Page 20 of In the Shadows

Chapter

Four

“You two get all the fucking out of your system?” Diamond started in as we boarded the tour bus.

“Screw you, dude,” I said tossing my duffle bag on the floor by the bunks. “All the times we’ve had to listen to you jack off in your bunk? What, are you trying to break some sort of masturbation record?”

“Hardy har, har,” he chided. “When the monster needs action, I take care of him.”

“Dude, seriously fucking gross,” Mickey told him, jumping up into his bunk and pulling the curtains shut.

Diamond ripped the curtains back. “Here’s Johnny,” he teased Mickey in his creepiest Jack NicholsonShiningimpression. “You can run but you can’t hide,” he followed with a wickedly evil cackle.

“AHHHH,” Mickey screamed. “Fuck off!” His eyes were so big they looked like they were gonna pop right out of his skull.

By now, we were all busting up. I always forgot how much Mickey hated that damn movie. Every October when it came on the local channels he reminded us how much the twins freaked him out. Diamond was laughing so hard he dropped to the floor clenching his sides and rolling around while Mickey was steadily screaming obscenities at him from his bunk.

Easton walked in, his face the reddest I’d ever seen. I wondered if he’d ever get used to the way we fuck with each other. “Hey guys, not sure if you read the itinerary, but the concert in Albuquerque tonight isn’t part of our normal schedule. The opening band cancelled forMaiden Voyageand they asked if you’d fill in. Dad of course said yes, since he knows you guys are friends with them.”

“Oh hell yeah! We’ll help Maiden out any time we can. Those guys really came through for us a couple of times, especially Derek.” I was thrilled to hear about this. Derek was a big help when Joey was going through all his shit and I was more than happy to pay it forward.

Silence seized the bus as the night owls who’d woken far too early, drifted back off to sleep. The only sounds were the snores from the bunks that overshadowed the rubber of the bus tires against the road. Seemed like I was the last to doze off, far too stoked about hanging with the Maiden clan again which kept my mind running far too long. Last time we saw them, Joey was a one man wrecking ball. Derek and Ryder texted me from time to time, checking up on us so they knew all was good. But I’d totally love to get together and just jam sometime with them. Once my mind quit rambling on, I was able to shut it down only to be re-awakened by Easton’s voice.

“Hey guys, time to get up. We’re nearing Isleta Amphitheater,” he hollered back to us.

Joey stretched beside me, I couldn’t help but drag my fingertips along the exposed skin of his torso that presented itself when his shirt rose.

“Ugh,” he protested. “No time to play.”

“I know, but my hands have a mind of their own where you’re concerned.” I kissed him, drawing out his bottom lip with my teeth before smacking his ass. “Let’s get up. I can’t wait to see Maiden.”

Diamond and Mickey surfaced at the same time we did. Mickey was still pissed off and shooting daggers at Diamond who only made matters worse by chasing him through the kitchenette yelling, “Darling, I’m not going to hurt you,” once again using his Jack Nicholson voice.

“Seriously, dude, fuck off,” Mickey yelled.

Diamond showed him his best pouty face and stance.

“You know that does nothing for me. I see right past your pretty boy façade and straight into the heart of the demon you are,” Mickey called him out on his wasted antics.

Diamond posed before him, hands on his hips and batting his eyelashes. “You think I’m pretty?”

Mickey fucking lost it, threw his shoe at him hitting him square in the chest. “You know you’re fucking hot, but you’re a dick so don’t waste your efforts on me.” But when he looked down to tie his other shoe, I spotted the smile he was trying to hide so I knew their pretend rift was over.

“Okay, children, let’s get our shit together and act like the professionals they think we are,” I said, trying to bring things back around.

“Oh that’s right, Stoli needs to be on his best behavior in front of his boyfriend, Derek,” Diamond announced while making kissy faces at me.

“Jesus dude, you’re a moron,” I told him.

“Maybe, but I’m also the hot guy on the bus.” He licked his finger and made of show of touching it to his ass and making a sizzle sound.

I glanced over at Joey who just rolled his eyes at us while attempting to run a brush through his crazy ass curls. His fucking hair was getting so long, it was damn near touching his ass, but I loved it. The dark, full curls. Wrapping it around my fingers, how I’d love to pull it, jerking his head back to kiss me while fucking him from behind.Great, now I’ve got wood.

“Something going on down there, stud?” Joey pointed to my crotch with his hairbrush, laughing.

“Yeah, I’ll show you later.” I pulled his hair as I walked by to get off the bus.

As I was sliding my sunglasses on, Joey walked by announcing, “If you’re gonna pull my hair you better smack my ass and make me come.”

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