Sheila looked between them. “And this is a love story?”
Rafe reached for Parker’s hand and was met halfway. He tangled their fingers. Parker’s grip was sure and strong. He nodded. “Itisa love story, and it’s one that’s going to have a very happy ending.”
Sheila’s eyebrows raised as she took in their joined hands. She looked slowly to Van and then back to Rafe and Parker. Rafe guessed her mind was running through the scenarios, lips tight as she tapped a bright red nail against her chin. Eventually, her mouth turned up in a smile. “I can work with that.”
Rafe blew out a breath in relief as Parker’s grip loosened on his, his own tension obviously lessening. He glanced to Parker and was rewarded by a face that radiated his own happiness.
“I guess we’ll leave you to it then.” Van still wore his grin, so he couldn’t have been too upset. “Come on, Sheila. Let’s go get another—”
“Actually, I see RG over there,” Sheila said. She grasped Van by the elbow, and they headed off, words fading the further away they got. “I’m sure you and RG will get along like a house on fire…”
Rafe laughed.Jesus, poor RG.But then, he saw the look on RG’s face as Sheila and Van approached.Maybe not so poor after all.He could see the headline now.Bad boy of rock tamed by most eligible rocker.
Rafe turned his attention back to Parker, glad they were alone. All he wanted to do was kiss the man. Kiss him for being so brave, for getting up on that stage even though it was the last thing he wanted to do. Kiss him for being such a loyal, stubborn brother and friend. Kiss him for… fuck, he just wanted to kiss him. So that’s what he did. He wrapped Parker in his arms, pulled him close, lowered his lips to Parker’s, and kissed him hard and fast. He pulled back just as suddenly, leaving Parker with glazed eyes, his breath catching.
“What was that for?” Parker asked, blinking in surprise.
Rafe cupped his cheek. “Just for being you.”
“Well, I’m happy to be me any day if that’s the reward I get.”
“You’re okay with what I said back then? Okay if Sheila runs with it?”
Parker answered with a nod and drew him in for another soul-shattering kiss. The feeling was better than any rush from performing. Nothing could beat the euphoria of the taste of Parker on his lips and the knowledge they had a future—Parker wanted to be part of that epic love story, the one where the two of them would be together.
Epilogue
Six weeks later
“I seeyou and my girl are getting along better now.”
Parker looked over his shoulder to see Harvey enter the kitchen. He chuckled and turned back to the space-age coffee machine. “Your girl and I get along just fine.” He’d brewed enough cups of coffee over the last fortnight to be familiar with all the dials and buttons. Parker set the machine to prepare another shot so he could make an espresso for Harvey. “Will Ravi be back soon?” he asked, reaching into the overhead cupboard for a cup and placing it in position.
Harvey took a seat at the table, favouring his weak arm as he sat. “I have no idea. He wasn’t sure how long the interview would take. Actually, I thought he would have messaged by now.”
Parker placed the full cup in front of Harvey and studied his brother. The dark smudges under his eyes hinted at how rough the last few weeks had been. “I’d take that as good news. The longer the interview goes, the more likely they’re interested, right? They’re not going to waste their time with someone who doesn’t have a good chance.”
“I hope so.”
Parker took a sip of coffee. “It’ll be good for you to have Ravi here in Sydney permanently. I’m glad things are working out for the two of you.”
When Parker had returned from the US trip two weeks ago, it had been obvious that things had developed between them, resulting in Ravi deciding to make the big move across the country.
“It is.” Harvey smiled wide over the rim of his cup. “Now if only I could convince you that the east coast is the place to be.”
“Well… about that.”
“What?” Harvey bolted upright. “What’s going on, little bro?”
“I’m taking a leaf out of my big brother’s book and just going for it.” Parker couldn’t help grinning. He was making some major changes in his life and hoped Harvey was impressed. He’d come a long way from the wary, tentative guy who’d come back home from London to lick his wounds—he was now going to reach for what he wanted.
“Holy shit. You mean it?”
Parker nodded. “One hundred percent. Not only will we be in the same hemisphere and on the same side of the country, we’ll be in the same city.”
“That’s awesome. You know you’re welcome to move in here. It’ll be like when we lived at home together. The good old days.”
“I’m not sure what good old days you’re remembering. I’m recalling arguments about who got to use the bathroom first and whose turn it was to take out the bins on garbage night.”
