The Start

The Start Book Two: Chapter Eight.

I do hope you weren’t disappointed with the last chapter because I totally enjoyed growing this family I’ve created.

Robby’s POV

“It’s all or nothing, Rye. This can’t be undone. You could do the half-assed shit like you’ve been doing but it will only disappoint you in the end. It’s a hundred and ten percent. We can go home now and wonder for the rest of our lives if you’d made a terrible mistake or regret what might have been?” Robby rested his arms across his chest; it seemed to be a move they both did when the talking was over.

“I want to go back to the hotel, Niki.” And Ryan got up walking into the living room looking fifty floors down.

Ryan was in such a tizzy when we got back to the suite. He wanted to go home. He told me about Dr. Phil and going to Chicago when we left New York and he could have cared less about seeing the ball drop. He was antsy though. His phone was on fire and he spent the next hour with his thumbs flying. It was Niki. All the shit was pulled from YouTube; unfortunately after tens of millions of views. Niki had been on the phone and yes; people wanted to do shit with him.

Now he was pacing back and forth and I knew better than interrupt. I just watched him; my Ryan figuring shit out in his head. The next morning he was on the phone with Niki, some guy about a suit, and someone that did makeup. It was New Year's Eve, five-o-clock, and no Ryan. I walked from the room and was waiting for the elevator when the doors opened. I nodded to the man who was wearing an expensive suit, dark glasses, and a hat; he nodded back.

I stood next to him and inhaled the unmistakable aroma that was Ryan. I looked at him again and he did a nod and looked forward. I studied his face and frame; I took in another couple of smells and then saw the smile. He pulled off the hat and stuck it on my head showing his slicked back salt and pepper hair.

“You, fucker Ryan,” and he kissed me.

We heard the ding and he pulled the hat returning it to his head. From the Mayflower to Time Square was a trip. We talked in the car and he told me that he would be performing and didn’t want to be recognized as Dean; that was the hat, hair, and glasses.

Niki was on the phone most of the time; I guess some artists don’t like doing things cold and some were complaining. Niki told them if they didn’t want to perform with what will be the talk into the New Year; fine. Ryan said NO to some who wanted him; saying ‘he didn’t want to be associated with them.’

Pink had done a song around ten and then she started doing Ryan’s favorite song by, Four Non-Blonds. ‘What’s going on’? I have no idea if it was planned or not but Ryan let go of my hand, smiled at me; no fucking way. He walked on stage in his suit, tie, and glasses along with the hat as the music started over. She thanked the audience and smiled at Ryan when he walked on stage. I was dying.

“This fucker is crazy good,” Pink announced squeezing his neck in front of a million sardines packed into Time Square.

He took my advice but he gave a hundred and ninety-nine percent. He went down on a knee throwing his hat to the crowd and screamed, “What’s going on?”

All of Time Square started singing as Rye held out his mic. In the end, he stood next to Pink with an arm around her waist and hers around his bonking each other's head. He waved at the hundreds of thousands as she kissed his cheek and he walked down towards me with Pink, clapping; saying RJ, over and over.

He stood in front of me with a smile I don’t think I’d ever seen. “Who are you? And what, have you done with Ryan Chancellor?” I deadpanned.

I had seen him sing to a hundred people but nothing like this and he didn’t seem fazed that most of the planet had watched him. “Resistance is futile, my sexy, blond, friend.” He put his arm around me and we walked into the heated tent.

Niki was on him like stink on shit and she took my place leading him off to; fuck me! Bon Jovi. I watched them and it was all smiles until a guy in a suit came for Niki and Ryan stood next to Jovi talking. They nodded at each other and then I felt someone bumping into my back. It was Donny and Jeff.

“These hologram passes are crap,” Donny announced.

“Well, if you wouldn’t have gone all ticklish and shit when they were frisking you we would have been in here an hour ago. We’re here now aren’t we?” Jeff retorted.

My mouth was still open watching Ryan when I saw him wave me over. I think I kind of pissed myself as the two behind pushed me in their direction. I planted my feet turning and gave them my best look.

“You can choke on that fucking look Robby,” Donny said as he practically lifted me off my feet and my toes slid across the ground.

“Put him down, Fossness.” Came from Ryan in a gruff voice and I was on the ground. “Jon, this is the best part of me, Robby.” And I was dumbstruck as Jeff poked me in the back.

“It’s nice to meet you, I’m Robert Chancellor.” And I stuck out my hand.

“Oh? You’re, Robert Chancellor, now?” The two behind me said in unison.

He held his hand out to me and said, “Hi, I’m Jon.”

“Shake his fuckin hand, you dolt,” they said again at the same time.

I caught Donny in the abs and Jeff in the chest with my elbows then extended my right hand to Jon and the fingers of my left hand curled into Ryan’s.

Someone walked up with Don Lemon and the other guy stepped between Ryan and Jon seeming to give some sort of instructions. Don walked us over to a monitor and Niki was walking out in a parka to sit with Anderson Cooper.

“Niki; it’s always good to see you. Are you going to tell us who your new client is? Who is RJ?” And Niki looked right at the camera smiling.

It was a long pause then she turned back to AC. “I don’t represent him. I do know him, though. He is a heavy donor to The DC Foundation. He only agreed to all of this in hopes of raising a million dollars for education.” And she looked back at the camera.

I turned but Ryan and Jon were gone. I looked at Donny and Jeff but got nothing. I turned back to the monitor and saw them turn as the music started. Now it was all we could do to get back out into the cold.

The sound of thunderous applause was deafening. I saw Ryan’s back standing at the bottom of the stairs with a new hat. It was a long confusing intro but I knew what it was as Bon Jovi swayed back and forth on stage. “I’ve heard there was a secret chord that David played and it pleased the Lord.”

If there was ever a song; this was Ryan’s. I believe Cohen’s song has more verses and has been recorded by the most artists, ever. It always pissed Rye off when it was the most famous verses that were recorded. Ryan walked up now being the new face.

The keyboard player stood, moved off to the side bowing and hand gesturing to the bench, and Ryan sat down. He ripped it. And I smiled looking at him wanting to cry. He rose and walked right up to the mic; owning it.

“Oh people, I’ve been here before. I know this room and I’ve walked this floor; you see I used to live alone before I knew you. And I’ve seen your flag on the marble arch, but this is not some kind of victory march.”The choirs rang from the crowd.Hallelujah.

Jon started singing the second verse as Ryan finished the forth. If the North Dakota boys hadn’t been behind me I might have fallen back. After five years together and everything else; I thought I knew him. If not for the colors shooting off like the Fourth of July; I didn’t recognize him.

Ryan had now taken over and Jon was backing him. That was when I saw it. It was the first time we went back home too; The Willows. I thought back as he sang.

“Now remember when I moved in you and the holy god, she was moving too and every single breath we drew was Hallelujah.”

He held the mic out as he rested on his knees as far as he could on stage without falling off. He looked at me with no sign of recognition and turned back to the crowd. After that first time, we understood that Willow gave and took; kind of a balance. Rye’s hat came off and out into the throngs of people it went.

Ryan was still on his knees and boxes were pushed out on stage to rest next to him. He started throwing hats like Frisbees’. What was strange watching is the hats would hit hands and fingers only to be pushed further back in the crowd like a beach ball at a concert? A concert for a million people

“I’ve done my best; I know it wasn’t much. I couldn’t feel so I learned to touch; I’ve told the truth I didn’t come here to Time Square to fuck with you.” That charged New York. You could feel it. “Even though it all went wrong I’ll stand here before the lord of song with nothing on my tongue but hallelujah.”Ryan was next to Jon and the crowd had their hands swinging in the air singing the choirs.

Niki basically hopped between Seacrest and Anderson and I fell in love with Ryan James Chancellor, all over again. The closer it got to midnight the crowd around RJ grew and I couldn’t get close. I watched on the monitors as things were lighting up. Twitter, Facebook, YouTube: were on fuckin fire. WHO IS THE HOTTY, RJ??? And links to The Foundation were everywhere.

I have no idea if Dean realized that the music he put out was to an older generation; the ones with money. Ryan was the same. The count down clock in Time Square had a second that watched the amount as it rose for The Foundation.

It was the first New Year's we weren’t entangled when the ball dropped and he didn’t crawl into bed until four but was up an hour later; and I thought, ‘here we go’. I heard him in the shower talking on the phone and I could tell it was Niki.

I was standing at the bathroom door and I could hear him again. “Niki,” and there was a pause. “I know what I said but, I’m ok with Dr. Phil; after this, I think I can speak for Robby. I would leave right now if maybe we could spend the night in Chicago.” And I listened more.

“Niki, I hardly had the time to cuddle; I’m in the fuckin shower now.” And there was a pause again.

“Did you even sleep? What are you talking about?” And I could tell his voice was rising.

“I told you; I’m in the shower now. Do you want me in a fuckin Betty White tracksuit, Niki?” And the shower stopped. I backed away to the bed.

I faked sleep as he came out talking to himself. ‘Fuckin, Good Morning America; oh Ryan, we can do three by eleven and still be in Chicago before dinner.’

I could feel his eyes on me. He’d stopped talking to himself. I knew and tried not showing my smile should he see. I felt his hand on my ankle under the sheet and couldn’t help but tremble. Then I felt his lips on my calf and moving up fast. His lips went up my leg, he parted me cheeks and his tongue followed, and I felt his body on mine.

“You know I love you more than my luggage?” He said in my ear. That was his favorite line from Steel Magnolias. I nodded knowing he spoke the truth.

“Shit has exploded Jr. Twenty million dollars in eight hours, Rob. Can you believe it?”

I could feel his still wet body on my back. I knew by the slab resting between my cheeks that he wasn’t going to be on time. There was a knock at the door and we heard ‘room service’.

“Fucking Niki,” he said walking to the door. It was like he was going to flash the JW’s. When he opened the door lights went off as Rye stood there in shock letting them take their shots of his naked body and I was in the background before he slammed the door.

It wasn’t two minutes and Ryan’s phone started ringing. He answered and there was a long pause as he held the phone away from his ear. Finally, he said, “Nobody will remember me tomorrow.” And another long pause.

“I don’t represent anything and you don’t represent me, Niki, so don’t sound all high and mighty.” And another long silence as Ryan rocked his head back and forth.

“But… But Niki; no, I would never do anything to jeopardize The Foundation. What do you want me to do” Fine?” That was all the talking Ryan did but the conversation took five minutes. And when it ended I knew he wanted to through his phone.

His phone rang five minutes later and another long pause. He hung up and went for his clothes from last night then started putting them on. He hadn’t said a word and I was dumbfounded as he started mumbling to him self. I knew what ever he was going to do; I wasn’t part of it.

‘I don’t have to do what you tell me, Niki.” I heard him say from the bathroom.

‘Like you think you can fix this. I have a plan. REALLY? How could you have a fuckin plan in five minutes?’ And he walked out of the bathroom in a wrinkled suit along with a pulled tie and hat.

He came over and ran his hands down his front, “How do I look? It’s going be funny to see what Niki pulls out of her ass?” And he looked at me in that sorry way.

“Today of all days, Rye?” And I couldn’t help but smile.

“Why would you ever do that? Something tells me Niki will have you coming out of this smelling like a rose. Can you kiss me?” And he did.

It wasn’t long and the other three boys were in my room as we watched him with Ryan Seacrest and Kelly. There was a little talk about last night; Seacrest was there after all. “So ah, RJ? Some pictures have surfaced this morning; any comment?” Kelly asked with a blush and a smile.

Ryan looked at Niki and shrugged his shoulders all dumb and shit. She held out her phone and Rye looked at it. “Damn good looking guy. So Kelly, do you have any cleaned up versions that we can compare to?” Ryan asked smiling.

“First let me say; I have been with him the whole time. Ryan, we were all together till after three. I do feel bad for who ever that poor guy is; but it isn’t RJ.” Niki finished.

A shot with a blur covering my favorite toy came up on the screen and they put up a face shot of Ryan for comparison.

“Looks like him to me. What do you think, audience?” Kelly announced.

“I can assure you; that is not RJ.” And she looked at the camera.

The audience started clapping. Ryan looked at Niki. “Show them.” She said with a shrug of her left shoulder.

Ryan stood unbuttoning the two buttons of his coat. He pulled his shirt then went for the clasp and zipper of his pants. He was making a spectacle of it.

“What the hell?” Donny gasped slapping the back of my head.

Ryan dropped the pants far enough to rest on his shape and there between his trimmed pubes and belly button was a bright compass with North aiming down to his dick.

“I didn’t know he was inked up,” Donny announced with another slap to the head.

“I didn’t either?” I said under my breath flaying my arm behind me.

“Wait a minute? He didn’t have that when.” And Jeff slugged him in the arm.

On National TV I watched as Ryan slowly unbuttoned the shirt and across his chest, in kid like building block letters, Love, Laugh, Live. He looked at the camera and smiled to me.

Donny and Jeff started to laugh saying “He would never?”

Yes, he did; both pecks danced in unison and then individually. And cheers came from his newfound fans.

“I think we have a case of mistaken identity.” Niki proudly said as Rye put himself back together with claps from the audience.

“RJ? Why haven’t we heard from you until now? You stole the show last night and Twitter and Facebook are on fire. You’ve raised over twenty million dollars overnight. There is only one other person that has done something like that.” And Seacrest looked at him. RJ shrugged to the people.

“So RJ? I presume you have an album in the works?” Kelly asked.

“You guys have this all wrong. RJ isn’t a recording artist; this was just to raise money for the DC Foundation.” Niki assured.

“So Niki; the Palace put out a statement announcing another seat at the Queen's table for the youngest Knight. Any comment?” Ryan asked with that Seacrest smile.

“It’s true. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, by order of his Grandmother, Knighted our son. I told Harry it was a noble gesture and he told me she would have knighted his father had he been able to return to England.” And Niki looked at the camera.

“RJ? Would you consider doing something for us?” Kelly asked. And a piano with a light came floating on stage as the audience started clapping.

Ryan looked at Niki like for approval but none was needed. He got up and sat before the keys and started playing with his left hand. He looked right at the camera. “When I was young and didn’t play the right notes a nun would rap my knuckles with a ruler.” And there was a moan from the audience.

He added his right hand to the mix and said, “Kidding.” And the shit hit the fan.

Ryan was adding stuff on the fly. His hat was kind of over one eye and his fingers were a blur as he gave the camera those, ‘cum fuck me eyes’ that he has. He ended dancing his fingers over every key then did the one finger up the white keys and stood throwing his hat up into the audience.

When they came back from commercial Seacrest told him that the switchboard had lit up and they were going to take some calls. The first caller asked if RJ would consider showing his tattoos again and there was a lot of clapping. Ryan thanked what sounded like a dorm of giggling college girls.

The second caller recommended that Niki turn RJ into a superstar like she did Dean Cooper.

“I wish I could take responsibility for Dean Cooper’s success but, it was all Dean. I was his PA. I’m not an agent or promoter; I go to school, run the DC Foundation, and my hands are full with an eight-month-old boy. But I do think he should make an album.” And everybody was on their feet.

Caller three-set all kinds of things in motion. “Caller, are you there?” Seacrest asked.

Jeff’s POV:

Donny was open with Don. He was kind of cold recounting some of the abuse. We’d been through counseling and had been through a session with Phil, I was looking forward to seeing him again. New Year's Eve was something; Ryan, the shit we had to go through just to be part of it.

Donny touched me every chance he got. At first, it was just a brush of his hand across my front, a soft slide of his front across my backside. Donny was turned on by everything. The feeling of a million people, what Ryan was doing, and just being here. I don’t know what time it was but the ball hadn’t dropped.

“BED NOW.” He growled in my ear as he now was up against my ass and his hands had captured my crotch.

With two guys escorting us we walked briskly back to the Mayflower. He didn’t even try to hide his excitement in the elevator. He fumbled with the card and when the door closed he turned me and pulled my pants and underwear down as he dropped to his knees.

Now I was more than half-hard and Donny slid right down to the base in one graceful motion. I could tell by his actions that I would not be the bottom tonight. That was the way I liked it; the bottom. The things that Donny endured made it hard to top for him, but I love him.

Some things he wanted I just couldn’t do. I couldn’t do what Dean did. I couldn’t be aggressive or forceful with him. I couldn’t push my dick down his throat and he had to pull me from behind to make that happen; make him choke around me. Donny wanted all of that tonight and it was up to me to deny the things that might trigger memories and make me go soft.

I really do love this big stud that has been in therapy for two years; I gave up everything for him. But the one thing I refuse to do is feed his need for the awful things that were done to him. I would never use him, wouldn’t do things that he interpreted as love, I couldn’t and wouldn’t ever do that to him.

Robby’s POV

After a long pause, a kid said, “I am going to kill myself.”

“What’s your name, honey?” Niki asked. Genuine concern was all over her face as she asked his name and shifted gears into a Niki I didn’t know.

“Nobody will miss me,” the kid said.

“Honey, hang up now and call this number, 1 80D-CCrisis. They will patch you to me.” Niki said to the camera.

“I wanna talk to, RJ.” And I saw Rye give her his best ‘what the fuck’ eyes, and she kicked him in the leg. She assured that kid when her phone rang; RJ would answer. And when they came back Niki filled her chair and Ryan’s was empty.

Kelly was in the audience with a mic asking if anyone had questions for Niki. A woman stood and stated, “Your son is a beautiful child. Is Dean Cooper his Father?” She finished.

“Yes. Sir Dean’s Father is, Dean Cooper.” Her eyes were wet with a proud smile on her face.

Then a guy stood; maybe twenty-five. “Is RJ in a relationship?”

“You Horney Bastard. You tell him yes Niki. Tell him yes.” I yelled at the TV.

She smiled so big her eyes squinted, “I can not say, YES, strongly enough.” And her smile when she looked at the camera was just for me.

That whole segment was Q&A with almost all Q’s being about RJ. Then Ryan asked Niki about the last caller. “Can you tell us a little about The Foundation, Niki?”

She ran her fingers through her hair. “When Dean traveled he would go to schools; always during lunch. He had this weird ability to identify kids who needed him the most. He could also recognize environments that allowed bad behavior to foster.” And Niki took a breath.

“He took every story to heart; many, many stories He came to truly understand bulling, Bashing, and Hate but never really understood why. Should a girl or boy be bullied or harassed because they wear thick glasses? We have a call center that I told the boy to call.” And she took another pause and drink of water.

“If a school intervention needs to happen; we make it happen. Educators don’t like to be told ‘they don’t know.’ This takes special handling and we have people in the air just going from school to school for things like this.” And she looked to see if her answer was enough. It wasn’t.

“So many of our responders do it for free and we pay others. I personally check references on any person who acts on behalf of Dean’s Foundation. He started with the higher grades then realized how it was learned behavior, and wanted to go to primary schools. That’s what we concentrate on now.” She gave the camera her eyes again.

“His school was involved in a shooting? Am I wrong, Niki?” Kelly asked.

“Yes, his school was involved in a mass shooting. He left me with an unattainable mission statement. ‘Go when asked. Help when needed. And don’t wait to be asked.’ I think that’s the shortest mission statement for a non-profit.” And she smiled knowing she was doing her best to make that happen.

When they came back both Niki and Ryan were gone. I called him; it went to Voice mail and Niki’s did the same. It was nine-o-clock in the morning and the other two shows must have been scrambling because R&N were a No show. I didn’t get a call from Niki until eleven; from Ryan’s phone.

“You were watching the show, right? You saw what happened?” she asked.

“Niki, aren’t we leaving for Chicago in like an hour?”

“You and the boys are: Ryan and I are in Toronto” she announced like it was no big thing that she and Ryan got on a plane and flew to fuckin Toronto.

“We’re pulling up to the park now: Ryan has been on the phone with him the whole time. I’ve gotta go.” And the call ended as knocks came to the door.

RJ’s POV:

To say I was star struck is an understatement. First, I meet Barry and his wife in Florida, get to sing with an Icon, and he presented me with a song he wrote just for me before he went to bed. Then I spend Christmas with, Elton, Fuckin, John, along with David and their kids.

But it was kind of strange. I had never been to England but my ancestors came from here. Much of it all seemed familiar as I stood looking out over the expansive meadow and wanting to break into the ‘Sound of Music’.

We would take Elton’s golf cart and roam the square plus miles. I would think about everything we had done and wondered about what was to come. We all sat back watching the Johns' do Christmas Morning and Ryan had an eye-opening experience.

Elton was Santa. He walked up to us with an armload of presents and knelt. He gave a package to each of us and when he handed Dean his he gave him an Eskimo kiss.

I opened the lightbox as the others did. Inside were two cards. ‘In your name, one million dollars has been donated to the DC Foundation.’

I read the other card. “Ryan. We can’t thank you enough for spending the most special of holidays with our family and sharing, your Robby. You may look like Dean Copper; that’s not a bad thing but, you, are you; don’t ever forget that. D&E.” I found out later that the same gift was given to all of us; six million dollars.

I got to sing and play with the cream of the crop and even taught myself how to play the Harp. I talked to a Prince; like really had a conversation. I asked Elton if it was ok if I fucked with the Harp. Strings are strings. All you need to know is what sounds they make when you rake your fingers across them. After five minutes I did, ‘Everybody hurts,’ me, twenty or so voices, and the Harp.

I think the highlight; if I could actually compare, was singing with Jack and Tim from England’s got Talent. The English have manors like I’ve never experienced but the same manors I’ve always tried to emulate. We did their song, ‘Lucky ones’ with an Alison Krauss’, twist; The Lucky One. Something I learned from Dean Cooper and John Legend.

I guess people like Elton have a room full of interments; just in case. The two of them started, “Lay your head on me as I fall to sleep. Put your arms around mine, stay here by my side. We’re the Lucky Ones, only we’ve just begun. Others leave too young, we’re the lucky ones.”

I could hardly see threw my squinted eyes smiling and watching them. “You’re the lucky one so I’ve been told, free as the wind rolling down the road. You’re loved by many and hated by none; I’d say you were lucky cause I no what you’ve done. Not a care in the world, not a worry in sight, every things gonna be all right; cause you’re the lucky one.”

There were nods and laughter at the irony. The faces that I’m sure dad, and son, had as I looked at my family. There was Little Sir Dean, my Robby, and the hicks. All I saw from them was pride and love; then a nod from Niki. I looked back to the father and son.

“We’re The Lucky Ones, only just begun. Others leave too young, we’re The Lucky Ones. Till your eyes can’t see, I’ll be all you need. Put your hand in mine; stay here by my side. We’re the Lucky Ones, only just begun. Others leave too young; we’re the lucky ones. I saw pride in a Fathers eyes like I had never seen before. I saw love in a young boy's eyes looking at his Father.

“You’re the Lucky One always having fun; a Jack of all trades, master of none. You look at the world with a smiling eye and laugh at the devil as his train rolls by. We give you a song and a one night stand; you’d be looking at a happy man because you’re the lucky One”I’d never played the Mandolin before and the young boy leaned over to watch as I played and sang. He was the sweetest kid.

“We are the lucky ones”

You’re the Lucky One, always having fun, Jack of all trades, and master of none, you’re The Lucky One.”

“We are the Lucky Ones.” And it was over. This was at the top of my list.

I should have seen it at the time; those who weren’t doing anything had their phones out; including The Prince. I looked at the Father and Son knowing I’d never have eyes like that and never have eyes look at me in that way. Then I looked at Robby. He had a smile and I know what his wet eyes look like; he motioned me to the Father and Son.

He nodded his head understanding what’d happened and I walked over. I was still in shock; all the people I was surrounded by; I knew this was big shit.

I reached out to the boy to shake his small hand but re reached in for a hug as his dad came to my other side. “You should go on Britain’s’ Got Talent,” The kid said to me.

“He’s a Yank.” The Prince announced with a smile and a wink.

“I’m sure I could find an ancestor or two, Your Highness.”

Niki had provided all of this for me; for all of us. A gift; if I live to be a hundred; I could never equal.

From your Author:

I do go back, I read comments. For the last, while I have been bouncing on and off the list of the most twenty popular authors on this site. Those are the authors with the most readers and the most votes; it’s been humbling. If I can take a minute to acknowledge some of the other authors on that list; pay homage to them for inspiration, wonderful stories, and giving of themselves for us.

Bill Hudley. Ice, RA, Grant, Bid D. We all recognize their names and I communicate with them from time to time. It’s flattering that I share the light with them for short periods of time. And let us not forget, Our Host. Bjorn and I have gone around, I challenge him and he gives it back. If you spent a few minutes reading this chapter; if you don’t comment for me, do it for our host. RJC