* * *
“Are you sure this isn’t going to be awkward,” Cole asked as we rode the elevator down to the lobby. We were five minutes late, but I didn’t think Zack would mind.
“Probably,” I said, but I was still in a post-coital haze, so I wasn’t really all that fazed by the potentially weirdness of the situation. I stepped up to Cole, who’d been keeping his distance, and wrapped my arms around his waist. “You’re not going anywhere, so if it’s weird, everyone’s just going to have to get over it. I don’t want you to think I’m embarrassed about us, because I’m not.”
He looked down from where his eyes had been watching the numbers and hesitated for a second. “Are you sure?”
I nodded. “I’m positive. I want this. I want you.”
He watched me for a few seconds. “I know, but–”
I shook my head. “No buts,” I said before I kissed him.
I figured we were done talking, and thankfully so did Cole. When the elevator reached the ground floor, he was still kissing me, and I wondered how many people were about to get a show when the doors opened. It turned out that only three people would see what we’d been doing – and they definitely weren’t three people I wanted to make out with my new boyfriend in front of.
I heard a giggle first and turned around to see Derrick flanked by two barely dressed women who were basically draped all over him. He was making out with one while the other one sucked on one of his nipple rings.
“Dude, this is a classy hotel,” I said in a joking tone when my eyes met his, because I was hoping he wasn’t going to freak out on me when he saw who I was with and what we’d been doing. Everything between us had been so good, and I didn’t want it to end.
“Not if they let guys like you in here,” he said, grinning at me, as the girl who he’d been kissing a few seconds earlier started to suck on his neck.
I breathed a sigh of relief as I realized Derrick was living up to his promise. If he was weirded out by Cole and me, and he probably was, he wasn’t going to say anything. I loved him for that.
Cole and I stepped off the elevator, but Derrick and his girls didn’t make a move to step into the car and the doors closed behind us.
“So, hey,” I said gruffly, feeling awkward all of a sudden. “Um, D, this is Cole. He’s my, um, boyfriend.”
Yeah, that did not sound as confident as I wanted it to, and I felt bad. I’d just told Cole I wasn’t embarrassed by our relationship, but it was still weird to tell people who he was to me. As if he knew how hard it was for me to be standing there in front of Derrick, poised to be potentially ridiculed for making out with a guy, Cole slid his arm around my waist and pulled me against his side. I breathed a sigh as I relaxed into him, his warmth giving me comfort.
Then Derrick actually stuck his hand out to shake Cole’s, and it was a sight I hadn’t been expecting. I watched in kind of a daze as their hands met, my eyes drilled to the one spot where they touched.
“Nice to meet you, man,” Derrick said, and if it was hard for him, he didn’t show it.
“You’re Derrick?” Cole asked stiffly, but I knew he already knew. He’d seen pictures of him in my apartment. Derrick nodded, and then Cole’s eyes narrowed. “Listen, I know you had your reasons for treating Andrew like shit when you found out about us, but you won’t do it again.”
Okay, so the forcefulness in his voice and the protective way he said that, holy shit, that was hot. The grip his hand had on my waist only tightened, as if he was reassuring me that he had me, that he wouldn’t let anyone hurt me. I appreciated that simple gesture more than he could possibly know.
“I wasn’t planning on it,” Derrick said defensively, eyeing Cole warily.
He was probably mentally sizing him up to see if he could take him if Cole swung at him, and I didn’t blame him. I actually saw something in Cole’s eyes in that moment that was a little scary, a little fierce, and I knew he wouldn’t hold back if Derrick said anything off-color.
“Good, because the bottom line is, I love him, and I won’t let anyone treat him like that ever again. You hear me?”
Damn. Just, damn. Could he get any hotter?
Derrick stood up a little taller, as my eyes shifted to the girls still draped all over him. They were simply watching this scene unfold in front of them. Then one of them apparently got bored because she started to suck on Derrick’s neck again, but he brushed her off, making her pout. Then he just ignored her and focused his gaze back on Cole.
“Dude, you need to back off,” he said, and I actually got concerned that he might swing at Cole if Cole pushed him much further. I was pretty sure he’d gotten his point across. “Bottom line. I’m sorry for how I treated Drew, and he knows that. He’s my best friend, and it was shitty of me to act how I did. It won’t happen again.”
Cole didn’t look convinced, so Derrick kept talking.
“Truthfully, I’ve never seen him as happy as he’s been in the past few weeks, and it’s because of you. I might not ever want details of what you two do when you’re alone, but I can get past any preconceptions I might have had. I just want Drew to be happy, and even though it’s weird, you make him happy.”
I took a step forward and hugged him then, pushing one of the girls away as I did, but I didn’t care. I was so relieved to know that I could have the best of both worlds and that I wouldn’t have to choose between two people I loved.
Derrick hugged me back and clapped his hand across my back a few times. “Okay, that’s enough sentimental crap,” he teased as I pulled back with a giant smile on my face and stepped back into Cole’s arms.
He stood behind me, his arms looped around my waist, his chin just above my left shoulder.
“So, um, how long are you in town for?” Derrick asked then, obviously still testing the waters as to how friendly Cole was going to be to him.
“I’m just staying until tomorrow since I know you guys are heading out after the radio show you’re doing in the morning. I know you have a busy schedule. San Diego’s next, right?” Cole asked, posing his question to me, the words murmured against my skin, his lips so close to my ear.
“Yeah, San Diego,” I said, suddenly sad again at the reality that Cole would be leaving me in less than twelve hours.
As if he knew exactly what I was thinking, he squeezed me tighter around the middle, letting me know he didn’t like it either.
“What’s that all about? You fly all the way out here and then leave the next day. That’s kind of shitty,” Derrick said, blunt as usual, and we both looked up at him in surprise. “Do you have to work or something?”
“Uh, no. Not really. I’m working on a project right now, but it’s not all that pressing,” Cole said hesitantly, his head rising so he could look at Derrick.
“Then stay,” Derrick said, surprising the hell out of me. “Come on the bus, hang out, get to know Zack and Leo. They’re cool guys. San Diego’s going to be awesome, and then we hit L.A. I hear you guys have history there.”
I wasn’t sure if the shit-eating grin on Derrick’s face was turning my face red or if it was the mention of where Cole and I first met. Either way, I was starting to get overheated, especially with Cole’s body still flush against mine.
“You want me to come on the bus with you guys?” Cole asked tentatively, and my heart swelled at the thought of not having to say goodbye so soon. I didn’t want him to go, but inviting him to come with us hadn’t even seemed like an option, so I hadn’t asked.
“Sure, why not?” Derrick said and shrugged at me when I didn’t speak up.
“Drew?” Cole asked, as he pulled back and looked at me.
It would be incredible to get a few more days, to have Cole see us play at two more venues and to let him into my world just a little more. But space was tight, and there wasn’t an extra bunk. Leo, Derrick, Jonathan and I slept in the bunks, and Zack and Emily slept in the bedroom on the bus. If Cole was with us, he’d have to sleep with me in my bunk since we weren’t get
ting hotel rooms in San Diego. There was only enough money in the budget to do that in certain cities.
“You understand what you’re asking, don’t you?” I questioned, and Derrick rolled his eyes.
The fucker actually rolled his eyes.
“Yes, Andrew. I wasn’t born yesterday, and what do I care? Just keep your clothes on, and it won’t be a big deal.”
“I can do that,” I said, the excitement in my voice palpable as Cole laced his fingers with mine. I looked over at him and smiled, the shit-eating grin on my face completely giving away how thrilled I was.
“You’re sure it’s okay if I come?” Cole asked softly. “I’d actually like to see you play some more shows, but I don’t want to intrude.”
I took a few moments to soak in what I was seeing in his eyes. He loved me, and he wanted to be a part of my life. He wanted to see what the tour was all about, and that meant the world to me, because I wanted the same things. It was just hard to believe that we both wanted so much so fast. But I wasn’t complaining.
“I’d love to have you there. I’ve seriously missed you, and I don’t want to say goodbye again tomorrow. It’s too soon.”
“I know,” he said, his forehead touching mine, our mouths so close together. “I don’t want to leave you either. I hate being away from you.”
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the feelings pouring out of the man in front of me. Never in my wildest dreams had I thought that I could be this consumed, this enveloped by another person. It made me realize that I hadn’t known what love was until I met Cole. Now I knew exactly how it felt to just want to breathe the same air as someone else because they made you feel whole.
“I love you,” I said softly, and he smiled.
“Me too. More than you know.”
“O-kay, enough sappy shit,” Derrick said, interrupting our moment.
I chose to ignore him, grabbed Cole’s face and kissed him as passionately as I could on the lips. He smiled at my exuberance before kissing me back.
“Oh, my God. That is so hot!” one of the girls suddenly shrieked, succeeding in pulling Cole and me apart. We both turned to look at her practically drooling as she watched us. “You guys are gay, like for real?” The gleam in her eyes was unsettling.
“Can we watch you have sex?” the other one asked, her eyes darting to her friend. They looked all too eager for my taste
“What the hell?” Derrick asked, looking at her like she was crazy.
She looked at him innocently. “What? It’s hot.”
“I’m hotter. I thought you wanted to watch me do your friend?”
She shrugged. “Can’t we do both?”
“We can come on the tour bus with you,” her friend offered. “The five of us could have some fun together.”
Oh, hell no.
“Get the fuck away from me with that shit,” Derrick said, stepping back. “I’m not into all that. I like women.”
“Derrick’s a little bit of a homophobe,” I said jokingly, but it was sort of true. Even if he was being cool about it, I knew seeing me kiss Cole had freaked him out. I gave him credit for simply trying.
“So, we can watch you guys then?” the girl asked, turning away from Derrick.
“No,” I said, thoroughly disgusted by her request.
“Sorry ladies,” Cole said, his arm pulling me close again before he pressed his lips to my temple. “No one sees him naked but me.”
Now that was just eliciting all sorts of dirty thoughts in my brain. And I couldn’t even do anything about them. I hated Zack and his stupid impromptu romantic decision to get married.
“No fair,” one of the girls said in a pouty baby voice.
“Come on,” Derrick said, putting his arms around both girls. “Let’s go upstairs. I’ll show you what sex with a real man is all about.”
I just rolled my eyes. He was so full of himself. Seriously.
“Don’t we have a wedding to get to?” Cole asked me then.
“What wedding?” Derrick asked, looking confused.
“Zack and Emily,” I told him. “They’re apparently getting married tonight. Zack said he called you.”
Derrick pulled his phone out of his back pocket and looked at it. “Oh, shit. He did. They’re really getting married? What the hell? Is she pregnant?”
“That’s what I said! I don’t know what’s going on, but we’re being supportive.”
“Weird. Okay, change of plans, girls. We’re going to a wedding, and then we’re going to come back here and get naked. Sound good?”
I rolled my eyes. Great, Derrick was bringing his fangirls. I was sure Zack was going to love that about as much as a hole in the head.
“Hey D,” I said to him.
“Yeah?”
He really had no clue sometimes.
“How about just you, me and Cole meet up with everyone? I think Zack and Em just want people they know there.”
It took a few seconds for him to register what I was saying, but then recognition dawned on his face. “Oh! Right. Yeah. Got it.” Then he turned to the girls. “Sorry ladies, but I’ve got to do this on my own. Why don’t you two go upstairs, get started, and I’ll join you as soon as I can.”
The two girls looked at each other, then shrugged and said, “Okay.”
Derrick grinned. “Oh, and take some pictures for me, will you?”
The girls grinned mischievously. “Definitely,” one of them said before they pushed the button to call the elevator back to the lobby.
“Come on, D,” I sighed, slinging my arm over his shoulder. “We’re already late.”
Derrick, Cole and I walked into the lobby together to see Zack and Emily standing by the doors. I noticed Emily was dressed in the same outfit she’d had on earlier, and I wasn’t sure if getting married in all black was a good decision for a girl like her who was so sweet. I was pretty sure she’d always pictured herself in a long white gown.
“What the hell, dude,” Derrick said as we approached them. “You’re getting married? Is there something you need to tell us? You gonna be a dad again?”
Emily’s jaw dropped as her faced morphed into something akin to horror.
“No, I’m not. We just love each other,” Zack supplied as he put his arm around Emily’s shoulder. “We don’t want to wait any longer.”
Emily’s face had relaxed, but she still looked agitated as she chewed on her thumbnail. I wondered if she was really as eager to walk down the aisle as Zack was. She didn’t seem too excited. I wondered what had gotten into him.
“Where’s Leo?” I asked him.
He shrugged. “I can’t get a hold of him.”
Okay, none of this made a bit of sense. Leo was the closest thing Zack had to a real brother, and he was going to get married without him? And where were Molly and Jen and Lily? They were Zack’s family. Where were the people Em loved?
Then everything suddenly made sense as Zack’s eyes narrowed, and I turned to see Jonathan striding toward us wearing workout clothes and holding his iPod in his hand. We’d all heard what he’d said after sound check since he’d left his mic on. I’d had a sinking suspicion that he had feelings for Emily, but I hadn’t said anything to Zack since I knew he already didn’t like Jonathan. But after tonight, I knew Zack was raging mad, and he’d decided to take drastic measures.
I didn’t want to be the one to tell him that even if he got Emily down the aisle, if she wanted to be with Jonathan – which for the record I didn’t thinks she did – a wedding ring wasn’t going to stop her. Zack seemed a little off his rocker. I started to say something to him, but Jonathan spoke up before I could.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Zack
“Hey guys,” Jonathan said, looking from me to Emily and then to Derrick, Andrew and Cole. “What’s going on?”
“We were just going out to a club,” I lied.
Jonathan nodded. “Well, I’m glad I ran into you all. I was in the gym and
got a call from Adam. There’s an issue, and I need Emily.”
“No,” I said firmly, as Emily looked at me in surprise, but I wasn’t letting her go. “Not tonight.”
Jonathan sighed, and I wondered if he knew the truth about where we were going. It would be just like him to try and stop us.
“Zack, I’m sorry to ruin your fun, but Shattered Crowns was leaked onto the Internet tonight, and we need to figure out how we’re going to spin this so it looks like it was intentional. A few thousand people have already downloaded it for free.”
“Shit,” Derrick cursed.
“Are you kidding me?” Andrew asked, obviously pissed that a song that we’d worked so hard on, that was a bonus track that you only got if you bought our full album, was now floating around for free online.
Hell, I was pissed too, but I was more pissed that Jonathan was trying to weasel his way into Emily’s pants. I needed to make it so he couldn’t ever do that. I needed to take the option away from him. His timing with this issue couldn’t have been worse.
“Just fix it, Jonathan,” I commanded. “You don’t need Emily for that. Pull the song, get it on iTunes and set a price. It’s not rocket science. We can just act like it was intentional.”
“Zack,” Andrew hissed, his eyes wide as I ripped into our manager.
“And what exactly would you like me to tell people when they start asking why it was released on a bootleg site, huh?” Jonathan asked, his tone matching mine. “That’s your fiancée’s job. Not mine. I’m going to be busy for the next few hours figuring out how to fix this. We need to release a statement, and I need Emily for that.”
Emily pulled away from me. “I’m sorry, baby, but he’s right,” she said, looking like she really was sorry.
“Fuck,” I said, shaking my head. I crossed my arms in front of me and looked away from her. “Just go. Go with him, figure this out. Whatever.”
“Baby, don’t be mad,” she said as she placed her hand on my forearm.
I shook her off. “I’m not mad. It’s fine. It’s your job. Go do it. Go take care of things with Jonathan. He obviously needs you more than me tonight.”
Broken Fairytales Series Box Set (Broken Fairytales, Buried Castles, Shattered Crowns) Page 89