Parker laughed. “I didn’t arrange it. Harvey did. You’ll be surprised what throwing a little black credit card around can achieve. And Bo knew you’d come. He had a feeling you had cold feet and all you needed was a little bit of encouragement.”
Ravi couldn’t believe the amount of effort—and money—that had gone into getting him to Rocktoberfest. It was one last thing to prove just how much his guys wanted him with them. He couldn’t wait to get there.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Theothershadgonefor food, but Harvey couldn’t eat. He was a bundle of nerves waiting to hear news of Rav, plus they were due on stage in less than an hour.
“Come and sit,” Bo said, catching Harvey’s wrist as he made another pass. Pacing in the bus was cramped and ineffective, but he couldn’t sit still.
“What if Parker doesn’t convince him to come?” he said looking down at Bo who was inexplicably calm.
“Of course he will,” Bo said.
“You don’t know that. He didn’t listen to either of us and we did everything we could to convince him to stay. He really thinks he’s doing us a favour by not being here. Idiot. I can’t believe he wants to give this all up.”
Bo snorted. “Don’t be silly. He doesn’twantto give anything up. He’s protecting his heart. Now sit down so we can talk properly. I’m getting a stiff neck from looking up at you.”
Harvey sat next to him. “He’s had his heart broken so many times, it’s no wonder he doesn’t trust us.”
“I’m not sure it’s a matter of trusting us, it’s about him learning to trust himself. He’s distancing himself so he won’t be hurt because that’s all he’s ever known. Up until now, every time he’s given himself, whether it be to us, or simply giving the honest version of himself to his parents, he’s been tossed aside.”
“Fucking hell, when you put it like that.”
Bo grabbed his hand. “It’s okay. He knows we love him, deep down he knows. It’s just taking him a while to comes to terms with the fact that we won’t ever let him go. It doesn’t help that the same thing can’t be said about his family, and I think that’s bringing stuff to the surface. He’s scared of being tossed aside again.”
“We’re his family,” Harvey said. “You, me, and the rest of the guys.”
Bo nodded. “And Rav just needs to be reminded of that.”
“What if they don’t make it in time?” Harvey asked.
“Jesus! When did you become such a downer,” Bo said, but there was laughter in his voice. “Relax before you give yourself an ulcer. Like I said, IknowRavi and I know he’ll be coming.”
Harvey rolled his eyes. “I hope your positivity pays off.”
The door opened and hope flared. He turned but was disappointed to see Nigel so slumped back against his seat.
“Half an hour until I need you over by the stage, Harvey. Don’t make me come looking for you.”
“He’ll be there,” Bo said. “He has to be, because I’m not missing the show.”
“Yeah, half an hour… I’ll be over then, oh, and Nige, I’m going to be dedicating the latest song to the boys.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Harvey. I know you wrote the song as a reflection of your life and it’s bloody fantastic—just ask all the fans who are sending it up the charts, but there’s no need to—”
“I’m not asking your permission, Nige. I’m telling you.”
Nigel gritted his teeth and his nostrils flared, but Harvey was relieved when he didn’t push back. “I’ll talk to Sheila. Maybe the press won’t pick up on the message in the lyrics, but if they do, we need to be prepared.” He shook his head and shoved his glasses back up his nose. “Why do you boys have to do this to me? And at Rocktoberfest of all places. First Rafe last year and now you this year. Jesus Christ, I need a holiday.” He turned and left, the bus door closing behind him.
He met Bo’s gaze, happy to see the grin there.
The door opened again. “What the fuck, Nig—Oh my God, Rav!” Harvey jumped to his feet, took a step or two and wrapped Ravi in his arms. “Oh my God, I can’t tell you how good it is to see you.” He nuzzled against Rav’s hair, breathing in his familiar scent, so relieved to have him in his arms.
“Move out of the way.” Parker elbowed him in the ribs to shove his way in.
Harvey pulled Bo close, the three of them hugging and kissing as if Rav had been away for a week, not a matter of hours. But damn, it was good to see him. It was only now that he realised just how afraid he’d been that things might not work out. He wasn’t stupid—they still had work to do, and maybe Ravi would benefit from talking to someone—hell, they all could probably do with some relationship counselling—but they were together now and that was what counted.
“Uh. Hum.”
