“Thanks for coming to the party tonight!” Charlie yelled with excitement to the crowd that replied with a series of whoops. “We’re Y2k All the Way and we’ll be playing your favorite songs again next month. We’re off, but DJ Thomash will take over from here. Have a great evening!”
Then he squinted through the lights aimed at the stage and met my gaze. I grinned, and the smile he gave me in return warmed my chest. With a nod, he indicated backstage, then winked at me. Holy shit, that made my insides flutter.
After flashing the badge I received at the entrance, security let me through to the back. I should be wearing a t-shirt with the words “I’m with the band” on it. I snickered to myself.Was I a groupie?For that to be true, I’d have to fuck someone from the crew. A vision of Charlie running a hand through his hair as he met my gaze invaded my mind. Yeah, no. Guys were not my thing. Some were hot, Charlie definitely was, but that didn’t mean anything.
I had awkward and confusing boners while changing at the gym lockers, but I’ve never been attracted to a man. I think… I’dconvinced myself that every reaction I had was normal straight guy stuff. Some people were fit, and admiring their physique was what everyone did. Or, in Charlie’s case, adoring his sensual lips and eyes that looked into my soul.
I knocked on the door to the backstage room but the music from the club was so loud; I was sure no one heard me. Letting myself in, I saw the band members packing their instruments.
“That was awesome!” I yelled, and they all turned my way.
“Thanks, dude.” Sabrina clapped my shoulder and continued inspecting the cymbals she was sliding into a round bag.
So that was what I carried in.
“I had so much fun. Thanks for inviting me.”
“We’re going to my place next,” Charlie said. “And a few friends are meeting us there. Wanna come?”
I nodded. With no plans for the rest of the night, I was not ready to part with the cool people that, somehow, were willing to drag a sack of music illiterate muscle with them. “Yeah, sure.” I could be cool too. But my grin was probably giving my excitement away. Oh well.
“Let’s split then.” Trixie hauled her soft bass case onto her back.
“I can take that.” I reached out for the bag.
“Nah. You don’t need to carry our shit on the way out.”
But I wanted to help. I nodded anyway and followed them out.
The time spent on the bumpy ride at the back of the van with Charlie gave me the opportunity to tell him how much I enjoyed the concert, and in no time, we arrived at the apartment he shared with Trixie. The place had a lived-in vibe with a wornwelcome mat, coats by the door and an open entrance to the kitchen. We stepped into the living room, which had walls covered in shelves with books and music memorabilia. Charlie directed me to sit on the corner sofa with pillows and a low table facing a TV on the wall.
“Beer anyone?” Trixie asked, setting her bags carefully against the wall. “People should start coming soon.”
“I’ll have one, but can I use the bathroom first?” I stood up and felt the lollipops in my pocket. They could wait. Looking like a kid carrying a bunch of candy would not be a good look in front of my new friends.
“Of course. It’s the door on the right. Our rooms are on the left.” Charlie disappeared back into the kitchen and dove into the fridge, pulling out beers.
I took a leak in the bathroom, feeling jealous when I saw the tub. The apartment I was renting was basically a closet with a shower. Here, even the hand soap smelled nice, so I took the time to wash my face and look at my reflection. My short blond hair was disheveled, and so was my jersey—all proof that the concert actually happened. And now I was in an apartment with a bunch of strangers who had no reason to accept me, much less like me.
What am I doing here?
The day had gotten off the rails so fast, I couldn’t keep track of it.
No way I could fit in this group, even if they’d made me feel welcome from the very start. “I should go,” I muttered. With a nod to my reflection, I left the bathroom. The bedroom doors were open, and it was obvious which one was Charlie’s. The two guitars on stands and one on a wall hook were dead giveaways. His passion was so clear and, even if I didn’t understand it, I could appreciate it. Several outfits lay spread on the bed in an otherwise tidy room, and the top of the dresser held rows ofpictures in frames. A shot that looked familiar caught my eye, so I took a step into the room like a nosy ass and picked up the frame.
“What the fuck?” I whispered, looking closely at the picture. With shaking hands, I checked the tag on my jersey. My name wasn’t on it.
I marched towards the living room, heart in my throat.
The trio was sitting on the sofa with their backs to me, talking in hushed tones.
“Well, then maybe just talk to him.” Sabrina patted Charlie’s shoulder.
“I know. But it’s weird.” Charlie groaned and wiped a hand over his face. “What if he doesn’t understand?”
“Trent is a big boy and can make his own choices. But I agree with Sabrina that you should tell him.” Trixie’s serious tone didn’t help the dread that filled me all the way to my shoes. Who were these people?
My toes cracked as I stepped into the room, and they turned my way. “Tell me what?” My hand trembled when I lifted the frame. “Does it have anything to do with why you have a picture of me as a child in your bedroom?”
