This worked out for the best; I do not think that I was ready back then.” Kyle appeared to be lost in thought as a quiet settled between them.

“I am just happy to have him back.” Kyle smiled.

****  

The following weeks were packed to the brim with meetings, calls, and appearances. Since the announcement, the launch had been at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Through Jasper, their talent pool nearly doubled; Kyle’s strong reception from promotional and branding materials had all eyes on Galant.

“Penny for your thoughts,” Jasper called out as he walked by Xavier’s office. Though they had seen each other nearly every day, they rarely had the chance to share more than a few words although Jasper had the added benefit of ogling Xavier as he watched him work.

“Just the calm before the storm,” Xavier said leaning back in his chair, a tantalizing view of his designer briefs as he stretched.

“If this is calm to you, I think that I may have to take a raincheck in showing up this weekend,” Jasper laughed.

“Contractual obligations would say otherwise,” Xavier teased; his gaze fixed upon Jasper with a feeling of anticipation and nervousness getting to him. Jasper still was not quite used to just how different Xavier had become; quite often, it still caught him off guard.

“Uh-huh, I could always send an assistant in my place; now, you have to make sure that things are running smoothly with those agency deals,” Jasper found himself once again drawn to those eyes that had captivated him all those years ago. “Sounds like most of the staff have cleared out for the evening, care to join me for dinner?” Jasper asked barely able to maintain his composure.

Xavier smiled as he rose to his feet while grabbing his phone and keys. “I would like that, and I have the perfect place in mind.”