Love in the Shadows ~ Dean Portman x OC

Ch. 18: Always, Adam

Pov: Morgan Tibbles, 11:39 p.m. November 25th, 1994, Austin, Texas
"Hey Adam what's up?"
"Did you hear the news?"
"What news?"
"About Dean"
"Yeah, I heard it the day it happened"
"How are you feeling"
"Considering I'm not the one who got hit by a car pretty good"
"Come on Morgan you know what I mean"
"Honestly Adam, I'm ok. I'm worried for Dean but I'm sure everyone is"
"Yea" A bit of a pause because neither of us had anything else to comment on "So uh how was your show? I think you said you had one tonight"
"Oh yea it was great! I uh sang an unreleased song, got the crowd to wish Dean a happy recovery, got harassed by paparazzi, and didn't hit anyone this time so I'd say a success!"
"Harassed again? Jesus Christ don't they have anywhere else to be?"
"Nope apparently not. Especially when now I'm being accused of cheating so expect questions on that"
"Oh lovely. I can't wait"
"Oh god speaking of that, how've the paparazzi been on your end?"
"Fortunately it's hockey season in Minnesota so a lot of the press are pre occupied right now so it's not too bad. A couple of them have been outside my school, my house, one group was outside my dad's work and he yelled them off so that was something"
"Ooh yup. Parents of famous people are famous too I guess"
"Which has always been odd to me because, you know, who cares?"
"Exactly what I'm saying!" We laugh. I like talking with Adam. He's chill plus he gets the whole parental expectations thing and the paparazzi thing.

"Morgan can I be honest"
"Yea of course. Is everything ok?"
"I mean yea, but uh..."
"But uh what?"
"I really don't know how to say this"
"Say what? Adam your scaring me"
"I can't do this anymore Morgan"
"Do what? What do you mean?"
"I mean this fake dating thing. It's affecting my hockey. My life is kind of awesome but now also in shambles. Like on the one hand, I get free stuff but on the other hand, I'm-"
"You're miserable"
"Yeah"
"Welcome to my life Adam"
"God how do you do it?"
"I don't. Maple Hart does"
"Well it's not just that I'm miserable it's also-"
"You have a crush but can't have her because the world thinks you're with me?"
"Yes" He laughs "Would you let me finish a sentence?"
"Oh yea. Sorry"
"Anyways, there's this- person I've always kinda had my eye on. And I mean like I trust them. So I told them about the situation which I'm sure he-"
"Wait he?"
"Shit" Silence.

So kids, that's the story about how NHL 2 time Stanley Cup winner Adam Banks came out to me. Mr. Jock Hockey McBroson was gay. (I swear to lord jesus christ if I hear one single comment telling me that he's not been in love with men since D1 I'm shoving that person's head into a canon and firing)

"Adam I-"
"Please do not say a word to anyone" He was frantic. I'm gonna assume he was crying. He also got quieter as if that would make me hear him less.
"I won't Adam. I promise. Look, I'm happy for you, honestly, but" I sat trying to choose my words carefully "I don't see an issue"
"What do you mean?"
"Well. You're, crushing on someone, but the media doesn't even have a clue. If you hang out with them, it'll look... normal"
"I guess you're right but I still don't wanna subject him to all of the cameras"
"See now that's an issue. Once a celebrity dater, always a celebrity dater. You'll never fully shake the cameras but if we're over and I get someone new-"
"Dean?"
"I- yes Dean" We laugh "Then they'll lay off you after a week or two so long as you don't give them a comment or reaction to anything they say"
"I already don't"
"Great! You're already better at this than me"
"Well it's different in Minnesota"
"Hopefully because my tour should be bringing me there in about a week or two"
"Wait you're coming here?!"
"Yes Adam remember? You have tickets to my show we have a whole routine. I'm probably gonna have to bring you onstage"
"Oh it completely slipped my mind"
"You need to be there Adam. This deal of ours may not be ideal but we'll both get something out of it then quit when we get it"
"Yea-"

Just then I get another call. It's Fulton.
"Hey Adam, Fulton's calling I'll talk to you later ok?"
"Yeah, Hey and uh, thanks Morgan"
"Always, Adam"