CHAPTER FOURTEEN #2
Ethan took a deep breath and let it out through his nose.
“You did it behind my back. No matter what kind of relationship me and Wolf had, we were together. You’re supposed to be one of my best friends, and you started a relationship with someone I used to be with.
That’s crossing a line. How would you feel if I started seeing someone you used to date and did it behind your back?
That’s fucked up. You’re supposed to come to me first. And it’s not just some guy.
It’s Wolf. He’s like my other half.” Ethan’s brows rose, and he waved his finger at the trailer.
“He’s not innocent either. I’m pissed at him too.
Friends are supposed to be off limits. Neither one of you had the decency to come to me.
It’s fucked up on all counts. That’s why I’m pissed. ”
Harris opened his mouth to say something, but Ethan cut him off.
“Wait. I’m not done. Let’s talk about Wolf. That guy’s been through a lot of shit. A lot. He’s sensitive, and he has a big heart. He loves big, and he hurts big. I know you say you’re in love with him, but—
“Don’t act like I’m just saying it. I do love Wolf.
And I know Wolf. We didn’t just meet. I know he has issues.
I know he has trauma. I’ve been helping him.
” Harris wanted to tell Ethan that Wolf was going to counseling and in a better place mentally, but it wasn’t his news to tell.
“I’m here for him. For whatever he needs, and I’m going to stand by his side.
Stop making it sound like Wolf’s too much to handle.
He’s not. He’s just a guy going through shit. ”
“I never said he was too much to handle. Don’t put words in my mouth. That’s not what this is about. He has baggage.”
“Everyone has baggage. I have baggage. You have baggage. Wolf’s shit may be a little more intense than most, but I know what I’m getting into.
It’s not gonna scare me away, if that’s what you’re worried about.
And as far as not coming to you first, I get it, and for that I’m sorry.
You’re right. I should have told you. We planned to.
Right after the tour. We didn’t want to have drama while we had shows to do.
” He huffed, fed up with defending his feelings for Wolf.
“That shit backfired, and I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, and I’m sorry about the way you found out.
But me and Wolf are together, so if you have a problem with it, get the fuck over it. ”
Ethan stared back at Harris unblinking.
“That’s it.” Harris threw his hands into the air. “That’s all I got to say.” Done with the conversation, he banged on the trailer door. “Wolf, let’s go.”
Wolf opened the door and looked at Harris, then at Ethan and back to Harris. “Everything OK?”
“I don’t know. That’s up to Ethan, but I’m not letting it ruin our night.” He let out a cleansing breath and put a smile on his face. “Let’s go have fun.”
***
Standing in the middle of the festival surrounded by thousands of people, unrecognized, totally blew Harris’ mind. Looking at Wolf’s transformation took it to another level. “I can’t believe we’re dressed like bikers,” Harris whispered.
“I can’t believe I have to wear this itchy beard. I want to get something to eat, but I’m afraid I’ll end up eating all this hair.”
The aromas wafting through the air had Harris’ stomach rumbling. “You’ll figure it out. I could go for those kabobs over there. What do you want to eat?”
“I got some kabobs for you right here.” Wolf grabbed his junk and smiled, making his moustache widen.
“We could be gay bikers and get it on in the men’s room,” Harris suggested.
“You’re probably joking, but I’m gonna take you up on that.
” Wolf grabbed Harris’ hand and pulled him through the crowds of people and into the nearest restroom.
It was packed, and they both stopped. “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea,” Wolf admitted.
“I don’t want to bring attention to ourselves and get recognized. ”
“Spoilsport,” Harris joked.
They left the restroom and passed a group of bikers who were walking toward them.
These guys were the real deal. Tall, wide, stone-faced, with patches on their vests.
They screamed intimidation by their looks alone, and a small shiver ran down Harris’ back—and not in a good way, because the biggest one was headed straight for Wolf.
Wolf, who was taller than Harris, puffed out his chest and nodded, while Harris stood close by.
The biker nodded once in greeting and said, “We’re having a party down by the start of the festival. Under the big tent with our patch on it. You can’t miss it. Stop by with your crew. We got plenty of alcohol and food.”
“Appreciate the invite,” Wolf replied, offering his hand.
The biker shook it, nodded, and walked into the men’s room with his boys.
“Holy shit,” Harris whispered to Wolf as they made their way to the kabob stand. “I thought we were about to get rolled.”
“Bikers are cool. We should check out their party.”
“No thanks. I don’t need a bike club to find out we’re infiltrating their party in costume. They might get the wrong idea about why we’re there.”
“Chicken,” Wolf teased.
“Yes. That’s right. I’m a chicken.”
Wolf slung his arm over Harris’ shoulder and gave him a squeeze. “I’ll protect you. I’ll even buy you a kabob.”
It took a long time to get their food, and they couldn’t get a table by themselves, so they ended up sitting on a couple of crates that were off to the side. It was uncomfortable, but it offered them privacy.
“This is kinda cool,” Wolf said. “But I think I would have preferred the VIP tent.”
“The only way to get in there would have been to tell them who we are, and they still might not have believed us with all this stuff on.”
When they were done eating, Wolf deposited their plates in a nearby trash container and returned to sit on the crate next to Harris. “Are you going to tell me what Ethan said?”
Harris hesitated, not wanting to rehash the conversation. “The bottom line is that I told him I’m in love with you and if he didn’t like it, too bad.”
Wolf leaned back on his crate. “That’s a little harsh.”
“I was pissed. He thinks I’m not good enough for you.” Harris didn’t want to tell Wolf that Ethan thought he couldn’t handle Wolf’s emotional scars, because the guy was dead fucking wrong.
The corner of Wolf’s mouth curled into a smile.
“Yeah. He’s protective like that. I’ve known him since we were five years old, and we’ve been through it all.
Together. He’s seen shit that would have sent most people running, but he never left my side.
” Wolf leaned forward with his elbows on his knees and stared at the ground before looking up at Harris.
“We’re connected by something stronger than blood. ”
Harris knew those two had an inseparable bond but was only realizing how deep it ran these last few days.
Wolf placed his hand on Harris’ knee. “I’ll talk to him.”
They walked back through the festival and browsed some of the vendor tables. Wolf stopped to look at a heavy chain with a skull and crossbones and picked it up to admire it, then placed it over his head.
“It’s you,” Harris joked, knowing it was far from anything Wolf would ever wear.
“It is,” a pretty girl agreed. “She smiled up at Wolf and stepped closer to look at the piece. “I like it. You should buy it.”
“Thanks,” Wolf replied. “Are you one of the sellers at this table?”
“No. I was just browsing and liked the way the pendant and chain looks on you. I’m Cathy.” She smiled brightly as she waited for Wolf’s reply.
“Hi. I’m . . . Snake.”
Harris turned away and held in a laugh at the fake name.
“I bet you have a snake tattoo,” she said.
“Sure do,” Wolf replied. “But I can’t show it to you, or I’ll get arrested for indecent exposure.”
Cathy giggled. “Maybe you can show it to me later.”
“I’d love to.”
Harris had to turn away again at the ridiculous flirting going on between “Snake” and this girl. When he turned back around, Cathy had the top of her shirt pulled down exposing most of her right breast, almost down to the nipple.
“That’s beautiful. Very beautiful,” Wolf replied, brows waggling. “The tattoo’s nice too.”
Cathy giggled again as she pulled her shirt up. “Is this your first time at Rocktoberfest?”
“No. I came last year. What about you?”
“This is my fifth year in a row. It’s awesome. The lineup gets better and better every year.”
“Who’s your favorite band?”
“It’s hard to choose,” Cathy looked up to the sky in thought. “I love Accidental Fire, Embrace the Fate, and Midnight Hunt, but I have to say that Grindstone puts on the best show.”
“We’ll be sure to check out their set.” Wolf motioned to Harris. “This is my buddy . . . John.”
John? Harris furrowed his brow at Wolf, disapproving of the simple name. “Hi,” he said to Cathy. “Got any single girlfriends with you?”
Wolf’s head shot in Harris’ direction.
“Yes,” Cathy replied. “I’m here with four friends, and we like to party.”
“Really?” Harris’ brows shot up, and he glanced at Wolf with a lecherous smile. “Sounds like fun.”
“I gotta run,” she told Wolf. “I’m late. I was supposed to meet my friends by the waffle cone stand 10 minutes ago. I’ll give you my number, and we can catch up later. Unless you guys want to hang out with us. We’re going to rent ATVs. That could be fun.”
“Uh . . . thanks but we got to go do something right now,” Wolf replied.
“OK. Enter my number in your phone and call me later.”
Wolf tapped on his phone while Cathy recited her number. “Got it. We’ll see you gals later.”
“Good. Call me. Don’t forget.”
They watched Cathy walk away, and Wolf gave her a little wave when she turned around for a last glance.
“I can’t believe you were flirting with her!” Harris said, the laughter finally spilling out of him.
“I wasn’t flirting with her. Snake was.”
“Why do you get a rad name like Snake, and I’m John?”