Find out what happens to Simon and Ian after Hot Off the Press
Second Chances is available on 9/1/2016. Read Chapter 1 now!
Ian squinted in the
bright sunlight as he moved the pillow that was covering his eyes. He shuffled
in the tangle of blankets on the king-size bed, reaching out his arm to see if
Simon was still next to him. To his disappointment, Simon was already up and
about, and Ian groaned at the thought that he wouldn’t get to cuddle with his
boyfriend on his last day in Cape Town before a week-long trip to Johannesburg.
Ian turned over,
exposing his naked chest to the warm summer rays streaming in through the open
window. The clock above the bedroom door showed that it was only 8.30, but it
already felt like it was going to be a scorcher. Ian rubbed the gentle hairs of
his chest, enjoying the heat on his skin, and feeling his hormones flair at the
desire to have Simon next to him. He called out in a sing-song voice: “Simon?
Where are you?” and heard the sounds of bags being moved and smelled the
heavenly aroma of bacon from the kitchen. Simon had always been an early bird,
and even though Ian’s flight was only later that afternoon, Simon was
doubtlessly making sure he got a healthy meal in his belly before he left. Always such a generous caretaker, Ian
thought, and a smile crossed his lips. He sat up in bed, his rugged beard and
messy hair making him look like a caveman in the nightstand mirror across from
him. He would have to trim the beard and pamper himself a bit before leaving
for Joburg. Can’t do a job interview looking like that.
Simon’s sweet,
gentle voice called back to Ian from the living room: “Come on out here, Ian.
Breakfast is getting cold and I have something to show you before you get ready
for your trip.”
Ian shuffled out of
bed, his naked body taking in the warm rays, the tall, muscular back and
buttocks bulging. He pulled on his robe and fastened it, regretting that he had
to cover up, but he knew that Simon would be anxious about their separate trips
and wouldn’t be in the mood for any funny business that morning. Simon could be
very rigid when it came to following schedules, and he was determined that Ian
needed to be in a taxi by 9.30. Ian walked into the kitchen, seeing Simon’s
smiling face stare up at him as Simon knelt down next to an oversized suitcase.
Simon was struggling to fit in a few extra shirts; even though Ian would only
be gone for a week and Simon’s conference would only last a few days, Simon was
always overprepared. “I’m just trying to get this to close. But I’ll struggle
with it after breakfast. Come have some bacon and eggs with me. I have
something to show you.” Simon’s medium-length straight brown hair and slim,
sharp jawline gave him the look of a schoolteacher. It was no wonder Simon was
making such an excellent editor of the Ridgemont Weekly News since Ian had
retired to do his master’s degree the year before. Even though it was hard for
Ian to say goodbye to the Weekly, he couldn’t think of anyone better to take
the reins from him than Simon. Simon was a natural editor: strict but friendly,
diligent but smart enough to avoid micromanaging. Truthfully, everyone knew that
Simon could run the paper almost completely on his own, but he resisted his natural
instinct to overwork and let everyone do their part instead.
Ian bent down to
give Simon a gentle kiss. “Good morning, handsome. Breakfast smells incredible!
And you really didn’t have to finish packing for me; there’s more than enough
time still before my flight. We’re only a twenty-minute cab ride away from the
airport. We don’t have to stick to the schedule so religiously.”
Simon’s eyes got
wide with shock, “Of course we do! We can’t have you missing your flight on
such an important day. Interviewing with Walden Media Group is nothing to take
lightly. I can’t believe you’re looking so calm right now. I would be jumping
out of my skin if I had a job interview at Walden coming up.”
Ian shrugged and
sat down at the breakfast table, taking a deep whiff of the breakfast in front
of him. “I’m just planning on taking it as it comes. You know I’m still not
sure about this job. If I get it, I’ll have to move to Joburg and be away from
you, at least until you finish your studies. I don’t know if I can stand that.
What am I supposed to do without you for six months?”
Simon sat down next
to Ian, giving him a faint smile. Ian could see that Simon was just as
conflicted as he was, but Simon was doing a very good job of fighting back his mixed
feelings. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime. Working at Walden has been
your dream since forever. I don’t want to stand in the way of that. I want you
to have everything you’ve ever dreamed of in life,” Simon said, his eyes
flickering with a brief moment of sadness. “Besides, we can visit at least one
weekend a month. Flights aren’t that expensive.
And I’ll stay with you over the holidays when I can get away from the Weekly.
We’ll figure this out. You can’t let your dream job slip away.”
“That’s just the
thing,” Ian said, holding Simon’s hand across the edge of the small kitchen
table. “Being with you, living together these past few months, has been more
than I could ever have dreamed of. I want a great job, and I want to be a
journalist, but not if it costs me what we have together. We’re building a life
that I love so much, and if I can’t have you with me, I don’t even want to be
at Walden.”
Simon’s eyes went
wide again, and he opened his mouth in surprise: “Don’t even say things like
that, Ian! You’ll jinx your interview. I want you to give this your best shot.
I’ll be done with my studies in a few months, then I’ll come up and join you in
Joburg full time and find a job there. We can survive a few months apart. Trust
me, nothing will keep me from being with you. Not after everything we’ve been
through to be together.”
Simon bent across
the table and kissed Ian lovingly, and Ian smelled the fresh flowery fragrances
of Simon’s shampooed hair mixed with his intoxicating deodorant. Simon’s soft
lips rubbed against Ian’s as his hand gently caressed Ian’s cheek. Simon whispered,
looking deeply into Ian’s eyes, “I love you, Ian. I never want to lose you.”
Ian smiled
contentedly, his heart swelling at how lucky he was to have someone like Simon
in his life. When they were working together at the Weekly, Ian had always felt
like he needed to hide the feelings he had for Simon, like it would be wrong to
overstep his boundaries as editor. Now, they could share their love freely, and
there was nothing standing in their way.
“Enough about me,”
Ian said, taking a bite of his breakfast, “you should be excited about your own
week. You finally get another chance to interview President Baleka. How are you
feeling?”
Ian saw Simon’s
eyebrows crease and a look of worry was written all over his face. Simon tapped
his fingers nervously on the table as he looked down at his plate. “I don’t
know. It’s a big deal to be able to represent Ridgemont University at the Youth
in Journalism Summit. And the president himself agreeing to attend and hold a
press junket with all of the university journalists? It’s a lot of pressure.”
Ian squeezed
Simon’s hand, trying to ease the worry written all over Simon’s face. Ian
softened his gaze, trying to project a look of calm and reassurance. Simon had
always questioned his own abilities, even though he really had nothing to be
afraid of. The year before, Simon had missed out on a chance to interview Harry
Baleka when he was still just a candidate for president. A rival journalist at
the Weekly, Margeaux Chamberlain, had stolen the opportunity from Simon when he
was too slow to act on it. But now, he was being given a second chance to
redeem himself for that missed interview. This was his chance to prove that he
was able to interview one of the greatest leaders South Africa has ever had.
Ian knew that it was an immense amount of pressure, and for someone as
self-conscious as Simon, it was almost surely causing him sleepless nights. But
Ian also knew that there was no one more talented at finding and pursuing
interesting and important stories than Simon. He was an incredible writer and a
brilliant investigative journalist. He had proven that point when he had
uncovered a scandal of homophobic bullying at Ridgemont that was being covered
up by the university’s management. Simon’s bravery had inspired Ian to be brave
himself and admit his feelings for Simon. It was one of the best decisions of
Ian’s life.
Ian felt himself almost
become choked up watching Simon doubting himself. He felt his love for Simon
swelling up inside of him. Ian said: “The work you’ve done as editor of the
Weekly has been amazing to watch. You’re the best journalist I know, and you’re
going to blow them away this weekend. I’m so proud of you, Simon. And I love
you more than I can say.”
Simon’s eyes rose
from the table and he looked Ian in the eye. The connection between them had
only grown stronger, and there was no doubt how much they loved and valued each
other. “Thanks, Ian,” Simon said, blinking quickly, his cheeks becoming rosier
with modesty. “That means a lot to me. Oh! That reminds me: I have a gift for
you.” Simon walked over to the kitchen counter and brought over a rectangular
box with a red bow around it.
“For me?” Ian
asked, his smile broadening. “What’s the occasion?”
“I just wanted you
to have a good luck charm for your interview. Something to remind you what
you’re there for.”
Ian opened the box
and saw a beautiful silver pen. An engraving was etched onto the side of the
pen: To Ian, My Inspiration. He
looked up at Simon, feeling emotion in his chest. “Thank you, Simon. This means
a lot to me.” Ian hugged Simon tightly, feeling extremely lucky to have such a
caring, considerate boyfriend. Suddenly, a flash of regret surged through him.
Ian had tried to push away the thoughts of what he would do if he was offered
the job at Walden, but now the time had come to decide once and for all. He
knew that he loved Simon, but long distance relationships are notoriously
difficult and Ian was concerned about what would happen to their relationship
if Simon couldn’t join him. Besides, what if Simon didn’t want to move to
Joburg? Was it really fair to make Simon move across the country, away from his
mother and little sister, just to follow Ian’s dream? Ian’s plan had always
been to put his career first; he was still young, and didn’t see himself
falling so deeply in love at that age. But Simon was the one, and Ian wasn’t willing to do anything to jeopardize their
relationship. He tried to push aside the thoughts. He still had to get through
a week of interviews to get the junior position at Walden Media Group, and if
he didn’t make the cut it would take away the need for these difficult
decisions.
“Finish up,” Simon
said, pointing to Ian’s half-eaten plate of food. “We both have to be out of
here soon. Maybe we can squeeze in a shower together before you need to go…”
Ian immediately
perked up, and every thought about the future melted away. “You know just how
to make me happy, don’t you,” Ian said with a wink. A week away from Simon
would be torture, but Ian was happy to know that he would come back to the
happy home that they shared together.
