Chapter 32
brODIE
It was good to be home.
Not that I didn’t love Nashville, but being back near my folks and my sister and being near the ocean again was just what I needed after another grueling year of touring.
I wasn’t into holistic healing or anything like that, but there was something about the sea air that gave me new life. Anytime I was burned out, I came here and replenished the creative juices.
And knowing Van was staying with me for the foreseeable future?
I was overloaded with happiness.
After a two-and-a-half-hour plane ride, we landed in Providence. Then Dawson drove us to my cottage in Jamestown.
It was like time had stood still in this place with the stately homes, lush gardens, and miles of unspoiled beaches.
Van hadn’t said much since we landed. I worried that it was this morning’s talk.
Then I thought about the pictures of me in his home, and I couldn’t help but smile. Even if it took a while for him to catch up, a part of him always knew what he wanted.
I turned to find Van glued to his phone.
“What are you reading?” I asked.
“Articles about the concert. Mostly positive. But there are a few more speculating about your relationship with Colm. And with me. Apparently, we’re feuding over you.”
“I believe the correct term is ‘love triangle,’” I quipped.
Van rolled his eyes. “I thought it would’ve died down by now. Did you notice a car following us when we were headed to the airport?”
“No.”
“I did,” Van replied and leaned forward near the driver’s seat. “Hey, Daws, did you see a blue sedan following us in Nashville?”
“Yeah, we had a tail. Whoever it was, they parked near the arrivals gate and followed us to the entrance. That’s when I saw the camera.
I tried to shield you as best I could, but he took a few snaps and then took off.
I texted Regan. Given that the guy got their shot in a public space and left without incident, there’s nothing we can do. ”
“Thanks.” Van leaned back again. “Have you ever had press follow you around here?”
“Don’t you remember when I first bought this place? I had that three-day blowout bash, and it caught the attention of local media, and then the entertainment press swarmed in. There were news choppers flying overhead. It was insane.”
“I’m afraid I’m not as exciting as a three-day bender.”
I slid my hand around his left thigh and squeezed. “I don’t want to start our trip with an argument.”
“What argument? It’s true.”
“No, it’s not. Look at me.”
“Dee, I was—”
“Van, look at me.”
As soon as his dark gaze met mine, bam. I felt the impact in my body. My heart jump-started, my dick throbbed, and my chest ached.
Every fucking time.
I shook my head. “This is already the most exciting trip of my life, and it’s all because of you.”
“But—”
“Put the phone away.”
Van slowly slid his phone into his pocket and placed his hands on his thighs. I took his left hand and placed it over my denim-covered cock.
I was hard and aching, and fuck, his big, warm hand felt amazing, cupping my dick. Van inhaled sharply and gently squeezed. I glanced at his face and noticed the flush on his cheeks and the blown pupils.
“You feel that?” I asked as I leaned over.
“I’ve been like that for three fucking days.
All because of you. You’re the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing I want before I sleep.
Don’t talk down about yourself or what’s building between us.
Or compare what we have to my past. Just don’t.
Or I’m gonna handcuff you to my bed and throw the key in the ocean. ”
Van threw his head back and laughed. Fuck, seeing him smile like that gave me that fluttery feeling inside. His happiness was mine.
“Kinky,” he quipped as he rubbed my dick. “I like it.”
“I’m not joking.”
“Okay.”
“I mean it. Stop reading tabloid trash and get that insane comment that you’re not exciting enough out of your head.”
Van stared at me and nodded. “All right. I get it.”
“Good,” I bit out, even though I knew that probably wasn’t the end of it.
“Fine,” Van growled, and our gazes locked.
One moment, we were in a heated staredown, and the next, I was lying flat on my back, Van all over me.
He fucking devoured me, his tongue sucking on mine.
I kissed him back with the same ferocity, desperate for his taste. And God, the weight of him had me squirming to get closer.
I’m pretty sure I moaned out loud.
Then I remembered we were in a moving vehicle with Dawson.
Van and I were doing a shit job of keeping this relationship under wraps. But I was too far gone to care.
Nothing that felt this good could be wrong.
So, instead of pushing Van away, I licked a path over his jaw and down his neck. I gently bit and sucked on his tender skin, and his loud groan echoed in the confines of the car.
“Um, guys—” Dawson interrupted.
“Calisse,” Van swore and pulled away. “Shit. Fuck.”
“I think you missed one,” I teased as Van sat up and pulled me with him.
“You didn’t see that,” Van warned Dawson.
“I didn’t hear it either,” Dawson replied with a chuckle. “And I’ve worked for you guys long enough to willfully ignore the shenanigans. The main reason I wanted to interrupt you is because we’re pulling into the property. It looks like your dad’s waiting by the gate.”
I glanced out the window, and sure enough, there he was.
Standing in jeans, rain boots, and a hunter-green jacket, my dad was fiddling with the security keypad. I’d texted him yesterday, and he’d insisted on being there to welcome us.
I took after Mom with dark hair, hazel eyes, a lean body, and a sharp mouth.
Dad, on the other hand, had a thick head of white hair (thanks in no small part to yours truly), a rare smile, and pale green eyes.
He was taller than me and bigger, too. But despite my dad’s stature and tendency for gruffness, he was the kindest man you’d ever meet.
Entirely devoted to my mom and our family.
Everyone I met, I measured up to him. And so far, only one other man had ever met my expectations.
We came to a stop near the gate, and I rushed out of the car to greet him.
“The rockstar has returned!” my dad yelled out and pulled me into a crushing embrace.
“It’s so good to be home.” I pulled back and smiled at him. “I brought Van with me. He’ll be staying on for a while, including Thanksgiving.”
“You finally got your man, eh?”
I’d confided to my dad last year about my feelings for Van. He was the only one in my family who knew.
“Shhh. Early days yet. Let’s not scare him off.”
“Me? You worry about your mom and sisters. They’re the nosy ones.”
I laughed and turned my head to find Van walking toward us. In his dark wash jeans and an Irish knit sweater, he fit right in with our surroundings. He reached for my dad’s hand.
“Lachlan, nice to see you again.”
“You as well, Van. You’re looking good,” Dad remarked and shook his hand. “Keeping my son busy?”
Van’s face flushed. “Ah, yes. We’re going to work on songs for the next album. No rest in this business.”
“Well, if you have to work, you’ve come to the right place. Great air, stunning views. You’ll be inspired in no time.”
“Dawson is also staying on.” I pointed to the car. Dawson waved. “Some pap was following us this morning as we headed to the airport.”
Dad nodded. “Call on us if you need to. Now let’s get the gate open so you can unpack and get settled in.”
We unlocked the gate, and Dad said his goodbyes.
The gravel driveway was long and meandering until, finally, the cottage came into view.
With gray siding and white trim, the cape cod-style house sat on the edge of a marsh where the river met the ocean. I had five acres of pristine land.
Fresh, briny air, tall grasses, and bursts of autumn colors greeted us. I shivered and pulled my leather jacket tight as the cool New England air surrounded me.
Dawson helped us unload our luggage. I walked with him to the back of the property, where the poolhouse and the studio were located.
Both were built in a similar style to the main house, complete with kitchens and bathrooms. I had enough space on this property to house twenty guests comfortably.
Fifty if you didn’t care about sharing a bathroom, a bed, or a couch.
Five hundred, as per my infamous housewarming party, where we’d set up tents on the grounds.
Once Dawson was settled in, Van and I entered the main house.
Thankfully, the housekeeper had turned on the heating, there was wood stacked up next to the fireplace, and the fridge and cupboards were filled.
“Bibi thought of everything. We could survive the apocalypse in this place,” Van declared as he pulled out a bottle of sparkling water.
“She’s the best,” I replied, sliding my arms around Van’s waist. “What do you say we go for a walk on the beach and then hit the hot tub?”
“I say yes. Just let me grab a jacket.”
“Meet you on the patio.”
I grabbed a gray scarf from the closet and wrapped it around my neck, then slipped outside to the patio that overlooked the pool.
The wind had picked up, and I could hear the crash of the nearby waves as they hit the beach.
It was too cold at this time of year to go swimming or surfing, but in the summer, it was cool and refreshing.
Too bad I was usually on tour during that time.
Next year, we’d be in North America in the spring and summer, so maybe we could schedule a break and come here for a bit.
“You look deep in thought,” Van spoke behind me.
I turned and found him smiling at me.
“Just thinking about our tour next year. I’m glad we’ll be in the US in the summer. I’d like to come here for a break if possible. When the water is swimmable.”
“I think we can make that happen.”
Van held out his hand, and I interlocked our fingers.
We walked along the sandy path and up over the dune's crest to a set of wooden stairs that led down to the beach. All beaches in the state were public, but this one was small and remote, so it remained mainly unknown and used by locals.
We were the only ones here on this crisp November day. The massive waves and whitecaps were impressive. No matter the weather, the peace of this place called to me.
“God, I love the air here. You can breathe deep. Reminds me of childhood trips to Maine. My parents would rent a cottage for two weeks every summer.”
“You never mentioned that before.”
Van bit his lip. “It’s still difficult for me to talk about them. Every time a memory hits, I get choked up. But I like sharing the memories with you.”
I heard him sniff, and he shook his head. I squeezed his hand tight, offering what comfort I could.
We stepped down onto the sand, and the salt spray hit my cheeks.
“We’d stay in a town called Kennebunkport, it’s about a six-hour drive from Montreal. My dad and I would swim too much and get sunburnt. We’d stuff our faces with seafood every night and enjoy the town’s quiet charm. This place has the same feeling. It’s timeless.”
“I know what you mean. When we come back here twenty years from now, it’ll still be the same.”
“Twenty years, huh?” Van smiled and pulled me into his arms.
“At least.”