Page 101 of Love You Like This

“It was just us.”

He nods and walks past me, pushing the bathroom door open. Darren comes over to me as Xander disappears inside. He leans against the wall with a deep sigh.

“Thank fuck that’s over with.” He rolls up his shirtsleeves, exposing the tattoos that cover both his arms. “I’m looking forward to spending the rest of the tour with no scandals.”

“Me, too.”

“What’s he doing in there?”

“Talking to Ashley.”

“What’d you say to her?”

“Just wanted to check on her. She was so upset.”

“Yeah, upset about missing a massive paycheck.”

“Don’t be a dick,” I say quietly. “It was more than that.”

“If you say so.”

His phone chimes with a notification. “The car’s downstairs for us. I’ll go down if you wait for him?”

“Sure.”

Xander emerges from the bathroom a few minutes later. He slips his phone into his pocket as we fall in step together walking toward the bank of elevators. Neither of us say anything until we’re alone in the elevator.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“Yeah, I’m good.” He looks over at me. “Are you?”

I nod slowly. “I am. Happy for you but sad for her and especially the baby.”

“I know. The other guy sounds like an asshole.”

“Yeah.”

“Are we good?” He turns his body to mine and lowers his forehead until it rests against mine. “Please say we are.”

“Yes.” I wrap my arms around his waist and tilt my head until our lips brush. “We’re good.”

The final shows of the North American leg of the tour go off without a hitch. The guys are a mesmerizing sight as they lock in together under the bright stage lights. It’s impossible not to get carried away in the storm of their ever-increasing success and popularity.

Xander takes every possible opportunity to pull me into empty rooms and fuck me until I’m a quivering, sloppy mess. It doesn’t matter if it’s before a show or after. He’s back on me as soon as we're locked in the same hotel room. I’ve had more sex with him in the past few weeks than I probably have in the past decade combined.

It’s the moments in between the incredible sex that really get me. Our once acerbic quips to each other have softened into teasing and light-hearted banter. Late nights sharing dreams and making future plans. It feels like it did when we were younger, so full of hope and happiness.

Yet I can’t ignore the building unease that churns in my gut. Something feels off, and I can’t pinpoint anything. I don’t want to say anything to Xander, but the harder I try to ignore this feeling, the more challenging it becomes to do so.

Which is why I’m pulling Hazel aside at the airport.

“Can I talk to you for a minute?” I lean over and ask quietly. “Privately?”

“Of course.” She taps Stone’s arm and waits for him to pull his headphones off. “We’re going to run to the bathroom before we get on the plane.”

He nods, and we make our way to the ladies’ room. It’s a private terminal and pretty much empty aside from us, so we don’t have to worry about anyone coming in.

“What’s up?” she asks once the door closes behind us.