“Yes. Brandon Bullet is jogging.” Felix checked his watch. “At 11:20 a.m.”
“No fucking way. You’re making that up.” Brandon slept like the dead and rarely ventured outside until afternoon unless they had a promotional commitment.
“No. I’m not. Brandon is accompanying Cam and the dog on a jog. Have you seen Brandon lately? He’s never looked better. He’s in top physical condition, and he has more energy on stage.” Felix shook his head, eyeing Derek with judgment.“Slow it down. This go-go-go lifestyle is bound to catch up to you, sooner rather than later.”
“I’ll be fine,” Derek said through clenched teeth. He knew he looked like shit, but it was a rough night. And being grilled as if he was 16 and trashed from raiding his dad’s liquor cabinet was uncalled for. He pushed his fingers through the roots of his hair and let out a frustrated breath.“Just give me some food and I’ll be good as new.”
Felix stared at him for a moment before taking a deep breath. “For how long? Until tonight, when you tie another one on? Are you gearing up for round two?”
“Yep.” It was a lie, told only to annoy the pain-in-the-ass manager so he’d back off. Derek had nothing planned for tonight. If a party popped up or he found himselfin a club or a bar, then he’d be drinking, and there was no reason to put a limit on his good time. He had no one to answer to – not even Felix.
A knock on the door brought the heavenly scent of breakfast into the suite. Derek sniffed the air, taking in a deep whiff of bacon.
Felix wheeled the oversized food cart into the room. Four plates with silver-domed lids sat ontop of the cart, along with a carafe of orange juice, which Derek picked up and drank straight from the mouth of the glass decanter.
It was sweet, with no pulp, and quenched the dry taste in his throat. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “No vodka?”
“Ha-ha. Very funny,” Felix said dryly, as he placed the plates on the dining table.
Derek dove atone of the domed lids as if he hadn’t just woken up next to a pile of puke. “Did you guys really eat breakfast already?” he asked Alan and Jeremy, through a mouthful of bacon. “Or is all this good eats for me?”
“We ate,” Alan answered. He turned toward Jeremy with an affectionate tilt to his head. “Do you want more breakfast?”
Jeremy paused for a second. “That bacon smellsgood, but I don’t know if Derek wants to share.”
Derek pulled the tray of bacon close to him, guarding it with his arms and narrowing his eyes at his friends, daring them to touch it.
Felix gave a slight roll of his eyes. “Share the bacon. I’ll see you at three.”
Alan and Jeremy joined Derek at the table while Felix headed for the door. “You heard the man,”Jeremy said. “Share the bacon, MacAlister.”
“Oh. What are you doing here?” It was Felix’s voice, obviously talking to someone on the other side of the door.
“I . . . um. I’m looking for Derek. Is he around?”
“Yes. He’s having breakfast. Come in,” Felix replied.
Derek stilled at the sound of Travis’ voice, coffee mug midway to his mouth. The doorto the suite closed, footsteps grew louder, and then that adorable crooked smile of Reckless’ lead singer came into view. “Hey!” Derek sat up straight, hangover forgotten at the sight of the gorgeous man.
“I didn’t mean to disturb your breakfast,” Travis said, nodding a greeting to Alan and Jeremy, which they returned.
“You’re not disturbing me,” Derek said. “Did youeat? Sit down.”
“I just finished breakfast, but I wouldn’t mind seconds. Or starting on a first lunch.”
Jeremy let out a laugh. “First lunch? How many lunches do you usually have?”
“It depends on how many are put in front of me.” Travis’ hand went to his abs. “Eating is my other great love, right behind music.”
Derek watched Travis run his handover his trim waist and longed for x-ray vision. The memory of the way those perfectly formed abs felt under his fingertips, embedded in his mind, didn’t have a picture to go with the touch. His hand had slipped under Travis’ shirt briefly the night they had kissed, but he never had a chance to peruse or see the spectacular set of muscles that only his fingers had become acquainted with. “You don’tlook like you eat more than one meal a day.” When Derek lifted his gaze to Travis’ face, those doe-eyes were locked on his.
“I burn it off. Play hard. Work hard.”
Alan stood and placed a hand on Travis’ shoulder. “Sit. We were just keeping Derek company. This is his breakfast.”
Jeremy filled his plate with bacon, stuck his tongue out at Derek like a brat,then waved his fork at Derek while he spoke to Travis. “Watch this guy doesn’t take your arm off. He eats like he just got outta prison.” He motioned for Alan to follow him, and the two of them left Travis and Derek alone at the table.
Travis took in the array of food as he sat down. “Is all this just for you?”
