Chapter 33
IAIN
“Who’s ready for lunch?” I called out.
I looked around the room, trying to act casual, but really, there were only two people I was talking to.
“Van’s stopping by in a bit,” Brodie explained. “I’m gonna wait for him.”
“Me and Faise are gonna hang here too,” Ronin responded with a knowing grin. “You go on with Dawson and Jaxon. Have fun.”
“I will.”
I would. I hoped. If Jaxon liked me.
Fuck.
I’d been a total wreck in the studio today. Anxious as fuck to meet Dawson’s son, and the guys sure had their fun watching me pace the floor and carry on.
Brodie’s large family of nieces and nephews was my only experience being around kids. As an only child, I was used to being on my own, and now, as an adult, most of my friends were still single like me, with no partners, never mind children.
But thank God for the bond of music.
Jaxon was just like me at that age, inquisitive and soaking up every bit of knowledge he could grasp.
I recognized his gift as soon as I saw the way he strummed my guitar.
He flubbed a bit because yeah, he was nervous too.
But for his age, he caught on quickly. He tested out every instrument we had in the studio—drums, bass—but by the end of the tour, he came back to the guitar.
At least we had one thing in common.
Besides Dawson.
But when it came time for me to head out with Dawson and Jaxon, just the three of us, I began to sweat profusely.
I grabbed my jacket and phone while that self-doubting bastard in my head snuck up on me again.
What the fuck are you doing, Iain? What kind of man wants a rockstar for a partner?
Especially a man who has a young son. Half the songs on our albums weren’t even fit for Jaxon to listen to at his age, never mind all the media shit that surrounded my life. What kind of role model could I be?
I started to slip on my leather jacket, but I hesitated until I suddenly felt Dawson standing behind me.
Like a perfect gentleman, he helped me get my jacket in place and gave my shoulders a comforting squeeze.
My heart skipped a beat, and my stomach dropped out.
Why did such a gesture thrill me? And did he somehow know just where my mind had wandered?
When I turned, I caught Dawson’s dark green eyes staring at me knowingly. I did the only thing that felt right at that moment.
I moved towards him.
The fear was hovering over me like a bad hangover, but I did my best to ignore it.
“You ready?” Dawson asked.
I nodded and turned to Jaxon. “What do you feel like eating, Jax?”
“Mexican!” he replied enthusiastically.
“I knew I liked you,” I quipped. “How about El Corona? Best tacos in the city.”
Dawson leaned in and whispered in my ear. “And maybe a margarita or two. Quinn can drive us home.”
“Yes. I think today definitely calls for a celebration.” I winked.
Jaxon was silent, staring at the two of us. Shit. Was I flirting?
Jaxon took Dawson’s hand in his left and then reached out to me with his right. When I got over my surprise, I took his little hand in mine as all three of us headed out of the studio.
I turned my head just before we reached the door to find everyone—my band brothers, Ace, and our producers—smiling at me like idiots and shaking their heads in disbelief. Brodie had his phone out, taking pictures, undoubtedly, to record this day in history.
I just knew I was never gonna hear the end of it. But honestly? I was too happy to care about whatever razzing was coming next.
Lennie escorted us out of the building, with Dawson handing over the keys to his truck to my security lead.
The restaurant I had in mind was my favorite. No one paid me any mind there, and that was part of the reason I was a repeat customer. Occasionally, a fan would stop by and politely ask for an autograph or a selfie, but it wasn’t relentless, which I appreciated.
Ten minutes later, we managed to snag a booth at the back of the place, with Dawson and Jaxon sitting across from me and Lennie.
Jaxon was just as chatty now as he was in our studio, peppering me with questions about our trip to Paris, our tour schedule, and what I did in my free time.
“Do you have a dog or a cat?” Jaxon asked me when our drinks arrived.
Watermelon margaritas for Dawson and me, ginger ale for Jaxon, and sparkling water for Len.
“Nope, but I might get one soon. My house seems kinda big for just me. But I’d probably get a cat. If I got a dog, I’d have to take them on the road with me. And I’m not sure how that would work out. I don’t want to be a shi… I mean, a bad pet parent.”
“You might have to bring your cat, too,” Jaxon suggested as he sipped on his ginger ale. “You don’t want to leave them with a stranger for weeks.”
“Uh, well, I wouldn’t leave them with a total stranger. But I think a cat wouldn’t mind being watched by someone else. They’re pretty independent.”
Jaxon nodded. “Maybe you could get two? Then they’d have each other.”
I nodded, considering that idea, as I sipped my drink.
“Jax—” Dawson glanced at his son.
“I’m not saying we have to get two cats, Dad, but Iain’s all alone. He doesn’t have a boyfriend or girlfriend or anything. He could use the company.”
I coughed and nearly spat out my mouthful of margarita. Lennie was trying to stifle his laughter.
Dawson looked mortified, but I reached under the table and gave his knee a reassuring pat.
Once I was able to swallow, I let out a loud laugh.
“You’re so right, Jaxon. I could use the company. I’ll have to check out some local animal shelters. Maybe you guys could come with me and help me out?”
“Are you serious? Could we, Dad?” Jaxon asked.
“We’ll see,” Dawson replied, and then smiled at me. “You sure?”
I nodded in return.
Thankfully, our food arrived—one platter of birria tacos and another with loaded nachos—and we got busy stuffing our faces. I hadn’t eaten anything all morning, given my nerves, so I was famished.
Dawson, Jaxon, and Len all had good appetites too.
Between mouthfuls of crunchy, salty chips and saucy tacos, we talked about Jaxon’s school and his plans for his upcoming birthday.
“Can you come too?” Jaxon asked me, his blue eyes earnest.
“To your birthday party?”
“Yeah, that would be awesome! I’m going to have a paintball party.”
“It sounds fun, but it will depend on your dad. He’s the one in charge.”
I looked at Dawson.
Dawson swiped a tortilla chip with a scoop of guacamole off my plate, and before I could protest, he made a big show of shoving it in his mouth.
“That’s right,” Dawson murmured between bites as he stared at me. “I call the shots.”
Were we still talking about the party? Because suddenly, the room felt like it was over a hundred degrees.
“Please, Dad.”
Jaxon’s plea brought me back to the present.
Dawson nodded. “If Iain has time in his schedule, then yes, we would be honored for him to join us. Then I can whoop his butt at paintball.”
I wanted to reach across the table and kiss Dawson, but I gave him a salty smirk.
“Whoop my butt, huh? Tell me when and where. And what you want for your birthday, okay, Jax? Can I call you Jax?”
Jaxon nodded.
“Not a cat,” Dawson warned, giving his son a gentle side hug. “Or a guitar.”
I chuckled. “Noted. What are you guys up to this afternoon?”
“Since it’s a professional development day at Jax’s school, he doesn’t have class. I’m dropping him off at his friend Casey’s for a play date.”
“And a sleepover,” Jaxon added.
“That’s right. And a sleepover.”
Dawson gazed into my eyes.
Did that mean he was free to come over after this? Stay over? Fuck, please, please say yes.
“What about you, Dad? Are you and Iain going to hang out?”
Lennie coughed into his fist, and I turned to find my bodyguard trying not to laugh again.
“Um,” Dawson replied, rubbing his beard. “Maybe. Would that be okay?”
Dawson was testing the waters.
“You don’t get out much, and Iain needs the company, so I think it’s a good idea,” Jaxon replied matter of factly.
Lennie and I both laughed at that comment, with Dawson joining in.
“Ouch, Jax. But noted,” Dawson teased his son.
“Does anyone want dessert?” I asked. “They’ve got a chocolate cinnamon lava cake that’s so fu… freaking amazing.”
Not swearing in front of Jaxon was as challenging as not flirting with Dawson.
Jaxon shook his head. “Thanks, but I’m stuffed.”
“Me too,” Lennie replied.
I looked at Dawson, and he licked his lips. “How about we order one to go?”
Suddenly, I was picturing him and me in my bed, feeding each other that cake and making all kinds of messes.
Oh God, two days was far too long to be separated from this man.
“I like that idea.”
Dawson flagged down the server, and once we had our cake in hand, I paid for lunch, much to Dawson’s protest, and we headed out.
“Thank you for lunch and for letting me play your guitar. It was so cool. And for meeting the guys and the autographs on my shoes and coming to my party!” Jaxon exclaimed.
“Well, thanks for dropping by. It was my pleasure.”
Jaxon leaned forward and gave me an earnest hug. I was surprised, my heart warming at his gesture.
This kid was too cute for words.
Lennie opened the door, and Jaxon hopped up into the back cabin of the truck.
“What’s the plan?” Len asked when he closed the door. “Drop off Jaxon at his friend’s and then on to your place?”
Dawson looked at me, and I nodded.
“Perfect,” Dawson replied.
Yes, it was.