Chapter 22: Homecoming
Kyle yawned as he made his way down to the kitchen for breakfast. It had been two weeks since Kyle had jumped out of the closet and confirmed that he was indeed dating Jared. People were going crazy and more and more rumors were surfacing. People at school were swarming to Kyle claiming to be his friend trying to get a few second of fame. Every news station across the country was talking about them as well. Some reporters thought it was inappropriate for Kyle to be dating Jared while others thought it was just fine. Kendall and James told anyone who'd listen that they supported their son and that his happiness came first. Jared's fans, the crazy ones seemed to hate Kyle. Paparazzo freaks were waiting for him just about everywhere he went. He had turned he life upside down, all because he was in love. He didn't regret one second of it.
"Morning Kyle," Leora greeted her brother.
"Morning Le," Kyle greeted his sister. He turned his attention to James who was eating his breakfast. "pops when do they get back?" He asked he made himself a bowl of cereal.
"Not until this afternoon," James replied.
"Great, now what am I supposed to do, every time I leave this house it's like a jungle out there," Kyle said shaking his head.
"Your dad has been invited to be on that show Jane Unchained," James said.
"That crazy lady has it out for me, she thinks me dating Jared is inappropriate and you and dad are bad parents," Kyle said shaking his head as he joined the table.
"Well, she does seem to think she has valid points."
Kyle turned around and saw Kendall standing in the doorway to the kitchen.
"She's wrong, but she thinks she right in everything. There is no convincing her otherwise," Kendall said.
"I thought you weren't coming back until tonight," James said jumping up and walking over to his husband. He pecked his on the lips.
"Gag me," Kyle said looking away from the two.
"Ok enough," Kendall said looking to his son.
"How was the rest of the tour?" Leora asked changing the subject.
"Busy, how long have they been out there?" Kendall asked gesturing to the front of the house.
"Since we got back," Kyle said.
"They haven't found something new to do?" Kendall asked.
"Some of them have, it was ten times worse before. Pops has been taking me and Le to and from school. I guess since it's homecoming for you and the guys everyone is looking for some juicy new details about me and Jared," Kyle sighed.
"We have to figure out a way to make this all blow over," James said.
"Really, don't you think I've tried," Kyle asked. He finished his breakfast and sighed. "I'll be in my room," he said.
"Not gonna go see Jared?" James asked.
"Maybe later, I've got a lot of homework I need to finish," Kyle replied. He left the kitchen and headed up stairs. He fished his phone out of his pocket. He quickly dialed Jared's number.
"Hello? Kyle?"
"Yeah it's me," Kyle said as he walked into his bedroom.
"The guys and I just got back, I was gonna call you," Jared said.
"My dad just got home, how were things when you arrived," Kyle asked.
"Outside was a mad house, but thank good Jerry doesn't allow any paparazzi freaks in the hotel," Jared said.
"They've been camped out on the sidewalk all week," Kyle said walking over to his bedroom window. He peeked outside and saw several people on the sidewalk. He shook his head and closed his curtains again. "It's awful," he said.
"You gonna wait to come see me?" Jared asked.
"Yeah, I've actually got some homework to do and Miles is busy this morning. He's gonna be my distraction to get out of here," Kyle said.
"You need a distraction?" Jared asked.
"That's how bad it is Jer," Kyle replied as he grabbed his laptop and his books. "I'll text you later. I've got a lot of homework to do," he said.
"Ok, I'll probably be holed up in the apartment. I don't feel like going out there where those morons are," Jared said.
"I'll keep that in mind," Kyle said.
-We Are-
Adam yawned as he stretched. This pregnancy was really taking its toll on him. He was tired all the time and he could barely walk sometimes. Most times it was a waddle and some people just stared at him. He hated it, at least the media wasn't focusing on him. He was a little annoyed that it was Kyle. Kyle didn't need all that attention right now. He had other things to worry about. Adam felt bad for Kyle. He knew what it was like, the staring the judging looks. It was awful and the people with cameras were worse.
"Heads up Adam, you got a table," Sam said nudging Adam lightly.
Adam looked up as an old couple walked in. They sat down at a table. Sam handed him a pitcher of water and Adam grabbed a couple menus. He walked over to the couple and greeted them. He filled their cups and told them about the lunch special as he gave them their menus. He took their drink order and left to give them a minute to look over the menu.
"Is it me or is was that woman staring at my stomach," Adam asked Sam as he walked into the kitchen.
"Yeah," Sam said nodding his head. "Just remember to smile and be nice. Ignore the looks and you'll be fine," he said.
"You sound like my dad," Adam said shaking his head. Sam glared at Adam and shook his head making Adam laugh. He quickly stopped and but his lip.
"If you want I can take the table," Sam offered.
"No I'm fine," Adam assured the teen. He got the two sweet teas ready and walked back out to the couple. He gave them their drinks and felt uncomfortable as the woman looked at his stomach once more. He took their orders and walked back to the kitchen.
"You ok there Adam?"
"I'm fine, or I would be if she would stop staring," Adam said.
"I can take the table of you want," Sam offered again.
"Nah, I'm ok," Adam said again. He wasn't going to let this get to him. He walked back out to the front and saw Cooper and Miri sitting at the counter. They both waved to him. Adam smiled and walked over to them.
"Hey, Miri wanted to see Papa, and I know you don't get done for like another hour, so I thought we would come and eat," Cooper said.
"Baba," Miri babbled as she played with the placemat before her.
"I have a table first so look over the menu and I'll be back," Adam said handing Cooper a menu from under the counter. Copper nodded his head and Adam walked over to the couple.
"You folks ready to order?" Adam asked. They both nodded and placed their orders. Adam left and was glad to see the woman wasn't staring at him anymore.
-We Are-
Leora sighed as she fell back across Lilly's bed. They were hanging out together, but Lilly didn't want to go to the mall and be hounded by people trying to find out more about Kyle.
"What's up Le?" Lilly asked looking up from the magazine she had been reading.
"I'm bored," Leora said.
"Honestly me too, but I don't feel like being followed around. I swear ever since your brother came out everyone is suddenly interested in out past relationship," Lilly said making a face.
"Right, people can't let things go," Leora said shaking her head. "I'm sorry you're getting dragged into this Lil," she added quickly.
"Kyle said the same thing yesterday," Lilly chuckled.
"You've been talking to Kyle?" Leora asked shocked.
"Yeah, we are friends," Lilly said quickly. "He just wanted to apologize. He didn't think that people would drag me into all of this."
"It nuts how people are freaking out about this. I mean if Kyle were eighteen and Jared was like twenty five people would not be having this argument," Leora said shaking her head. Lilly nodded her head in agreement.
-We Are-
Logan yawned as he walked into his den. He wasn't working today, Carlos was working, and the kids were all out. He had the house to himself. It was peaceful and nice. It was relaxing, but he could not help but think about that article about Carlos cheating on him. He hadn't confronted Carlos about it. He trusted his husband, or he wanted to. It wasn't really trust when you suspected him of cheating.
Logan sighed as he sat down at his desk. He didn't know why he was letting this rumor get to him. It wasn't like this hadn't happened before. When the guys were all still in the spotlight there was always rumors that they were all cheating on each other. He should know better to buy into these types of things.
What made this time different?
Carlos wasn't really talking to him much. In fact he didn't even wake Logan when he left. Logan just assumed that he was working. He had a lot of scenes to make up after his interviews. He was always working lately. The only time he ever saw his husband was his days off and he was usually sleeping.
Logan pulled the magazine from the drawer he had stuffed it in. He hadn't looked at it since Gerald had given it to him. He tossed the magazine down and looked at the cover. Did he really want to go down this road again.
The front door slammed shut. Logan jumped and quickly covered the magazine. With some other papers on the desk. He left his office.
Layla was storming up the stairs. She did not look happy. Logan called out to her scaring her.
"Dad, I didn't see you there," She said quickly.
"Is something wrong?" Logan asked.
"No, it's nothing," Layla said quickly.
"Are you sure? You slammed that door pretty hard," Logan said arching a brow at his daughter.
"Yeah I'm fine," Layla said, "Erika's just dumb," she added as she started up the stairs once more.
"Why is she dumb," Logan asked following his daughter.
"She's being stupid. This stupid boy was hitting on Erika in front of me and I told him to screw off and she got mad at me," Layla said as she walked up to her bedroom.
"Lay, relationships aren't easy," Logan said stopping her from shutting her door on him. "Maybe you embarrassed her with the way you handled things. I know your papi used to get mad when I would do that too," he said following her into her room.
"Used to?" Layla asked confused. She sat down on her bed as Logan leaned against her desk.
"Well your papi and I have been married for a long time now. Anyone who doesn't know that we are married and in love has been living under a rock or just trying to start rumors," Logan said.
"Right, but she didn't have to get so mad at me. I just don't like when she doesn't correct this guy. This isn't the first time he's hit on her and it's getting annoying," Layla said.
"Look sweetie, relationships aren't easy, sometime they are meant to be and sometimes they aren't. You can think you love someone only to realize you don't," he said.
"What do you mean?" Layla asked confused.
"Well before I started dating your papi, I was in love with someone else," Logan said.
"Oh yeah, it was Damien's mom right?" Layla asked quickly. Logan chuckled and nodded his head.
"Just be carful Lay, make sure you're both on the same page and know that couples do fight," Logan said.
"Thanks dad, I'll keep that in mind," Layla smiled at him. She gave him a quick hug and shooed him from his room. Logan put his hands up and left.
Logan made his way back down stairs. He felt a bit better now. He was in love with Carlos, and Carlos loved him. Carlos would never cheat, ever. That's all there was to it.
-We Are-
Kendall sighed and he laid back with James in his arms. Jenny was napping and the others kids were out of the house. Kyle had finally left once Miles showed up, after he complained about the circus outside. Kyle just forced him out the door and practically used him as a human shield.
"I missed you Ken," James said looking up at the blonde. Kendall hugged the brunette tighter.
"I missed you too, but I'm here to stay for now," Kendall said.
"For now?" James asked.
"The guys are gonna go on tour again someday," Kendall chuckled. "Maybe next time I'll be less involved," he added.
"One can only hope," James said.
"So how is Kyle doing?" Kendall asked. James sat up and looked at his husband.
"Well, his grades are slipping a bit. I noticed before he came out. It's like he was debating it and trying to gain control of the situation and failed miserably so he just kind of came out and told people he and Jared were dating. You know how he is, he's your son and inclusive and reckless to boot too," James said looking at the blonde.
"Yeah, I know what he's like. He hates not being in control, but it seems he only made things worse," Kendall said.
"I know, but there's no changing it now. He made his bed and he's gotta lie in it. We will just have to do our best to help," James said.
"I'm gonna have to do that interview aren't I?" Kendall asked.
"I'm afraid so, I don't think you can change Jane's mind but maybe you can get some people to lay off them," James said.
"I was afraid of that, she is so bull headed and thinks she's right in everything she does. She's a animal right activist and whatnot. She's perfect and damn anyone who tells her otherwise," Kendall said shaking his head.
"Suck it up. It might help our son," James said.
"I know, I know, I'll do it, it doesn't mean I'll be happy about talking to her again," Kendall said pouting. James laughed and shook his head. He climbed out of bed and grabbed a short and sweats from their dresser.
"Come on Jenny should sleep too much longer. If she does you'll be up all night with her," James said. Kendall groaned and slid down until he was laying on the bed.
"But Jamie, I'm tired and I love you," he whined. James chuckled and moved over to the blonde on the bed.
"Fine a few more minutes, but I'm gonna go wake Jenny up," James replied.
-We Are-
Carlos sank on to the couch in his dressing room. He was tired and over worked. He had been playing catch u ever since he got back. It seems there was always something wrong that needed to be reshot or a script rewrite.
"Tired?"
Carlos looked up to see Selene standing in the doorway of his dressing room. He sat up as she walked into the room.
"You have no idea, I've got teenagers at home and here," Carlos chuckled.
"This is why I never had kids," Selene said shaking her head.
"I know it's a lot of work but I wouldn't trade my kids for the world. Even if I only just met two of them recently I love all four of them with all my heart. Being a parent is an amazing thing," Carlos said.
"I agree, and I love kids. I've got nieces and nephews and I love them, I just never met the right guy to make me want kids," Selene said.
"I guess," Carlos said thoughtfully. He wondered if he and Logan had never gotten together would be still wants kids.
"What you up to after shootings done? Dee and I are going out with the girls wanna come?" Selene asked changing the subject.
"Sure, I've got a few more scenes to do though," Carlos said.
"Me too," Selene said quickly.
"Well let's get this over with," Carlos said jumping up and holding his hand out to her. Selene took his hand and allowed him to lead her to the stage.
-We Are-
Kyle was barely listening to Miles yak about school and how boring it was. Kyle knew it was boring and that Miles talked mostly to hear himself talk most times.
The two had left the Knight house about a half hour ago. The reporter outside had gone crazy all shouting questions at Kyle. He ignored them and mostly hid behind Miles. He hated doing that to his friend, but Miles took it all with stride. He didn't mind the cameras as much as Kyle did.
"Since when does it take over a half hour to drive to the Palm Woods?" Miles asked.
"Since now," Kyle replied quickly. He was just a bit on edge from everything that had happened at the house.
"Calm down, it's me Miles. I'm a friend not an enemy," Miles joked.
"Not now man," Kyle sighed. Miles looked over at Kyle worriedly.
"You ok dude, you look tired," Miles commented.
"I'm fine," Kyle assured his friend. They finally reached the Palm Woods and Kyle quickly pulled into the lot. He turned to Miles and handed the car keys. "Go scam on your girlfriend or something. Just put some gas in if it gets under a quarter tank," he said.
"Awesome," Miles said getting out of the car and running around to the driver's side as Kyle got out as well. Miles gave Kyle a quick goodbye before taking off b
Kyle made a beeline for the lobby with his phone in his hand. He was texting Jared and not paying much attention to where he was going. He ran into someone and fell backwards. He groaned as he his the ground. His phone flew from his hands. He scrambled to his feet and quickly helped the other guy up. He was tall brunette and brown eyed.
"I am so sorry," Kyle said quickly. "I wasn't paying attention to where I was going," he said.
"Me either, I was kinda in a rush," the guy admitted. He grabbed Kyle's phone from the ground and held it out to the blonde. Kyle blushed and took his phone. "I'm Taylor by the way," he said.
"Kyle, I gotta go but I'm so sorry," Kyle said quickly.
"See you around," Taylor said walking past Kyle and out the door.
Kyle stood there a moment longer. He shook his head and started for the stairs. He had a text from Jared that he was in his apartment. He raced up to the apartment. He knocked on the door and waited for it to open.
The door opened to reveal Jared. The older blonde took a step forward and pulled Kyle into a breath taking kiss. Once the parted Kyle smiled and pushed Jared into the apartment shutting the door behind him.
"I missed you," Kyle said.
"Me too," Jared said, "I mean I missed you," he said.
"I get it," Kyle said quickly. He pulled Jared into another kiss. Jared pulled the young blonde closer and held him tight. It was like he never wanted t let go of him again. Kyle honestly wouldn't mind that.
"Gross get a room."
The couple sprang apart. Noah walked into the room from his and Roldy's room.
"Hey Noah," Kyle said fighting the blush that was slowly creeping on to his cheeks.
"Hi Kyle," Noah replied as he made a beeline for the kitchen.
"I thought you were sleeping," Jared said his cheeks red.
"I was, but now I'm not," Noah said.
"Whatever, c'mon," Jared said grabbing Kyle's hand and leading him away from Noah. They entered Jared's room and Jared sat down on the bed. Kyle sat beside him.
"So how was the rest of your tour," Kyle asked as he scooted back until he was leaning against the wall.
"It was alright but, I missed you," Jared said with a small smile as he moved closer to the younger blonde.
"So I've heard," Kyle said with a chuckle.
"How have you been though, you look like you haven't slept in weeks," Jared said letting his concern show.
"I haven't been getting much sleep, I've got school and stuff to worry about," Kyle said waving a hand dismissively.
"Stuff? Like the paparazzi freaks camped out on your lawn?" Jared asked.
"Nah, it's nothing I can't handle," Kyle said yawning. He pulled Jared closer to him.
"No don't," Jared said pulling away. "Are you sure you're ok?" He asked.
"M'fine just c'mere," Kyle said pulling the bleached blonde back to him. He hugged Jared to him and rested his head on his.
"Tired?" Jared asked.
"Just a little," Kyle yawned. He shifted until he was laying down. Jared moved with him.
"Wanna take a nap Kyle, you look like you could use one," Jared said looking at the blonde who had his eyes shut. A soft snore was his answer.
-We Are-
Jake walked over to the couch with a bowl of popcorn. He smiled as Damien who was waiting for him.
"How long has it been since we've had a night alone without fear of someone showing up unexpected," Jake asked as he set the bowl in Damien's lap. He sat down next to his husband.
"I know it's nice," Damien said slinging an arm around Jake's shoulder.
"So what are we watching," Jake asked.
"Zombie Nation," Damien replied grabbing the remote to start the movie.
"One of my favorite movies," Jake said smiling, "if I remember correctly we went to see this movie on our second date," he said.
"Yeah, I don't remember watching much of the movie," Damien said with a grin. Jake laughed and nudged his husband lightly. He rested against him as the movie started.
Jake tried to focus on the movie, but his thoughts were elsewhere. He was thinking about how nice things were for him and Day. Things had been perfect actually.
Jake yawned and leaned closer to Damien. He just felt so happy right now to be with him. Things had never been better for the young couple.
"You ok?"
Jake turned to look at Damien confused.
"Yeah, why do you ask?" Jake asked.
"You just seem a bit spacey," Damien replied.
"Just thinking is all," Jake said smiling.
"About?"
"How happy I am to be with you," Jake replied without missing a beat. Damien smiled and leaned over and pecked him on the lips.
"I'm happy too Jake," Damien replied as he turned his attention to the movie. Jake sighed and leaned back against his husband.
"I'm excited for Italy too," Jake said.
"Me too," Damien said placing an arm around Jake.
Sorry for the long wait. I've been struggling with this and some other personal issues.
So Kyle is being affected by coming out. Nobody leaves him alone, even his family. Will he get over this? Will people ever leave him alone? Will Kendall do that interview to help his son? Will Logan ever confront Carlos? Are his suspicions right?
Always
OUTOFMYMIND