Chapter 13
13
Jasper
Jesse and I walked through the parking lot toward the warehouse where I’d met up with the guys the day before. While my brother and his bandmates did the rehearsal thing, I was supposed to meet with Ken, a guy from purchasing at Stellar Records, to go over everything the label needed to purchase or rent for me for the tour.
When I first arrived, I was slightly worried about the logistics of cooking on the road, but my concerns were quickly alleviated when I learned I wasn’t expected to prepare three gourmet meals every single day. When we were in the cities where Surrender was performing, we would all stay at a hotel, and everyone would likely eat there or at local restaurants. I would cook lunch and dinner on concert days for the guys, Savannah, Midnight Thunder, and the crew traveling with us, as well as make simple things that could be heated up in the buses as we drove to the next location. And while it sounded as though it would be a relatively easy gig, I still needed some special equipment since I didn’t have a full-size kitchen to operate out of.
As we entered the building, my gaze immediately moved to where Malachi and Savannah sat on the edge of the stage. It felt as though I was on high alert whenever we were near each other, and I couldn’t stop myself from seeking him out. He was speaking to Rina while Savannah pressed against his side, gazing at him with stars in her eyes. It was much the same way she had looked at him at the club, and I couldn’t stop the wave of jealousy that washed over me every time I saw them together.
Turning away from the cozy scene, I followed my brother to the coffee station where Silas and Elliott stood.
“Good morning,” Silas grumbled as we approached, and I wondered how he was going to get through practice with what appeared to be a massive hangover.
“Morning. What’s going on over there?” Jesse lifted his head toward Malachi.
“You didn’t hear?” Elliott asked. “The gossip sites are reporting that those two are in a relationship, and now the label wants them to fake it. Stellar Records thinks it’ll be good for publicity.”
I’d heard about film studios doing something similar with their lead actors when a movie came out, but I always thought it was just a rumor. Apparently, it happened in the music industry as well.
“So, they aren’t actually dating?” I asked.
At the club, when Savannah had asked Malachi to leave with her, I was convinced there was something going on between them, but then he’d asked Elliott to make sure she got home okay. The entire situation was confusing, but I was desperate to know if she and Malachi were together.
Jesse shook his head. “Nope.”
“They hooked up once, but that was it,” Elliott added.
“Why do I have a feeling this is going to backfire?” Jesse sighed. “He knows nothing about being in a relationship.”
My brother may have never seen it, but I knew he was wrong. Immediately, I thought back to all the times Malachi had showed me he cared, like when I had been stung by a bee and he’d refused to leave my side and kept me calm. Or when he had suggested we get matching tattoos because I was nervous about getting my first one. Based on my experience, I had no doubt in my mind he could play the doting boyfriend if he wanted to.
While the guys continued to chat about how much of a bad idea the record label’s plan was, I couldn’t keep from glancing at Malachi. Even though I knew what was going on, I wondered if Savannah was playing along because she had been asked to or because she hoped it would turn into the real thing. Having witnessed her flirting with him the night before, I wouldn’t have been surprised if she wanted more, and who could blame her?
The rest of my time in LA flew by as we made the final preparations for the tour, and in less than an hour, I was going to board a flight to Toronto with everyone for their first show.
Between the long, exhausting rehearsal hours, and taking care of shit in their personal lives before they hit the road for several months, everyone usually went their separate ways as soon as they were done practicing. And since I was crashing at Jesse’s place and didn’t have my own vehicle, I had no choice but to go with him. On the occasion we did all hang out, Malachi and I never got the opportunity to have a private conversation.
I tried to convince myself I was fine with it. He didn’t owe me anything, and I knew his focus was on his career, but that didn’t stop me from wishing we could have a few minutes alone. A part of me wanted, or rather, needed to know if there was still something between us or if my feelings were one-sided, but it was impossible to figure it out with people around us all the time.
I found a seat at the gate with the other crew members while Rina tried to usher the guys, Savannah, and Olivia, who was traveling with the band, off to the first-class lounge.
“Maybe I should try to upgrade your ticket,” Jesse said. “That way, you can stay with us.”
I shook my head, not wanting to accept his offer since everyone other than the band was flying coach and I didn’t want to appear as though I was getting special treatment. “I’m good. Besides, I have some planning to do that will keep me busy during the flight.”
Jesse nodded. “Okay. See you on the plane.”
As they all walked away, my gaze honed in on Malachi’s perfect ass. I was so focused on checking him out, it took a second before I noticed him glance over his shoulder. When our eyes met, he raised an eyebrow and smirked.
Busted.
Jesse: We’re going down to the bar for drinks. You and Garrett should come meet us
We had arrived at the hotel two hours ago, and Garrett was already sawing logs.
Me: He’s asleep but I’ll head down in a minute
I grabbed my wallet and key and slipped out of the room, making sure not to wake my friend. As I entered the hotel bar, I spotted Jesse waving me over to their table in the corner. The only open seat was next to Malachi, so with no other option, I pulled out the chair and sat down. A server quickly came over and, after he took my drink order, I asked the guys, “You all ready for your first show tomorrow?”
Malachi grinned and took a drink of his rum and Coke. “For sure. Getting to headline our own tour has always been the dream. Sometimes I still can’t believe we get to do this for a living.”
“It’s fucking awesome.” Jesse wrapped his arm around his girlfriend’s shoulders. “I’m just glad I get to share it with all of you and my favorite girl.”
Olivia gave him a quick peck. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
The two of them had been together for years, and it was clear how in love with each other they still were after all this time.
“You two are adorable,” Savannah cooed, and Olivia smiled.
“I’ll be right back,” Silas said as he pushed away from the table and stood.
The guys silently watched as he made his way toward the bathroom. Once the door closed behind him, Elliott addressed the table. “We need to keep an eye on him.”
Malachi nodded. “He said he had everything under control, but I’m not so sure.”
The server returned with my vodka soda, and I took a sip. “What’s going on with Silas?”
I wasn’t sure it was my place to ask, but he’d been best friends with my brother for years, and now I considered all of them friends of mine too.
Jesse exchanged a look with Elliott and Malachi before he turned to me. “You know we all like to have a good time and party, but Silas has sort of taken that to the extreme lately. We’re just a little worried about him.”
I remembered Silas used to hang out with Donnie Pierce who supplied a lot of the kids at our high school with weed, but I didn’t think he’d ever done more than smoke a little pot. Maybe things had changed. “Have you talked to him about it?”
Elliott nodded. “He brushed it off, but did say he’d stay drug free during the tour.”
“We’re a family,” Malachi added. “We’ll watch out for him.”
His words served as another reminder of why a relationship between us was forbidden. He saw my brother as family, and that was important to Malachi.
A few minutes later, Silas returned, and I found myself looking for any signs he had been doing drugs in the bathroom. It wasn’t because I was judging him, but I was concerned now that I was aware of what was going on. Still, I saw no evidence he’d done anything. He was alert but chill and able to carry on a coherent conversation with the rest of us.
“So, what’s your plan for tomorrow?” Jesse asked me as I swallowed another drink of my cocktail.
“Garrett and I need to go shopping for groceries in the morning, and then I guess I’ll spend the rest of the day getting used to cooking in a mobile kitchen.”
“You always did a good job when we went camping. I’m sure this will be easy compared to that,” Malachi stated.
His compliment hit me right in the feels, and a memory of our first kiss in the tent flashed through my mind. “Yeah, but you and Jesse eat pretty much anything. I’ve got more people to please now.”
“Just promise me you’re not going to make us all eat vegan shit because of Savannah,” Elliott teased.
“What’s wrong with vegan meals?” Savannah stuck out her tongue at Elliott and he winked.
“Nothing.” I grinned in Savannah’s direction. “I’ve got some damn good recipes I plan on making.”
She peered around Malachi and smiled at me. “Thanks, Jasper. I really appreciate it.”
As much as I hated the idea of her fake dating Malachi, I’d gotten to know her a little bit over the past couple of weeks and her sweet personality made it impossible not to like her.
“Not a problem at all.”
We ordered another round of drinks, paid the tab, and then Jesse and Olivia were the first to head back to their room. It didn’t take long for Elliott and Silas to follow, leaving me alone with Malachi and Savannah. I was just about to excuse myself when Savannah’s phone buzzed on the table.
“Oh, that’s my agent. We’re in negotiations for some sponsorships, so I’m going to call it a night.”
As she stood to leave, the unmistakable flash of a camera lit up the space. Her eyes went wide, and then, as if she remembered she was supposed to be dating Malachi, she bent down and kissed him. I averted my eyes, not wanting a front-row seat to their public display of affection.
“I’ll see you up in our room.” She trailed her fingers across his back and then walked away.
“I should go too,” I said, thinking Malachi might be ready to call it a night since he probably needed his rest before tomorrow.
“Jasper, wait.” He touched my arm and then pulled his hand away quickly. “We should talk.”
I looked around the bar, which was far busier now than when I’d arrived. “This probably isn’t the best place to chat.”
“Come to my room, then.”
“The one you’re sharing with Savannah?”
He shook his head. “Just keeping up appearances. Her room is connected to mine, but we have our own space.”
“Still, probably not the best idea.” I didn’t know why I was fighting it when I really did want to go with him.
“Maybe not, but I still want you to.”
Unable to say no, I stood and said, “All right.”
His lips curved into a small smile, and he quickly led me to his room. My body was buzzing with anticipation, wondering what might happen when we were finally alone.
Once inside, he pushed the door shut behind us and turned to face me. Suddenly, it was like no time had passed, and the desire that was always present when I was near him intensified.
Malachi closed the distance between us and wrapped his hand around the back of my neck. “I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
The second I said the words, his lips were on mine. Our tongues tangled together, and I was immediately transported back in time to when we kissed every chance we got. He guided me toward the bed, but a knock from the connecting room stopped us before we got there.
“Malachi, I heard you come in,” Savannah said. “I’ve got some news to share.”
He let out a sigh. “Can it wait until morning?”
“Trust me. You want to hear about this.”
“You should go talk to her,” I suggested.
He sighed. “Yeah, but we need to talk later.”
“Well, you know where to find me.” I smiled and then slipped out of his room while he went to Savannah.