That moment, that brief exchange of eye contact, was enough to make Jeremy know there was something between them. The attraction wasn’t one-sided. He felt the connection, and it was enough to make him not regret risking everything with a kiss that neither of them was talking about. He watched Alan stomp over to the fireplace and rest his hands on the mantel. He begged for his friend to return his gaze, but Alan remained with his back to everyone and stared at the wall.
“Does one of you want to tell me what the hell is going on?” Felix asked. They were all clueless and displayed the same confused scrunched up facial expression – except Cam, who looked more concerned than surprised at what was going on. Fuck. Could Cam have viewed the situation with an impartial eye? Suspected what the others thought was incomprehensible?
“Well?” Felix was waiting for an answer.
This was Jeremy’s fault, and he wasn’t going to leave the explanation in Alan’s lap. “It’s my fault,” Jeremy confessed. “We…” he glanced back at Alan, who still hadn’t turned away from the fireplace. “We had a fight.”
“Well, kiss and make up because we have a show tomorrow night. We’re leaving for Cincinnati in a few hours.”
Alan’s head snapped toward Felix, and everyone’s eyes went to Alan.
“What’s with the look?” Felix asked Alan. “We’re on tour, remember? It makes a lot of people a lot of money, including all of us in this room. What’s this about anyway? You two argue and roughhouse like siblings, but I’ve never seen you mad at each other before. I heard shouting.”
Alan slowly turned his head toward Jeremy, and it made Jeremy’s heart quicken. He knew that if they made eye contact, they would exchange a nonverbal connection and it would diffuse the situation. But Alan kept his eyes lowered, and they settled somewhere on the carpet a few feet in front of Jeremy.
Felix sighed. “Is this about a guy? Is that it?”
Neither answered, and Felix took it as confirmation.
“This is ridiculous. You’re like brothers. Don’t let some piece of ass break up a lifelong friendship. You’re both smarter than that.” Felix waved them together. “Shake hands. C’mon. Enough of this bullshit. We have a tour to finish.”
Jeremy hesitated, waiting for Alan to show the slightest offer of reconciliation. When Alan didn’t, Jeremy took a few steps forward and slowly held his hand out, waiting with his heart pounding in his chest for Alan to at least look at him.
“Come on, Alan,” Felix said, impatiently. “Jeremy is offering his hand in a truce. Accept it. Don’t be an asshole.”
Alan crinkled his brow, but his eyes remained hooded and unreadable.
“I’m sorry, man.” Jeremy took another step, pleading with everything in his heart. “Just shake my hand. Please.”
Alan inhaled and let out a deep breath. He took two steps toward Jeremy and slowly lifted his arm. His hand slipped into Jeremy’s palm, and his eyes flashed upward. His gaze hit Jeremy’s like a bolt of lightning. There was so much fire and electricity that passed between them it was a wonder it didn’t spark a flame. Neither said anything. They just shook hands. Alan gave a slight nod of his head, and it settled the tornado of anxiety whipping inside Jeremy’s chest. He nodded back, not really sure where they stood. But at least things seemed like they might be alright between them… for now.
CHAPTER FOUR
Occupying the same suite after everything that had happened – the blowjob, the interview, and the fight – had been uncomfortable, but now that they were on the tour bus and leaving Chicago, Alan was able to relax a little. He purposely sat in the captain’s chair so Jeremy wouldn’t invade his personal space, kept his head down and leafed through a drum magazine. He tapped his foot to the beat ofLifelineby Thousand Foot Crutch and felt more like himself. He needed to play it cool and blame the morning’s drama on an irritable hangover, otherwise Derek and Brandon would pry them for information. Lifelong friends, secrets weren’t kept between the four of them. And as far as he could tell, Cam had held up his promise of not revealing anything to Brandon. They really hadn’t known each other that long, so it was an affirmation of Cam’s character. Big kudos to Cam for being a stand-up guy.
Alan lifted his eyes from his magazine and looked at Cam, who was stroking Brandy’s black fur. The dog that had been resting comfortably with her elbow in Cam’s lap unexpectedly jumped to the opposite couch where Jeremy and Derek were sitting.
The dog’s foot hit Derek in the balls, and he fell over onto the couch with his arms wrapped around his abdomen. “Man down,” Derek croaked.
Why the rest of them thought it was hilarious that Derek got socked in the ‘nads and was in excruciating pain was just a testament to their juvenile sense of humor, although Alan chose to refer to it as fun-loving. He let out his first real laugh since yesterday, and it felt freeing.
Jeremy ruffled the fur on the dog’s neck, and she snuggled up to him. “She just wanted to sit next to me. Your nuts just got in the way.”
“Thanks a lot, Brandy.” Derek sat upright and rubbed his balls. “I’m gonna need these babies tonight.”
“What’s going on tonight?” Cam asked.
“I’ve got my usual dude from Dayton joining us at the party in Cincy. And he’s really anxious to see me.”
Cam looked off to the side, searching his memory. “There’s a party tonight?”
“There’salwaysa party,” Derek answered.
“I thought you memorized the day’s itinerary.” Brandon took Cam’s chin in his hand. “You’re just another pretty face, aren’t you? And here I thought you were going to be my assistant on tour.” He slowly shook his head, a sly smile on his lips. “Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. I guess you’re only good for one thing.” He clapped his hand on the back of Cam’s neck and gave his lover a hard, dominant kiss. Cam’s shoulders straightened and he pushed back.
Their kiss was heated, and Alan had to avert his eyes. Too many crazy emotions were running through his mind today.
“My balls are feelin’ better already,” Derek announced, rubbing his hands together and watching Brandon and Cam with a lecherous grin.
