Ari shoots off a single text to the guys, assuring them we’re okay and will tell them all about it shortly.
“Tell Jesse his fans are fucking nuts,” I say, trying to force humor into my voice.
Ari: J, Will says to tell you your fans want his nuts.
A snort escapes me, and Ari giggles, scooting to the side and wiggling until his ass hits the seat next to me. He’s still leaning against my chest, his phone open in front of us both while he texts.
Jesse: Sounds like they almost got them.
Ari:
I squeeze Ari’s side to hug him closer to me, because even though I know he’s making light of the situation now, it was actually really scary. He might be relaxed now that we’re safe, but there was true fear in his eyes.
Then he opens a second thread. And although it’s to be expected, and I certainly deserve every bit of pain and anguish that’s about to be handed to me, it doesn’t stop my chest from constricting painfully when I see Alonso’s name on his screen.
Alonso: Let me know when you make it somewhere safe.
Alonso: I hope you’re safe. I’m so sorry that happened.
Ari: I’m okay. And it wasn’t like it was your fault.
Ari: Who could have possibly imagined?
Alonso: Your fans are quite a bit more excitable than mine.
Ari: Oh, no. That’s all Jesse. There’s something about him that makes people wild.
Alonso: He’s got nothing on you.
Ari: You just have to say that because you think I’m traumatized. I’m fine, really. I was just in shock for a minute there.
Alonso: I’m fucking traumatized. That was terrifying.
Alonso: Thank goodness Will was there.
Ari looks up at me with a soft smile, as if echoing Alonso’s sentiments. It’s obvious that I’m reading over his shoulder, but he doesn’t seem to mind. I swallow down a painful lump in my throat, and try to open my mouth to say something—to confess, to explain myself—something.Anything.But no words come out.
It’s after three o’clock in the morning before we’re able to debrief and our luggage is delivered from the other hotel. Naz, Ari, and I start toward the bedrooms. For whatever reason, Jesse decided he wants to stay in his own room, so he’s in the penthouse on the other wing of the hotel. I’m too tired to even entertain the idea that he might know something.
Naz pats me on the shoulder, then pulls Ari into a side hug. “I’m glad y’all are alright,” he says. “That shit was scary—realizing you were both down there and not knowing what was happening.”
“Everyone’s okay,” Ari says, then winces. “Well, not everyone.”
“They will be, and we’ll go see them tomorrow, even if Blake wants to be a hard-ass about it.”
People got fucking hurt. A bellhop was trampled, and one of Alonso’s security guards who was at the door got hurt as well. They believe it’s all superficial injuries, but they’re having them stay the night in the hospital for observation.
Naz heads a little farther down the hall to his room. Eric and Zane, of course, put Ari’s room next to mine, like we’ve always done.
Trying to keep my shit together, I kiss the top of Ari’s head and bid him goodnight. I forgo a shower, opting to splash water on my face after brushing my teeth, and slide into bed in just my boxers.
I’ve been staring at the ceiling for nearly an hour when I hear a soft knock and the door clicking open. I never lock my door, ever, for exactly this reason.
“Will?” Ari whispers.
“Yeah, baby. I’m here.”
Ari lets out a shaky breath and crawls up the bed. He collapses into me the second he locates me in the dark, and I can’t catch my breath.
