“Well, you are the only one who’s ever seen it, you know.”
“I know.” Dominic kissed the tip of his nose. “And it better stay that way for the foreseeable future.”
Trey feigned innocence. “Does this mean you want to go steady? Can I wear your pin?”
“Jackass.” Dominic swatted his bare ass, then rubbed the stinging cheek. “This is mine.”
“Yeah, it is.” His level of complete contentedness was only dimmed by the bass of reality thumping along outside of the tent. One of these days they’d have all the time in the world to laze around in bed after a good, hard fuck.
Not today.
“I’m glad to see the ice thawing between Tyson and you guys,” Dominic said after a few minutes of silence. “Lincoln might have even admitted that you and Bobby are kind of cool.”
Trey snorted laughter. “Wow, did he sprain his tongue saying that?”
“Linc took some of the stuff you guys said in the Off Beat green room personally, so I call it a win.”
“Bobby’s the same way. Cool guy if he’s your friend, but watch out if he’s not.”
“They’re the good kind of friends to have.”
“Yeah, they are.” Bobby and Danielle were the best. Trey didn’t like to think about where he might be if they hadn’t given him a chance on their Craigslist ad. Or what was going to happen after tonight’s awards ceremony. “Thank you.”
Dominic’s easy smile turned quizzical. “For what?”
“Being patient with me. I mean, your whole band is out, and I’m still scared of what people think of me.”
“You think I’m not?” His voice remained patient, but his expression turned serious. “Being out doesn’t mean I suddenly don’t give a shit how people see me. But I want them to see me for my music, Trey, not where I like to stick my dick. If I’m good enough of a musician, then the rest doesn’t matter as much.” Dominic brushed his knuckles over Trey’s cheek, and Trey pressed into the welcome touch. “You’re amazing onstage. You are overflowing with raw talent. That’s what people are going to remember you for.”
“Not everyone.”
“There’s always going to be a bigot who’ll want to rattle your cage and spit in your face, but that’s life. Gay or straight, there will always be someone out there ready to hate you for some reason or another. Especially the jealous ones.”
Trey tucked his head beneath Dominic’s chin and inhaled the scent of him. “Do you have a motivational speaker hiding in your shorts?”
Dominic’s laughter rumbled in Trey’s ear. “I have awesome parents who give good advice. Sometimes it even sticks.”
“Wish I’d had your parents.”
The arms around Trey’s waist tightened. “I was lucky. But if it helps? The minute I introduce you, you’re going to be adopted right into the family.”
Trey sat up so fast he almost clipped Dominic’s chin. “You want to introduce me to your parents?”
“Sure.” Dominic sat up, frowning. “If you want to meet them.”
He’d never been introduced to anyone’s parents before, and the idea made him a little queasy. What if he didn’t measure up? Maybe they’d decide he wasn’t good enough for their son, and Dominic would dump him. What if?—?
“Stop that,” Dominic said.
Trey blinked. “What?”
“You’re assuming the worst, aren’t you?”
“Do you blame me? My life doesn’t usually go best-case-scenario.” Trey grabbed his briefs, feeling crazy vulnerable right then, but his ass was sticky with lube.
“Here.” Dominic handed over a box of baby wipes. “Girls are always prepared.”
He laughed as he used a few wipes to clean up, while Dominic did the same. They didn’t talk again until they were both dressed. They knelt across from each other, and Dominic grabbed his hands and squeezed tight.
