Page 14 of Mayhem

Her self-deprecating humor makes me grin. "Oh, come on, I bet you still look hot as hell covered in cheese dust." The flirtatious words slips out unintentionally. "Uh, I mean...you know, put together and stuff."

"Wow, don't overdo the compliments there, Casanova," Tess teases. I hear rustling like she's getting comfortable. "But seriously, I'm loving this glimpse behind the consummate rocker exterior. The great Brad Chambers does normal people things, who knew?"

I lean forward, letting her gentle ribbing thaw me further. "I mean, washing dishes and paying bills aren't quite as glamorous as trashing hotel rooms. But hot showers and homemade food make up for it."

Her answering laugh chimes melodically over the line. "No complaints about the hot showers I bet. Do rockstars still have groupies sneaking in hoping to share?"

My skin prickles at her flirty probing. Two can play this game. "Maybe back in the day. But word must've gotten out that I’m a total dud now. My wild days dried up once the wrinkles set in."

"I sincerely doubt that," Tess says, a smile lurking beneath the words. “You’re certainly aging well from what I’ve seen...” The suggestive comment hangs invitingly.

I wet my lips, mouth suddenly dry. “Yeah well, settling down changes things. Most nights it’s just me and Netflix these days too. Much to Charlie’s annoyance when she’s stuck with me. Though with her, we stick to Disney.”

I hear sheets shift, and I try hard not to imagine Tess curled up in bed. And fail. “Mm, no arguments here that snuggly movie nights sound better than partying too hard. Though I wouldn’t say no to letting loose every so often.”

I swallow thickly as tempting visuals flood my mind. I can actually feel the blood heating up in my veins.

Focus, Chambers...

I steer us to safer waters before my thoughts derail completely. “Yeah...so, uh, you got any hidden talents besides saving rockstar reputations?”

Tess hums thoughtfully across the line. The flirtatious tension cooks deliciously in each light probe and redirection.

I’d hoped for a connection like this but wasn’t sure it would manifest. I didn’t know if she’d be receptive.

Yet here we are. Just two people connecting via some random cell tower under the cloak of night.

This is fucking awesome.

10

BOYS

TESS

"Yeah...so, uh, you got any hidden talents besides saving rockstar reputations?" Brad's flirty tone strokes warmth up my neck despite the harmless subject change.

I consider playing up some sexy mysterious persona but genuineness bubbles up instead. "Hmm, does extreme clumsiness count as a talent? I once sprained my wrist falling off a chair trying to change a lightbulb."

Brad's surprised laugh rewards my candor. "Now that sounds like story time."

I grin, settling deeper under the warm covers, suddenly wishing I wasn’t alone. Rarely do I let professional walls down, yet something about this man keeps me reaching past the need for faultless control. "Maybe if you're lucky I'll demonstrate my gracelessness in person someday."

"I'll hold you to that," Brad volleys smoothly, the edge returning. Pleasant tension simmers down the line. His next question surprises me. “You always this passionate about helping people reach success?”

I pause, debating keeping things light. I’m not sure how much I want to reveal about myself here. But late nights pave the way for truthfulness.

“Honestly? I sort of just drifted into publicity work. My teenage rebellion was more like mocking government in a debate club rather than singing in a band.” I smile softly at the memory. “But I guess I still found ways to have a voice.”

“Sounds pretty badass to me,” Brad chuckles. “Taking on the system at a young age.”

I grin at his praise. “I don’t know about that. It wasn’t as punk rock as it sounds. But I think it shaped my drive to understand different perspectives and help smooth communication.” I hesitate before admitting, “This music world is very new for me. But the passion behind it - that connects universally, doesn’t it?”

“No doubt about that,” Brad agrees thoughtfully. “You gotta fight for whatever it is that makes you feel alive...” His voice trails off, perhaps remembering his own defining sparks.

I curl into my pillow, embracing this glimpse beyond Brad’s image to the thoughtful soul I’m coming to know. I have a craving to know more. To know all about him. “What lit that fire in you? To become a rockstar, I mean?” I ask gently, unsure if he'll withdraw behind his walls again. I’ve noticed that in person, he does that, just like me.

But Brad surprises me with raw truth. "Honestly? Rage. And having nothing to lose." He pauses thoughtfully. "Grew up in a pretty volatile place. Music was my escape from the shitshow at home. Lyrics in songs said things I couldn't find words for yet, you know?"

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