Chapter 18
18
MALACHI
One thing I loved about California was the weather; most of the time, it was perfect. Rina knew what she was doing when she scheduled us to have our shows in LA in mid-May.
Los Angeles was also the first place on the tour where we would play back-to-back shows, and then we’d get a little bit of a break before we headed down to San Diego to continue our tour. The only thing better would have been to wake up with Jasper in my bed, but that would have to wait until tomorrow because we’d planned for him to come over after tonight’s show.
The sun hung high over Jesse’s backyard where we were going to have a quick meal before heading to our sound check. The smell of grilled meat mingled with the sweet scent of blooming jasmine as I stepped through the side gate. Jasper stood by the grill, and my heart skipped a beat the moment I saw him. His dark purple T-shirt clung to his back, damp with sweat, and I had to force myself to look away before anyone noticed me staring at him.
“Malachi, grab a beer and come here for a second,” Jesse called from the deck, raising a cold one in my direction. Olivia sat beside him, her face buried in a bridal magazine.
“All right, be right there,” I replied, walking over to Jasper, thankful the cooler was next to him. “Smells amazing.”
He glanced up, his eyes locking with mine for a fraction of a second longer than necessary. “Thanks. Just trying not to overcook it. It’s my first time grilling tri-tip.”
“Looks good to me,” I said, and it took everything in me not to kiss him. Instead, I reached into the ice chest and grabbed a bottle of Stella.
“Guess we’ll find out.” He winked.
“Don’t flirt with me or everyone will find out our secret because I won’t be able to stop myself any longer from kissing you.”
“As soon as I pull this meat off, you can meet me in the kitchen. I might need help in the pantry.”
“You’re alone?” I asked, because I thought maybe his cooking buddy might be helping him.
“Yeah. Told Garrett I could handle a little barbecue for you guys, so he’s out sightseeing.”
“Ah. Well, I better go see what your brother wants.” I hooked my thumb in Jesse’s direction. “But I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”
“Okay. Everything will be ready soon.”
I gave Jasper a little smile and then headed over to Jesse and Olivia. Sitting by the pool, Elliott and Savannah caught my eye. Elliott leaned in close to her and whispered something that made Savannah bite her bottom lip. She swatted his arm playfully and laughed. Luckily it was just the immediate band—well, besides Silas—hanging out, so Savannah and I didn’t need to pretend to be dating. She and Elliott could do whatever they wanted.
“Where’s Silas?” I asked as I took a seat next to Jesse.
He lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know. He hasn’t arrived yet.”
“Maybe stuck in traffic, then.” I took a pull of my beer.
“Maybe,” Jesse replied. “But enough about him. I want to ask you something.”
“All right. Shoot.”
A huge smile spread across his face. “Want to be my best man?”
I blinked. “Me? What about your brother?”
“After the tour, he’ll be back in Boston. Plus, you’re my best friend and you can plan shit I like better.”
“Like what?”
“The bachelor party and stuff.” Jesse lifted a shoulder.
“No strippers,” Olivia chimed in, not looking up from her magazine but clearly listening.
Jesse rolled his eyes. “Right. No strippers.”
“All right, I’ll be your best man.”
“Great. Also, Liv’s staying behind when we leave for San Diego. She wants to work on all the wedding stuff.”
“Yep,” she replied. “Tons of details to iron out. But I’ll catch up with you guys in Boston and go to the last few shows.”
LA and Boston were the only cities where we had back-to-back shows. After Boston, we would end the tour in New York City. It was still a few months away, and I liked the thought of spending every day with Jasper while doing what I loved each night: him and singing.
“All right. Did you set a date?”
“Not yet, but we’re thinking next May.” Jesse smiled at his fiancée.
“Cool. Gives me time to plan something epic for your last night as a single man.”
Jesse grinned, but before he could respond, a sudden yelp pierced the air. I whipped my head around to see Jasper clutching his arm, his eyes wide as he stared at us. Instantly, my heart leaped into my throat.
“Shit!” I shouted, rushing to his side. “What’s wrong?”
He doubled over as he clenched his bicep. “A fucking bee stung me.”
“Hang on, man. I’ll get your EpiPen,” Jesse called out, his voice calm but urgent as he bolted into the house.
I knelt beside Jasper as Olivia, Savannah, and Elliott stood back and watched. “Jasper, look at me,” I said, my voice soft. I wanted to reach out and lift his chin, but I held back. “You’re gonna be okay.”
“Yeah, but why is it always me?”
“It’s because you’re too sweet,” I whispered.
He snorted a laugh and sat on the concrete. “Fuckers just want to kill me.”
“We won’t let that happen.”
Jesse returned quickly, and after he stuck Jasper in the leg with the medication, he said, “We need to get him to the ER.”
“You guys have your show,” Jasper protested. “I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll take you,” Olivia stated.
I looked up at her. “Are you sure?”
“Of course. I’ll go get my keys.”
“Thanks, baby.” Jesse kissed the side of her head.
Everyone except me dispersed, and I sat next to Jasper as we waited for the medication to fully get into his system.
“Remember when you got stung when we went camping?” I asked.
“How could I forget?” He chuckled slightly. “We had our first kiss that night.”
“Yeah, we did.” I smirked, remembering that night.
“I was so scared, though, when you got stung. Still am.”
“I’ll be fine,” Jasper assured me.
“Probably so, but it still doesn’t make my heart hurt any less.”
“You say that as though you love me.”
Out of sight from everyone, I brushed his pinky with mine. “I do.”
Jasper’s gaze collided with mine. “You do?”
“I should have told you when you admitted to me that you were in love with me back in the day. I don’t know why I didn’t, but yes, Jasper ‘The Best Chef Ever’ Bennett, I love you and you really need to stop getting stung because it’s killing me.”
He smiled softly. “I love you too.”
I was seconds away from leaning over and kissing him, but Jesse returned.
“We actually called an ambulance instead, and it’s on its way. Figured it’s better to be safe,” he stated.
Jasper rolled his eyes. “You guys worry too much.”
“Can’t help it.” I nudged him gently with my shoulder. “You’re kinda important to us.”
“Yeah, well, not sure a ride in an ambulance is necessary.”
“The paramedics will check you out, and make sure your medication is working, but you know you need to see a doctor too,” Olivia said.
“I know, but an ambulance?” he argued.
“This LA traffic is no joke,” I cut in. “It will get you to the hospital faster than Olivia can drive.”
“All right, fine, but I need to get the tri-tip and Savannah’s black bean burger off the grill before they burn.”
“I got it.” I stood and grabbed the tongs and the plate Jasper had sitting on the side. After I took the burger and meat off, I said, “There. The tri-tip needs to rest, right?”
“Yeah, thank you.” Jasper smiled up at me and I grinned back.
The paramedics arrived a few minutes later and quickly took over. After the EMTs checked him out, Jasper walked to the ambulance, then got on the stretcher inside. I knew he was going to be okay, but seeing him going to the hospital still made me a little stressed.
Olivia stepped forward. “I’ll go with him. You guys need to get to sound check soon.”
I hesitated, my protective instincts battling with my responsibilities. Jesse clapped a hand on my shoulder. “She’s right. We have a show to get ready for.”
I nodded, giving Olivia a grateful smile. “Take care of him.”
“Of course,” she replied, climbing into the ambulance beside Jasper.
Jesse, Elliott, Savannah, and I watched as the ambulance drove away. The moment it turned the corner, Jesse spun to us. “We should get moving if we’re going to make it to sound check on time.”
I hadn’t even realized how much time had passed while the EMTs were here.
“Hold on,” Elliott said. “We’ve got a few minutes, and we need to eat something before we go.”
“Yeah, we don’t want to perform on an empty stomach,” Savannah stated. “Plus, we can’t let Jasper’s good cooking go to waste.”
Jesse nodded. “Good thinking.”
In no time, the food was laid out on the kitchen island inside, and we all grabbed plates, loading them up with the tri-tip, pasta salad, and rolls Jasper had made from scratch.
Silas still hadn’t arrived, and I briefly wondered if he’d show up at the concert at all. It wasn’t like him not to, but then again, on the road, our schedules were well managed and we could keep an eye on each other. Here in LA, we were all dispersed to our own homes, so it was easier to get distracted or maybe oversleep or something.
“Should one of us call Silas?” I asked.
“I can,” Elliott said and dug his phone out of his pocket. Less than a minute later he shook his head and said, “No answer.”
“What the fuck do we do if our drummer doesn’t show?” I asked, looking at Jesse.
“Let’s not worry yet. I’m sure he’ll meet us at the arena,” my friend replied.
“He better,” I grumbled and took a bite of the roll that melted in my mouth. Fuck, my man was top level with his cooking—way better than me. I could make scrambled eggs, and that was about it.
As soon as we were done, we all headed out. I kept my phone close, waiting for updates from Olivia, but my mind was already shifting gears. Sound check was crucial, and the adrenaline of performing was beginning to course through me.
We arrived at The Fonda Theatre in West Hollywood separately, and then quickly got to work. Silas showed up just as we were about to start.
“Where the hell have you been?” I asked.
He slid his sunglasses into the neck of his T-shirt. “Got stuck in traffic.”
“Where’d you come from? San Diego?” Elliott teased. Silas didn’t live that far from WeHo, so there was no reason for him to miss the barbecue and be late for sound check.
“Nah,” Silas replied. “I was out in Huntington Beach.”
“Why?” I wondered.
He smirked, and it clicked. He was with a chick.
“Say no more.” I shook my head and then we all took the stage. I suppose being with a chick was better than being high on coke.
As we sat in the green room, waiting for the show to start, my phone buzzed with a group message from Olivia:
Jasper’s fine. The sting wasn’t that bad, and the doctors are taking good care of him
I breathed a sigh of relief as I looked over at Jesse. He nodded with a small smile and then I went to the makeshift bar and poured myself something stronger than the beer I never got to drink at Jesse’s.
The crowd was amazing as we sang song after song. I got lost in the music, the stage feeling like home. I tried not to think about Jasper, but occasionally, I would look in the front row, wishing he was there, but I figured he was back at Jesse’s and probably sleeping.
Once the concert was over, we headed backstage, where we were doing a meet and greet with VIP fans. I played my part, taking pictures and signing autographs. Savannah and I even kept up our dating ruse and people were loving it. But the entire time, I wanted to bail. I wanted to get Jasper and go back to my place and see for myself that he was okay.
So, I did.
Getting into my Mercedes G-Class, I typed out a text to Jasper before I left the parking lot:
Awake?
A few seconds later, my phone buzzed with a reply:
Yeah. How’d it go tonight?
I’d like to tell you in person. I’m on my way
What if Olivia sees your car?
I’ll park a few houses down
Are you sure about this?
I want you in my bed tonight
I don’t know if I’m feeling up for that
*That* isn’t what I mean. I want to just be with you and wrap my arms around you
All right. I’ll be waiting down the street for you ?