Chapter 36
Dean
Dean wiped his sweaty brow with a small towel. His t-shirt was completely drenched and clung to his body like plastic wrap.
Rehearsals for the world tour, which was rapidly approaching, were going exceptionally well…although grueling as fuck.
“Alright everyone, let’s take a break.”
The dancers, as drenched as Dean, nodded with chests heaving and thundered over to the table of food and drinks.
“Fifteen minutes!” Jordan hollered from the front of the stage.
Dean chuckled with a smile. He could always count on Jordan to keep them on track.
This production was much larger than anything Dean had ever done before…bigger stage, gigantic video screens that rival Times Square, enough flashing lights to light the city of Paris, and one colossal disco ball that would lower down above the crowd during certain songs.
Dean had rented an airplane hangar and constructed a stage inside, to mimic the size of the stage they would perform on during this tour.
The upside, there was plenty of space to accommodate the large production of the show, and it was really close to home.
The downside…there was no air conditioning inside the hangar and it was hot as balls during rehearsals.
Jax walked over to Dean and handed him a bottle of water. “Dean, I love you, baby, but next time we do this, can we rent a space with some goddamn AC?”
Dean swiped the cold bottle across his forehead as he snorted with laughter. “Agreed. I don’t know what the fuck I was thinking.” He smiled and opened the water. “But it’s only for a bit longer.”
Jax giggled. “You’re lucky you’re hot and pay us well or else we would have bounced after day one.”
Dean patted his shoulder. “And I thank you for not abandoning me. But I know Paris will make up for it.” He winked and took a swig of his water.
“True. Paris, and the private jet.” Jax smirked with a twinkle in his eyes.
Dean turned toward the rest of the dancers, all of them sprawled on their backs across the stage, looking like a bunch of seals lounging on rocks. He chuckled with a shake of his head.
Colton walked through the door of the rehearsal hangar with Miss Cocoa strutting alongside on her leash, prancing like she owned the place. She looked up at Colton and chirped a loud yip when she saw Dean.
Dean smiled from ear to ear. “There’s my little girl!”
Cocoa began running toward Dean, struggling against the leash in Colton’s hand, dragging Colton toward Dean.
Really, Dean wanted to shout, “There’s my smoking hot boyfriend!” But Colton wasn’t out yet, and although most of his staff probably knew the deal, he didn't want to push it.
***
Colton
Colton cracked a huge smile. He wanted to run toward Dean, like Miss Cocoa was…whimpering, tongue hanging out, straining against the leash, desperate to get to him.
I feel you Cocoa. I feel you, girl.
Colton lifted Cocoa onto the stage so she could finally greet Dean with a wet sloppy tongue all over his face
Same girl, same. He chuckled to himself.
The dancers abandoned their lounging duties and crawled to pet and coo at Miss Cocoa. And Cocoa, being the little furry diva that she is, reveled in the attention.
With the dancers fawning over Cocoa, Dean hopped off the stage to stand in front of Colton.
Colton swallowed hard at the sight of Dean drenched in sweat, with his shirt clinging to his muscles for dear life.
“You’re so sweaty,” he whispered, barely audible, at the drenched vision of sex standing before him.
Dean smirked and wiggled his eyebrows. “You like?”
Colton gulped again. “I like…very much”
“Cmon, let’s take a walk.” Dean led Colton toward the back of the hangar, away from the stage.
They sat at the back table with the sound and light control boards.
“Everything going ok?”
“Rehearsals are going great! Except for the lack of AC.” Dean said with a tired laugh.
Colton laughed. “I see that. But damn, you look sexy all sweaty.”
Dean lightly kicked his foot. “You gonna do something about it later?”
Colton growled. “I wanna do something about it right now.” He looked around. “Is there a closet or dressing room around here?”
Dean threw his head back and laughed. “I only have a few more minutes, then it’s back to work. But I promise I’ll make it up to you tonight.”
“You better. How much longer do you have to rehearse here?”
“Only another month. The heat will subside after tomorrow, so it will be much more pleasant.”
“But no more hydraulic lifts, right?” Colton pointed sternly.
“Fuck no! I’m never stepping on another one of those. One concussion was enough for me.” Dean chuckled and paused for a moment. “I’m really nervous though.”
Colton tilted his head inquisitively. “Why are you nervous?”
“Tickets go on sale tomorrow. And I’m scared they might not sell.”
Colton saw the fear in Dean, his furrowed brows and anxious expression. He wanted to crush him with a hug and make it all better, but he knew there were prying eyes all around them. He reached out and squeezed his shoulder. “You worry too much! I’m sure it will be fine.”
Dean shrugged. “I hope you’re right. It’ll be incredibly sad and embarrassing to perform to a half empty stadium.”
Colton smiled. “Like I said, you worry too much. You’re gonna kill it on this tour.” As he spoke the words, his face dropped with the realization.
Dean noticed the abrupt change. “What? What is it?”
Colton sighed. “I just realized I won’t see you for twelve weeks. What the hell am I gonna do?”
Dean hopped out of his chair and pulled Colton into a hug. “I know, it will suck. Say the word and I’ll cancel the whole damn thing.”
Colton squeezed him with a laugh. “Fuck no, you will not! I’m not gonna have your fans coming after me ‘cause you canceled.”
Dean stepped back and patted his shoulder. “It will be rough, but it’s only twelve weeks.” He smiled an evil grin. “And just think, we’ll get to try phone sex.”
Colton barked a loud laugh that turned everyone’s attention to them. “Oops. That was louder than I thought.”
Dean gave him a loving smile. “I love you, baby. I’ll see you at home tonight.”
He gave him a hug and a quick, hidden kiss on the cheek before returning to the stage to finish rehearsal.
Of course, Dean’s anxiety was unfounded. Tickets went on sale, and all shows sold out within an hour. Because of demand, they added second shows in nearly every city, which sold out as well.
Nothing pleased Colton more than to say "I told you so,", and he could see the relief in Dean’s entire body.
But he would miss Dean while he was on tour.
How was he going to handle it? The entire building would be empty, just a shell with no life while they were on tour.
Colton would take care of Cocoa while they were gone, of course.
At least he’d have something to keep him occupied. But he knew she’d miss Dean too.
So, it would be Colton and Cocoa, miserable, both missing the man they loved…for twelve fucking weeks.
Fabulous. Just fabulous.