Collaboration

Collaboration 42

*NOTE* I do not claim to know the celebrities mentioned below or their sexual preferences. This fictional story was written solely for entertainment purposes only and does NOT imply the sexual preferences of said celebrities or anything about their personal lives. Enjoy!

T.I. was right about the rest of the intimate scenes becoming easier because he and Lauren started talking again. He found it extremely easier to perform now and was hardly even nervous about it anymore. They continued producing great scenes together that was filled with passion and could be described as pure sensuality. It actually seemed as if these two people were in love and meant everything to each other and that is exactly what the director wanted and, needless to say, was happy with the outcome. Now that his relationship with Lauren was back on track, his friendship with Evan was suffering. One late night he decided to go see the young actor in his trailer. He didn't want things to be like this between them. After knocking, Evan opened the door and looked straight into his hazel colored eyes.

"Hey," he said a little nervously. "What's up?"

"Chillin' man. Can we talk?"

"Okay," Evan said as he moved aside and let him in. They both sat on the couch.

"Are you okay?"

"Yea I'm good. Why?"

"You're acting different."

"How?"

"I dunno. It's not like it used to be though."

"Oh."

"You said that you weren't gonna let your feelings come between this friendship."

"I'm not letting it!"

"Yea you are."

"How do you figure that? How was it before?"

"We'd talk about anything. Mess around with each other. You know?"

"We still do those things. I think it's all in your mind."

"No. I know I'm right about this."

Evan looked at him. This was hurting him. "Why can't you see how hard this is for me?"

"I do."

"So then why are you pushing me so hard?"

"Because I like being your friend and talking to you. I don't want that to change between us."

"I don't either but I need time to sort everything out."

"Well the movie's wrapping soon and I'd like to hang out with you whenever."

"Whenever?"

"Yea. Well whenever our schedules allow it. You're a great guy Evan."

"I guess."

"It's the truth. I don't wanna lose a friend like you."

"Me either. I'm still not used to this though."

"Used to what?"

"I admitted to you that I like you a lot. I thought that was gonna be the hardest part but I was wrong. This shit is worse."

"Only because you're making it that way."

"I'm not. Trust me when I say that nothing would make me happier than to just go back to the way things were between us. I wish I never admitted anything to you."

"That was kinda my fault man. I should've just kept my mouth shut."

"No it's okay. It felt good to finally admit it. But I can't help how I act you know. Especially around you."

"We're cool about it though so you should just be yourself."

"I'm trying. That's the best I can do right about now."

"How did you develop such strong feelings for me in only such a short time?"

"I dunno. It's almost impossible to be around you and not fall for you. You're a special man."

"You really like me a lot don't you?"

"Yea."

"I'm sorry man."

"Yea me too."

"You're trying hard and I see that. I guess all you do need is time. I won't push you anymore."

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to make our friendship awkward."

"Not it's okay. Deal with what you gotta deal with. No rush."

"Thanks."

T.I. got up. "I gotta go."

"Me too," the young actor said as he got up as well.

"Give me a hug."

"Um okay."

Evan walked up to the man he was infatuated with and wrapped his arms around his slim body. T.I., in turn, did the same thing and they both held each other for a while before breaking apart. The caramel colored rapper smelled good and his body felt so good pressed against Evan's that some part of him never wanted to let go. He grabbed his stuff and left shortly after, leaving Evan alone in his trailer. What happened just now came out of nowhere and it lingered on the young man's mind until his phone vibrated, signifying that his ride was outside waiting for him. Once he got outside, T.I. was already gone and he noticed that the weather was setting up to rain. He felt a drop on the top of his head as he entered the long, black limo and sped off into the busy metropolis. T.I. was on his mind the rest of the way home and until he fell asleep in his hotel suite.

The day that everyone from the production staff to the actors were waiting for was finally here; the movie was fully and officially wrapped. Everyone was excited because they all worked so hard on this project and knew that it would be embraced by the public because of how accurately the film portrayed life in Atlanta. T.I. and his costars Evan and Lauren walked around the set as stuff was being taken down and moved. It was hard to believe that their journey had finally come to an end. It had been a long past six months and it seemed like everyone grew from the experience and became closer, like a family. The caramel colored rapper was really going to miss all the late night talks he had with his costars and although he wanted to keep in touch with them to hang out he knew that would be next to impossible because of his work schedule. If he wasn't off doing a TV appearance, a radio show, or soon enough promoting his album and the movie, he'd most likely be with Nelly so that left almost no time to hang out with his new friends. He made a promise to himself before he left the set that he was going to try his absolute hardest to find time to hang out with his boy Evan and his girl Lauren.

The movie had now entered its post production stage where everything was put together and any loose ends or plot holes discovered was corrected. The cast, mainly T.I., Evan, and Lauren, did major promotional work during this time. They went on every TV and radio show imaginable in order to get the public as hyped up about the movie as they were. T.I. tried his best to dodge any personal questions any host would ask him because he really didn't want to lie and say something that he might regret later. He just told them that he didn't want to talk about that part of his life and they got it eventually. A single from the album was released a week prior to the completion of the movie and his manager managed to squeeze in making a video for it into his already packed schedule. The video took three days to wrap and he was extremely happy with the end result, talking about it whenever he made an appearance.

It was Tuesday and his highly anticipated fourth album was finally released to the masses. The week was going to be crazy for him because, after the album dropped on the Tuesday, then the movie would be out a couple of days later on Friday. He had a couple of signings to attend and also more promotional events for his first feature film. He was hoping that by this time next week that he'd have the number one movie and album in the country but didn't get himself too worked up and cocky about it because he was grateful for everything he had in life so far and if it wasn't meant to be then there really wasn't anything he could do about it. He had made his way to New York the weekend before the album was released and on Tuesday afternoon, he was in the Virgin Megastore in Times Square greeting the fans, signing autographs for them, and taking pictures with them. He wasn't expecting such a large turnout but everyone wanted a piece of him. This was what it was all about for him.

The St. Lunatics were in Houston doing a surprise concert for some of their fans down there at the request of their management team. When Nelly was on stage with his boys it was already a given that the house was going to be brought down. The fans raved for the concert and the men performing for them. Where Nelly was concerned, this was only business for Murphy Lee. He was still upset at his best friend's admission to him but he didn't let that get in the way of what he had to do. The main reason he was so upset with him was because he was a hypocrite. He rapped about being with all these women and not having enough time for them but in reality, he was involved with another man. He just could not accept this as being true. He had known Nelly for as long as he could remember and never did he think his best friend would be into men. Nelly never game him a reason to think that and when he admitted that he was in love with another guy, it felt like he punched Murphy in the face and he's been trying to recover from it ever since.

The crowd grew even wilder as the men exited the stage because they clearly wanted more. Nelly's adrenaline was pumping, he was out of breath, and his heart was pounding wildly in his chest. This was by far one of the best live shows he ever out on in his career and he was extremely excited about it. His natural high only lasted a few moments though because he saw Murphy looking at him with the same uncaring expression that he was used to. As much as he hated to admit it, Nelly felt that he was slowly giving up on his best friend. There were only so many times he could say he was sorry for lying to him or not telling him sooner before it started becoming meaningless. It was past that point however seeing as two friends hadn't had a decent conversation in ages.

Nelly returned to his dressing room to catch his breath from his killer performance a few moments ago and grabbed a towel as soon as he entered. He sat on a nearby chair and began wiping all the sweat from his face and naked upper body. The ladies loved it when he revealed his smooth, toned body and he had no problems showing it off because he worked hard for it. He knew that a lot of people, mainly women, thought of him as a sex symbol but since he got into the game, he never saw himself that way. He was just a normal guy who was fortunate enough to find a career that he was really into and loved. Everyday he was surrounded by different people and had different things to do and that's what made the job worthwhile and so exciting. He finished drying off his upper torso and was putting on a tank top when his door opened and Murphy entered. Nelly turned around and stared straight at his best friend's eyes.

"Great show man," he said in a low tone to his once best friend.

"Thanks," Nelly replied, feeling awkward. Murphy never approached him like this in so long that it just felt new to him.

"Can we talk?" he asked as he closed the door behind him and took a seat on a nearby chair.

"About what?"

"How have you been?"

"Good I guess," Nelly replied, a little uninterested. He wanted this but felt that it was forced somehow on Murphy's part.

"Been busy huh?"

"And what else is new?"

"Why are you talking to me like that? Isn't this what you want?"

"Ever since that shit happened between us. But now I'm not so sure."

"Why?"

"Because I saw what you're truly about and that's not the person that I know to be my best friend. My brother."

"How did you expect me to react to that shit?" Murphy asked, his anger getting the better of him.

"I don't know anymore. I'm just tired of trying."

"Why did you expect? Me to be okay with it and tell you that everything was aight? Fuck no!"

"I expected you to be there for me. Be my best friend and have my back. Not fucking call me names and act the way you did. That shit hurt!"

"I don't know what to tell you."

"Why did you act like that? Why didn't you just support me? This is a hard time in my life. I'm basically going against everything I once believed in and when I come clean to me best friend, he spits in my face and walks away from me."

"You're being so dramatic. It wasn't like that."

"That's what it felt like."

"Look I didn't come here for this shit. I don't wanna argue with you."

"So why did you decide to approach me now? After all this time?"

"Just to see how you were I guess."

"I'm good. Anything else?" Nelly asked in an icy tone.

"I miss you aight Cornell. Is that what you want to hear from me?"

"I don't know what I want to hear from you. All I remember is really wanting this moment to happen for so long but now that it's happening I don't know what to say or do."

"What moment?"

"For us to start talking again. But why do I get the feeling that you're not really sincere in this?"

"I dunno what you mean."

"Are you forcing yourself to talk to me right now?"

"No."

"So why does this conversation seem so forced? You feel guilty about what happened between us don't you?"

"Fuck! Damn you Cornell for knowing me so damn good."

"Yea. Damn me. Don't feel you have to do this to ease your conscience man. I forgive you for every mean, nasty, and selfish thing you said to me that day and for how you've treated me ever since."

"That easy? Why do you forgive me all of a sudden?"

"Honestly? Because I don't care anymore. Look, I don't wanna fight with you. So the easiest thing is just for me to forgive you and move on."

"But that's not what you want. I know you and this is not what you want."

"You're right. I just don't wanna do this shit anymore. You feel bad for turning your back on me when I needed you but don't worry because I forgive you for that. For everything. No big deal."

"Sarcasm?"

"Take it whatever way you want to. It doesn't matter to me right now," Nelly said as he got up and went to the bathroom to wash his face. This was hurting him more then he thought it would.

"Is this it? Is this how things are gonna be between us? After all the shit we've been through in the past?"

Nelly finished washing his face, wiped it with a nearby towel, and made his way back into the war zone. "I didn't ask for this shit. You turned your back on me remember?"

"Because you're fucking gay! I never expected this shit from you."

"I didn't ask for it to be this way!"

"Have you at least tried not liking guys?" Murphy asked in an almost caring tone.

"You make it seem like I'm attracted to every nigga I come across. It's not like that. I never thought about niggas that way until I met this guy. I'm not going to apologize to you or anyone else for having feelings for him aight!"

"But you know you can't be involved in shit like this because it will destroy your career."

"If it came down to my career or sacrificing this kind of love then I would choose love. You wouldn't understand that."

"You're right. I don't. So explain it to me."

"He makes me happy. He makes me feel special. He loves me as much as I love him. Why can't you just see that?"

"Because this shit is not normal! And I know you fucking saying that you would kill your career for this is bullshit as well. You know how hard we fought to get where we are now from where we were so long ago. I was there remember? Stop fucking thinking with your dick and think with your brain."

"I don't have to explain myself or my actions to you. You lost that privilege when you walked out on me in that hotel room. You said you weren't expecting me to be gay? I wasn't expecting you to act the way you did. Especially toward me. What happened to the guy I knew for so long and considered my brother?"

"I could as you the same thing. You changed on me and now you expect everyone to just accept the new and improved Nelly? Let me tell you something, there was nothing wrong with the original!"

"So I changed because I found love?"

"No. You changed because you think you found love with some nigga."

"I know I'm in love. No one can help who they fall for."

"But it's a dude Cornell. A nigga. This shit will ruin you!"

"You saying that you gonna out me?"

"Okay look. You know I don't agree with what you're doing. You knew that from the beginning but you actually thought that I'd go to the press with this?"

"Yes."

"Oh okay."

"What does that mean?"

"Didn't think you had such little faith in me."

"I don't know what to think about you anymore so."

"Maybe I should do what you thought I would and go to the press."

"Do what you gotta do man. I sure as hell won't stop you."

"You serious huh?"

"Yea."

"Well then I guess there isn't anything left to say."

"Guess not."

"Right. Whatever then. I'm out."

Murphy Lee quickly made his way to the door and let himself out, slamming it behind him. He was furious right now. Not only did he not manage to fix things with his best friend, it truly seemed as if Nelly was uninterested in him or his opinions anymore. What hurt most was that he actually thought for a second that he would go to the media and snitch on him. That thought never even crossed his mind. The upset rapper stormed back to his dressing room and slammed the door behind him. He swallowed his pride and initiated a conversation with his former best friend but that only made things worse between them. How could be he gay? How could he be into niggas like this? What the fuck was wrong with him? All these, and more, questions floated around in his mind as he made his way out of the arena and to his limo.

Nelly's mind was still reeling from the conversation he was just involved in. It was emotionally draining on him and although he did still care about Murphy, he was just tired of all the games and the fighting the two of them had been involved in for the past few months. He knew that he was never going to accept him and his relationship with T.I. and, in all honesty, he really didn't care. He felt like he had to prove himself to his best friend and that was hardly the case. He didn't have to prove himself to anyone but himself and although he desperately wanted Murphy's support in this, one of the roughest parts of his life, he didn't need it. The caramel colored rapper was his strength now, was his hope, was his everything, and that was all he needed to keep himself from going insane.

If you have any questions or comments you can e-mail me at jc71883@hotmail.com or hit me up on AIM ~ Dragon93085.