Seeking Escape

28. Closure

*** Joyce's POV ***

Neil: Your boyfriend is in the news.

Neil: Oh wow.

Neil: Whoa! He just obliterated Almay for giving that interview. I'll be revoking my subscription to her onlyfans page.

Neil: He's not gay, right?

Neil: Oh damn! He's really shaking up the industry. Those hashtags are going viral.

Neil: I never asked you. Why do you go by CJ with him?

Neil: I hope you aren't mad about last weekend. I had no clue who you were seeing, but once I recognized him, I knew I couldn't compete. Do you go to indistry parties with him? Do you think that I could get an invite?

When I unlock my computer after back-to-back student meetings this is the tirade of messages that I have from Neil after not hearing a peep from him all week. My mouth falls open as I'm blindsided with news about some article and Neil just openly sharing my business through a work messaging system.

Joyce: Call me!

Minutes later, there was a knock at my door. "Come in."

The door opened and Neil was standing there, looking embarassed. I hissed. "Get in here."

He entered and I hurriedly shut the door. I turned on him instantly. "Seriously, Neil! What the hell?"

"I was just making sure you weren't mad for me ditching you last weekend." He replied.

"Not what I'm mad about! You used workplace messenger to ask me highly personal questions and talk about my business!" I blew up.

"Oh that. They don't look at individual messages." He said dismissively.

"Neil!" I shrieked. I hated his casual demeanor about this.

"What? I'm here now. Let's talk." He plopped down.

I sighed heavily and walked back around my desk. "What is this article about and where is it published?"

He told me about a junk piece speculating that my relationship with Quinn was all a cover because he's gay and that's why he's leaving porn. It was published in some trashy online porn newsblog. I eyed Neil. "And you just stumbled acrossed it?"

He laughs and rubbed the back of his reddening neck. "I'm a librarian. My searches are always intentional."

"Are you keeping tabs on my boyfriend?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I like to stay informed, and look, it's paying off. I am helping you be informed, too." He stretched. I gave him a look to say I am not buying it. I pressed on. "And you were watching Quinn's livestream? At work?"

"It was on my own personal device. Jeez, so judgy!" He laughed. He told me about the article being revealed during Quinn's livestream and the completely boss way that he handled it. "You should be really proud of him. He's unflappable in his mission to bring more authenticity to porn."

"I am." I admitted. I knew Quinn was going to take a lot of flack for this decision and I couldn't help but feel like I was partially to blame for the sudden urgency he had to pivot in his roles. I hoped that his new venture would be well-received. I wondered if the attacks would keep coming.