Before Skyler closed his eyes, Trevor dropped his arm over the edge of his bed and wiggled his fingers until Skyler reached up and gave his hand a tight squeeze. Reminding Skyler that even if he had to sleep by himself, he’d never be alone again.
Chapter Twelve
Before
TREVOR
A COUPLE WEEKS INTOTHE TOUR, the band finally stayed in the same place for more than a day. Being on tour felt amazing, but so did sleeping in an actual bed and going outside to breathe fresh air.
They had a TV interview to do in the evening, but their morning and afternoon were free. After going out to breakfast with the guys, Trevor and Skyler went off on their own. Trevor held Skyler’s hand as they walked the downtown streets, unconcerned with what random strangers might think of them together.
Loving Skyler wasn’t something he’d ever be ashamed of.
But when he realized a couple of young girls were watching them, he very regretfully dropped Skyler’s hand. Becauseright. That was their target demographic, and they needed to keep their relationship separate from the attention of the band.
Being forced to second-guess his actions sucked, but he tried not to let it bother him as he followed Skyler into a bookstore, where Skyler proceeded to pile book after book into Trevor’s arms.
“You won’t even have time to read these,” he reasoned as Skyler added yet another one to the growing stack.
“I’ll find time.” Skyler turned a corner into the History section and immediately reached for another. “Ooh, my dad would love this. I’ll have to send it to him.”
Trevor smiled indulgently and didn’t complain no matter how bored he grew.
By the time they made it out of the store, the paper bag Trevor carried was so heavy it’d be a miracle if it didn’t rip. A block down the street, he spotted something that made him come to an abrupt halt, books smacking painfully into his thigh.
It was a whim, and he didn’t usually do things on a whim. But across the street stood a shop, a neon sign in the window flashing the wordtattoo.
“I’m going to get one,” he announced.
“Huh?” Skyler said.
He pointed at the shop.
Skyler followed his line of sight and beamed. “Oh my god, yes!”
Skyler’s enthusiasm was contagious, emboldening him as they made their way across the street. Upon entering the shop, though, Trevor realized he had no clue what he wanted to get.
“Is your mom going to kill you?” Skyler asked, flipping through a book of flash drawings.
“I’m sure she won’t be thrilled about it. But her argument about being able to find a job is weak now. We’re on fucking tour. Like you said, we made it.”
Skyler nodded. “You’ll have to tell her that.”
Trevor grinned, an idea forming. “You know what? I think I will.”
Skyler gave him a puzzled look, but then matched his grin when Trevor told the artist what he wanted.
It was probably a ridiculous idea, but when it was done, Skyler couldn’t stop staring in awe at the tattoo until the artist wrapped it in plastic. Trevor was amazed too. He’d gotten his first tattoo. On his forearm, right underneath the crease of his elbow, in bold letters.
look mom
i made it
Trevor was entertaining himselfby making faces at Skyler, trying to make him laugh while Georgia patted foundation onto his face. Georgia pretended to be exasperated with the two of them, but he caught her cracking a smile.
In the middle of sticking his tongue out, Trevor’s phone rang and,shit. He should have expected a call from his mom.
One of the interviewers had pointed out his freshly wrapped tattoo earlier and made him show it off on live TV. His mom watched all their interviews, and that wasn’t how he’d wanted her to find out.
