Nelly pouted and dug through his bag as Sean reached over and tousled his hair, which Nelly returned with a scowl and slight smile.
Jax was dressed in chic boy clothes but wearing his best Cher wig, hanging long and straight down his back. “Chile! I never dreamed I’d perform at the Grammys.” He pranced down the aisle, flipping the wig over his shoulders.
“Right! We are gonna eat and leave no crumbs!” Harry exclaimed.
“Bitch…clean plate club!” Jax grinned and they high fived with a finger snap.
David lifted his head from his notebook and smiled at their interaction. He glanced at Jordan, whose nose was buried in his iPad, wearing his usual scowl. Jordan must have felt his eyes on him because he lifted his gaze from his device and their eyesmet. For a split second, they held contact, then David quickly dropped his head and went back to writing in his notebook.
Justin and Nelly began singing and dancing in the aisle.
”Well we movin’ on up, to the eastside. To a deluxe apartment in the sky.
Fish don’t fry in the kitchen, beans don’t burn on the grill.
Now we up in the big leagues, getting’ our turn at bat. Long as we live, you and me baby.
Ain’t nothin’ wrong with that.
Well we movin’ on up. We finally got a piece of the pie.”
They sang and shook their asses while the rest of the crew clapped and cheered.
Dean giggled at the spectacle. It was never a dull moment with this team, for sure.
Their continuous chatter was cute, but Dean felt relieved that there was a little separation from all that energy. He was as excited as the rest of his crew, but he needed some quiet time to meditate and center all the nervous energy rolling inside of him. He dropped his head onto Colton’s shoulder and settled in for the flight to L.A.
Rehearsals were flawless. Everyone was on point. Although they had performed in giant stadiums across the world, Dean and his dancers stood together after rehearsals on the Grammy stage, in awe of the majesty and magnitude of the moment.
“This is a dream come true,” David whispered into the empty theater, and everyone nodded in agreement.
Colton fidgeted with his tie and cuffs, his knee steadily bouncing and Dean gently placed a hand on his thrumming knee to calm him. “Sweetie, are you ok?”
Colton pulled his attention from the limo window to face Dean. “I’m a little nervous.” He smiled sheepishly.
In that moment, it hit Dean…Colton was world famous, successful and admired, but he’d probably never had to go through any sort of red-carpet situation. This was all new to him.
Dean squeezed his knee. “It’s just a bunch of cameras, and reporters, and people screaming your name. It’s kind of like a football game, right?”
Colton tilted his head in thought. “When you put it that way, I guess you’re right.”
Dean leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Exactly, it’s just like football, except we’re dressed better.” He winked with a grin. “And I’ll be by your side. So, if you ever feel yourself getting overwhelmed, just squeeze my hand.”
Colton took his hand and gave it a practice squeeze. “Deal. I’m glad I could do this with you.”
“Me too, baby. And you look so fuckin’ hot tonight.” Dean smirked and casually reached over to cup his crotch.
Colton growled. “Do. Not. Make me go on the red carpet with a hard-on!”
Dean cackled and patted his knee. “Ok. Deep breath…we’re here.”
They made their way down the red carpet, stopping for interviews, posing for photos and waving to excited, screaming fans. Unlike stuffier awards shows like The Oscars and Golden Globes, the Grammy Awards were all about trendy fashions that pushed the envelope.
They were both dressed in perfectly tailored suits, Colton in a black suit with rhinestones that resembled the constellations, and Dean in a suit of mirrored glass, a head-to-toe disco ball. Being an attractive couple, with their outlandish attire and the recent revelation of their couple status, there were constant clicks and blinding flashes of cameras.
Colton handled this whole scene surprisingly well. He was relaxed, smiling, and even hamming it up for the camerason occasion. Dean squeezed his hand after they posed for yet another round of photographers. “You’re enjoying this aren’t you?”
Colton smiled lovingly at Dean as the cameras flashed. “I am! This is kinda fun!”
