Ice on Fire (Treble and the Lost Boys Book 1)

by G. R. Lyons

  And for that, he'd do anything.

  Finally, Adrian took a few slow steps forward, walking toward Zac.

  Come on, baby. Please.

  Zac kept his eyes on Adrian's as he played, trying to tell him with a look and with his music just how much he loved him, how sorry he was for what he'd done, how much he missed him. He was vaguely aware of Vic and Ryley hovering off to one side, and the audience all around. None of that mattered. All he could think about was having a chance to apologize to his man.

  Adrian stopped halfway through the room, almost as though coming out of a trance and realizing he was in the midst of a crowd.

  Zac held his gaze and kept playing.

  Please, Ade. Baby, please.

  Zac almost cried out in relief when Adrian started walking again.

  Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Adrian came to a stop just before Zac, looking up at him while Zac continued to play, pouring all his love and passion into that piece, telling Adrian just how much he meant to him. Zac was sure he made an awful sight up on that stage, dressed the way he was and playing a love song on a violin, but he didn't care. As long as Adrian stood there, Zac felt like he could breathe.

  The final notes drifted into silence, and the entire room erupted with applause.

  Zac blushed, still looking down at Adrian and no one else, and saw both hope and fear in Adrian's eyes. Taking a deep breath, Zac hopped down off the stage and set his instrument aside, giving Adrian his full attention as he tentatively reached for the man, stopping just short of touching him.

  “I'm so sorry.” Zac swallowed hard. “Baby, I'm so sorry. I love you.”

  Adrian stared at him, looking utterly dumbfounded. “You…love me?”

  Zac nodded. “So much. I–”

  Something slammed into Zac, knocking him off balance. When he regained his feet, he found Smitty clutching the front of his shirt while Kade had Adrian doubled over with a punch to the gut.

  “Blaze, what the fuck?” Smitty fumed.

  Kade stormed over. “Dude, you have got some serious explaining to do. First, you bail on us, so we have to spend two hours just trying to track you down. Then we find you here…” He paused. “What the fuck is this place, anyway? And what the hells are you doing with the fag?”

  Zac shoved Smitty aside and swung a punch at Kade's face. “Don't call him that!”

  Kade touched a hand to his jaw and looked at his bloody fingers, then launched himself at Zac. “Motherfucker–”

  “Whoa, guys! Break it up!”

  Vic barreled into their midst, pushing Kade away while Ryley caught Zac around the waist and tried to drag him back. Zac shook his head, trying to get his bearings. Even Adrian had stepped in, grabbing Smitty by the collar of his shirt and pulling him aside. The crowd murmured and either tried to back away or step forward to help out, only for security to push through and join them.

  “Alright, guys, break it up or we'll drag you all out,” one of the bouncers threatened.

  Smitty pulled free of Adrian's grasp and tugged his shirt straight, glaring at Zac. “You're gonna explain, right now,” he fumed.

  Still held by Ryley—the smaller man much stronger than he looked—Zac glanced at Adrian, then lifted his chin as he turned to look at his friends. “I love him.”

  Looks of disgust crossed their faces, both Kade and Smitty backing up a step as though Zac might taint them. “Dude, fuck you,” Smitty growled.

  “That's sick,” Kade added. “You turned fag on us?”

  Zac held his stance, keeping his chin up. “I love him,” he repeated.

  Smitty gagged. “Ugh, fuck that. I'm out. We're through, you hear me?” He jabbed a finger at Zac, then slapped away the bouncers' hands and turned, heading for the exit.

  Kade wrestled himself free as well. “You ruined everything, man. Fuck you!” He followed Smitty, cutting through the crowd, in a hurry to leave.

  Ryley finally released Zac, and the bouncers stood down.

  “You alright?” Vic asked.

  Zac nodded absently and darted over to Adrian. “Baby, are you hurt?”

  Adrian pressed a hand to his side where he'd been punched, grimacing a bit, but he was breathing alright as he shook his head. “Haven't been punched in a long time.”

  Zac breathed a laugh of relief. “I'm so sorry.” He looked around at the restless crowd, still watching them, then grabbed Adrian's arm. “Hey, come on.” He glanced over his shoulder at Vic and Ryley. “Guys, I'll be right back.”

  Not waiting for a response, Zac steered Adrian up the steps and across to the backstage access. Away from the noise, light, and crowds, they found an empty bit of hallway and stopped to face one another.

  “Your friends,” Adrian said before Zac could speak. “I'm so sorry.”

  Zac shook his head. “Doesn't matter. You were right. They weren't really my friends.”

  “But…you had your audition, right? And now it's ruined.”

  Zac barked a laugh. “No, we didn't, actually. I walked out.”

  Adrian blinked. “What?”

  “I walked out,” Zac repeated with a shrug. “It was running late, and I didn't want to miss this show on the chance you'd be here.”

  Adrian stared at him. “You…Wait…You walked away…But that was your dream…You'd been hoping for that show for months…Just on a chance that I'd be here?” He looked completely stunned.

  Zac nodded.

  “Zac–”

  “It doesn't matter,” Zac insisted. “None of it did. Not without you. What good would any of that have done me if I didn't have you to share it with? It just didn't matter anymore. I'd lost you and it all just…” He shrugged. “It wasn't where I wanted to be.” Before Adrian could say anything, Zac rushed on: “And I don't even know if you'll ever forgive me, but I had to try. I had to tell you I'm sorry. Gods, baby, I'm so sorry. I'm not sure I even remember half of what happened that night. Hells, I was drunk, and someone spiked my drink, and– Shit. You know what? It doesn't even matter. That's no excuse. I went there. I went there, knowing what always happens at those things, and…Fuck, the things I said…What I called you…Gods, I'm so sorry.”

  Adrian slowly shook his head. “I'm sorry,” he murmured. “Accusing you of not wanting to give up– I'm so sorry. It was awful of me. I didn't mean it, Zac–”

  “Yeah, you did,” Zac said, nodding slowly as he looked down at the floor. “But you know what? You were right, in a way. You were given the choice, and you chose me.” Zac barked a laugh. “Me. And I wasn't sure I deserved it even then. I really don't deserve it now. But you gave up everything just to be true to yourself, and to acknowledge me. You could have pushed me aside, given me all the blame, denied me, pretended I didn't exist, but you didn't. You owned me in that moment, and you owned yourself. Two things I was too chicken-shit to do, and all I've gotten for that is feeling constantly miserable. But now I'm out.” He laughed. “I'm out, Ade. Can you believe it? I told my family…Fuck, I just told a whole fucking crowd of strangers.” Zac covered his face and laughed, shaking his head, then grinned up at Adrian, feeling relief even though he still had no idea if Adrian would ever forgive him. “I feel so free.” His smile faded. “I'm just so sorry I spent so much time denying you. I should have been bragging to everyone I knew that you were mine, that I was lucky enough to have you.”

  Adrian blushed and looked away.

  Zac watched him, twisting his fingers while his leg bounced. “Baby, I'm so sorry.”

  Adrian slowly turned to look at him, his expression tight as he studied Zac's eyes. “You really love me?”

  “Gods, yes,” Zac whispered.

  Adrian continued silent for a long moment, then something shifted in his gaze, and he slowly reached out, slipping a hand around the back of Zac's neck. He had to shift his fingers around Zac's studded collar as he pulled Zac closer.

  “Oh, thank gods,” Zac breathed as he slammed forward, closing the distance between them, their lips crushing tog
ether as Zac wound his arms around Adrian's shoulders.

  Someone coughed. “Sorry to interrupt…”

  Zac blushed and turned to find Vic and Ryley standing off to one side with another man Zac didn't recognize.

  “Zac,” Vic said, “this is Mr. Carter with Vortex Records.”

  Mr. Carter darted forward and shook Zac's hand. “Nice to meet you. Caught your show. Very impressive.”

  “Uh, thanks,” Zac said, still reeling from everything that had happened.

  “I was just passing through on my way to see a band in Norton,” Mr. Carter went on, “and stopped in at the lounge for dinner.” He gestured vaguely toward the stage door behind them. “I must say, I really dig your sound. I'd love to have a chat with you guys about submitting a demo. I really think my producers would go for it.”

  Vic and Ryley were grinning, but Zac just stood there, blinking dumbly. “What?”

  Mr. Carter gave him a patient smile. “I'd like to sign you, if you're interested.”

  Zac blinked again. Holy shit. “You're joking.”

  “Not at all. You guys have real talent, and give one hell of a performance. You really know how to play with passion and engage an audience.”

  Zac looked at Vic and Ryley, his eyes wide with shock while theirs were bright and eager. “Holy shit.”

  “Oddly enough,” the man went on, waving a hand at Zac, “this look even kinda works. Maybe with a few tweaks, we can really play up the whole fusion thing you guys have going on.”

  Zac looked down at himself, then back up at the man. “We won't be something we're not,” he insisted.

  “And I wouldn't ask you to be,” Mr. Carter said with a smile. “You guys are genuine. The real thing. Real talent, passion, individual personalities. The whole package, as far as I'm concerned.” He held up a hand, then reached into his pocket, pulling out several business cards. “Tell you what, think it over, then give me a call when you're ready to talk. That's my direct line. If you're interested, I can get some demos laid down–”

  Ryley interrupted him, plucking a disc out of his bag and thrusting it into the man's hands, then gave a shrug. “I always have those on-hand. Just in case.”

  Mr. Carter nodded, smiling at Ryley as he tucked the disc into his inside jacket pocket. “Excellent. Gentlemen, I hope to hear from you soon.”

  The man gave a nod and walked away, leaving a stunned silence in his wake.

  “Holy shit,” Zac blurted.

  “I know, right?” Ryley cheered. “Oh my gods.”

  “I was not expecting that,” Vic added.

  Ryley threw an arm around Zac's waist. “And he's not even gonna make you change your look!”

  Zac glanced down at himself as Ryley went to hug Vic next, then looked up at Adrian. “I don't know. I think this could stand an upgrade.”

  Adrian tilted his head in question.

  Zac reached into his pocket and pulled out Adrian's collar.

  Adrian's eyes flashed. “You kept that?”

  “Of course. I couldn't let it go.”

  He offered it to Adrian, who looked around shyly, blushing. “Now?”

  Zac nodded. “Now. Always.” He stepped closer. “I'm not denying you ever again,” he murmured. “If you still want me, I'm yours.”

  Adrian blushed harder, but took the collar anyway. Zac unbuckled the studded one he was wearing and tossed it aside, gathering up his hair to hold it out of the way while Adrian slipped the blue collar around his throat and buckled it in place.

  Zac dropped his hair and lowered his arms to his sides, lifting his chin. “How does it look?”

  Adrian tilted his head, then slowly reached out and pinched a lock of red hair, dragging it forward over Zac's shoulder. He smiled. “It's like…ice on fire. It's perfect.”

  Zac grinned. “I like that. Ice on fire? Kinda like you lately.”

  Adrian blushed again, then he looked down as a smile slowly took over his face.

  “What you did for my family…” Zac said, shaking his head.

  Adrian looked back up at him. “Was it enough? I can do more–”

  Zac held up a hand, cutting him off. “It was too much. I don't deserve all that, after what I did to you.”

  Adrian slowly shook his head. “Yes, you do,” he whispered, pulling Zac close again.

  Zac moaned into the kiss. “Ade…”

  “I missed you…so much,” Adrian whispered between kisses.

  “Oh, baby, I missed you, too–”

  “Ahem.”

  Zac jumped and turned around to find Vic and Ryley had returned—or were still there, and he just hadn't noticed—and both were watching them with smirks on their faces.

  “Hate to interrupt,” Ryley said with a laugh, “but we do still need to mingle.” He hooked a thumb over his shoulder toward the stage and the audience beyond.

  “Right, yeah, sorry.” Zac laughed and shook his head, then took Adrian's hand and headed for the stage door.

  Adrian pulled against him, having not taken a step. “You want me to go with you?”

  Zac looked at their hands, then at Adrian's face. He shook his head. “No, sorry. You don't have to. I'll just be a few–”

  “Can I?” Adrian asked, taking a step forward.

  Zac smiled. “Yeah?”

  Adrian looked at their joined hands, then smiled back at him. “Yeah.”

  Zac beamed, giving his hand a squeeze.

  Together, hand-in-hand for everyone to see, they went out to face the crowds.

  Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed Ice on Fire, reviews on sites such as Amazon.com and Goodreads.com are always welcome!

  And if you want more from the world in which the Treble and the Lost Boys trilogy is set, be sure to check out the Shifting Isles series!

  The Prisoner (Shifting Isles, Book 1)

  (Released 30 March 2015)

  What if one simple choice could change everything?

  Officer Benash dutifully follows orders, even down to the route he walks to the prison each day, striving to earn the promotion that would grant him escape from that crumbling, underground facility.

  Yet, as he passes a fork in the road, the desire for even one simple choice tempts him. When he finally succumbs, he crosses paths with Vorena, a woman who forces him to question everything he has ever known.

  Vorena's ideas are nothing short of treasonous, and accepting them would spell Benash's death. With time running out, Benash must now choose: cling to the security of obedience and routine, or risk his life for a kind of freedom he never thought possible.

  And read on for more on the

  Treble and the Lost Boys trilogy!

  Coming in August 2018!

  Heavens Aground

  (Treble and the Lost Boys, Book 2)

  Ryley Skye can't take anything seriously. Not the murder scenes he investigates, nor the fact that he's cheating on his boyfriend. Not the bloody nightmares he gets every other night, and especially not Vic's ridiculous theory that Ryley might be a mage.

  Magic? Him? There's just no way.

  When Vic decides he's had enough of Ryley's cheating and breaks things off, it couldn't come at a worse time. They've just been handed a case that will require them to work closely together, whether they like it or not. But Ryley plays along. He has to. He can't afford any kind of confrontation. Things happen when he gets angry or aroused. Weird things. Bad things. He has to stay bottled up and in control at all times.

  Then he meets Asher Arden, and indulges in what he thinks is a little rebound fling. But when Ryley loses control and puts Asher's life at risk, he realizes two things: He loves Asher more than anything else in the world…

  And Vic just might have been right all along.

  GLOSSARY

  Agoran – an Isle, originally the southwestern region of the land before the Breaking of the World; an anarchist society (no government, free market, property rights, etc.)

  Breaking of the World – an event that took place on the
5th of Sulinel in the year 2952; Father Zhagos struck the land three times with his mighty hammer and broke it into separate Isles, thus beginning the shift cycle

  Ceynes – an Isle, the largest, originally the central and northern regions of the land before the Breaking of the World; under imperial rule

  Ceynesian – a person who lives on or originates from Ceynes; of or pertaining to the Isle of Ceynes

  Collision – part of the shift cycle, when two Isles come in contact with one another in a process similar to our plate tectonics; essentially, a violent earthquake

  Falsin – an Isle, originally the northernmost reaches of the land before the Breaking of the World; a place of constant snow and ice and little sunshine; organized into clans and under the rule of a king

  Falsiner – a person who lives on or originates from Falsin

  Father Zhagos – one of the lesser gods

  Filday – sixth day of the six-day week

  Jadu'n – an Isle, originally part of the southern coast of the land before the Breaking of the World; also known as the Hole in the Ocean, as it is a valley almost entirely below sea level; home of the magi

  mage – man born with magical powers (plural: magi); one who studies magical craft on Jadu'n

  Marday – second day of the six-day week

  shifting / shift cycle – a process similar to our plate tectonics; after the Breaking of the World, the land was no longer anchored as one mass, and instead became separate Isles that shift across the globe, sometimes grazing coastlines or directly colliding (see also: Collision)

  Siresday – third day of the six-day week

  Solday – first day of the six-day week

  Sulinel – third month of the year; originally (and still, by tradition) part of the spring season before the Breaking of the World

  sunsrise / sunslight – the world of the Shifting Isles has two suns: one, Sehryl, gives off light and heat, and travels a regular path; the other, Subhadin, only creates a sparkling light and is wayward, but travels with Sehryl often enough for the dawn to be called sunsrise, plural