Page 27 of Bulletproof
“I was kinda hoping you did.”
“You’re a nut.” As Derek laughed, his eyes dropped to the notebook that Travis held against his chest. “What’s that?”
Travis clutched the notebook tighter with a possessive curl of his wrist. “I was writing.”
“Lyrics?”
“That’s what I’m supposed to be writing.” Travis hesitated. “I was writing poetry.”
The super fucking romantic lost art of writing poetry lived on in the complex mind of Travis Fontana, and it filled Derek with wonder and allure for this man. “Can I read it?”
Travis shook his head vigorously. “No one reads my poetry.”
“No pressure. I just never knew anyone who wrote poetry before. I think it’s really cool.”
“Really? You don’tthink it’s stupid?”
Derek took a step forward and laced his fingers behind Travis’ neck. “No way. It’s creative. And it means you’re sensitive. And smart. Smarter than me. I never wrote a poem in my life, not even when I vowed my never-ending love to Billy Newman in the fourth grade.”
Travis laughed. “Thank you. Let me put this away, and we’ll go.” Travis locked the notebookin his suitcase, protective of the words he put on paper.
After they went back to Derek’s suite and changed into swim trunks, two security guards escorted them to the roped-off section of the outdoor pool area reserved for Bulletproof.
“Glad you could join us!” Jeremy shouted a greeting to Travis from a lounge chair.
“Grab a beer from the cooler. They’reice cold.” Alan held up his own beer, which was dripping with condensation.
Brandon, who sat in the center chaise under a pair of dark sunglasses with his wild, blond hair tamed into a knot at the back of his head, leaned forward and extended his hand to Travis, who shook it. “I’m looking forward to getting to know you better, Travis. Let me know if this dude gets out of line, andI’ll kick his ass.” Brandon motioned to Derek with a tilt of his head.
Derek let out a sarcastic laugh. “Yeah, right. Just because you got a 44-inch chest doesn’t mean you can kick my ass, bruh.”
Brandon leaned forward a little more and pulled his dark shades down low enough to show his intense blue eyes. “Wanna go?Bruh?”
“Easy, killer.” Cam placed a handon the round muscle of Brandon’s shoulder. “We have company.” He extended his hand to Travis. “I’m Cameron Douglas, but feel free to call me Cam. I don’t think we’ve officially met yet.”
“You’re the one with the dog, right?” Travis asked, shaking Cam’s hand.
“Yes. Brandy’s my black Lab.”
Brandon cleared his throat loudly. “Yourdog?”
“Oh, sorry.I stand corrected. Brandy’sourdog. Remember that when it’s time to pick up her poop.”
Derek threw his head back and laughed. “Let me know, ‘cause I’m snapping that shit and posting it on social media!”
“Very funny, wise guy.” Brandon motioned to some empty lounge chairs with his chin. “Sit down and get some sun, Travis. We’re working on our California tans.”
Alan leaned over the side of his chaise and held his bronzed forearm next to Brandon’s. “Give it up, Bran. You’re never gonna get darker than me.”
“Maybe I just need more lotion.” Brandon took his sunglasses off and raised an eyebrow at Cam.
“I’m on it.” Cam squeezed suntan lotion into his hands and proceeded to slather it all over Brandon, which caused a few screamsfrom the crowd of people on the other side of the pool.
“Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea,” Travis said. “How can you enjoy yourself with so many people gawking at you?”
Travis had been right. The band’s presence poolside caused a major commotion. Although an area on the patio was roped off, the pool itself was packed with people, which necessitated a row of securityto stand by in case any of them decided to exit the pool where Bulletproof lounged.
“You get used to it,” Derek answered. “After a while, you forget they’re even there.”
