Chapter 21
Theo
“Did I tell you guys Dante is training me?” I ask as the bus rolls toward Raleigh. Dante’s eyes crinkle with amusement as they meet mine in the rearview mirror.
“Training you in what?” Eric asks. “Scowling? Clipboard management?”
“Uh, rude,” I say as I jab a finger in his direction. “Fighting, actually.”
Dmitri’s skeptical gaze slides over my frame. “Oh, um… you hadn’t mentioned that, no.”
My mouth falls open in a scoff. “Dial back the judginess, buddy. Just because you’re built like a god and I’m not doesn’t mean I can’t kick ass.”
“He does have a lot of”—Eric gestures at Dmitri’s body—“doesn’t he?”
“The most,” I agree.
Dmitri looks between us like we’ve both lost our minds. “I am so lost,” he mutters.
Tai leans over the seatback, chin resting on his folded arms. “He really has no idea how hot he is, does he?”
Eric shakes his head. “None.”
“If I looked like that,” I add with a grin, “I’d just stay naked. Twenty-four seven. Balls to the wind. There’s a lot you could learn from me, Sticks.”
Eric leans forward and glares at me from his fiancé’s side while Dante shoots me a look from the driver’s seat. I blow Dante a teasing kiss, then turn back to the others.
“Oh come on, Eric. Are you seriously telling me you wouldn’t enjoy watching him strut around completely naked? Everything just flip-flopping in the wind?”
“No flip-flopping.” Eric wraps his arms around Dmitri, one big hand shamelessly cupping his junk like a human shield. Dmitri’s eyes blow wide as he glances down at the protective grip.
“What about ding-donging?” I ask, thoroughly enjoying the way Dmitri’s face grows more exhausted by the second.
Eric’s lips twitch as he fights to stay stern. “No flip-flopping, ding-donging, dilly-dallying, or willy-nillying.”
“Ooh, I haven’t heard that one.” I twist toward the front. “Dante!” He meets my eyes in the rearview mirror. “Want to try willy-nillying?”
“Fuck’s sake,” he mutters, the back of his neck flushing as he forces his attention back to the road.
It’s been a few days since The Incident, and neither of us has mentioned it. I’m just… waiting. Biding my time until he finally admits I’m the love of his life. A promise is a promise, after all, and I swore I wouldn’t bring it up.
“So… you’re training?” Dmitri prompts, clearly desperate to change the subject.
“Dante’s giving me self-defense classes…” I trail off as both Eric and Dmitri’s expressions shift into sympathy, and my temper flares hot. “Don’t,” I snap, the sharpness in my voice making them both flinch. “Do not feel sorry for me.”
Eric rolls his lips between his teeth. “Hard not to after what happened, buddy. We’re just sorry you had to go through that.”
“I don’t want you to be sorry,” I snap back.
Eric's brows knit. “Then what do you—”
“You guys don’t understand,” Tai interrupts gently.
“People don’t mess with you because you aren’t an easy target.
When’s the last time you actually worried about unwanted confrontation or walked into a room knowing you were at a disadvantage?
Have any of you ever had to keep your mouth shut out of necessity? ”
Eric and Dmitri briefly lock eyes, looking almost guilty.
Tai wraps an arm around my chest and pulls me back against the seat.
“We’re automatically viewed as weak because of our size, and we constantly have to prove that we aren’t.
When something happens to us, instead of being pissed at the person responsible, we get pitied.
” He gestures toward the others and meets Dmitri’s gaze.
“If someone hurt Eric, would you be pissed at the person who did it?”
“Of course,” Dmitri answers immediately.
Tai nods. “But you wouldn’t feel sorry for Eric. You’d never think there was more he could’ve done to stop it, or analyze his actions instead of the other person’s. Be angry about what happened, but don’t you dare view Theo as less because of it.”
While Tai may not speak often, when he does, his words feel like fucking poetry. He pulls me closer, pressing a kiss to my temple as I hold onto his arm across my chest. Tai and I share a unique bond, and moments like this remind me why.
Eric yanks me into his lap, his brawny arms wrapping around me. “Fuck, dude, I’m sorry,” he mutters, hugging me tight. “I’ve never thought of it that way, but you’re right. That’s fucked up.”
“It’s okay,” I say, giving his hair a quick tousle before casting a mischievous glance over my shoulder. “Dmitri, you can join the hug from behind if you want.”
Dmitri leans forward with a chuffing laugh and sandwiches me between the two of them. This is a slight reversal from my usual fantasies, but hey… whatever works, right?
“If you don’t get your hands off him in the next five seconds, I will pull this bus over,” Dante threatens from the driver’s seat.
All four of our heads snap toward him. Eric and Dmitri’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise, Tai’s lips curl into a smirk, and I’m pretty sure I look like the human version of the heart-eye emoji.
“Don’t worry, big guy,” I tease. “You taught me how to bust a nose, remember?”
He nods, still glaring at Eric. “And you shouldn’t hesitate to do it.”
Eric shoves me back into my own seat, then leans over and stage-whispers to Dmitri. “Think I could take him?”
“Oh, honey,” I drawl with a laugh. “That day you punched him? He could’ve put you through the floor if he’d wanted to.”
Eric shoots a surprised glance toward Dante, who stares back at him with a predatory grin. “You’re not joking, are you?” Eric finally asks.
“Oh, he’s most definitely not,” Dante says from the front, still wearing that same threatening smile. “I let you slide because we were in the wrong for leaving Dmitri behind, but you only get one free pass.”
Eric nods and sits up a little straighter. Dmitri looks visibly thrilled at his discomfort, and when I raise a brow at him in question, he leans in. “It’s about time someone put him in his place, honestly.”
“Why don’t you?”
He shrugs, a dopey smile crossing his face as he stares at Eric. “I’m bussy-whipped.” The two of us burst out laughing while the others shoot us curious glances.
The rest of the drive is peaceful, the bus filled with soft music and videos from phones and the murmur of private conversations. When we finally pull up to the venue, we spot the other tour bus already parked and unloading.
Another local band, Battlefield Tweed, attended our album release party and pitched the idea of a collaborative show. They aren’t as well-known as us, but they’re solid. After spending hours listening to their recordings and watching their live sets, we decided it was worth the risk.
They’re opening tonight, so as we lug our equipment inside, they’re already setting up on stage.
Their lead singer, a fiery redhead named Foxx, waves and walks over to our group.
While the rest of us work on unloading and moving everything to the side stage, she and Dante discuss some logistical details.
“Hey, Theo, right?” A deep voice comes from over my shoulder. I turn to find a handsome man with curly black hair and dark olive skin approaching me with an easygoing grin. “Sayid,” he says as we shake hands. “I had every intention of introducing myself at the party, but you vanished.”
“Such is the life of a rock star,” I reply with a wink, “always being pulled away from my adoring fans.” From behind his back, I catch Dante’s eyes locked on the two of us. The concern in his eyes melts me right to goo, though I try to forego swooning to give him a reassuring smile.
Sayid’s laugh pulls my attention back to him.
“You’re crazy fucking talented, dude. Especially for how young you are.
You outperform guys twice your age with decades of experience, and you don’t even look like you’re trying that hard.
I’ve watched so many of your performances, and you barely fumble. ”
I wave him off, secretly preening. “Nah, I still make mistakes sometimes.”
He clicks his tongue and shakes his head. We chat for a few more minutes until Foxx yells at him to get back to work. He rolls his eyes and gives me a wink. “So bossy,” he murmurs. “I better get over there before she makes me.”
I glance at the petite woman currently staring daggers at him. “She could make you do anything? Big, strapping guy like you?”
His tongue slips between his lips as he leans in closer, voice dropping to a whisper near my ear. “I’ll let you in on a secret. The small ones can boss me around anytime.” He takes a few steps backward, eyes never leaving mine. “I’ll catch you after the show, okay?”
Unsure how to handle the attention, I simply nod as he jogs away. Thankfully, before I can overthink it, Dante gathers everyone to review a few last details. Once we’ve cleared up the questions and everyone’s on the same page, the lights come up and the music starts.
Battlefield Tweed puts on an outstanding set, and I get lost in the music. My eyes snag on Sayid a few times, watching the way his hands move over the strings. He’s talented, but I’ve seen better.
I glance over my shoulder and find Dante right behind me.
When our eyes meet, he gives me a small, private smile.
I shift my weight back, leaning against him with the lightest touch, and stay there for the rest of their performance.
They wrap up their final song, and the quick changeover for us begins.
It’s a mad dash to set up in record time, but the five of us are a well-oiled machine. We’re ready with a few minutes to spare. As we walk out into position, Sayid waves from the side stage. I return his smile as I sling my bass strap over my shoulder and wait for Dmitri to count us in.
The concert flows without a single hitch. Eric’s emotionally charged voice wraps around the audience like it always does. For a solid hour we play nonstop, and by the time the last chords fade, we’re drenched in sweat and buzzing with adrenaline.
Foxx and Eric wrap up the performance with a joint farewell, and we exit the stage, exchanging high-fives along the way. Sweaty and exhausted, we run on pure adrenaline as we break down the equipment. A shadow falls over me, and I find Sayid standing there, pushing a hand through his hair.
“That was a great show,” I say, continuing to pack.
“Thanks,” he replies as I stand and dust off my hands.
He steps closer, his gaze sliding down my body before returning to my face.
“You guys played an awesome set, too. You were incredible up there. It’s insane how at ease you look while you play.
” He pauses, eyes assessing. “Listen, Theo, I’m going to be forward. Would you be interested in—”
“Amazing performance tonight,” Dante cuts in smoothly as he steps into the space between us.
Sayid startles and takes a half-step back. “Oh, uh… thanks…”
Dante doesn’t acknowledge him. He turns his back to Sayid without a second glance, his attention locked entirely on me. It’s like no one else exists in the room as he steps into my personal space.
“You are always so fucking amazing,” he whispers, cupping my face in both hands. My eyes widen as he leans in, stopping with his lips barely grazing mine.
“Can I?” he breathes.
“Everyone’s watching,” I say, my heart thundering so hard it feels like it might break free from my chest.
His eyes dart between mine. “Answer me.”
“Can you what?”
“Kiss you?”
“Is a kiss all you want?” I ask, but it’s a taunt. A dare.
“Of course not. I want you… all of you. The laughs, the tears, the stupid pranks and ridiculous jokes, and the two fucking hours it takes you to get ready—”
“Hey now,” I protest with a frown.
He shakes his head. “I want everything, Theo. For years, I’ve wanted you, and I just can’t do this anymore. I can’t stand not touching you, and I can’t stand watching someone else think you could ever belong to them.”
He glances briefly over his shoulder—probably toward Sayid—before his eyes return to mine, and for once, they’re stripped of every protective layer.
“It’s taken me too long, and I’m sorry for that. But I’m here now, and I’m asking. Begging. No more waiting. Can I have you, sunshine? Please, tell me I can have you.”
“It’s about fucking time,” I murmur. There’s not a moment’s hesitation as I tug him down by the neck and kiss him without holding anything back. His arms wrap around me and hoist me closer, and the butterflies in my stomach explode into full blown fireworks.
Every kiss we’d shared before now had carried an unspoken, invisible barrier—something that always stopped us before we could go too far. But this kiss is hungry and raw.
This is more.
Dante’s arms slide around me, pulling me flush against his body as he takes control, deepening the kiss with a low sound that vibrates straight through my chest. When he nips my bottom lip, I gasp, eyes flying open to find his dark gaze locked on mine.
The silent conversation happening between us says everything words haven’t yet.
A loud clatter interrupts the moment.
Dmitri stands nearby, slack-jawed, while one of his drumsticks rolls lazily at his feet. Eric stands beside him, wearing an almost identical expression.
Tai slides between them and throws an arm over each of their shoulders. “Well, that’s new,” he says with a catty grin.
Sayid shuffles awkwardly, staring at the floor and clearly humbled by the display. My eyes land back on Dante, who hasn’t looked away from me once.
“Your jealousy is showing,” I whisper.
“Jealousy?” he whispers back, nuzzling his nose against mine before dropping another lingering kiss to my lips. “Tell me you’re mine and there’s nothing to be jealous about.”
“Of course I’m yours, but do not think for one second that you’re running from me after what you just did,” I whisper, my thumb tracing slowly over his bottom lip. “We are so going to talk about this.”
“I thought you might say that.” He presses his forehead to mine, and despite the audience we have, I don’t look away.
And for once, neither does he.