All at Once

Chapter Twenty-Seven

After the media world had been set alight by the shock revelations during their appearance on The Geoff Colston Show, over the next couple of weeks it seemed as though the press – and the public – were slowly starting to get back on The Ambition's side.

Mikey had done a follow-up interview in GQ magazine, where he talked openly about his sexuality and the obstacles that being in one of the world's biggest 'boybands' had presented him with as a young gay guy. The support he'd received online had been overwhelming. Rather than show malice or envy, the fans had rallied together to create an army. An army of love, encouragement, and hope that he would one day find his own happy ending.

Much to my relief, Noah and I had been left to pretty much get on with our lives. Bar the occasional photographer snapping us when we were out and about together, our privacy was finally being given more respect. I suppose the 'mystery' had gone out of our story for the media, which was fine by the both of us.

As London began to bask in May's early summer sunshine and the energy of the city lifted, a new sense of positivity was almost tangible in the air. The boys' new album was only days away from release and, as Noah and I met with Charlotte, Alex and Erin for a picnic in Regent's Park one afternoon, the subject was at the forefront of all our minds.

"What if it flops?" Alex mused, as he rolled over on the blanket to grab a strawberry and place it whole into his mouth.

"Then we give up I guess," Noah shrugged with a smile.

Alex laughed. "I'm serious," he continued. "They always say the second album is the most difficult. Given the drama we've had this past couple of months, it wouldn't surprise me if nobody wants to listen to our music anymore."

"Shush," Charlotte hissed as she stood up to pick a whimpering Erin out of her buggy, parked in the shade of a giant oak tree. "It will be amazing. You've all worked so hard on this record and the fans know that. So what if there are a few critics out there who might be baying for blood, it's the fans that matter, right?"

"Aye, sure it is," Alex grinned at her, before popping another strawberry into his mouth.

"Anyway," she continued, lifting her T-shirt and latching Erin onto her breast as she sat back down on the blanket in one swift motion. "There's no way it will flop. I've heard those songs and they're next level. Even if everyone hated you, the music will speak for itself."

"I hope so," Alex sighed. "Are you not worried, Nomeo?"

Pushing his black Wayfarer shades up onto his head, Noah lay back on the blanket and closed his eyes to bask in the sunshine.

"Do you know what?" he started. "I'm not that bothered. If people don't like it, then that's one thing. But if people choose not to like it because of us, because of who we are and what we've done, then fuck 'em."

"Noah!" I shrieked, my mouth full of cheese and cracker.

"No, really," he continued. "I'm sick of worrying about what other people think. I got into music because I loved writing and playing music. Being famous or selling records was never part of the plan."

He stretched his arms up and placed them behind his head, his white T-shirt lifting to reveal the tattoos across the bottom of his stomach.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm glad it's happened," he added, "But I could walk away from it all tomorrow if it was over."

"What about the money?" Charlotte asked. "Surely you'd miss that? I know we'd be lost without Alex's earnings now."

Noah rolled his head in her direction, squinting one eye open as he shielded his face from the sun with his hand. "Well, I could always earn a good wage selling my body..."