Page 54 of Bassist With Benefits
“I know.” Cam’s eyes were misty and his lip twitched. “But, there was a lot of blood. And she never attacked anyone before.”
“She attacked the guy?” Jeremy’s brows shot up.
“She pulled the leash out of my hand, took off and lunged at the guy.” Cam straightened his back, pride now beaming from his face. “Caught his wrist between her jaws and shook it until he dropped the gun. It went off but it didn’t hit anyone, thank God. There were a hundred people there. Brandy and the shooter fell to the ground, and her nail got caught on the Berber carpet and it ripped off.”
Brandon put a sympathetic arm around Cam’s shoulder. “She’ll be fine, baby.”
Derek pushed his fingers through his hair and exhaled a deep breath. “What a fucked up day it’s been. One minute I was chatting up this dude outside the hotel, and the next minute there were gunshots. Alan and Jeremy were on the ground. The dog went Cujo. There was blood everywhere. And then… this.” He spread his hands toward Alan and Jeremy, his mouth opening into a broad smile. “Holy fuck! Right on!”
“Yeah?” Alan wasn’t really sure what any of the guys would think about their relationship. There was a lot at stake. “You sure you’re cool with it?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” He shrugged and smiled. “Two of my best friends are boning. That’s fucking hot.”
Alan looked at their lead singer. “And you, Bran? You don’t have a problem either?”
“As long as you’re both happy, that’s all I care about.” He cast dreamy eyes on Cam. “There’s nothing like being in love.”
Derek watched them with a pouty frown. “Everyone’s paired up. I’m the odd man out. Doesn’t anyone love a lead guitarist?”
“Aw.” Brandon wrapped his arm around Derek’s shoulder and squeezed him close for a hug. “I love ya, buddy.” He tried to kiss Derek on the cheek, but Derek pushed him away.
“That’s just gross. I gotta get out of here. All this lovey-dovey shit is making me queasy.” Derek went to the side of the bed, and his eyes softened as he stared at Jeremy. “You gave us all some fuckin’ scare, bruh. I’m glad you’re alright.” He held out his hand for a bro-shake, changed his mind and opened his arms to give Jeremy a hug, but stopped, obviously worried about hurting his friend. He popped a kiss on the top of Jeremy’s head instead. “Rest easy. I’ll come back later to check in on you.”
“Thanks, man.” Jeremy looked exhausted. He had circles under his eyes, and he was pale.
Alan worried. “Can I get you anything? Soup or something?” The smile that Alan received in return melted his heart.
“Thank you. But the nurse said she’s bringing me toast and gelatin. I never ate breakfast this morning, and I’m stuck with toast and gelatin.”
“Do you want something else? I’ll get you a sandwich.” Alan started to get up off the bed, but Jeremy stopped him.
“Don’t go. The nurse said I can’t eat anything heavy yet. Toast is fine.”
“If you don’t mind,” Cam said, “I’d really like to get back to the bus to check on Brandy. Mike, the bus driver, is with her, but I’m sure she’s wondering where everyone is.”
“Give her a big kiss for me,” Jeremy said. “That dog is aces.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Jeremy watched his parents leave the hospital room. After his mother’s initial tears and shock about the shooting, she calmed down enough so that Jeremy could tell his parents about Alan. They were ecstatic to find out that he and Alan were a couple and said they had been waiting for them to figure it out since they were teenagers. His parents were staying for a day or two before heading back to Fullerton, but Jeremy wished they had just stayed home. He was happy to see them, but they fussed, and he wasn’t someone who liked being fussed over. Unless it was Alan. Since Jeremy had woken up in the hospital, Alan hadn’t left his side.
“Eat your lunch.” Alan rolled the table tray over to Jeremy’s bed until it was across his lap. “You have soup, which is probably cold by now. But I can heat it up in the microwave at the nurse’s station.” Alan lifted the lid from the plate to reveal a sad looking piece of chicken, with dry mashed potatoes and deflated peas and carrots.
Jeremy grimaced at the unappetizing meal, even though his stomach grumbled.
Alan stood with his hands on his hips, his brow furrowed like a scolding parent. “You need to eat.”
Jeremy gave his lover a teasing smirk. “What the hell happened to my wiseass best friend who would have told me to eat this shit or he was giving it to the homeless?”
“He fell in love with you. That’s what happened.” Alan slipped onto the bed next to Jeremy, which had been his seat since Jeremy woke from surgery yesterday evening. “I’m more concerned about your health right now than busting your balls. But I’ll never stop busting your balls.” A wicked grin appeared on Alan’s face, and his eyes drifted lower and settled on the sheet covering Jeremy’s crotch. “Nothing else got snagged by that bullet, right? Everything still working down there?”
As if on cue, Jeremy’s cock lifted the sheet. One sultry glance from Alan and Jeremy’s hormones jumped to attention.
“I guess that answers my question. But I’m not jerking you off.”
“What?” Jeremy’s jaw fell open with disappointment. “Why’d you get me hard then?”
“I just asked a question.”
