“Like I said, I’ve met someone who I want to spend the rest of my life with.” Austin grinned at the more sedate, yet still very sincere clapping.
“Well that’s great, Austin.” Donnie said it more as a joke, rolling his eyes as if that wasn’t really a big bomb to drop, certainly not big enough to rework his entire show around. Again, the audience laughed, and finally, Austin lifted a finger silencing everyone.
“Well, I think your scoop comes in the fact that I’m gay. My forever love is with a man. A man I’ve known most of my life, but just recently reconnected with. It’s him that drives me here now. He’s an honorable, good, hard working man who wants his privacy just as badly as I want mine.”
Donnie stared at him in silence. Austin had no idea if the audience clapped, if they made any noise. His whole focus centered in keeping his features passive as his heart hammered violently in his chest.
“Well, good for you! I’ve known you for many, many years, and I couldn’t be happier for you, Austin.” Donnie seemed genuinely sincere in his words and actions, and Austin let out the pent up breath he was holding. “Is he here?”
“No, and he doesn’t know I’m here. He’s a real farmer, working with the school this week. It’s gonna be a surprise to him I’m here.” Austin finally came back into himself and had no way to judge the audience except they were quieter now.
“Well, we all know how much people like surprises...” Donnie leaned back in his chair, tucking his hands behind his head. “How’s he gonna feel about all this?”
“Not too happy, I suspect.” Austin grinned, looking a little sheepish at the laughing his response evoked.
“Then why’re you here? Probably not the best relationship move to go against your partner.”
“I’ve been ready to shout it from the highest mountain for so long. I’m so in love, but he’s kept me quiet. I had my private email hacked last night. I wanted to get my side of the story out before they can make it something ugly and sinister, because it’s not that at all. I love this man with my whole heart. He’s everything to me, and I believe he feels the same way about me.”
A small grin spread across Austin’s lips, and he looked down for a second thinking about Kitt. All the worry and negativity left him as thoughts of Kitt filled his soul. His smile grew bigger as peace settled in. A moment of silence followed. The entire studio audience sat quietly. This was the freest moment of Austin’s life, and it felt great. The only thing that might have made it better would be for Kitt to be here with him. He wanted to share this moment with him.
Looking up, Austin realized he’d even silenced the seasoned pro Donnie Cliff. “I’ve lived for years with the paparazzi and tabloids trying to twist and turn everything in my life. There’s nothing to manipulate here. I love this man with all my heart. He loves me. That’s it. There’s nothing more to say.”
“I’m glad to hear it, Austin. We need to take another break. Will you be able to stick around, answer some questions?” Donnie asked. “We might even be able to take it out to the audience.”
“Sure, I’m always ready to talk about my Kitt.”
With that, Austin said Kitt’s name to the world. Relief was strong as he realized he’d taken the story away from the tabloids. He’d come out, done it on his own terms, and he refused to let the worry about what Kitt might think concern him right now. He’d worry about that after he left this stage. For now, it needed to be game on. Happy go lucky, man in love wanting to tell the world. But, he did say a little prayer as he took another long swallow of vodka.
Chapter 27
A driver took Austin from the studio to the Ritz Carlton in downtown New York City. Apparently, the buzz of his announcement had already made it through the gossip mill. It didn’t seem to matter the Late Show was in overdrive, trying to get the editing done before the ten thirty broadcast. It still leaked, but that was fine. It just meant more people would watch the show tonight to see if what they heard really was true.
Austin pulled to the back of the property to the side entrance secluded from the general public. He palmed his phone, checking his messages to see if anyone had heard from Kitt. After he’d landed in New York, he’d sent Sam and his guys out to try and find the cattle drive. It was a shot in the dark, but he felt he had to try.
Kitt’s reaction was his only concern, and now the worry set in. It stayed foremost in his mind. His phone rang and Austin gripped it tightly, looking down at the screen. He answered on the second ring.
“How do you feel?’ Cara asked.
“Good. Nervous. I don’t know. I wish I could’ve talked to Kitt before I did it,” Austin said as he came through the door to his suite loosening the knot of his tie. The little panic in his heart was growing. He could hear Seth talking in the background, and Cara recited what he said. “Good Morning America’s booked you at 7:30. They don’t know why, except you want to be on the show.”
“Good, then back to Texas, right?” Austin asked tugging the tie over his head. “Did you stop them from booking more? I have to get back to Kitt. I don’t know when he’ll be home, but it’ll be tomorrow and I need to be there.” He’d shrugged off his jacket, the tie now gone, and he rolled up his sleeves. He put Cara on speaker as he stalked across the room to the mini bar. Austin pulled open the cabinets, found a bottle of vodka and opened it. He did little more than pour it in a glass before he took a big swallow. His brow furrowed as the liquid burned its way down his throat. He could feel some of that long standing old anger at this world filter in, but he pushed it out. He only had himself to blame for how this happened.