DF: <sits forward> You just heard Trent say he sometimes feels like he isn’t good enough. I love him. I can’t help loving him. Would we have chosen this? Maybe not, but there isn’t a choice here. It’s him. I would never put him in the shadows and treat him like he was a dirty secret. He’s not. If people want to think lesser of me because I love someone, then maybe I don’t need them in my life.
<At this point in the interview, Trent reaches beside him and holds out his hand. Drew responds immediately by linking his with it. I have to say seeing two strong men resolved to love each other kind of makes my heart speed up just a little.> TM: Since coming out with our relationship, we’ve met a few others who have been struggling with the same kind of thing. Everything I do is for Drew, but this is for those people, too. Like I said, sometimes we need someone—anyone—to come forward and make being different okay. Drew and I are in a unique position because of the division. Thanks to Ron Gamble, Drew has the ability to kick ass on the track and prove he doesn’t have to follow the rules to do it.
GS: I think you have that ability, too. You’re both easy role models.
TM: No. We’re men. We’re human just like everyone else. We just want to live our life and not hide.
GS: What would you say to all the haters out there?
TM: I don’t have anything to say to them.
DF: I have something to say.
GS: Okay, what?
DF: Don’t be an ass about it. <pauses> Can I say ass?
<Trent laughs, and I do, too.> GS: So what you’re really saying is not everyone has to like your life choices, but you don’t want to hear their opinion?
DF: Well, if you want to be all politically correct about it.
GS: <To Trent> I can see what you mean about him being a handful.
TM: I think I deserve a raise.
GS: Is it hard to balance all the roles you have in each other’s lives? Friends, co-workers, and romantically involved?
TM and DF: No.
<I admire the way these two know exactly what they want and don’t apologize for it.> GS: I don’t know if it makes a difference, but for the record, everyone here at GearShark supports you both.
TM: It makes a difference. Even just one person can make a difference.
GS: So what else can you tell us about the new division?
TM: Preliminary races start next month. There has been a huge turnout and interest, so we expect to see a completely full track when season one starts. More specifically, Drew has signed two endorsement deals with major corporations.
GS: Which are?
TM: We’re going to let those businesses be the ones to announce first. After all, it is their contract.
GS: Drew, what about the rivalry with fellow driver Lorhaven?
DF: As we agreed, we’re keeping that rivalry on the track. You’ll definitely be seeing him, though. He’s picked up a sponsor.
GS: Does he know about your relationship?
TM: Yes. He supports us.
GS: Rivals become friends, perhaps?
TM: Perhaps.
GS: Before I wrap this interview, I was hoping you could each tell me one thing on your bucket list.
<Note: they both responded, and you can read their answers in my Bucket List Confessions! article in the back of this issue. Their answers will appear alongside yours. Thanks to all the readers who sent in submissions!> GS: So what’s next for you both?
TM: Hopefully, a championship trophy for Drew.
GS: And for you?
TM: Happiness.
I think these guys deserve happiness. Don’t you?
Trent
I used to wonder what I did to deserve the life I had.
I wondered why I was being punished.
Deep down, I wasn’t really happy.
Now I wondered how I got so goddamned lucky.
I realized everything I ever felt and went through was to bring me here.
To Drew.
To who I really was.
Deep down, I knew true happiness.
Several months later…
Drew
The airport was bustling with busy people and the sound of beeping golf carts as they sped past. Not my favorite sound.
Three days was too long, too long to go without seeing my person.
I was attached to his face. To seeing his eyes first thing in the morning and hearing his throaty growl when I slid under the covers and took him into my mouth.
French fries didn’t even taste the same when he was gone.
A group of passengers starting filing out of the security point, and I searched their faces, anxious for a glimpse of the one I wanted to see. The more people that came out and the more that weren’t him the more impatient I grew.
Finally, I caught a glimpse of sandy-colored hair and a snippet of a wide shoulder. Adrenaline spiked in my bloodstream and relief poured into my chest.
He glanced up at the exact moment I did, as if our eyes were two magnets with an intense pull. He smiled wide, and I bounced from foot to foot, waiting for him to get his ass over here.