Rav’s eyes flashed to Parker’s. “I’m not running away. Everyone will be better off this way.”
Parker stood and skirted around the coffee table to sit next to Rav. “I can see why you’d be upset. I know when I started dating Rafe, the whole situation was overwhelming. The fame and fortune and everything that went along with it was new, and to be frank, horrible. For a while there I had my doubts that I’d fit in to his world.”
Rav placed a hand on his knee. “But you do, and Rafe loves you so much.”
Parker snorted. “I don’t naturally fit in with the rock star world despite my brief stint as Harvey’s replacement, but I fit in with Rafe’s world and that’s what’s important. He loves me just the way I am. If I’d had to cope with the additional complexity of a poly relationship… let’s just say, I understand that the situation is unique.”
Ravi sighed. “I hate the pressure with all the publicity. Things could come crashing down at any moment. Harvey is well-known. He’s a celebrity. He could have anyone he wanted—”
“And he does.”
Rav ignored the interruption. “Someone who doesn’t threaten the band’s reputation, or someone who doesn’t create all this drama. Bo’s so much better at this than me. He’s more of a free spirit and hardly anything gets him down.”
“Oh, Rav,” Parker said, eyes soft as he reached for Ravi’s hands. “You’re waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
He frowned. “What do you mean?’
“You’ve got to back yourself, Rav. Both those men of yours love and adore you. Harvey broke your heart when you were still a kid but that was ten years ago and things are so different now. And Bo broke your heart more recently because he was trying to protect you, trying to make sure you were loved by someone who could love you completely. It didn’t even cross his mind that he could love both you and Harvey, and that you’d both love him back.” He squeezed Rav’s hands. “I’ve never seen three people more perfect for each other, and you’re a key part of that.”
Rav’s mind raced as he took in everything Parker was saying. The thing was, he knew it was true. He knew his love for both Harvey and Bo was strong, and he knew in the depths of his soul that their love for him was real. Theywereperfect together.Together.
“Shit. I’ve fucked up,” Ravi whispered, his voice shaking.
Parker smiled. “It’s not too late. You can stay. You don’t have to catch that plane.”
Rav relaxed at the idea, warmth spreading through him, until he thought of his parents. “But Mum and Dad? I want them finding out about my relationship from me instead of via some sleazy news article.”
“And I get that. But you could call? FaceTime them maybe? Or even just wait until you get home. Isn’t it a risk worth taking?”
Everything Parker said made sense. He’d been hellbent on talking to his parents face-to-face thinking that would help them accept the news, but in reality, it hadn’t made any difference when he’d spoken to them face-to-face in the past.
“You know,” Rav said after a moment. “I’ve been trying to imagine how they’ll react to the news—news that their only child is happy and in love—but all I can picture is the lecture about how disappointed they are and how it will impact them. It won’t be about me, it will be about them. They don’t give me credit for being a grown man who can make his own decisions about his own life, and it pisses me off that they try to dictate what is right, but not what’s right for me. Iknowwhat is right and what’s right is following my own heart.Being happy.”
“Eureka!” Parker said, grin wide.
Ravi grinned at his enthusiasm, then reality hit. “I’ve totally fucked up. Now I’ll miss the concert and I’ve made you miss it too. Damn, I’m so sorry, Parker, but I really appreciate you kicking my butt.”
“That’s what friends are for, right?” Parker winked. He jumped to his feet and started for the door, turning back to look at Rav. “Are you coming?”
Rav, in a bit of a daze, automatically stood and followed. “Where to?”
“You’ll see. Leave your bags and get moving.”
There was a car waiting outside the hotel. They climbed in the back and headed out into traffic and not long after they arrived at the airport. Parker tipped the driver then got out of the car heading straight inside a low building. Rav had no choice but to follow, catching sight of the company name as they entered.
“We’re getting a helicopter?” Rav said when he finally caught up to Parker at the reception counter.
Parker’s smile was wide.
“Mr Shaw?” the man behind the counter asked.
Parker turned to the guy. “That’s me.”
“We have the chopper all really for you, sir. If you’ll follow me.”
Ravi looked at him in amazement as they made their way to the sleek black machine.
“How did you arrange this? How did you know I’d come?”
