Page 79 of Tell Me Lies: Manlove Edition

Carsten snorted. Will would have to make him wait. Nothing would be easy with him. But that was okay because he’d wait for someone that special. He’d waited this long. A few more minutes hadn’t killed him. Now he had the chance to have a night with Will.

He’d dreamed of this moment for so long. Dreamed of the chance to touch him, to caress him and find out if the passion was something that could last.

He pulled the backstage pass from his pocket and offered the card to Will. “Put this on and wear it wherever you want around the arena. If anyone questions you, show the pass and they’ll let you through. Promise. If anyone has a problem with it, then ask for Leroy and he’ll fix it.”

“I don’t need a fixer,” Will said. “I don’t have to have special access.”

“I would like you to join me during the warm-ups and after the show. The only way you’ll get back, other than the ridiculous stickers the radio stations pass out, is to have the pass.” Being a semi-public figure was a pain in the ass sometimes.

“Oh.” Will accepted the plastic card on the lanyard. “You’re really famous, aren’t you?”

“I had four number one songs and a number one record.” He hadn’t believed he was famous. Just a guy who got lucky and could make music for a living. “I would love it if you’d come to the concert and see what I do. You’ve made me look damn good in that poster. Now give me the chance to show you I’m not the confused young man you remember.”

Will exhaled. “I have appointments with students today, but I’ll keep it in mind.” He toyed with the pass. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome, but I should be thanking you. If I had my way, I’d have you do all my promotional art. You’re fantastic.”

“You don’t have to butter me up.” A smile flashed across Will’s face. “You’ve got sound checks, don’t you?”

“You know the lingo?” And his schedule? Interesting.

“I’ve gone to some of the concerts and a few of the professors here in the art department have a band, so I know they have to do sound checks. On a much smaller scale, I’m sure.” Will finally smiled. “And I might have looked at your schedule in the information Marissa gave me so I knew when and where to avoid you.”

“Do you still want to avoid me?” Based on that kiss, he’d bet not.

“No,” Will said. “I’m still wary, but not totally willing to avoid.”

“I’ll take it.” He’d been given an inch—more than he deserved. “I’ll see you later?”

“I’ll think about it.”

“I’d like it if you did.” He winked, then forced himself from Will’s office. The place had more of Will’s personality than he’d expected. The splashes of color, the eccentric lamp with the multicolored glass shade, the thick rug and books all over the place. He knew Will loved to read, but the things he hadn’t expected in the small office were the three laptops and the drawing board with the male nude displayed on it. Sexy man, no less, but it made conversation hard. Thinking about Will made him hard, too. He wanted to run his hands over Will’s thin body and learn the planes and nuances of him.

He’d been a fool to treat Will so poorly in the past. Will would’ve been an asset. Hell, they might even have gotten together and could even still be a couple all these years later.Damn.Realizing that made him want Will even more. Made him want to forge the relationship even more, too.He’d get his chance. He just knew it.

Carsten tugged his hat down and ducked as he left the art building. He doubted anyone would really recognize him on campus. According to the schedule plastered on the fan pages, he should be chilling out in his bus right now, not roaming free. He’d planted the news to allow him time to seek out Will. Sometimes, he appreciated his savvy with social media.

“You’re him.” A young woman rushed up to him. “I know you are. You’re here early.”

He stopped short. “Hi.”

She fumbled in her backpack, then retrieved a pen and piece of paper. “I’d ask for a selfie with you, but you don’t do them.” She thrust the implements at him. “For Stephy.”

“Sure.” He scribbled his name onto the paper, then added the words To Steph. “Spell it.”

“Oh.” She shrugged. “S-T-E-P-H-Y.”

“Thanks.” He added the Y, then with love. “There you go.” He offered the pen and paper to her. “Will you be at the concert tonight?”

“Wouldn’t miss it.” She stuffed the items into her bag. “I love the comedy show.”

“Comedy?” He liked to joke with the band, but it wasn’t a comedy show.

“Oh, yeah. The trainwreck that’s your career. You tanked it when you came out.” She shrugged again. “You know no one’s coming to hear the music. They’re coming to see what you’ll do.”

“Play music.” He nodded to her and winked. “I’m glad you’ll be there. See you at the concert.” He walked off at a brisk pace. He wasn’t in the mood to deal with another fan tonight.

Once he reached the venue, he ducked in one of the back doors, then made his way to the stage. The band was already there and setting up. Dorian, the soundman, rapped his knuckles on the stage.

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