Chapter 45
Dean
“Wheels up in two hours!” Colton shouted as he entered the loft, finishing his walk with Cocoa. “Dean? Are you ready?” He released Cocoa from her leash and she galloped into the bedroom in search of Dean, her floppy ears flying behind her.
She found Dean zipping his luggage and eagerly yipped for attention. Dean dropped to one knee and gave her a belly rub. “Did you have a nice walk? Hmmm. Did Daddy take you for a nice walk?” he cooed at the pup as she wriggled enthusiastically on the floor.
Dean stood and pulled Colton into a steamy kiss when Cocoa scampered to the kitchen in search of her food bowl. “Hey. I missed you.”
Colton barked out a laugh. “I was gone fifteen minutes!”
Dean dropped his head and forcefully sniffed into his collarbone. “And that was too damn long!”
Colton returned the kiss as hands began to roam, but a ping from Dean’s phone interrupted.
It was a group text from Jordan…
Jordan: Airport shuttle arrives in 20. Meet in the lobby.
“Well. Looks like we’ll have to save this for later.” Dean smiled and squeezed Colton’s ass. “The Grammy awards wait for no one, not even an NFL champion!”
Colton guffawed. “True. I’m just glad I get to go!”
They gathered their bags, checked in with the dog service, and said goodbye to Cocoa.
The dancers and key Harris Entertainment staff gathered in the lobby, ready for their trip to the Grammys in L.A. Everyone was buzzing. Dean had been nominated for multiple awards and they had an amazing performance planned for the show!
Colton’s season had ended, so of course he was tagging along.
After the MVP awards, and the shitstorm of bad press the Commissioner received from denying Dean’s attendance, the Niners dominated Kansas City and easily won the championship game.
Colton was also named the MVP of that game, with an impressive 300 yards rushing, two rushing touchdowns, and one touchdown reception.
If ever there was a consolation prize for how the NFL Honors had gone, winning the championship was totally it!
And Dean was able to watch the game with Colton’s family. After the debacle at Dean’s show, Mary and Dean had become thick as thieves. They spent the entire game sipping wine, chatting, and cheering for Colton.
Colton’s dad even joked about the halftime show, which had been entirely comprised of classic rock bands. “They need some new blood in these halftime shows.” He nudged Dean with his elbow as they watched the show below. “Maybe one day you’ll get to perform at halftime?”
As everyone settled onto the jet and prepared for takeoff, Dean sent a text to Aiden.
Dean: Hey Bud! At the airport, heading to the Grammys. We’ll see you in a few days. Love you!
Aiden: GOOD LUCK! I hope you win all the awards! I’ll be watching. Say hi to all the famous people!
Dean smiled as he pocketed his phone.
He and Colton were seated in the back of their private jet. It was a good thing too, because up front, the dancers were bouncing off the walls with excitement.
Nelly tried to start a betting pool for who would hook up with the most famous person.
“Honey, ain’t nobody gonna give you a second look at the Grammys!” Sean snipped and dropped into the seat across from him.
Nelly pouted and dug through his bag as Sean reached over and tousled his hair, which Nelly returned with a scowl and slight smile.
Jax was dressed in chic boy clothes but wearing his best Cher wig, hanging long and straight down his back. “Chile! I never dreamed I’d perform at the Grammys.” He pranced down the aisle, flipping the wig over his shoulders.
“Right! We are gonna eat and leave no crumbs!” Harry exclaimed.
“Bitch…clean plate club!” Jax grinned and they high fived with a finger snap.
David lifted his head from his notebook and smiled at their interaction.
He glanced at Jordan, whose nose was buried in his iPad, wearing his usual scowl.
Jordan must have felt his eyes on him because he lifted his gaze from his device and their eyes met.
For a split second, they held contact, then David quickly dropped his head and went back to writing in his notebook.
Justin and Nelly began singing and dancing in the aisle.
”Well we movin’ on up, to the eastside. To a deluxe apartment in the sky.
Fish don’t fry in the kitchen, beans don’t burn on the grill.
Now we up in the big leagues, getting’ our turn at bat. Long as we live, you and me baby.
Ain’t nothin’ wrong with that.
Well we movin’ on up. We finally got a piece of the pie.”
They sang and shook their asses while the rest of the crew clapped and cheered.
Dean giggled at the spectacle. It was never a dull moment with this team, for sure.
Their continuous chatter was cute, but Dean felt relieved that there was a little separation from all that energy.
He was as excited as the rest of his crew, but he needed some quiet time to meditate and center all the nervous energy rolling inside of him.
He dropped his head onto Colton’s shoulder and settled in for the flight to L.A.
Rehearsals were flawless. Everyone was on point. Although they had performed in giant stadiums across the world, Dean and his dancers stood together after rehearsals on the Grammy stage, in awe of the majesty and magnitude of the moment.
“This is a dream come true,” David whispered into the empty theater, and everyone nodded in agreement.
Colton fidgeted with his tie and cuffs, his knee steadily bouncing and Dean gently placed a hand on his thrumming knee to calm him. “Sweetie, are you ok?”
Colton pulled his attention from the limo window to face Dean. “I’m a little nervous.” He smiled sheepishly.
In that moment, it hit Dean…Colton was world famous, successful and admired, but he’d probably never had to go through any sort of red-carpet situation. This was all new to him.
Dean squeezed his knee. “It’s just a bunch of cameras, and reporters, and people screaming your name. It’s kind of like a football game, right?”
Colton tilted his head in thought. “When you put it that way, I guess you’re right.”
Dean leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Exactly, it’s just like football, except we’re dressed better.” He winked with a grin. “And I’ll be by your side. So, if you ever feel yourself getting overwhelmed, just squeeze my hand.”
Colton took his hand and gave it a practice squeeze. “Deal. I’m glad I could do this with you.”
“Me too, baby. And you look so fuckin’ hot tonight.” Dean smirked and casually reached over to cup his crotch.
Colton growled. “Do. Not. Make me go on the red carpet with a hard-on!”
Dean cackled and patted his knee. “Ok. Deep breath…we’re here.”
They made their way down the red carpet, stopping for interviews, posing for photos and waving to excited, screaming fans. Unlike stuffier awards shows like The Oscars and Golden Globes, the Grammy Awards were all about trendy fashions that pushed the envelope.
They were both dressed in perfectly tailored suits, Colton in a black suit with rhinestones that resembled the constellations, and Dean in a suit of mirrored glass, a head-to-toe disco ball.
Being an attractive couple, with their outlandish attire and the recent revelation of their couple status, there were constant clicks and blinding flashes of cameras.
Colton handled this whole scene surprisingly well. He was relaxed, smiling, and even hamming it up for the cameras on occasion. Dean squeezed his hand after they posed for yet another round of photographers. “You’re enjoying this aren’t you?”
Colton smiled lovingly at Dean as the cameras flashed. “I am! This is kinda fun!”
Dean rolled his eyes with a lighthearted groan, admiring Colton’s blue eyes sparkling with mischief. “Oh, God, I’ve created a monster!”
Colton wrapped an arm around his waist and squeezed.
Dean tilted his chin ahead. “Okay, we’ve got one more interview with Entertainment Tonight, and then we’re home free.”
As they approached the interview area, Dean recognized Jenna Franklin Forbes, a ridiculously vapid wannabe starlet who was serving as the night’s red-carpet host for E.T.
Jenna had always been nice to Dean. He’d interviewed with her twice before. Still, there was something about Jenna that he didn’t trust. Maybe it was something in her aura, her soul…who fucking knew? But something always set Dean’s defenses sky high.
And Dean couldn’t help but shake his head at the spectacle in front of them…
enormous fake boobs, overprocessed bleach-blonde hair, lips filled to the brim with silicone, and a skin-tight red dress, a la Jessica Rabbit.
He wondered how anyone could keep a straight face during a serious interview, if she even did those.
Steeling himself, he squeezed Colton’s hand and stepped into her interview space.
“Oh, yes!” Jenna squealed. “We have the it-couple of the moment, DJ DVLN and Colton Merrick.”
Colton squeezed the life out of Dean’s hand, probably to keep from laughing in her face. Dean squeezed back.
“It’s nice to see you again, Jenna.” Dean smiled and leaned in to give her a side hug and peck on the cheek.
“And I am loving this ensemble.” She leaned back to take in the entire suit. “A human disco ball. Yass queen!” She snapped her finger with a hair toss.
Colton sputtered his lips, failing miserably at keeping a straight face. Hopefully the camera didn’t catch that. Then Jenna turned her attention to him. “And Colton, dressed in black with the constellations in rhinestone…I love it!” She patted his shoulder before turning her attention back to Dean.
“Now, DJ DVLN, you’ve already made history as the first dance artist ever nominated for Song of the Year, but you can also make more history tonight. You’re nominated for four awards, the most by an EDM artist. How does that make you feel?”
Dean inwardly rolled his eyes at the ridiculous question.
How the fuck did she think he felt?