The Making of Matt (Souls of the Knight 3)

“I think it’s a great idea. Suits you perfectly.”

“Alex’s boss was sick yesterday, but he’s gonna talk to him later. Get the insider knowledge.”

We stayed out by the pool until early evening; swimming, sunbathing and talking about the band days. It made me realize how long it’d been since Saw and I had really had a decent catch up. We saw each other pretty regularly, but were always surrounded by others.

I was about to leave when Jake came home, armed with bags of Chinese takeout. He walked straight over to Sawyer and planted a soft kiss on his cheek before setting the bags down on the counter.

“You staying for dinner?” Jake asked, popping the top button on his crisp white shirt. Despite leaving the security game, it was still rare to see him wearing anything but a suit and jacket. “There’s plenty.”

“No thanks. I’m heading home.”

“I’ll see you out.” Jake looked over his shoulder and seemed appeased that Sawyer was busying himself with the food bags. I raised an eyebrow and Jake followed me to the door. When I stepped outside he leaned against me, positioning his mouth next to my ear.

“I’m throwing a party Saturday night. You can be here, right?” he whispered, his eyes flickering back and forth to make sure we weren’t overheard.

“Hell yeah. What are we celebrating?”

Once again, he made sure we were alone. “I’m going to ask Sawyer to marry me.”

“Holy fuck, dude!”

“Shh! Obviously, it’s a surprise, so keep it down,” he scolded, bumping my shoulder.

“Sorry. But that’s seriously awesome. Congrats, man.”

“He’s not said yes yet.”

“He will. I’ve no doubt. I’ve known Saw a lot of years and I’ve never seen him so happy. Where I was known as the band’s slut, he was known as the miserable fucker.”

“Um, think you’re getting slut mixed up with twat.”

“Screw you, dude.” Laughing, I clapped him on the back and congratulated him once more. “Does this mean I get another vacation?”

“I doubt it. Sawyer has no family left in the UK, at least none that care for him, and gay marriage isn’t legal in Australia so I’ll probably fly my parents out here.”

“That sucks,” I said. “I don’t understand how two people in love can still be segregated in this day and age.”

Jake shrugged. “I agree, but that’s not my call.”

“Well I think it’s shit. I’m boycotting Australia. Never been a fan anyway. Koala bears look like evil little shits.”

“You know that might just work. I don’t think they have any idea how much alcohol you can actually drink and the revenue they’re going to miss out on.”

“I’ll be sure to drink even more now. Rub it in their damn faces. By the time I’m finished they won’t just legalize gay marriage, they’ll be asking me to run for president.”

“Prime minister.”

“Huh?”

“Australia has a prime minister, not a president.”

“That too. Anyways I gotta run. See you Saturday.”

“And remember,” Jake called after me. I turned my neck to look at him. “Don’t be shooting your mouth off.”

Why do people have such little faith in me? “Yes, Dad.”

Bored, I decided to go see Alex at Kaleidoscope before going home. I noticed I was being followed almost immediately in my rearview mirror. The paparazzi had gradually started to tail off since the band split, but over the last couple of weeks they seemed to have found me interesting again. I assumed some chick was selling her story, but so far I hadn’t heard anything and I was usually kept informed of that kinda shit.

“Matt! Matt! Over here!”

My eyes involuntarily squinted at the intrusive flashes of light. I nodded and smiled but kept walking, grateful to see the door security coming over to help me fight my way through.

“Are you visiting Alex Clark?”

“Did Sawyer introduce you to these bars?”

“Matt! Look this way!”

“Matt! Matt, are you and Alex Clark living together?”

“Huh?” I muttered under my breath. Security ushered me inside, stretching their arms and placing a barrier between me and the savage reporters. One of them escorted me through the crowd inside. I breathed a sigh of relief when I reached the stools in front of the bar. I was quite a regular here now so was rarely bothered with requests for selfies or autographs.

Alex was nowhere in sight so I told Paul, his coworker, to surprise me when asked what I’d like to drink. A minute later he presented me with something sparkly and pink in a tall glass, complete with a fruit kebab and an umbrella. Winking, I thanked him, took a sip and handed over my cash.

“Well, hey, good lookin’.” Swallowing my mouthful of pink stuff, which actually tasted pretty good, I turned to see the face of the hand pressing on my shoulder.

“Ah, Miss Martina! How’s my favorite Kaleidoscope girl?”

Miss Martina was one of the club’s resident queens who I’d gotten to know pretty well in the last few months since the night she dragged me on stage and serenaded me. She was pushing forty, and a good six inches taller than me with perfectly sculpted legs that went all the way up to her armpits. By day, her name was Alan; her long red curls traded for a buzz-cut and her Swarovski crystal encrusted dresses for jeans and a jacket. Both Alan and Miss Martina’s personalities were equally ravishing however and I could see why he and Alex were such good friends.