Our first red carpet appearance is tonight. The Soapies are happening and Joey gets nominated every year - I found out. In fact, I learned a lot about Days of our Lives, my publiscit had to prep me on the show and all the characters in case I get asked about it. I have to look like I actually watch my boyfriend's show.
This is going to be a much tougher outing. We not only need to talk to the press about our relationship for the first time, but all night there will be cameras filming every moment. So, we have to look like we're in love and happy all night long. It's going to be exhausting for sure.
There's a limo picking us up. I'm all ready, dressed in a dapper tux when I see the car pull up. The driver gets out to open the door for me. I thank him and get in. The car picked me up first so I'm alone until we get to Joey's apartment. The car stops and I watch from the window as Joey walks out in a well-fitted tux as well. His hair is done and I'll admit it, he looks really good. I'm not going to tell him though.
The driver lets Joey into the backseat and of course we don't speak. It's starting not to phase me anymore. Who cares if we talk, I guess. I'm getting good PR and good sex out of this and that's all I need. Conversation with Joey is never great anyway.
On the ride over, Joey does crack open the bottle of champagne and has a few glasses. I take a glass as well, but I stop after one. I wonder if he's nervous, this is the first time I've ever seen him drink and he's drinking pretty fast.
The limo arrives at the event. We're waiting behind another two limos before we can step out onto the red carpet. I'm nervous, I don't do many red carpets and the ones I do are all business oriented so they are much more low key. I can hear screaming and shouting already and I feel my stomach knot up a bit.
I watch as Joey pours himself yet another glass of champagne and literally downs it in two seconds. It makes me smirk.
"You're nervous, aren't you?" I call him out.
"Never," he claims, but I can see right through his lie.
I keep a smirk plastered on my face and Joey doesn't seem to care for my smug reaction.
He proceeds to nervously look out the window as the limo pulls up and we're only behind one car now.
He turns back and his foot starts tapping.
I start chuckling to myself, he ignores me.
"I like that your nervous," I share.
He gives me an annoyed look.
"I'm not," he mumbles.
"This is my favorite side of you," I continue.
He looks confused at this comment.
"What are you talking about?"
"You actually care enough about something to be nervous. I was afraid you didn't care about anything," I tell him.
He doesn't know how to respond to this and the limo is moving up, it's our turn.
We wait while the driver rushes to the passenger side to open the door for us.
Joey swallows nervously and then the door opens. He gets out. I follow behind him and instantly he's all smiles and confidence. I known it's only a facade, I guess he is good at acting. Not a single person would guess he has a worry in the world right now. I smile brightly as he takes my hand and we walk down to some reporters.
A reporter immediately asks Joey what he's most excited for tonight. I'm expecting him to say bringing home a trophy or something pompous like that. Instead he looks at me and then tells the reporter: "I'm excited to share my night with the best thing that's ever happened to me."
I'm floored - damn that was good. The reporter gushes over this romantic answer.
Joey then wraps his arm around me and pulls me in for a kiss. I can tell the cameras are going crazy. For a moment, I'm overwhelmed with so much happening, but Joey decides to deepen the kiss and suddenly I'm caught up in his lips. All the noise and commotion fades and I can only focus on how sweet this kiss tastes. He lets me go and I look in his eyes and it almost feels real until the reporter goes crazy and has ten million more questions. Joey turns back to her with an award winning smile and we continue down the red carpet.
The night carries on and things are going well, really well actually. I think everyone is buying that we're actually together.
Joey surprises me the most when the cameras aren't on us. It's easy to put on a show for a reporter or for a few seconds for a camera, but Joey is just as natural when we're talking to his own co-stars. We're supposed to convince everyone - co-workers, friends and even family, to be sure nothing will leak. Joey is so good at acting like a real couple in front of anyone, even people who have known him for years. He'll steal little glances at me, he'll smile whenever someone mentions me. He'll put his arm around me and pull me close with no notice.
All night, I'm never prepared for all the little things he does to make it look like we're in a real relationship. The scary part is I keep losing myself like I did on the red carpet. They're only for brief moments, but sometimes he'll look at me a certain way or just caress my hand ever so gently and it will feel real. I almost forget and it's scaring me. I can't forget, this is fake and it is always going to be fake - I have to keep reminding myself this all night.