Chapter 24
twenty-four
A few days later, I packed the cooler with beers in the kitchen, Wells watching me as I worked. Two bags of takeout fish and chips rested on the counter in front of me, the aroma tempting. A knock sounded on the door.
“He’s here.” Micah jogged by in the hallway, excitement all over his face.
I slapped Wells on the arm and followed Micah, Wells trailing close behind. What would this guy be like in person?
Stopping at the front door, Micah opened it.
Noah stood in the doorway, wearing a red, white, and black plaid, thick, hooded jacket and jeans. He skimmed a hand through his curly blond hair and gave Micah a dimpled smile. “Micah.”
Micah stepped to him and threw his arms around him. “Noah. It’s so good to see you.”
Yanked Micah in around the waist, Noah said, “Been too long.” He dropped his head to Micah’s shoulder.
That didn’t look like an entirely friendly hug. Jealousy pricked at my heart. I threw Wells a look.
Wells gave my hand a quick squeeze and smirked at me.
Breaking the embrace, Micah turned around, one arm still hooked around Noah’s shoulders. “Wells, this is Noah.”
Wells gave Noah a shy smile and waved. “Hi.”
Noah stepped into the condo, giving Wells a once-over. “Damn, you are even better looking in person.”
“Thanks.” A coy grin swept across Wells’ face, and he peeked at me with a flush spreading over his cheeks. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
Damn, Wells . Since when did he get so worked up over a guy? I smirked. Maybe Micah should be a matchmaker, not a software engineer.
Micah stepped to me and grabbed my hand. “Noah, this is my boyfriend, Ash.”
Noah looked me over, sizing me up as much as I was him. “Pleased to meet you, Ash.” He held out his hand.
I shook it, meeting his gaze straight on. “Likewise.”
Glancing at us all, Micah smiled. “Let’s get everything and head down to the beach.”
* * *
A little while later, I laid the towels out on the beach while Micah and Noah crouched down to make the fire. Wells set the cooler in the sand, right next to the takeout bags. I tipped my head to take in the clear night sky, a sliver of moon hanging high as the fog finally lifted, a sure sign that summer was on its way out. The waves crashed rhythmically against the shore.
I glanced at Noah as he worked alongside Micah, then sat down on the towel and shifted my gaze to Wells. “Hand me a beer.”
He reached into the cooler, grabbed a bottle, popped it open, and handed it over.
Taking a sip, I kept my eyes on Noah and Micah, who were deep in conversation. I’d never seen Micah with another gay man before, and I couldn’t help but notice how intimate their interactions seemed. Too intimate, maybe. I motioned for Wells to come closer.
He crawled on his knees, sitting next to me. “What?”
Leaning toward him, I whispered into his ear, “You think Micah and Noah have ever had sex?” I couldn’t shake the way they looked at each other. Too close for just friends. My brow furrowed.
Wells scoffed and shot me a look. “Who cares? He’s mine tonight.” His gaze slid over Noah and he flicked his tongue over his lips. “Damn, he’s hot.”
I glared at Wells. Since when did he lust after someone this hard? Half-teasing, I said, “What about me?”
He laughed. “You, my dear, have a boyfriend.”
A cackle from Micah grabbed my attention, and I turned just in time to see Noah grab his hand, holding it for a beat before letting go. Micah gazed at him, his smile fading as he bit his lip.
That’s enough . I lunged to Micah and grabbed the back of his sweatshirt, tugging him toward me. “Come sit with me.”
He fell backward onto the towel, wide-eyed. “What are you doing, Ash?” He stared at me. “I still have to light it.”
I let go of him with a huff and turned my attention to Wells. If anyone could stop this, it was him. “Go grab your boy over there, will ya?”
He smirked at me. “You’re jealous.” With a snicker, he shook his head.
“Shut up.” Was it that obvious? I twisted my lips and pulled my legs up, resting my arms around my knees. “Just go get him.”
But Micah returned to Noah, smiling again, and lit the fire.
Wells grabbed another beer from the cooler, crawled to the other side of Micah and Noah, and settled in beside Noah. “Hey, want a beer?”
Noah gave Wells a shy grin and nestled into his side. “Sure.” He gazed at Wells with parted lips.
Wells cracked the beer open and handed it to Noah.
Covering Wells’ hand with his own, Noah took the beer. He looked into Wells’ face, and his smile faded, his gaze dropping.
Micah watched the exchange, then crept to sit beside me. “What’s up with you?”
I needed to know if what I saw was real. I glared at the fire, rocking once, then focused on Micah. Leaning in close and, in a low voice, asked, “Have you ever had sex with Noah?”
Lifting his brows, he said, “Uh, well...” He peeked at Noah, then faced me and sighed. “Yes.”
“I knew it.” With a scowl, I glowered at Noah, my head flooding with indecent images of Micah and Noah in bed together.
He wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “I told you I liked the surfer boy look.” He smirked at me. “You’re cute when you’re jealous.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that before?” I huffed and took a few gulps of beer.
“You never asked.” He tightened his hold on my shoulders and kissed my cheek. “It was a long time ago. Much longer than you and Wells.”
I supposed I had nowhere to go with this argument. He was right, as usual. “Okay.” I gazed at his mouth. “Kiss me again.”
As he rested a hand on my cheek, his gaze dropped to my mouth, and he pressed a long, sensual kiss on my lips.
I released a soft, satisfied moan. As we parted, I whispered, “I love you, Micah.”
“I love you, Ash.” He gave me a faint grin.
It was time to get some information. My attention drew across the fire to Noah. “So, Noah, tell us a story about Micah.”
Wells chuckled. “Yeah, it’s about time we heard some funny stories about him.”
Micah widened his eyes. “I need a beer first.” He leaned over, opened the cooler, and pulled out a beer.
Noah sipped his beer, then grinned. “This one time, we were in a bar in Santa Cruz. We’d been surfing all day?—”
“Not that one.” Micah groaned.
“Yes, that one.” I bumped Micah with my elbow.
Noah said, “And Micah thought this guy was really hot. So, he started hitting on him.”
I wasn’t sure I enjoyed hearing about Micah hitting on another guy, but I wanted to hear the story. “Hitting on him how?” I sipped my beer.
“You have to know by now, Ash. Micah likes to be subtle, but not subtle. He’s a total mixture of shy and perverted.” Noah laughed.
This guy knew Micah pretty well. Too well, maybe. With a deep inhale, I nodded. “Yep. That’s my Micah.” I smirked at him and laid my head on his shoulder, nuzzling his neck.
His cheeks flushed. “Ash...”
“So?” Wells draped his arm around Noah’s shoulders.
Noah grinned at him and leaned against him. “So, Micah hit on this guy, but like I said, we’d been surfing and on the beach in the sun all day. It didn’t take much for Micah to get drunk. I think the guy thought he had it made. Micah was hanging all over him.”
Micah released a long exhale and raised his beer to cover his face.
“So, the guy goes to kiss him, and guess what Micah does?” With a dimpled grin, Noah looked at us all, one by one.
“What?” This was going to be good. I lifted my head as if I could hear Noah better.
“He puked all over the guy.” Noah belly laughed.
Wells and I busted out laughing.
“Like, all over him.” Noah continued laughing.
Micah hung his head. “Okay, okay, it’s not that funny.” Coming back up, his lips quirked in a grin. “He wouldn’t give me his number after that.” He drank his beer.
“Why did you even ask?” Noah smiled at Micah.
He shrugged. “Never hurts to ask.”
“Oh, my God. You’re bad.” I kissed Micah’s cheek, then bent over and pulled at the food containers. “Hey, anyone hungry?”
“Yes, definitely.” Noah drank his beer.
I opened the bags and handed food containers to everyone.
Opening his container, Wells glanced at Noah. “This is the best fish and chips ever.”
Noah opened his container. “Looks awesome.” He took a bite of fish. “Damn, it is.”
“So, are you two ready for this gig tomorrow?” Micah slipped a French fry into his mouth.
With a nod, Wells said, “Definitely. It’s been a long time since we’ve played live.”
Micah smiled at me. “I can’t wait to hear the new songs.”
Wells smirked. “Like the Micah song?”
“The what?” Micah raised his brows and stared at me, the French fry showing in his mouth.
“Shut up, Wells. That’s supposed to be a surprise.” Damn him. Can’t keep his mouth shut. I glared at Wells.
“Oops.” Het put his hand over his lips.
“Ash...” With a coy smile, Micah bumped my side. “Did you write a song for me?”
I knitted my brows and glared at my food. “Yes, but it’s not called that. You’ll hear it tomorrow.” I focused my glare on Wells. “The guys have been teasing me nonstop.”
“I wish someone would write a song about me. I’m jealous, Micah.” Noah smirked at him.
Wells leaned into Noah. “Maybe I can write a song about you someday.” He flashed Noah his most charming smile.
Giving Wells a shy grin, Noah said, “I’d like that.”
“Well, it will still be a surprise, Ash. I haven’t heard it yet.” Micah took a bite of fish and washed it down with some beer.
“Yeah.” I sipped my beer, the schedule of tomorrow’s events playing through my mind. “We have the interview after the sound check, so you’ll need to be there early.”
“Okay, not a problem.” Micah shoved more fish into his mouth.
I studied him. Lately, it was hard to remember the broken Micah I’d first met. “You are ready for this, right?”
He nodded. “I’m definitely ready. It’ll be nice having that out of the way before you play. I’m sure I’ll have to fight the girls off you.” He released a quick chuckle.
“Don’t forget about the guys.” I raised my chin at him.
He scoffed and narrowed his eyes. “Okay, and the guys, too.” He shook his head. “Damn, you’re difficult.”
Movement caught my gaze, and I did a double take of Wells and Noah. Holy shit.
Wells rested his hand on Noah’s cheek and placed kiss after kiss on his lips.
Wrapping his arm around Wells’ neck, Noah moaned, as if no one else existed.
I snickered and pointed at them, leaning over to Micah. “That didn’t take long.”
“Didn’t think it would.” Micah smiled at them.
* * *
The next day, I wandered around The Fillmore, taking everything in, wearing my best Jefferson Starship t-shirt. Passing through a room filled with what looked like hundreds of old concert posters from the 1960s, all lined up on the walls in frames, I couldn’t help but stare. Low tables littered the floor, and modern, rounded chrome fixtures hung from the ceiling. How had I ever made it this far? I could pinch myself, but that would look stupid. I smiled.
Eventually, I walked into the concert hall, gazing at the large chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, the stage with all our equipment set up and ready to go, heavy red draperies lining one wall, and the surrounding balcony seating with open archways overlooking the wood main floor. The whole place had that old-world San Francisco feel, with dark woods and ornate carvings from a bygone era.
Finally, I strolled into the entrance, where apples filled a copper bin and pictures of famous bands and musicians who’d played here hung on the walls. Crossing my arms over my chest, I waited for Micah to arrive, nerves building in my gut.
Micah came into view, all dressed in black. His gaze caught on mine, and a wide smile swept across his face. “Hey.”
I strolled to him and threw my arms around his neck, burying my face in his shoulder. “This is going to be so awesome.” Was this really happening?
He hugged me tightly. “I know. I’m really excited.”
Releasing him, I grabbed his hand, guiding him through the building to a dark door with a plastic sheet on it reading The Swarm. Pushing it open, I led him inside, taking in the dark swirling pattern on the wallpaper, the multiple mirrors in frames, and the cabinets lining the walls.
Jeff stood in front of a black leather chair in his signature jeans, button-down shirt, and brown suit jacket, chatting with another man.
I brought Micah to them and stopped. I should wait for Jeff to finish.
The man, looking slick in a blue button-down shirt and jeans, turned around to focus on us. He sported a short brown haircut, and his kind blue eyes scanned us. “Ash Oakley? I’m Mike Strong, writer for the Bay Area Reporter. As Jeff may have already told you, we’re an LGBTQ publication, and I focus on the arts and music specifically.” He smiled at both of us and held out his hand.
I took his hand and shook it. “Nice to meet you. This is my boyfriend, Micah.” I was really doing this. No going back now. I checked myself. It felt good.
Mike shifted his hand to Micah. “Hello, Micah.”
“Hi.” Micah shook his hand.
“So, I’ve gone over the questions with Jeff, and I think we’re ready to go if you are.” Mike took a seat in the black leather chair.
Jeff stepped to me and waved at Micah. “Hi, Micah. You two have a seat on the couch there.” He gestured to the couch, then went back behind the chair.
Waving at Jeff, Micah said, “Hi.” He sat down on the couch, and I dropped in beside him.
How would this go? I grabbed Micah’s hand in mine and rested it on my thigh.
“Ready?” Mike asked.
I glanced at Micah and nodded. He looked gorgeous, as usual.
Setting his cell phone on his lap, Mike hit a button. “Okay, I’m recording.” He shifted in the chair. “So, I understand you met Micah while you were out here recording the new album?”
“Yes.” I smiled and peeked at Micah, admiring him again. “I rented an apartment out here to unwind for a few weeks after the last tour. Micah was my neighbor.”
“Oh, so this is a story about the boy next door.” Mike chuckled. “So, tell me about what it means for you to come out.”
How should I answer that? “Simply stated, it means that I can publicly love this person right here.” I smirked and pointed at Micah.
His cheeks flushed, and he grinned at me.
“Can I ask, what exactly do you identify as?” Mike leaned in.
“I’d say that I’m bisexual. Gender doesn’t matter too much to me. I love a person for who they are.” I took another peek at Micah.
“So, when did you come out to your parents?” Mike asked.
“Just recently. They were pretty surprised, but they’re okay with it now.” I inhaled deeply, my mind replaying my parents’ initial reaction.
“I take it they’ve met Micah?” Mike glanced at him.
“Yeah, but they’re in Minnesota. So, we had to do it on FaceTime. I’d like for them to meet in person someday.”
Mike’s attention turned to Micah. “Micah, I hear you’re a Bay Area native. Can you tell me more about yourself?”
Micah gave me a shy smile. “I work at Tesla as a software engineer. I grew up in Palo Alto. As for identity, I would say that I’m gay. I’ve never been attracted to women.”
“I take it you’re out?” Mike’s head tilted to the side.
“Yes. I came out to my parents in high school. It was pretty uneventful, really,” he said.
Mike leaned forward. “I’m really interested to hear how you landed Ash, here, Micah.”
He squeezed my hand. “Oh, we just sort of hit it off. We started surfing and hiking together and?—”
“I went after him.” I gazed at Micah. “It was love at first sight.” I grinned, the memory of seeing his doll-like face on the beach flashing through my mind and stealing my breath all over again.
Mike released a low laugh. “So, I have the EP the band is putting out, and you’re doing a cover of Count on Me by Jefferson Starship, plus another song, Not Alone. Do these songs have any special meaning?”
I lifted one side of my mouth. “Yes, they do. All the bands of the 1960s era from the Bay Area are special to me. Wells, our bass player, is my best friend, and growing up, his mother listened to all that music and got me interested in it. In fact, we came out here originally to record in the same studio as a lot of those bands. So, doing the Jefferson Starship cover was a lot of fun, and getting to play it on this stage, where they played, is even better. Plus, I realized the lyrics spoke to how I feel about Micah.” Heat flooded my cheeks.
“Oh, so the other one, Not Alone, is that also how you feel about Micah?” Mike asked with a gleam in his eye.
“Yes. It’s a song I wrote specifically about what was going on in our lives.” My gaze caught on Micah. No need to mention what was going on specifically. I hoped Mike didn’t go there either.
Micah gazed at me, his eyes glistening. He sniffled and turned his head away from us.
“Micah, you seem pretty emotional. This seems like quite the fairy tale love story.” Mike smiled at us.
Wiping at his eyes, Micah said, “It is. But I haven’t heard the song yet.” He attempted to glare at me, then smiled.
“It’s a great song. I think it’s going to be very popular,” Mike said. “Don’t worry, you’ll love it.” He picked up his phone and hit a button. “Okay, recording is off.” He glanced between Micah and me. “So, I’d like to go with the fairy tale love story theme, about the rock star needing to unwind, falling in love at first sight with the boy next door, and then writing hit love songs about it. I will, of course, focus in with a review of the songs. What do you think?”
I tightened my hold on Micah’s hand. “I like it.”
“Me, too.” Micah smiled.
“I should be able to put this out in a few days.” Mike stood.
Jeff strolled to us and focused on Mike. “As I said earlier, we’ll be taking some promotional photos in a bit and I’ll shoot one over to you.” He turned to me. “I’ve got a crew coming to set up for video tonight as well. We’ll use the footage to finish up the music videos for YouTube.”
I nodded. “Sounds good.”