Chapter 32
Tai
Music transcends the man-made boundaries that make up this world.
A concert in Poland, at its heart, feels the same as one back home.
That realization comforts me more than I expected.
Part of me had been waiting to see how things could go wrong, how they’d be different simply because of the makeup of the soil under our feet and the angle of the sun in the sky.
Music is its own language—one that everyone speaks.
Energy rolls through the crowd in waves.
They shriek when Eric walks onto the stage and throws his hands up, then shout our names as though we’re old friends they haven’t seen in ages.
The drums hit like thunder rolling across an open field, each strike slamming into my chest and pulling my heartbeat into its relentless rhythm.
Guitar strings slice through the air like lightning cracking overhead.
It’s a special brand of chaos—adrenaline and anarchy, serenity and release.
The five of us are ignited, the music charging our blood.
I grin as Dante and Theo play back to back, their fingers moving in a synchronized dance.
Dmitri flips his drumsticks in the air, throwing Eric a cocky smirk and playful wink before catching them without missing a single beat.
The way they flirt is a straight dose of pheromones to the audience.
Eric knows exactly the effect they have on the crowd, and he rushes over and grips Dmitri’s soaked hair, kissing him over the kit as the crowd explodes.
When the last chords are nothing more than the remnants of sound waves bouncing between the walls, we’re soaked in sweat but beaming.
Monica comes running over with her arms outstretched, but hesitates as she looks over Eric’s drenched state.
She shakes her head and puts distance between herself and his sweat-soaked body as she gushes about the performance.
With the help of the security team, the vans are loaded in record time. Connor drives, though he tries to argue with me when I climb into the passenger seat. He grumbles about security risks and safety, but eventually caves. He reaches over to weave our fingers together with a reluctant grin.
Back at the hotel, we park right next to the rear entrance to avoid walking through the lobby.
Connor is in full protective mode, since we’re not only a sweaty spectacle but also dressed for the concert.
Leather, ripped denim, and band shirts mean more attention, and we’re trying to keep a low profile.
Ever the gentleman, Connor climbs out to open my car door before buzzing us into the building with his keycard.
He tells me he’ll be right behind us after he parks the van, and the rest of us head for the elevator.
Eric and Dmitri have crashed hard and stumble into their room without so much as a goodnight, while Theo tosses up a quick wave, letting Dante lead him into theirs.
My head swivels, a slight frown tugging at my lips as I scan the hallway and wonder what’s taking so long.
Aaron approaches with a tentative smile.
We don’t know each other well, and he’s barely spoken in my presence.
“He went to do a perimeter check. Yelled at me to keep an eye on you until he got up here.”
I snort a laugh and roll my eyes. “Chivalrous fucker,” I say fondly.
Aaron’s discomfort eases. “Jugs has been my trainer for years now, and I’ve never seen him like this.”
“What, he isn’t normally so overly polite and protective of his partner?”
Aaron shakes his head. “In the time I’ve known him, he hasn’t mentioned a girlfriend… or, uh, boyfriend.” He adds the last part in a rush.
I chuckle. He’s trying.
“What about his ex?” I ask. I shouldn’t pry into his past, should wait to ask him these questions, but my exhaustion and my curiosity get the better of me.
Aaron scrunches his brows, which makes his baby face appear even younger. “Who, Beth? They’d been separated for so long I never saw them as a couple. They’re best friends, and he loves her—”
Oh, hello jealousy. It’s been a minute.
“—but not like that. Not anymore.” He lifts a single shoulder in a lazy shrug. “He seems like the type to only do serious relationships, you know? Really go all in on it. I’ve always imagined he’d be a generous partner.”
My eyebrows fly up. “A generous partner? You’ve given that some thought, have you?”
His cheeks tinge pink, and he looks at the walls, the floor…
anywhere but at me. “No, that’s not what I meant.
Imagined was a bad choice of words.” He groans a curse, dropping his head in his hands as he flushes a darker pink.
“Sorry, man. I’m still a little star-struck by you guys, and it’s making my brain malfunction. Ignore me.”
“So, just to clarify here… you haven’t been imagining my boyfriend as a romantic partner?”
What began as a joke has turned into a raging spell of possessiveness, because he looks an awful lot like a man with a crush right now.
Eric’s words about Aaron being into Connor pop into my mind, and I picture the way Aaron leaned in during their conversation.
My stomach flips with something ugly and sharp.
Aaron stutters on, digging his hole even deeper. “I mean, look at the guy! Anyone who’s met him has thought about…” He finally shuts his mouth, wide eyes slamming into mine.
I take a step closer, a possessive edge sharpening my voice. “He’s mine. No looking. No imagining. And definitely no—”
“Tai?”
Connor steps up beside me with worry all over his face. I grab his shirt and yank him into a kiss, my eyes never leaving Aaron’s. Connor happily gives in, wrapping his arms around my waist and drawing me flush against him, his lips moving with mine in instant surrender.
He offers me a soft smile as we separate, but my attention is still on Aaron.
“No touching,” I hiss.
Aaron’s hands fly up, palms facing me, as he retreats and shakes his head. “Wouldn’t dream of it, man.” He disappears into his room before I can say another word.
Connor’s nose nuzzles against my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. “What was that about?”
My emotions are all over the place as I drag his mouth back to mine. “Stay with me tonight,” I whisper against his lips.
He breaks away to look at me, eyes searching mine. “You said you wanted to take it slow,” he points out, his words careful.
“Yeah, well, I’m an idiot sometimes,” I retort. “When I say stupid shit like that, it’s best not to pay attention to me.” When he doesn’t laugh, I sigh. “Nothing has to happen… I just want to be with you.”
“Right,” he drawls, “because you and me sleeping in the same room is exactly how ‘nothing’ happens. Your logic is flawed, sweetheart.”
A wave of insecurity hits me, and I force a swallow, trying to take a step back. “Yeah, you’re right.”
Connor holds me in place, his head cocked. “You okay?”
I pat his chest as my gaze falls to the ground. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t push.”
“You aren’t pushing.”
“I am,” I respond with an impatient huff. “I’m being a territorial asshole, and that’s not fair to you.”
“You’re being territorial? That’s a sight I’d pay to see,” he teases.
He’s dodging the subject of staying with me tonight, and right now, that feels a lot like rejection. “Can we rewind a minute and forget I mentioned it?” I say, trying to force a weak smile. “Please? It’s been a long day. We’re both tired, and I’m not going to force you to spend time—”
“Whoa, hang on now,” he interrupts as he grips my chin. “What’s this talk about forcing me to spend time with you?”
My eyes dodge away as I purse my lips. “It’s nothing.”
“Tai,” he scolds softly. “We don’t lie to each other, and this isn’t nothing. Have I done something to make you feel insecure?”
“No, you haven’t done anything.”
“Then please tell me what’s wrong so I can help.”
I heave a long, frustrated sigh. “My head’s in a weird place. Aaron made a comment about how everyone that met you imagined what you’d be like as a partner, and I just… I got a little jealous.”
“Wait,” he says as a smile tears across his face. “You’re jealous of Aaron? Of that scatterbrained meathead?” He throws his head back and belts out a loud laugh that echoes through the hallway.
“I’m glad you’re entertained,” I hiss as I shove at his chest, trying to get loose from his grip. “It’s not funny!”
Traces of his smile remain on his face and humor still dances in his eyes, though his tone turns serious. “There’s no one but you. Not on my mind or touching my body. Since the night we met, it’s always been yours, sweetheart—every piece of me.”
“Then why don’t you want to stay with me?” I ask quietly.
He crowds me until my back thunks against the wall. “You want to know why I’m hesitant to spend the night with you… in your bed and wrapped up in your arms?”
“Yes.”
“I’m trying to be a gentleman here, Tai,” he murmurs, “but you make it so very hard.”
His powerful hands glide like silk over my skin as he forces me to look at him, holding my chin steady while he presses a forceful kiss to my lips.
My entire body responds, arching against him and giving in to the undeniable magnetism between us.
He pulls back, eyes searching mine as he rests our foreheads together.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I don’t know why I’m so upset. This isn’t like me.”
“It’s okay to turn it off sometimes,” he says, kissing the tip of my nose. “You’re allowed to lose your cool with me, okay?”
My eyes burn as they squeeze closed, a weight lifting off my chest that I didn’t realize was sitting so heavily. “Yeah,” I rasp. “Okay.”