Page 84 of Tell Me Lies: Manlove Edition

“No, I guess we haven’t.” He sat back on the floor and crossed his legs. “What do you want to know?”

Will toyed with the thick silver bracelet around his wrist. “What’s your favorite color, favorite song … do you have other dreams than music? Do you want to fall in love? Do you regret what happened? I don’t know.”

“You do.” He let the questions wash over him a moment. “My favorite color is black because it goes with everything and I have yet to see a man who doesn’t look good in black. My favorite song is ‘Rhapsody in Blue.’ I know, it’s nothing like what I’d normally listen to or play, but it’s a beautiful song and I love the way it swells and ebbs. Brings a tear to my eye. I bet you wouldn’t have expected that.”

A wistful look filled Will’s eyes. A half-smile curled at the corner of his mouth. “No, I didn’t. You’re much more than I ever thought you’d be.”

“So are you,” Carsten said. “To answer the rest of your questions, I do regret what I did and how I conducted myself. I wish I’d have come out earlier and been true to myself. I also wish I’d have told you I liked you, rather than treating you like shit. As for falling in love, I have but he had no idea. I never had the guts to tell him.”

“That’s sad, but sweet. I bet if he knew, he’d be honored.”

“Because of my position?”

“Because you’re more than you give yourself credit for and it has nothing to do with your celebrity.” Will scooted forward in the chair and offered his hand. “Who is he? We should get you connected with him.”

“You’d never believe me if I told you.” His heart hammered. Will wanted him to be honest. Doing so would be the biggest gamble of his life. He’d fallen in love with Will back in school and never forgot the attraction. Seeing him now proved those feelings hadn’t died. They’d grown stronger with time.

“I bet I can guess. Someone from your previous band?”

“You knew I had a new band?”

“I might have done some research on you when I was working on the poster art.” Will half-shrugged. “So, someone from your band? Nelson?”

“No.” He hadn’t been attracted to his drummer. “I don’t mind tattoos, but I don’t want to kiss a smoker.”

“Oh.” Will nodded slightly. “Klay?”

He shook his head. “He’s married and has three kids. He’s devoted to his wife and I believe they’re trying for a fourth kid.” Besides, he wasn’t interested in a fiddler.

“Huh.” Will sank back in his seat and frowned. “Someone from school? Or someone you dated while you were in the closet?”

“Both.” He didn’t want to make Will guess for much longer, but Will seemed to be having so much fun.

Will narrowed his eyes and crinkled the corner of his mouth. “Whoever he is, then, he’s a lucky man.”

“Why do you say that?” He wanted full honesty again. He’d already made up his mind, but he still wanted to hear the words.

“Even after a few hours, I can tell you’ve changed. You know what you did in the past wasn’t the best and you’re trying to make up for it. That’s huge. It’s also huge because you’re wearing your heart on your sleeve. I admire that,” Will said. “That’s why whoever is with you and whoever is the object of your affection is lucky.”

“You’re observant.” But he’d always known that about Will. Will might have acted the part of the social butterfly, but he had a keen sense of observation and a tender heart.

“I call them how I see them.” Will leaned forward again. “You’ve made strides since we were in school—expected, since that’s ten years ago.”

“Over.”

“Over,” Will repeated. He grinned. “Who is it? Who is this lucky man? I want to know who to avoid.”

“Why?” He didn’t want to put any more space between him and Will.

“You just gave me head. Once this guy finds out you’re interested, he’s not going to want to share you with anyone and I don’t want him to get the wrong idea. You’re not in love with me. He’s the one you want. I’m just a hot time backstage.”

“You’re never just anything,” Carsten said. “Not when you’re the one I fell in love with. Yeah, you.” Let him chew on that.

Chapter Five

Will stared at Carsten. Carsten was in love with him? He had to be hearing him wrong. Had to. Carsten wasn’t in love with him. It was a joke. A farce. A lie to get him to sleep with him tonight.

“When I was eighteen, I wasn’t smart enough to know I’d done something wrong. I wasn’t savvy enough to admit my truth. I’m not that kid. I didn’t come here to Northern to play just because I had to rehab my image. This is the last stop on the tour for a month and I chose this college because I wanted to see you. I wanted the chance to pour out my heart and soul in person and on stage. I didn’t ask you to give me tonight just because I wanted to fuck. I did it because I wanted the chance to be with you.”

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