Keys to Love (18 page)

Julian saw Kenny standing outside the door, holding both of Krista’s hands. He sighed, already missing Morgan. It was bad enough poor Morgan had to leave for the arena early to get the trucks loaded, but they wouldn’t see each other until it was show time, and by then, they’d both be too busy to hardly say hello. At least since the staff usually stayed at the same hotels, it should be fairly easy for Morgan to sneak up to him. It was better than nothing.

Krista glanced at him as he neared. “Hey, Julian.” Her gaze dropped to Chopin. “Oh, what a cute baby! I didn’t know you had a dog?”

“He’s a friend’s, actually. I’m just taking care of him.” He grinned at her. “You look well. Very happy, in fact.”

She wrapped her arms around Kenny’s waist and laid her head on his shoulder. “Couldn’t be happier. I’ll be catching up with you guys from time to time on the road to make sure everything’s going alright.”

Julian chuckled. “Nice job of using work as an excuse.”

She giggled. “I thought so.”

Julian patted Kenny’s shoulder as he walked by. “Don’t be too long.”

142 S.J. Frost

“I won’t,” Kenny said.

Julian let Chopin climb the stairs ahead of him. As he stepped onto the bus, he saw the interior was basically a small house on wheels. Plush, brown suede seats were in the first half. The middle had a long, tan leather couch to the right side. On the left was a table with booth seats. Behind that a kitchen, and on the opposite side, more seats with a TV, DVD player, and the latest gaming consoles. After the kitchen was a small bathroom with a shower, and the back of the bus held the bunks, including another couch across the tail-end.

Julian saw Brad in one of the seats, his head tipped back, his mouth open as he snored softly. He smiled at him, despite feeling sadness as he looked at him. It didn’t seem right to keep his relationship with Morgan quiet from Brad. Part of him wanted to drop down beside him, nudge him awake, and whisper the whole story to him. He couldn’t deny he desperately wanted to tell someone about Morgan, just to share his happiness.

But what if Brad wasn’t supportive with Morgan being a staff member? Actually, now that he thought about it, whenever he talked to Brad about any of the guys he saw, Brad would criticize each of them. Brad had never met any of them, Julian hadn’t been with someone long enough for him to, but in just the things Brad picked up from general conversation, he would point out flaws. It was one of the reasons he liked talking to him. Brad would see and catch things he often didn’t.

With Morgan, he didn’t feel the need to have his flaws pointed out. Strange as it was, he was eager to learn those on his own.

Still, if there was something with Morgan Brad didn’t agree with, Morgan being a roadie could be an easy scapegoat.

Julian felt his stomach churn thinking of Brad, and all his friends, in such a way. None had ever given him a reason to. All were always supportive of him in all things. Even when Brad would pick at the men he’d been with, in the end, he’d always say, “But if he can make you happy, that’s all that matters.” Yet even for all the support they gave him, his top priority was protecting Morgan and his job. He refused to cause more difficulty in Keys to Love
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Morgan’s life than what he was already facing.

Julian looked away from Brad as he walked down the aisle.

Jesse was slouched on the couch wrapped in his thick black leather coat, leaning against Evan with his eyes closed, his head on Evan’s shoulder. Evan had his head tipped to the side, resting on Jesse’s, his eyes also closed. Achilles and Iris sprang up, tails wagging at the sight of Chopin. Their pulling on the leashes caused Evan to open his eyes, as he held them both since the door was open.

“Good morning, Jules,” Evan said.

“Same to you.” Julian took a seat on the edge of a booth across from them, allowing Chopin to sniff noses with the other dogs. “You’re both looking a bit tired. I thought you were going to get a final good night of sleep in your own bed.”

Evan smirked as his eyes shut. “We had a good night of something else instead.”

Julian laughed, and though Jesse’s eyes didn’t open, he chuckled.

“Evan,” Julian said, “you should know better than to wear him out like that.”

Jesse opened his eyes to look at Julian with a grin. “You’re looking tired too, but there’s also a chipper little glow around you.

Was he good?”

A smile curved Julian’s lips. “Amazingly so.”

“Are you going to stay in touch with him?”

“I plan to.”

“Awesome.” Jesse glanced toward the bus driver seated behind the wheel. “Henry, go ahead and close the door. If he’s dumb enough to stand outside in the cold, I’m not freezing my ass off with him.”

The grey-haired Henry laughed and closed the door. “You want me to turn the heat up, Jesse?”

“Yes, please.”

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“You really should get him to come in,” Evan said. “We need to get going in case we run into traffic on the way to Indy.”

Julian watched as Jesse sighed and pushed off the couch.

Henry once again opened the door for him to stand in the opening.

“Hey,” Jesse said. “It’s time to stop playing suck face. We need to get this show on the road.”

Julian leaned back and peered out the window to see Kenny’s retaliation.

Kenny whirled around and pointed at Jesse. “I’ve had to watch you playing suck face with Evan for two years! Deal with it!”

Jesse folded his arms across his chest. “For your information, I also enjoy sucking on something else of his and you’ve never seen me do that. But if you’d like to, I’d be happy to play the exhibitionist for you. And we’ve been together for almost two and a
half
years, thank you.”

Kenny rubbed his face with one hand and turned to Krista.

“Do you see what I’m going to have to put up with
every single
day
?”

Krista smirked at Jesse as she spoke to Kenny. “He’s all bark, you know that.”

“It’s true,” Jesse said. “Ev’s the biter.”

Julian grinned and glanced at Evan when he heard him snickering. He turned back to the scene, listening to Kenny and Krista’s voices floating through the door.

“You better go,” Krista said. “But remember your promise.

You’re going to be a good boy who thinks only of me and doesn’t even dream of touching another woman.”

Kenny leaned forward to kiss her. “I could never forget.”

“I’m glad to hear that, because I have someone who’s going to help remind you, just in case.” She looked past him to Jesse.

Kenny slowly turned his head to follow her gaze.

Jesse flashed a bright smile and waved.

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Kenny looked back to Krista. “That’s just cold. Don’t you trust me?”

Krista laid her hand on his cheek. “Of course I do, baby.

Ninety-nine point nine percent. Jesse’s only going to help make sure that point one percent isn’t an issue.”

“I’m here to help!” Jesse chimed in.

Krista patted Kenny’s cheek. “Now you better go. I’ll see you in a couple weeks.”

“Yeah,” Kenny mumbled. He leaned to kiss her, then froze, his gaze fixed to the side.

Julian heard Jesse say, “Uh oh,” and looked to him. “What is it, Jess?”

“Greg just pulled up.”

Evan hopped up and hastened down the aisle to stand by Jesse.

Julian watched as Greg marched toward Kenny and Krista, his gaze locked on Kenny.

Krista smiled at him. “Hey, Dad. I’m surprised you came down.”

“I wanted to talk to someone.” Greg slapped his hand on Kenny’s shoulder.

Even from where he sat, Julian saw Greg had a firm grip on the sensitive spot where the neck and shoulder met. Greg steered Kenny away from everyone toward the studio doors. Though Julian saw Greg was smiling, he thought it was more of him baring his teeth rather than a friendly gesture. Greg’s head was bent toward Kenny’s, his eyes focused on him in an intense look.

His voice was too soft to be overheard, but Kenny nodded often and enthusiastically. As Greg finished talking to Kenny, he gave him a pat on the back so hard, Kenny stumbled.

Kenny went up to Krista, gave her a quick kiss, and dashed for the bus. He nearly bowled over Jesse and Evan as he sprang up the stairs.

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Julian took in his rattled expression and offered a sympathetic smile. “Everything okay?”

“Oh, yeah. Everything’s fine.” Kenny dropped down on the couch. “I just pretty much got told if I break his little girl’s heart, he’d break my neck, and I’d need surgery to pull my favorite guitar from my ass. But yeah, all’s good.”

Julian burst out laughing, catching Brad’s laughter mixed with his. He glanced at Brad. “I thought you were sleeping.”

Brad looked over his seat at him. “Who can sleep with this soap opera going on?”

Jesse and Evan backed up to make room for Greg climbing onto the bus.

“You two,” Greg growled.

Jesse adopted a look of innocence. “What did we do?”

“You know damn well what you did. I can’t believe you two funded that little stunt of hers.”

Jesse raised his voice to carry out the door. “Yeah, and she should’ve repaid us by waiting until we were miles away to tell you.”

Krista’s voice followed. “My excitement got the better of me.”

Greg’s gaze went to Evan. “You of all people know how I feel about her dating rock stars.”

Evan moved around Jesse to be in front. “And you should know if it was anybody else, I would’ve tried to turn her away.

But it’s Kenny, and as far as rock stars go, you have to admit he’s pretty mild.”

Greg turned a withering look on Kenny.

“And rock stars are people too, Greg,” Jesse said. “You shouldn’t discriminate.”

Greg aimed his look at Jesse. “You’re not funny.”

Evan flicked his hand in a shooing motion toward Greg. “But in all seriousness, we need to roll and I think you need to talk to Keys to Love
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your daughter since
she
was the one who actively pursued him.

So, bye.”

Greg stared at him for a moment, then sighed and shook his head. “Fine. Travel safe. Break a few legs.” His gaze went to Kenny as he said the last part.

As Greg left the bus, Jesse and Evan turned back inside. Jesse wrapped his arms around Evan’s waist from behind, laying his chin on Evan’s shoulder. “I’m cold and tired. Let’s go take a nap.”

Kenny glowered up at him. “You’re not going to start with that shit already. We haven’t even pulled away from the curb yet.”

Julian chuckled, knowing usually when Jesse said he wanted to take a nap with Evan, he meant something else entirely.

Jesse looked at Kenny. “If you must know, I really am intending to sleep.”

Evan pulled out his cell phone. “Alright, I can lie down with you, but I need to look at your calendar to see where I can squeeze in a meeting with the Dolce & Gabbana people. They want you to be the model for their new spring line.”

Jesse paused. “D&G?” A slow grin spread over his lips. “Why am I not surprised you’d be all for me modeling for them?”

“Well, when they contacted me, you know I couldn’t say no.

They’ll have you dressed so hot, I can’t wait to see what they put you in. And, I really want to get a look at their new line. It’s all around good.”

Jesse gave Evan’s neck a kiss. “So this is a publicity gig with some extra benefits for you, too.”

Evan laughed softly. “You got it.”

“Will I have to do fashion shows?”

“No, we don’t have time for that. Just a photo shoot so they can put you on their website, on banners, in ads, things like that.”

“Awesome, but,” Jesse stepped in front of him and took the phone from Evan’s hand, “you getting rest is more important.

You’ve been working too hard lately as it is. This can wait a
148 S.J. Frost

couple hours.”

Evan smiled as he brought their lips closer together. “You’re such a good boss to me.”

“Well, since you’re so devoted in your work, it’s the least I can do,” Jesse said, placing a tender kiss on Evan’s lips. He took Evan’s hand to lead him to the bunks.

“Jess,” Kenny called. “Would you really tell on me if I made a slip up? I mean, I don’t intend to and I don’t want to, but sometimes temptation and alcohol makes accidents happen.”

Jesse stopped and turned to him. “Kenny, you know I’d always protect you, but I’d also slap the shit out of you.”

“I’d be second,” Evan said.

“And I’ll follow third,” Julian added. “Sorry, Kenny, but in my experience, one’s dick never accidentally slips into another person, no matter how much alcohol they have.”

“Exactly,” Jesse agreed. “And as far as temptation goes, I think you’d do better transferring that into anticipation of seeing her. You’ve never dated anyone as good for you as her.”

“Yeah, dude,” Brad said. “If you’re stupid enough to screw things up, just give me her number now. She’s freakin’ hot.”

Kenny scowled at him.

“And with that, see you guys in a couple hours.” Jesse closed the curtain to shut out the front of the bus.

Kenny reclined on the couch. “Man, isn’t it funny how something like meeting somebody can make you want to throw everything out the window just to spend time with them? I’ve never felt like this before.”

Julian grinned at him as he unclipped Chopin from his leash.

“Why, Kenny, I do think you’re in love.”

Kenny swished a hand through the air in a disregarding motion. “Nah, it’s too soon for that.”

“Love doesn’t follow a schedule. It hits when it’s inclined to.”

“Well, I’m not ready to admit it yet.” Kenny lightly kicked Keys to Love
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Brad’s foot. “You want to play a game?”

“Yeah, that’d be cool.”

Kenny looked at Julian. “You want to?”

Julian sighed. “You only want me to play because I’m guaranteed to lose.”

“Yeah, pretty much,” Kenny teased.

“At least you’re honest.”

As Julian went to stand, Brad caught his wrist and gave it a gentle tug for him to stay sitting and took a seat across from him.

Brad leaned over the table, hushing his voice. “Hey, I overheard what you were saying to Jesse. You met someone last night? Was it that young guy?”