NOW
“The town of Stillwater,known for its monthly craft fair that brings in thousands of people each month, is currently attracting an altogether different audience,”the woman on the local TV news channel says.“The rock band, Hall of Fame, is reportedly playing a small concert alongside the local band, Delirius, with proceeds from ticket sales and donations going to the local soup kitchen.”
Footage of the children’s playground shows on the TV, followed by people entering the soup kitchen. “There’s been speculation regarding the sudden interest from the band in this small town in the heart of Connecticut. Locals remain tight-lipped, but fans of the Find a Celebrity app report that it could be something to do with the man Mik Nilsson has been photographed with during the last week.” The camera focuses back on the reporter. “In fact, Mr. Nilsson and his Mystery Man don’t seem to have left each other’s side since Mr. Nilsson’s presence in Stillwater was reported to Find a Celebrity. I guess only time will tell if this relationship will last. The fact Mr. Nilsson has been seen openly with this man is telling, considering he is extremely private regarding his personal life. The rock star, who came out as bisexual early on in his career, has been seen with various men and women but has never acknowledged a relationship or been seen in such domestic settings. Maybe Mystery Man is the one who will take Mik Nilsson’s heart away from his fans. That will be a sad day indeed.”
Tyler sighs next to me. “I don’t know how you’ve been doing this for over twenty years. It’s exhausting knowing someone might be taking a photo of you at any given moment. Or talking about you like you don’t have feelings.”
“You’ve been doing great, baby. I’m sure it’ll all die down after the concert, and we can return to our usual boring lives.”
“I’m sure your life isn’t boring.”
Kay looks at us from where she’s lying on the floor with Stan. “He’s the most boring rock star I’ve ever met. And I’ve met lots of rock stars.”
“Hey,” I say, throwing a cushion at her. “I’m totally cool and trendy.”
She rolls her eyes, and Nikko snorts.
I look at Ty. “You sure she’s not your daughter?”
As the news reported, the band arrived a couple of days ago. They’ve made a point to visit local eating places and shops to pretend they’re visiting my new boyfriend and me.
As we hoped, no one recognized Nikko, so he’s been taking Kay to school and picking her up after class. I thought she’d fight with me about staying home more, but she’s surprised me by being surprisingly calm.
Fox, Stone, and Bastian join us in the den.
“How are you feeling about tomorrow?” Bastian asks Ty.
When the band talked about the songs we’ll perform, and I told them “Only You” was Tyler’s song, they wanted him to play it with us. I was sold on it immediately, but convincing Tyler took a little longer.
Nothing a couple of orgasms couldn’t do. Once I was deep inside him for the second time, and he was desperate to come, he agreed to everything.
“I’ve never been more scared in my life. I haven’t performed in over ten years.”
“You’ll be fine. When it’s time, just rip off the Band-Aid. The hardest part is walking on stage. Once you’re there, your muscle memory guides you until you can enjoy it. And then when the rush comes, you’re unstoppable.”
Ty blushes a little and nods. He knows exactly how it feels, just not on the scale Hall of Fame is used to. Then again, I always felt that smaller venues were harder to perform in because everything became much more up-close and personal.
Stone steals the remote control for the TV and picks a movie. Everyone settles to watch, but all I care about is the man in my arms.
I hold him closer and whisper in his ear. “I’ll be there with you, baby. Just like before.”
Ty looks at me with sad eyes.
“What’s the matter?”
“My dad would have loved this, and so would Porter.”
“I would have loved to have met Porter too.” I touch his lips with mine, keeping the kiss chaste but no less intense.
“Christ, they’re at it again. This isn’t that kind of movie,” Stone grumbles.
I throw the only other cushion I can reach at him.
“I should go home. Seymour will be back any time tonight, and I want to be there,” Ty says.
I stand and take his hand. “Come on, I’ll walk you out.”
“That’s code for blowjob if I ever heard one,” Fox says low enough for us to hear but thankfully out of Kay’s earshot.
