Andy Keeps Trying - Chapter 12

ANDY KEEPS TRYING

Chapter 12: Andy attends the gala

Laurie was right; it was not the MET Gala, but in some ways, it felt like it.

All of Penn State's most influential conservative figures would meet for one night of self-congratulations under the pretext of charity, and we were all tagging along.

On Saturday afternoon, Cody, Laurie, Adrian, and I were at the apartment getting ready.

I already knew Cody looked amazing in the most expensive suit he had ever bought (David was paying him well), but it was nice to see the excitement on Laurie’s face when she saw him.

She did not look bad either, wearing a black evening dress and matching stilettos.

I wore a suit similar to Cody's, but in a grayish color. I made a serious effort, though. I even wore a bow tie!

Adrian surprised me the most. He looked super sexy in a tux, and his hair was tamed down a bit more than usual.

Once we were dressed up, Adrian and I had to resist making out, and I was already excited for what would happen when we came back home and stripped out of our suits. 

“How is it really, the gala?” Laurie asked Adrian.

He was the only one who had ever been to the annual event.

“Weren’t you there last year?”

“No, I was just Rebecca’s assistant back then, so I wasn’t invited.”

Cody kissed her on the cheek.

“How the tables have turned! Now you’re ruling the place!”

Laurie chuckled and played it down, but I knew she loved hearing that from Cody.

“I certainly am not ruling anything, but Rebecca is the boss now, so I guess I’m important enough to bring a plus one.”

Cody posed proudly next to her.

“We've been working on this for more than a month. Trust me, guys. We deserve to go and drink that expensive champagne!” Laurie said.

“It's funny how you talk about it as if it's such a cool thing.” Adrian pointed out.

“You sure know how to pump up our spirits before a big night…”

“It's not that. You asked me how it was. I have to be honest. It’s pretty boring: a bunch of old, rich, white men making speeches about how society is degenerate, and how they’re here to save the world from sin. Meanwhile, other old, rich, white men publicly donate money to charity to gain reputation points and convince themselves they’re the good guys.”

“The whole thing is hypocritical, but if people struggling with cancer get some money and some help out of it in the end, it might be worth it.” Cody simply said.

“Yeah… if only the Republicans weren't all about cutting funding for cancer research in the first place…” 

“That isn't Rebecca's policy.” I intervened.

“She’s not really in favor of funding research either, but I’ll grant you that Broadhall is much worse than she is on that front.” Adrian admitted.

“He’s worse on every single issue!” Laurie insisted.

I had to agree. His speeches had turned more and more extreme in the last few months and I was increasingly appalled by the data I was collecting, which showed that it was very much working for some of the most motivated voters.

“Guys, no political talk, please. No fighting tonight.” Cody told us preemptively.

It was a smart idea to stop the conversation from continuing.

“Should we get going then? Andy and I have to see Rebecca before her speech.” Laurie said.

“Yes, right. I'll go ahead and meet you there.” Adrian kissed me on the lips.

“I thought we were all taking a cab. There'll be enough room for the four of us.”

I sighed.

“No, I told you guys. Adrian and I are going separately. We don't want to walk in as a…”

“…couple.”

I was the one who suggested we do things this way, but I was not sure if Adrian was happy about it.

I just thought it was smarter. It was still a work event, and he was there as a journalist.

Besides, if two gay men walked in holding hands at a Republican gala, we would definitely draw unwanted attention, even though he looked so good all dressed up.

“You're going to take the subway like this?” I asked, tugging playfully on the collar of his white shirt.

“Why not? Can't I go in the subway wearing a tux?”

“You're just too hot to be seen in public.” I teased.

“Is this your way of telling me I look good?”

“It is.”

We kissed again.

“Okay, love birds, what do we do?” Laurie pressed.

“We just go.”

And we went.

Although there was not a full red carpet, there were people opening the door for guests, as well as many young women in tailored suits with strict buns, telling you where to go.

The event took place in one of the oldest ballrooms in Philadelphia.

Laurie, Cody, and I were impressed. It was definitely not our usual kind of crowd or party.

Admittedly, we felt fancy, too— at least, I did.

Did attending such glamorous events mean that I had made it somehow?

I did not want to think that way; it was shallow and pretentious. But I could not help it as I grabbed the appetizers that were served on a plate.

Those rich people really had it easy.

We arrived pretty early;Adrian was supposed to join us a bit later. 

Laurie and I left Cody alone to check on Rebecca, but thankfully, he quickly found a group of people he worked with from City Hall.

I did not want to avoid him; I just did not know how to approach him.

We were supposed to meet with Rebecca to make a few last minute revisions to her speech.

On our way there, I ran into Victor, who was here with Broadhall’s team.

We nodded at each other, but we did not talk.

Within my eyeline, but at a safe distance, Zach was there in a tuxedo and bow tie, talking to his father.

My heart skipped a beat.

David was there, dressed almost exactly like his son, looking stunning. The two of them formed a handsome duo.

I wanted to go directly to Rebecca’s office, but when David saw Laurie and me, he walked toward us.

“Red alert, red alert.” Laurie whispered in my ear.

“Be cool. This doesn't have to be weird.” I shushed her. 

“If you say so.”

David and Zach walked up to us, looking even more attractive up-close.

“Long time no see.” David said.

“How are you, David?” Laurie asked.

“I'm doing fantastic. Is Cody here? I thought he was coming with you.”

“Yes, he’s getting a drink near the bar. We were just about to check on Rebecca and finalize her speech.”

“Of course. I'm sure she needs your valuable input.”

Laurie was right; this was weird.

I could not look at David in his piercing blue eyes, but Zach was throwing me off, too.

He was the one who spoke next.

“Andy's been great to me. We work together a lot.” He told his father.

“I’m not surprised. Andy’s work ethic has always been excellent.”

Did he sound bitter? 

I thought I could sense a hint of resentment in his voice.

That was unlike him.

I cleared my throat.

“Zach's been a huge help all summer. We’ll all miss him on Monday.”

“I agree it's a shame my son has to go back to Stanford. I wish I could spend more time with him too, but he needs to think about his future.”

David patted Zach on the shoulder.

“Don’t embarrass me, dad…”

“We should really go see Rebecca. The event is about to start.” Laurie said.

“Of course, work always comes first. Right, Andy? Always so professional.”

David was definitely trying to send a message.

I did not let him get to me, though. It had not been easy, but I had made my choice.

“Right, David. Of all people, you should know that I always prioritize work.” I replied rather harshly.

He bit his lower lip.

“You do. For better or worse.”

Laurie pulled on my wrist and offered her best fake smile.

“Let's go. Rebecca's waiting.”

I heard Zach turn on his father as we walked away.

“What was that about? You’re jealous? Seriously?”

David denied it, but I thought Zach was onto something. 

The man was cold! 

Anyway, Thompson, Bradley Philips, and Kendrick were already with Rebecca in a dedicated space next to the main ball room.

We walked inside and I immediately thought of Adrian's article about Rebecca’s outfits because, this time, my boss had gone all out.

She was wearing a black cape (I mean, that was bold!) and a long burgundy dress that fit snugly around her waist. She also wore a pair of high black heels.

“Wow, Rebecca! You look stunning!” Laurie said.

It was unusual to speak to Rebecca Crown that way, but her aura was hard to ignore. 

“Do I?” She smiled.

“You really do. Broadhall is going to look like an even bigger clown next to you than he already does.” I added.

Rebecca laughed a little.

She could not show it too much, but she was flattered. 

“Let's make sure we impress everyone with that speech first and foremost.”

We spent the next twenty minutes assisting Rebecca in adjusting every last detail as she rehearsed.

We offered suggestions, but in the end, she made all the decisions about what to take out or keep. 

Since she knew exactly what she wanted. We were not very useful in the process, but I suppose it was helpful for her to practice one last time and test her punchlines in front of an audience. 

“Thank you for your hard work, team. Let’s make this an unforgettable evening.”

That it would be!

By the time we returned to the ballroom, many more people had arrived, including Broadhall, who was wearing a lime green suit paired with a ridiculous hat. He was shaking hands with old folks.

Further away, David and Cody were talking to each other.

Wait— they were not just talking; they were laughing.

It was strange seeing them so close and friendly. It made sense since they had been working together for a couple of months. Still, I felt left out for some reason.

“We told Cody we would join him after we talked to Rebecca, not leave him alone amongst the sharks.” Laurie said.

“Yes, I know, but I didn't expect him to be chatting with…”

“Your ex?”

“He’s not my ex. Come on now.”

“Are you two not getting along? I thought you had left on good terms, or at least cordially.”

“I thought so too! I went to talk to him at his office months ago, and we cleared the air. I thought we were good, but the way he talked to me earlier— it didn’t feel right. I’m not sure why.”

“He must know about Adrian.”

“Do you think Cody told him?”

“Rebecca knows! So…”

“You’re right. She was probably happy to share the information. But that doesn’t matter. As I said, I was clear with David, and Adrian is not a secret.”

“Okay, well, I'm still going to talk to Cody. I promised him that I would be back ASAP.”

“Do that. I'll just go find Adrian. He must be here somewhere.”

“All right.”

Laurie left, and then, I heard a voice behind me.

“The journalist? Is that still a thing?”

I rolled my eyes, recognizing the familiar sound of my ex.

“What do you want, Victor?”

I turned around.

“Hey, nothing. I'm just making small talk. Nice bowtie by the way.” He grabbed it, and I pushed his hand away.

“You’re not with your candidate?”

“Broadhall likes to have a feel of the room before a big speech.”

“So, you’re still fine with working for a guy who wants to send gay men to prison?”

Victor made a face.

“That's not funny.”

“It really isn't. He’s gone completely off the rails lately, making crazier and nastier proposals every day.”

“I’m aware. Things weren't that bad when I joined the team in April. They took a turn once Rebecca Crown started to go up in the polls.”

“They're very close now. It’ll be a close race until the end.”

“We’re seeing the same numbers, then. Broadhall is furious.”

“About what? He’s the one who’s been playing dirty since day one.”

“I won’t debate his policies. Truthfully, I’m even questioning my position on the team.” Victor told me a little more seriously. “That being said, I think you’re wrong about some of your assumptions.”

“Like what?”

“Rebecca’s playing much dirtier than he is.”

“Come on, the pictures of David and I? That was a majorly low and disgusting blow.”

Victor puffed.

“You don’t seriously still believe he was responsible for that?”

“Who else would have tried to destroy David? It was him.”

I caught Adrian in the corner of my eye; he was glancing at Victor and I.

“God, Andy. Open your eyes! You’ve grown up, and you may seem more confident, but you’re still just as naïve as you were in college.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m telling you, Broadhall doesn’t have anything to do with these pictures. Period. As to who it really was, I have my suspicions, and I'm genuinely surprised you don't share them!”

“I’m not following.”

“I think that you do.”

My heart started racing in my chest.

The truth hit the emotional parts of my brain before I fully processed the information.

Suddenly, it finally started making sense. 

“Wait… No…” I mumbled. 

Victor nodded.

“I’m sorry, Andy, but I’ve been thinking about it and that’s the only thing that makes sense.”

“I… I have to go.”

I moved past Victor, as I bolted inside.

This was something I did not know I had in me: A frustration, a deep-seated rage boiling up to the surface, and  ready to be released.

I practically ran to Adrian.

He was waiting for me, holding two glasses of champagne.

“I have one for you, Andy.”

I grabbed one glass, my hands slightly trembling.

“Who leaked the pictures of David and I, taken through the bay window? It wasn’t Broadhall, right?”

“Woah, where is that coming from?”

“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to talk like that. I just had a conversation with Victor, and I think he has a point.”

“Victor, your ex?”

“Whatever. It just hit me. There's only one person who knew about my affair with David before it came out. One person who caught me with him in his office. One person who’d be capable of planting a photographer at the right place. The same person who happened to benefit the most from this article at the end! Oh my God, I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.”

“Andy…”

"It was Rebecca, wasn't it? Who sent you the pictures?"

I felt my eyes welling up with tears.

“No one sent me anything. The editor-in-chief of the journal got them, and the source was anonymous.”

My hands were shaking so much I could barely hold the glass.

“And what if you cut the crap, Adrian?”

“Andy, I couldn’t tell you.”

“Tell me what, exactly.”

He let out a sigh.

“Given how we got the information and the internal investigation we did afterwards, we did determine that it was very likely that Rebecca Crown was the source of the pictures.”

I threw my glass of champagne right in Adrian’s face.

Crazy enough, this was not the first time I had thrown a drink in his face. The last time, it had been a pint of beer in a crowded bar.

Arguably, that was a better place to do so than a ballroom filled with important people, many of whom Adrian and I were both working with.

“Sorry.” I muttered, shocked by my own move.

“Andy… What the…”

I was not done.

I put my empty glass away and ran toward David, Cody, and Laurie who were still chatting together. 

They were all looking at me.

Obviously, the thrown drink was quite the showstopper.

But I was way too on edge to care about old conservatives judging me. 

Those leaked photos had almost destroyed my life. They had destroyed David’s career and marriage. I felt terrible about destroying their family. I felt especially bad for Rebecca and I did everything I could to distance myself from David. I remained loyal to her, working tirelessly for her campaign. 

And after all that, she was responsible!? 

David had a right to know, and immediately. 

Above all, though, I was angry at myself.

It made so much sense; it had just never occurred to me before. I had never wanted to see or believe that.

I grabbed David’s arm.

“Andy, what's happening?”

“Yeah, dude, what the fuck?” Cody said.

“David, come with me.”

“What?”

Laurie tried to stop me, but I was already pulling David away.

“Andy? Don't you think it can wait? Andy! People are looking at us, at you."

“I don't care, and no, it can't wait. Come, now.”

Rebecca was chatting with a businessman. Her father, Richard Pallow, had just made his entrance into the ball room.

I walked to her, trembling, holding David’s forearm.

Cody and Laurie followed us in disbelief.

They probably thought I had gone mad. It was not completely false.

Rebecca almost jumped when we suddenly appeared behind her.

“What is this about?”

“Rebecca, we need to talk now.”

“Now, Andy? Can’t you see that I’m in the middle of a compelling conversation with Mr. Vander…”

“Yes. Now.” I was very unusually harsh and definitive.

Mr. Vanderport looked pretty shook next to her.

Rebecca was many things, but she was not stupid. She immediately understood that it was serious and that she had better listen to me.

“All right. If it's that important, let's go to that adjacent room. I assume it’s about my speech.”

She gave me a look, communicating that I should not mess anything up in front of Vanderport. He was a huge donor and a good friend of her father.

“Yes, something urgent came up and I think we have to include it.” I lied.

“Okay, then. My apologies, Douglas, duty calls.” She smiled.

“Of course. I’m excited to hear your speech, Rebecca.”

Rebecca, David, Laurie, Cody, and I walked to the room where we had worked on her speech earlier.

It was normally reserved for gala workers and there were a couple doors in there leading to exclusive staff areas.

People were definitely looking at us as we moved as a group, but it could have been much worse for Rebecca.

She exploded as soon as she shut the door behind us.

“What the hell, Andy? You will never pull something like this again!”

I had never seen her lose her temper like that. 

The thing was, I had rarely ever been  so aggravated myself.

“Or what, Rebecca?”

Laurie’s eyes seemed about to pop out of their sockets.

She was stunned that I would talk back to our boss like that. 

After all, Rebecca Crown was undoubtedly one of the most intimidating people on Earth.

Honestly, it was the nerves and rage that made me stand up for myself this time.

“Andy, I don't know what drugs you're on, but you better calm down.” Rebecca snapped.

“Yeah Andy, calm down. If there’s something going on, we can talk it out and…” Laurie reached out to hold my hand as I interrupted her.

“There's something!”

“And it has to do with me?” David asked, wondering why I had pulled him into this.

Cody, who had been randomly brought along by Laurie, was even more confused.

“Yes, it has to do with you, me, and your wife— sorry, your future ex-wife.”

“Andy, this is not the time to have a tantrum. Calm down, or…”

“Or you’ll do what, Rebecca? You’ll release more pictures of me sucking your husband’s cock!?”

Laurie gasped. 

“Andy, what the hell?” David exclaimed.

Well, the cat was out of the bag. 

“It's her. We thought it was Broadhall, but he never took the pictures or leaked them. He didn’t know what was happening between us. But your wife did. She wanted the candidacy, so she threw the both of us under the bus, pretending it was our opponent. She did all the dirty work herself. Rebecca, you destroyed David’s campaign. You…”

“I did what I had to, idiot! I thought you knew it was me by now!”

“Seriously? You think I'd have kept working for you?”

“Rebecca, did you really?” Laurie asked.

She threw her hands in the air.

“First of all, Andy, I let you work for me even though you were sleeping with my husband and putting years and years of our hard work and reputations in jeopardy. How am I at fault? Second, David was going to get caught eventually, and he didn’t want to lead that campaign. It's true, David. You were incapable of seeing it through to the end. I had to do something. I had to intervene.” 

David chuckled nervously.

“I can't say I'm surprised.”

“You knew?” I asked David.

“No, I didn't, but I had my suspicions. When you know Rebecca as well as I do, you always know that sort of thing is a possibility…”

“That's fucking sick.”

“Look, Andy, it worked. I’m the right candidate, everybody knows that, but at the time, the people funding the campaign, even my own father— they couldn’t see it. David is better off now.”

I was losing my mind.

How could she pretend this was normal behavior? In what messed-up universe?!

“David is better off… Oh my God! Laurie, Cody, help me out here! Am I the only one who thinks this is crazy? Damn. Is this why you were so keen on keeping me on the team? You felt guilty.”

“I didn't feel guilty. I'm not you. I know what I do and why I do it. I just thought you were a very good employee, and David is an attractive man who knows how to get people into his bed. I didn’t fault you for that.”

“Rebecca, please. That’s not the way it happened.” David weakly defended himself.

“Oh, yes, I forgot. Andy is the special boy, the chosen one. Forgive me.”

“Look, he’s allowed to feel betrayed right now. You can’t just pretend what you did was right.”

She chuckled.

“I’m tired of you guys telling me what’s right and wrong, as if you’re so morally pure. The man had been working for us for a few days when you were already fucking!”

“It wasn't like that…”

“I’m not finished. David. You scheme just like me. Can we talk about this guy here? Cody, right? He’s a good friend of our special boy Andy, so he deserves to cheat the system as well?”

Cody’s face immediately turned red.

“I… I have nothing to do with…” He blurted out.

“Your degree is fake. It was a gift from my husband to his lover’s best friend, just like your scholarship was.”

"What?"

“Fuck.” I put my hands on my head.

I hated the fact that she went there. 

“What is she talking about, Andy?”

“Oh, you don't know? You didn’t pass your final exam. My husband only made sure you graduated.”

“Is that true? David? Andy?”

Cody’s face was the worst part of all this.

He looked so confused and heart broken.

“It was just a single point and the jury decided to… That’s not important.” David said, providing very little explanation.

“I didn't know until afterwards, Cody. I swear. But this doesn't change anything, and this is…”

“Fuck. I'm not really an architect. I— I failed?! Laurie, did you know?”

“No, I’m as shocked as you are.”

“But you are an architect, Cody! You’re great at your job, and…”

Bang.

We all stopped shouting at each other when a loud sound came from the door on the other side of the room.

It was a gray door with the word "Staffers" on it.

Five pairs of eyes turned toward it. 

“Shit.”

“Is someone there?”

Rebecca held her hand in the air to make us shut up and did not wait a second more to begin striding toward the door. 

She really was the boss bitch she thought she was.

She slammed the door open, and sure enough, there was someone there.

Two people, in fact, who had certainly heard the whole thing.

They also happened to have their pants dropped around their ankles, exposing their junk.

“Zach?!” Rebecca howled.

Of course… It was Zachary and Victor, messing around naked in a freaking changing room for staffers. 

As if the situation was not messy enough already!