by Terry Towers
He laughed. “Whoa. Despite our reputation?”
I shrugged. “Come on, it’s not like you don’t know that you guys have a reputation.”
“That’s mostly Zack’s reputation.”
Chewing at my lower lip, I gave it some thought. “Nope, I’m pretty sure you’ve had your share of public relationships.”
“Relationship. That’s the key word there.” Finishing his first plateful, Dylan went back for seconds.
“Okay.” Laughing, I nodded. “I’ll give you that much.”
Sitting back down, he nodded toward my food. “Get eating before I finish it all myself.”
Looking down, I was surprised I hadn’t touched much -breakfast was generally my favorite meal of the day- I’d gotten too wrapped up talking with him. Dylan was so easy to talk to, it was nice. There was an undeniable sexual chemistry crackling between us, but it was nice that we could push the attraction aside so that we could have a conversation.
Cutting a piece of pancake, I put it into my mouth and raised my brows at him as I chewed. Once I swallowed, I responded. “See, I’m eating; I just don’t gobble my food down like other people I know. I like to savor it.”
He laughed again. “You’re so full of shit. So why did you decide to walk in your daddy’s footsteps?”
“It’s what I know. I more or less grew up in the business. When my father died, I knew I had to continue with what he’d built. It seemed only logical. Besides, I love the challenge of the business,” I leaned over and bumped my shoulder with his, “Though some groups are more challenging than others.”
“You’re not being very nice this morning. And here I went to the effort to bring you breakfast and engage you in conversation.”
“I appreciate it. It’s a sweet gesture.” Grabbing a slice of bacon, I popped it into my mouth. The bacon had a nice smoked maple flavor.
“You know, we’re not as big of assholes as the world has been led to believe.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I mean, there were reasons why we got rid of the previous managers. It wasn’t just one of those spur-of-the-moment things.”
“Like?”
He sighed, placing his fork on the plate and sitting back on the sofa. “Well, let’s see.” He began counting them off on his fingers, “There was one who was skimming off the top. There was one who couldn’t seem to score us good gigs to save his life.” He chuckled. “Oh and there was the one that was selling stories to the tabloids; he actually had the nerve to defend his actions by saying even bad publicity was good publicity. It was only an added bonus for him that he was making money off of it.”
“Oh, brutal. I had no idea.”
“Oh yeah. When you were brought up to us, I have to say we were pretty skeptical, but you seem to be working out pretty well.”
“I’ve only been with you guys for a few weeks and I’ve already got us all in the headline news.”
“Correction: Zack has gotten us into the headline news. No one knows it’s you.”
“Yet.”
“There is no yet. The whole groupie story is very typical of Zack. No one would think any different. They were reaching when they accused you of being that person.”
“But I was.”
“Again, they really don’t know that. They were fishing, nothing more, nothing less. This isn’t our first rodeo when it comes to dealing with the press.”
“No. You’re definitely right.” Looking over at him, I could see the reassurance in his eyes. His strength and confidence made me feel so much better about the situation. I was fortunate and grateful that he’d dropped by this morning.
As I sat there staring at him, and him back at me, I was struck by the urge to kiss him. Fuck, what was wrong with me? I’d only been with a few people in my lifetime and all of a sudden, I was becoming a slut playing bed pong between two sexier-than-sin men. They were both so different in personality, but deep down they were both good, kind, and passionate. If I didn’t stop this soon and find a way to end this dual attraction, I’d be the next one on the dismissal list. I couldn’t keep sleeping with both of them. Something had to change, and pronto. Sadly, ending the sexual part of my relationship with both men seemed to be the most reasonable solution, but not one I wanted.
Chapter 12
One month later
Zack
After several months of touring with Violet, we were all in need of a serious break. I for one was completely worn out. What I was quite proud of was that I’d been on my best behavior. I hadn’t slept with a single person since my last time with Violet in her hotel room after the talk show, but it had been damned hard. One of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. Pussy had always been one of my favorite things, and going cold turkey was rough. So very rough. Worse than no longer drinking before concerts.
While the rest of the band had decided to go to their respective homes for our much needed break, Violet, Dylan, and I had no family except each other, so I’d booked a week in an exclusive, Las Vegas resort. They traded on their reputation for the utmost security and discretion, so there’d be no questions, no reporters. Complete privacy.
The worst thing about being around Violet and not being able to do anything about it was that with each day that passed my feelings for her were growing. It both excited and scared me. I wasn’t the type of guy to fall for a woman, yet here I was, dealing with unwanted emotions.
“You just can’t take us somewhere and not tell us where we’re going,” Violet stated, crossing her arms over her chest. She couldn’t glare at me because of the blindfold.
“This is rather silly,” Dylan backed her up, looking equally unimpressed, with a blindfold over his eyes as well.
I’d rented a limo and had them both seated across from me. We’d been driving for a couple hours now, with another two more to go. We started this journey from LAX to Las Vegas in order to keep them from guessing what I had in mind, though the chances of them guessing were slim to none.
“I hope we’re going to get there soon because I’m starting to feel like I need to pee,” Violet groaned.
“If worse comes to worst, we can stop, and you can pee on the side of the road.”
“And how exactly am I going to pee with a blindfold on? Not to mention I’m not going to pee on the side of the road.”
“Then I guess you don’t have to pee badly enough then.”
“Oh, come on. Let’s find a rest station, let me take the blindfold off and it’ll be fine.”
I silently laughed. It was quite silly seeing them sitting with blindfolds, fuming. I’d gone to the trouble of planning the week, though, so the least I could get for my efforts was a chuckle at their expense, I reasoned.
“So, I’ll make a deal with you. We can find a rest station instead of the side of the road, but you can’t take off the blindfold.”
Violet sat up straight on the seat, her hands unfolding and waving in the air. “How in the hell am I supposed to use the bathroom wearing this thing?” She started to take it off, but I jumped from my seat, stopping her. “Nope. A deal is a deal. No taking off the blindfold.”
“Are you planning on wiping my butt for me when I’m done?”
I couldn’t stop the laughter that erupted from me. “I thought you said you only had to pee. There was no talk of a number two.”
She groaned out her frustration, shaking her head. “What I need to use the facilities for is none of your business, Zack Wyatt! Besides, what would it hurt? I can take the blindfold off when I enter the bathroom and put it back on when I get out.”
Dylan began laughing beside her. At least two of the three of us were finding the situation comical. Violet really needed to work on her sense of ha-ha.
“We’ll see what we can do.” Pressing a button beside me, I lowered the panel between us and the driver. “Can we pull over at the next service station; we have a bathroom emergency.”
“Oh for the love of God,” Violet muttered, making D
ylan begin laughing all over again.
“Come on Violet.” Dylan nudged her with his elbow. “Where’s your sense of adventure? I’m sure whatever Zack has planned will be well worth it.”
“Thank you, Dylan, I appreciate your vote of confidence.”
Fifteen minutes later the limo slowed as we came up to a large rest stop with a gigantic ice cream cone on the top of the roof. Hmm. Ice cream would really hit the spot right now—chocolate to be exact. Perhaps stopping had its advantages.
~*~ TT ~*~
Violet
It wasn’t that I was trying to be a spoilsport, not at all. It’s just that the ride seemed to be ungodly long and I had to use the washroom so badly that I felt like I was about to explode. Not to mention the blindfold was seriously agitating my face. It had been a very hectic and stress-inducing couple of months since taking over the management of Hypnotic and what I needed more than anything else was some serious R&R. The fact that I’d avoided sexual contact with both of the men only made me want them more; it was a truly frustrating situation.
“We’re here, Mr. Wyatt,” the driver said over the intercom as the car pulled to a stop.
“Remember, no taking off the blindfold until we get the bathroom. I’ll lead you there.”
For the sake of being a good sport, I nodded. “Fine. It’s a deal.”
The door opened and I could feel movement in the car. A moment later, someone I presumed to be Zack touched my arm and guided me to the door. Before I could try to get my footing, Zack grabbed me around the waist and pulled me from the car.
I thought he was going to set me down, but he didn’t. Instead I was being carried. I couldn’t hear voices, but I imagined there would be people around. Was he crazy drawing attention to us by carrying me to the bathroom? We didn’t even have security with us right now.
“I can walk.”
“But this is so much more fun,” he countered, laughter in his voice.
“For you maybe. We’re drawing attention to ourselves.” Despite my words, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed myself tight to him. It had been torture this past month, pretending that every time I was near him I didn’t feel a flutter in my stomach. Every night when I went to bed alone, I craved to feel his touch on my body again. To make it worse I was feeling the same way about Dylan. It seemed like I simply couldn’t get away from these feelings, no matter which way I turned.
“How would you know that? We could be at an abandoned gas station for all you know.”
My head perked up, wishing I could see. “I hear voices.”
“Could just be the voices in your head.” He chuckled, making me roll my eyes behind my blindfold. After a minute or so, he announced we were there and set me down on my feet.
“Now what?”
He brushed past me and I heard a door creaking open. Taking my hand, he led me forward and then removed my blindfold. I blinked a couple times, the sudden light bothering my eyes. Once I could see, I discovered I was in a four-stall bathroom.
“Let me know when you’re done, and I’ll put the blindfold back on you before you come back out.” Zack exited the backroom and closed the door behind him.
“Alright then,” I muttered more to myself than to him as I went to the first stall and began to take care of business. Once done, I washed my hands, trying to see if there was some sort of advertisement that would give me an indication of where we were. There wasn’t anything on the walls except an advertisement for condoms.
“I’m ready,” I called.
“Great.” Zack walked in and immediately pulled the blindfold over my eyes again, sending me back into darkness. Taking my hand, he led me out of the restroom and to the car.
“I think I liked you carrying me better.”
“Anyone else for a potty break?” he asked, opening the car door and placing a hand on the top of my head, so I didn’t hit my head on the door opening as I slid in.
“I’m good,” I heard Dylan say next to me.
~*~ TT ~*~
Violet
Guess what guys, we’re here!” Zack announced at long last. Luckily, I’d managed to get a little sleep in; there wasn’t much else to do considering my eyes were covered. It was a very long four and some-odd hours.
“Can I take the blindfold off now?”
“Yes. Take the blindfolds off guys.” The excitement in Zack’s voice was contagious and I couldn’t help but smile as I removed the blindfold. Once my eyes adjusted I looked out the window to see that we were parked in front of a large resort. We certainly weren’t in LA, or anywhere in California for that matter.
“Vegas. We’re going to relax in Vegas?” Dylan asked guessing our location straight off.
“You know this place Dylan. It’s a perfect spot to get away from it all and relax.”
Dylan nodded, a hint of a smile creeping onto his lips. “You’re right. It’s a good idea. Why we needed to wear blindfolds is beyond me, but I won’t complain.”
“I don’t understand,” I said. It looked like a beautiful resort, but why did we have to travel four hours to get here when we could have just flown?
“This place is very exclusive,” Dylan explained. “It’s very secure, which means there will be one hundred percent privacy. They’ve got this place locked down, no chance of reporters or people nosing into the guests’ business.”
“Oh.” My mood began to lighten. After this past month it would be nice to not have to worry about questions or people taking pictures and eventually putting two and two together. I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed my anonymity until the pictures came out and caused so much chaos, though the guys insisted most of the chaos was in my head. We did have to let Ethan, Salvatore, and Flinn in on our secret. We might have been able to convince the media it wasn’t me, but the rest of the guys in the band were too smart to be fooled.
A doorman came, opened the door, and we all filed out of the car.
“Welcome to a Desert Paradise Resort and Spa,” a woman who had come out to greet us said.
Oh, “and spa”. I could use a good massage and facial. Mani and pedi perhaps. My mind began racing with the possibilities. So many things I could do with no press around. This was perfect. Zack was a genius.
“This is perfect. Thank you, Zack!” I threw myself into his arms and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “You’re a genius!” He laughed as he hugged me back before releasing me.
“I’m glad you like the idea.”
“I do. We’ve been so stressed.”
“Come on in and we’ll get you all signed in and get your room keys.” The attendant said, giving us a smile and waving for us to follow her. I didn’t miss the fact she gave Dylan and Zack a thorough look over. Though who could blame her, they were both sex on a stick.
“I already have an adventure planned for the three of us,” Zack stated.
“Really?” I looked over at Dylan who just shrugged, giving me a smile.
“I have no idea what he has in mind. I’m as surprised as you are.”
“Hmm.”
Zack had a devilish gleam in his eyes. This was going to be great; whenever Zack got that look in his eyes, excitement followed.
~*~ TT ~*~
Dylan
“Are you ready to go for a ride, Violet?” I asked, grinning at her as I prepared myself to tear off. She looked adorable with her helmet on, sitting atop the ATV. Zack had planned for us to go out on the ATVs in the desert. Zack and I had done it numerous times in the past and could never get enough of the rush, but it had been a couple years since we’d gone out last.
“Oh, I’m ready to ride, Dylan.”
“Do you need me to help you get acquainted with the controls?” It was the least I could do.
She laughed. “Hell no! I guarantee I can wheel circles around you two boys.”
“Whoa, you hear that Zack?” I gave my bandmate a wink.
“Damn right I did,” Zack replied; his ATV was on the other side of Violet.
“You think we should teach her how real men do it?”
“Ha! Eat my sand, boys!” she screamed as she put it into gear and sped off, and true to her word she left a trail of sand blowing up into the air and choking me.
I could hear her laughing as she gained distance between her and us. Oh that’s how she wants to play it.
I gunned the engine and tore off after her, followed by Zack in hot pursuit. The engines of our ATVs roared, and it felt amazing. The wind and sand hitting our faces as we chased Violet felt so freeing. After such a hard couple of months it felt amazing to get out here. I had to give credit where credit was due; Zack knew how to let loose and have fun. It was something I secretly envied about him. I didn’t quite have the sense of adventure that he had. While Zack was thinking about his next lay, I would normally be worrying about our next album. Perhaps that’s why Zack and I made such a good team from the beginning: we balanced each other out. Though we couldn’t have gotten where we were today if it wasn’t for the entire band; there was a magic between us that never died.
Luck and talent. You needed both in order to make it in our business.
Chapter 13
Zack
Sitting on a private patio under the stars having an amazing meal was the perfect end to an amazing day. The resort cost an arm, leg, and then some, but it was well worth it to feel human again. Yes, going out and always being recognized was part of the package that came with being who we were, but it was nice to walk about and not be hassled. There were a fair number of other guests puttering about, but part of the conditions guests had to agree to in order to stay at this resort was that no one was allowed to approach other guests for anything other than to be social. No requests for autographs or photographs. Generally I loved that stuff, but from time to time it was nice to be free from the chaos.