Page 21 of Strike A Chord

“That my heart’s involved?” My head bobbed up and down. “That’s because it is. The more I get to know you the faster I fall.”

“Fall?” Gulp.

“Yes, sweetheart, I’m falling hard and fast for you.”

My insides bubbled like a million butterflies flew through. “I like it when you call me that.”

“Ha-ha, ha-ha,” we shook from Reagan’s deep laugh. “I tell you I’m falling in love with you, and you pick up on the nickname I’ve been using for weeks.”

“Um, yeah. Sorry. But I’ve, umm…” Bile rose in my throat, and my palms were sweaty. I wanted to run which normally in uncomfortable situations I would. But not this time. “I’ve been in love with you for a long time.” Those were the hardest words I’d ever said. I’d never planned to admit my truth to Reagan, nor to anyone else, but the moment felt right.

“My turn to say sorry. But you didn’t exactly put your best foot forward these past few years.”

Jesus, I’d been a straight up ass to Reagan. Always with the slimy, sexual comments and repeated failed attempts to get into his pants. Hell, I’d have denied me, too. Well, for more than a hook-up for sure. What the fuck was wrong with me? Wait, brain, don’t answer that. That list was way too fucking long. “Agreed.”

This was the first night I’d wake from an episode and wouldn’t spend the rest of it alone with my acoustic and a bottle, burying the painful memories that haunted my dreams. Tonight, I’d return to bed and sleep in Reagan’s comforting arms. My life had changed so much since the audition with Chaotic. I wasn’t naïve enough to believe an easy road lay ahead for me but having Reagan by my side, I was ready to take on the world, and my issues.

Reagan and I finally went back to bed and somehow I managed to get a couple solid hours of sleep. Not saying it was due to the man beside me, I knew the nightmares were likely forever. But maybe our talk and the way he comforted me had something to do with it.

“Hey.” I woke the next morning to Reagan’s lips on my neck and his hand on my cock.

“Can I make a request to start every day this way?”

“Mmm, maybe.” Reagan’s motions increased. He cupped my balls and squeezed at the same time he bit into my shoulder. The painful pleasure shot straight through me and sent me over the edge.

“Holy shit.” That was…fantastic. Reagan shot out of bed and into the bathroom, not bothering to shut the door. “Was it something I said?”

“Ha-ha, funny guy. I work today, and you have practice. I thought we could grab breakfast beforehand.” He rinsed and spit, much more a morning person than I was, as I struggled to get out of bed.

As I walked past him to turn the shower on, he smacked my ass. “Hey!”

“You like it? There’s more where that came from if you play your cards right.” Reagan turned and walked away.

“Fucking dog.” Had I ever smiled this much or felt this, I don’t know, free?

“Yeah, but I’m your dog. Woof-woof!”

Nope, never.

“Good afternoon, gents.” By the stunned looks they wore that was the wrong thing to say. “What?”

“You must’ve got laid last night,” Marley teased, though he wasn’t wrong.

“Can’t a guy be in a good mood?”

“Yeah, any guy but you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile.” Jason’s remark wasn’t too far off.

Hmm. “New me, I guess.”

“So does that mean things with Reagan are going well?” It was hard to be mad at Jason for poking at me when he was such an easygoing guy.

“Yeah.”

“He’s a good guy, don’t hurt him.”

“Don’t plan to.” With that uncomfortable conversation with Jason over, I pulled my baby from her case and plugged her in. “Any particular lineup today?”

“We have a show tomorrow night, our last one before we head out. Let’s just stick to the same lineup we played on Saturday.” And with that, I played the intro to our opening song and we fell into an easy, familiar rhythm. Anytime I played I was in the zone, completely at peace like all my troubles were gone. Carefree, floating in a melodic headspace and doing what I was born to do.

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