CHAPTER TWELVE #2
Wolf’s hand inched upward, so now it rested dangerously close to Harris’ length, which was growing by the second.
This guy was driving him insane and playing a dangerous game.
Getting jacked off under the table seemed like it would be super hot, but the thought of it turned out to be more terrifying than erotic.
There was no way in hell he’d be able to handle having an orgasm in the middle of a game of Monopoly without everyone noticing—and Amy was sitting across the table!
“You two look cozy,” Tyler commented, a tiny smile turning the corners of his lips upward. “Like two peas in a pod.”
The comment made the blood run from Harris’ face, and he imagined he was pale white.
Just then, Wolf decided to cop a quick feel before retreating his hand, and Harris jumped.
To camouflage his sudden movement, he grabbed his beer and downed half of it.
The ale cooled him down but didn’t calm the rush of adrenaline surging through his chest. When he set the bottle back on the table and looked up, everyone was looking at him.
Did they know? Did his facial expression give it away?
Wolf leaned in and whispered, “It’s your turn.”
“Oh.” Harris’ cheeks flushed. “I wasn’t paying attention.”
“We noticed,” Tyler commented, placing the dice in front of Harris.
For a brief moment, he and Tyler locked eyes before he quickly looked away, but not before seeing that quirky smile on Tyler’s face.
He had to be careful, because Tyler didn’t miss a trick.
He turned his attention back to the game, rolled a four, and landed on “Go To Jail” which caused a round of teasing, and the awkwardness disappeared.
Thank God because this was too much stress for Harris to handle.
The plane landed in Reno before the game was over, and they all decided to pocket their fake money and take a photo to show where everyone’s pieces were so they could continue the game later.
Everyone seemed to decompress on the ride from Reno to Black Rock City, and Harris started to doze off.
But once the tents and crowds of people came into view, Tyler quickly moved to the closest window and rattled on with nonstop excitement.
It was cool to see someone get amped up like that.
His energy was contagious, and everyone perked up.
Ethan joined Tyler at the window. “I’m glad you’re coming with me this year instead of meeting me here.
I get to see the festival in a new light like this.
Not just see it. I can feel it. For us, it’s no big deal.
It’s just another show. But watching your excitement and effervescence makes it feel brand new. ”
Tyler got all gooey and wrapped his arms around Ethan’s neck, and the two pressed their heads together and watched the car get closer and closer to the festival.
“It is very exciting,” Amy agreed, clasping Marshall’s fingers in hers. “I’ve never been to a festival this big.”
Everyone was paired off, and that left Harris and Wolf as the odd men out. It would be nice for Harris to put his arm around Wolf and not hide how much he cared about this guy. But they agreed to wait until after the tour to come clean about their relationship.
Rocktoberfest was like a vacation in musical paradise. Other than their set and soundcheck, and a few very brief interviews, they were free for the next four days to listen to dozens of bands, meet some of their favorite musicians, hang out in the desert, and eat some amazing food at the festival.
Wolf slid across the bench seat so he was close enough to put his head on Harris’ shoulder.
“I’m excited to share this event with you too.
” Wolf said it in a way that made it sound like he was imitating the way Ethan and Tyler and Marshall and Amy were snuggling and gazing at the crowd.
It was cutesy, not mocking his friends in any way.
Harris grunted a laugh and fought the urge to wrap his arm around Wolf and kiss the top of his head. It sounded corny, but that’s what he wanted to do.
Wolf straightened up, grinning like a loon, and nudged Harris with his elbow to indicate it was a joke. But Harris knew it wasn’t.
The Suburban pulled into an area behind the festival where Wolf Pack’s RVs were parked.
It was far enough away from the action to offer privacy but still out in the open, which was going to make it a little harder to be discreet.
Security would be stationed outside day and night, but their confidentiality didn’t worry Harris.
It was the fans and paparazzi with their eagle eyes and telescopic lenses that had him concerned about photos of him sneaking into Wolf’s RV, or vice versa, broadcast across social media.
That was not how he wanted Ethan to find out about them.
“Look at my trailer!” Tyler exclaimed. “Wolf, it’s amazing! Thank you so much!” He ran up to Wolf and gave him a huge hug. “My new logo is gorgeous, and this new shade of hot pink is prettier than last year’s.”
“Glad you like it,” Wolf replied, humbled.
The trailer would serve as Tyler’s mobile hair salon at the festival, where rock stars on the lineup could take advantage of a sought-after appointment with Tyler Kennedy.
“Come with me.” Tyler impatiently tugged on Ethan’s arm. “I want to see the inside of the salon.”
“Go ahead. I’ll be right in.” Ethan checked the time on his phone. “Food should be here in about an hour or two. We’ll see you guys later.” Then he followed Tyler, who practically ran into the trailer.
Marshall and Amy picked an RV, as did Harris and Wolf, and they all went inside their respective accommodations. There wasn’t anything to do since luggage hadn’t arrived yet, so Harris went back outside. No one was around except security.
“Your things will be here shortly, Mr. Young, one of the bodyguards offered.
“Thanks. No rush.” Harris stared into the distance.
The crowd wasn’t very thick, since it was the first day of the festival, but there were a couple of hundred people here already.
A few bands were on stage, and the beat of the music traveled through the air and made Harris want to get closer to the action.
Ethan and Tyler weren’t back from the mobile salon yet, and Marshall and Amy were behind closed doors. So, Harris went to Wolf’s RV and let himself inside.
Wolf sat in the dining booth snacking on a donut.
“Why are you eating?” Harris asked. “We’re supposed to meet up with everyone and get food.”
“That’s in two hours. I’m hungry now. Look at this.” Wolf held up a box filled with delicious looking donuts and croissants. “Want one.”
Harris chose a chocolate covered donut. “Where’d you get this?”
“The refrigerator and cabinets are already stocked.”
“Cool.” Harris took a bite of the donut and joined Wolf in the dining booth.
They ate in silence for a few seconds while the issue of keeping their relationship a secret plagued him with questions.
He knew why they weren’t telling anyone yet, but he wasn’t exactly sure that Wolf had the same concerns or if there was something more going on in his head. “Can I talk to you about something?”
Wolf swallowed the last of his donut, and the light in his eyes went dark. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
“It’s not bad. I want to know if there’s another reason why you don’t want Ethan and Marshall to find out about us until after the tour.
That’s a few months away. Do you really want to sneak around the whole time?
” The real question was, why don’t you want Ethan to find out about us, but Harris chose not to word it that way so he didn’t sound jealous.
But of course, he was jealous. Wolf and Ethan were on-again, off-again lovers for a long time.
He knew Wolf moved past it and wasn’t in love with Ethan anymore, but sometimes, deep down, feelings lingered.
“I don’t know,” Wolf admitted, and he was quiet for several seconds.
“I feel guilty. I know I shouldn’t, but I do.
Maybe it’s because you’re his friend. Not just his friend, but a close friend and our bandmate.
Even though me and Ethan never had any commitment to one another, I feel like it’s a betrayal.
You’re not supposed to date your ex’s friends.
But I’m not sure if I can call Ethan my ex, because he was never mine. ”
“I get it. I do. I feel the same way. But it’s more than just a fling. Right? We’ve both said we wanted more. Do you still feel the same way now that you had time to process everything?”
Wolf leaned forward to look Harris in the eyes and covered Harris’ hand with his.
“Yeah. This isn’t a fling. I genuinely care about you, Harris.
I want this. You’re good for me. You calm me.
I can turn to you when I need you, with no judgment.
You’re there for me. You accept me for who I am, faults and all.
There haven’t been many people in my life I can say that about. It’s a big deal for me.”
Relief made a smile bloom on Harris’ face. “I’m glad I can be there for you. I want to be there for you. I’ve wanted this for a long time, Wolf.” He wondered if this was the right time to admit his true feelings, and gazing into those trusting green eyes confirmed it. “I love you.”
Wolf’s jaw fell open, and his brows rose. His expression stayed like that for several seconds while Harris’ heart felt as if it stopped beating at seeing the shocked expression.
Slowly, Wolf’s eyes softened, and his mouth formed a quivering smile. “You love me?”