I see a glare settle in Ruben’s eyes. I know what he’s thinking. I know how upset he is about this, that any hint of intimacy between us has been completely cut out, yet again. And how, even though it’s maybe our best video, there’s still a sting at the end.
I’m getting really sick of that sting.
TWENTY-FIVE
RUBEN
Tue, 4:46 p.m. （3 days ago）
David <[email protected]>
To: me, Zach, Jon, Angel, Erin, Geoff
Hi all,
Boys, an update. TBC, but two possible options for the remaining part of the Months by Years tour are:
1. We return at the end of next year for a special mini-tour. We allow attendants to keep their tickets or return for a full refund （we still anticipate this will be sold out, so nothing to worry about here）， with an eye to adding in some additional bonus shows/countries to “make up” for postponing the shows.
2. We offer a full refund and provide anyone who missed out with a code for special pre-sale access to your next tour （tentatively scheduled for 2023. Will confirm at a later date）。
Nothing is finalized yet, so no mention of either option to anyone outside of this chain.
In the meantime, there will still be plenty for you all to do. The focus for the next few months will be to promote “Overdrive” and The Town Red overall. Early buzz is promising, and we want to capitalize on this. Which leads me into a piece of good news: we can confirm that your scheduled live appearance on Good Afternoon United States will be going ahead as planned prior to the drop of “Overdrive,” with some alterations. Being mindful of Angel’s recovery, there will be no choreography during your performance, but I know the four of you have the stage presence to put on an amazing show regardless. This will be the public debut of your new single, and we’re extremely excited to utilize it as our official kickoff into promo season! Teaser scripts and assets for social media to follow shortly. As usual, any questions, feel free to shoot them through! （And enjoy your break while it lasts: we have a busy few months coming up.）
Best,
David Cranage
Publicity Director
Chorus Management
Tue, 6:13 p.m. （3 days ago）
Ruben <[email protected]>
To: David, Zach, Geoff
Hey.
Zach and I actually have some questions （not strictly about the above, but more in relation to the fact that we’re not going to be touring Europe for another year at the earliest）。 Can we organize a time to speak? I don’t think this concerns Jon and Angel （not yet, anyway）。
Thanks,
Ruben
Wed, 10:21 a.m. （2 days ago）
David <[email protected]>
To: me, Zach, Geoff
Hi Ruben.
Absolutely. Geoff and I can meet you for a video chat on Friday. How does 11 a.m. suit?
Best,
David Cranage
Publicity Director
Chorus Management
Our four faces fill the screen in equal boxes.
Small talk is done, and it’s time for Zach and me to bring up the reason for today’s call. David and Geoff are pretending that they have no idea where this is going, but they have to know what we’re going to say. In fact, I’d bet a lot of my net worth that they were chatting together to finalize the plan right before calling us.
None of us are smiling.
Zach looks down at his lap, and I take it as my cue to kick us off. “So, Geoff, when Zach and I told you about our relationship—”
“Oh, it’s official now, is it?” Geoff cuts in with over-the-top enthusiasm. “Congratulations!”
“I—yeah, it is. Anyway, at the beginning, you said—”
“It must be hard to be apart right now,” Geoff interrupts again. “I trust you’re practicing discretion in regards to visits?”
He’s trying to buy time. That, or he’s hoping if he changes the subject enough, or puts me on the defensive, I’ll lose my nerve. “Yes, we are. You said that we could come out publicly after Russia.”
Both Geoff and David keep their expressions carefully blank. Zach peeks up at them, then turns back to his lap.
David answers first. “Russia is still a year away at this stage.”
I’m ready for that. “It’s unconfirmed. We aren’t going to stay a secret because of theoretical trips to certain countries we might take years in the future. That’s ridiculous.” I sound confident. Like a fully grown man, capable of holding his own in this meeting. Which is the opposite of how I feel, if I’m honest.
Geoff leans back in his chair. “Ruben, as I’m sure you’re well able to recall, we made no promises about announcing your relationship immediately after Russia. The conversation as I remember it is that we could begin to think about the plan for it after Russia. And I agree. It’s the perfect time to have this conversation.”