Chapter Thirteen
Kit
I checked my phone to see that River had been gone for an hour, and I was starting to worry. I turned to see Marshall talking to a server, laughing it up and having a good time. I walked over to interrupt.
“If we stay for a few days, could I take you to dinner?” he asked the beautiful young woman.
“Staying for a few days? I thought the band was going back to LA tonight to get into the studio tomorrow. When did the plans change? Where is River?”
Marshall turned toward me. “And why do you need to know? As far as you’re concerned, you have five days off.
The truck needs to stay because of the instruments, but you’re free to do anything you want.
Hell, fly home if you want. Just be back on Saturday night to drive the truck to Salt Lake City for the show on Sunday night. ”
“That’s a ten-hour drive if there’s no traffic. If they’re staying, that means they’ll be playing Saturday night, traveling for ten hours by bus, and then playing after not much time to rest. Is that good for them?”
“It’s what they do, Hansen. They play when I tell them to play. You’ll drive when and where I tell you to drive, or you can unhook your truck and leave now. The trailer belongs to the record label. I’ll get someone else to haul it.”
“You know what, Kensington? I don’t answer to you. I’m employed by the record label.” It was all I could do to keep from busting the motherfucker in the mouth.
I retrieved my phone to see it was one in the morning, and I knew Nate would be pissed, but I was tired of seeing the shit Kensington was getting away with. Something needed to change.
I walked away from Kensington and headed toward the church parking lot, hoping I’d calm down enough to make sense when I spoke with Nate. I hit the contact button, and it went straight to voicemail.
“Uncle Nate, there’s a problem with Kensington. I need to speak to you. Call me when you can.” I ended the call and started heading back toward the venue to find River. He was my foremost concern.
As I rounded the corner of the building, I heard River and Hardy laughing. Following the sound, I found the band at a table on the patio behind the twenty-thousand-square-foot building. They were eating and drinking, so I almost didn’t interrupt, but Arlo saw me in the shadows.
“There’s Kit,” he said, pointing in my direction.
River turned and grinned before he stood. “Come join us. You want a beer?”
“Sure. What’s up? What time are you guys going to the airport?” I asked, pretending I didn’t know anything about them staying in Phoenix to perform on Saturday night.
“I just got off the phone with Mr. Ashby,” River said, which explained to me why Nate hadn’t answered my call.
“Okay. What’s going on? Everything okay?”
“Yeah. We’re not traveling back to LA tonight. We talked him into letting us record the shows we do on the road and using the best version of each song from those performances to create the album. Nobody does a live album for their debut release, so we’d be breaking new ground. Isn’t that cool?”
River pushed into my arms, so I hugged him. His excitement over the idea was contagious. Everyone jumped in on the hug, and I could tell they were genuinely happy about the change of plans. Nobody was happier for them than me.
After a minute, we broke apart. “So, how’s that gonna work? I can’t park my truck at that church for—” My phone rang before I could finish my sentence, and when I checked it, I saw Nate’s name.
“Excuse me, guys. I need to take this.” I stepped away and walked toward the front of The Van Buren.
“Thanks for calling me back,” I answered.
Nate chuckled. “You called me uncle. Of course I’d call you back.
I just got off the phone with River. Kensington’s a fucking idiot.
I’m going to fire him as my tour manager because he’s not acting in the label’s best interests.
I thought it might go that way, but it seemed convenient for him to handle all the tour arrangements when he pitched the idea since he’d be on the tour anyway, but clearly, he’s not doing that part of his job.
Anyway, River figured out a great idea that will probably save me some money, even after I pay hotel expenses for them to stay on the road. ”
Nate went on to explain River’s idea of the live album and how to record it, and I didn’t think I’d heard Nate so excited about anything. I, likewise, was ecstatic because I got to spend more time with River.
“So, uh, I’m going to send a tour manager to you.
Her name is Olive Chevalier, and she works for the label.
I hired Kensington in that capacity because he said it would save us time and money, but if he’s committing the kids to additional shows without my knowledge, or if the extra shows become detrimental to the boys’ well-being, I can’t have that.
Olive can fire him as the tour manager tomorrow when she takes his place.
I trust you can deal with him if he sticks around because he’s the band’s manager. ”
“You’ll pay my bail if he pisses me off?”
Nate laughed. “You got it, and I’ll be there in person to get you out of the slammer.
I’ll give Olive your contact info so she can call you when she gets to town tomorrow afternoon.
Watch out for Kensington. I’ve heard rumblings around the industry that he might be having money issues because he puts a lot of it up his nose, and desperate men do desperate things. ”
I wasn’t surprised. “Noted. I’ll do my best.”
I hung up and turned to see River nearby, as if he’d followed me. “Come on,” I said, motioning him toward me.
He quickly hurried toward me, so I rushed his way too. “What’s wrong? I was coming back.” I stopped and caught him when he flung himself at me.
“Marsh said you’re fired. Is that true?” His beautiful blue eyes were watery, and when he blinked, fat tears slid down his pink cheeks.
I had no idea what came over me. I leaned forward and caught a drop with my lips, tasting the saltiness on my tongue. “No. I’m not fired at all. I’ll tell you a secret that’s just between us until tomorrow.”
He nodded, the tears continuing to fall.
“Nate Ashby is my uncle. He asked me to take this job because he cares about you guys and believes you can make him a lot of money in the future, but only if you’re not exhausted and burnt out. I’m here to see that doesn’t happen, and to be sure nobody takes advantage of you guys.”
“Does Mr. Ashby think we can’t take care of ourselves?” He tried to pull away, but I held him tighter.
I lifted my right hand and placed it on his cheek, hoping to reassure him.
“Not at all. He’s worried about the other folks in the business who have fucked over many young bands in the past. He doesn’t want some deviant jackass to get hooks in you.
Kensington is new to the music business, and he’s trying to play with the big boys, but he’s over his head.
I won’t let anyone hurt you or any of the other guys. ”
I didn’t tell him that as much as I liked the other members of the band, the feelings I had for him were beyond my ability to describe. He was my priority.
One thing Kensington did that was good for the band was get them into a decent hotel.
They were staying at the Hyatt Place Phoenix, about a quarter of a mile from The Van Buren.
Instead of sleeping in my truck, I decided to stay in the hotel where I could keep a better eye on things with Kensington.
I walked to the hotel after I moved the truck to the loading dock of an office building down the street at Vic’s insistence. The bus and the Tahoe were able to park in the garage at the Hyatt, which was very secure.
The walk also helped me calm down after the earlier events. I needed some time and space away from Kensington before I throttled the bastard.
The guys were already in the lobby when I arrived with my duffel bag, so I went over to the check-in desk. “I’d like a room, please.” I retrieved my wallet and handed the young woman my credit card.
“How many nights?”
An arm wrapped around my waist, and when I turned, River stood next to me with a smile. “He already has a room. Thank you. What time does the bar and restaurant close?”
“It’s closed already, but…” She went on to give us the hours of operation for the bar, the restaurant, the pool bar, the pool, and room service. It wasn’t a bad place at all, and sharing with River sure as hell didn’t hurt my feelings.
Hardy, Arlo, JD, and Goldie walked over. “They said we can reserve the conference room if we want to work, but I’d rather write at The Van Buren if Vic will let us. Goldie and I had some ideas for a song we’d like your opinion on,” Arlo said, staring at River.
I stuck my head between them. “Why don’t you use the bus for that stuff so you won’t be disturbed or heard.
I’m not saying anyone would steal your ideas, but it’s a hotel.
Who knows who’s staying here? We can get food delivered if you want something you can’t get from the restaurant, and I’ll make a liquor run for you.
For anything else, you’re on your own, and don’t get your asses arrested. ”
They laughed with me, and Hardy said, “Don’t worry. I got hookups everywhere.”
I stared at him. “Pot’s legal, so you can go to any shop and get it, but no smoking before the show, right, Riv?”
River laughed. “Yeah, please, let’s not smoke before these shows. I don’t want to piss off Mr. Ashby. Tonight’s show was incredible, so let’s keep up the momentum, especially if we’re going to record every performance.”
He then turned toward Hardy. “You want this, right?”
“Want what? To play with this band? Fuck yeah, Riv. I wouldn’t be here right now if it weren’t for Sandy Kensington.
Your brother-in-law. He got me out of my sister’s home, where she and her wife drove me nuts, and he brought me to meet you so I could get this chance.
I want this more than I’ve ever wanted anything. ”
River nodded. “Okay then. Let’s get some sleep. Goldie, we need to talk to a doctor so we know how to preserve your voice for what’s coming.” Goldie nodded, and we all headed toward the elevator.
I glanced over my shoulder to see Marshall Kensington standing in the lobby by himself with his luggage in front of him. I wanted to laugh. He’d have to tote and fetch his own shit. It was a different tour than he’d planned, and I couldn’t be happier.
River and I got off on the second floor as the others stayed on. “Night,” they all said.
We walked down the hall to room two twenty-one. I opened the door and he walked inside first. I wouldn’t lie—I was nervous. I knew what I hoped would happen, but there was no way I knew how to ask for any of it. I was completely in the dark on this odd and unexpected path I was walking.
The room had two queen beds, a sitting area, and enough nerves that made me unable to speak. Thankfully, River walked up behind me and touched my hand.
I turned to him and exhaled. “I’m not sure what to do,” I whispered.
River smiled. “Will you let me show you what I want to do?”
I gave him my hand and let him lead me to the ensuite. “Let’s get ready for bed,” River suggested.
My heart was pounding out of my chest, but he was looking for an answer, and I wanted to give it to him. “That sounds good.”
River gently brushed his lips over mine. “You okay?”
I swallowed. “I think so.”
“Nothing’s gotta happen, Kit. We can go to bed in each of those and laugh about this in the morning.” River seemed as nervous as me, so I took a deep breath.
“No. Something’s gotta happen or my fucking heart will give out. Let’s take a shower…together. I like feeling your skin against mine, and if you’ll be patient with me, I’m ready for this.”
What this was, I wasn’t sure, but I couldn’t imagine being without him. He was the most amazing man I’d ever met in my life, and it was hard for me to reconcile it in my mind, but being away from him wasn’t something I could imagine.
River turned on the shower and adjusted the water, sliding off his sneakers. He then turned to me. “You gonna shower in those? I’m sure the hotel has laundry service.”
I studied his short hair. His blue eyes.
His sexy smile. His shoulders and biceps were well-defined because of his prowess with the guitar.
God, why couldn’t I get in my truck and leave like Kensington had suggested?
This man… This young man was what I never thought I needed.
Life without River seemed impossible to consider.
Laughing, I peeled off my clothes and stood in front of him, my need for him obvious. “Your turn.”
River slowly undressed, and I swallowed hard as he seductively revealed himself. Once he was bare, I stepped closer, taking in his gorgeous body. “You’re beautiful, Riv.”
That familiar flush rose up his neck. “I think you might be full of crap, Kit.”
I chuckled and took his hand, pulling him into the shower with me. “I think it’s time to stop thinking, Riv.”
His skin felt like silk as I pulled him under the spray. I brushed my fingers through his short hair as the water rained down on us. “Where are we going with this, River?”
He dropped to his knees and licked the underside of my cock. I think I had a stroke. “I don’t know about you, but I’m going here.” He looked through his lashes and winked.
The feel of his lips on my flesh had me bracing against the pale gray tile of the shower. His fingers lifted my cock as he slid it into his throat. I gasped, unsure how long I could stay upright.
“God, River. I can’t…” I couldn’t inhale. I’d had blowjobs from women, which were nice. Some better than others, but they were still blowjobs. The way River worked his mouth, though, was a sensation unlike anything I’d ever felt.
River took my trembling hands and guided them to his cheeks as he swallowed around the head of my cock. The most incredible pleasure surged up my spine as he continued to let me fuck his throat.
Much faster than I anticipated, my orgasm raced through my body. “God, I’m about to come.”
River didn’t stop, and I couldn’t stop either. I blasted into his mouth. Hearing him gulping down everything I gave him made me weak in the knees.
I pulled him up from his spot in front of me and kissed him. Tasting myself in his mouth made my dick try to spring back to life.
“River, I don’t know what to say. I… You…”
River kissed my lips again. “Don’t say anything. Just let it be. We have time to figure it out, Kit.”