Page 124 of Goodbye Note

“And loud,” Ser added.

“Sorry about that.” Varian’s color pinked.

I suppressed a growl. “I’m not sorry. Fucking Kiernan and Hael hogging the back.”

“Well, you all need a rotation or something because I need my beauty rest,”Ser muttered, not really sounding annoyed.

“What do they need a rotation for?” Koa asked through a yawn.

“For the back, so I don’t have to hear them.”

“Word. You are loud.” Koa poured himself a cup of coffee. “Anyone else need one?”

“Me, or I’m going to go into a sugar coma,” Varian said. “Please.”

“Milk?” Koa held the pint over his cup.

“Please.”

“I guess I have to learn how you like your coffee since you’ve become a permanent member of the band.” Koa set it in front of him and took his cup to the sofa across from us.

“Huh?” Varian glanced around. “Permanent? My bandmates might object.”

“Because you’re fucking one of ours.” Koa winked.

“Oh, so this is a poorly kept secret,” I said, taking it in. “Okay, then.”

“Dude, we live in, like, thirty square feet together. I’m not sure how you thought you could keep it on the down-low. Not to mention the way he looks at you.” Koa waved at Varian, who went even more red.

“Guess I need to learn a poker face.”

“A poker face and to tell me how you make people gay. That some magic from your people? I’ve always wondered how that asshole dad of yours is famous. Magic would make sense.” Koa kept a straight face, but I lost it, used to his dry humor after being in a band with him this long.

“Magic would make sense.” Varian scoffed. “But with Arik, I just whisper stuff at him while he sleeps. Make him think it was his idea.” He turned toward me with a huge grin.

My mouth dropped. “Excuse me?”

“What? You unhappy I made you gay?” He nudged his shoulder into mine.

“Fuck you.” I narrowed my eyes. “What else are you whispering at me while I sleep?”

Ser and Koa cracked up.

“That you love to give blow jobs.”

“Well, that clearly worked, too… Now I’m scared.”Going over what else I suddenly loved.

Varian’s throat worked as he stifled a groan.

I smirked.

* * *

“What are you doing?” Varian asked as I pulled the cap off a Sharpie I’d stolen from the front lounge.

“Nothing.” I couldn’t keep the laugh out of my voice.

“I don’t believe you,” Varian said but he didn’t pull his arm away. “Are we back to this?”

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