Page 42 of Bulletproof
CHAPTER TEN
Derek woke to a note on the pillow next to him. It was another poem, in Travis’ neat cursive script:
You’re beautiful when you sleep.
You make adorable littlenoises for me to keep.
Your eyelashes flutter, lost in a beautiful dream.
I kiss you softly on lips of pale pink and cheeks of warm cream.
Happiness makes my heart leap.
You’re beautiful when you sleep.
The sweet, simple poem touched Derek’s heart. His eyes scanned the words and his finger traced the writing, while he smiled down at the paper. Travis must havebeen awake watching him sleep, probably most of the night. He kissed the curved letters and pressed the note to his chest. Finding his phone on the nightstand, a message was displayed across the screen.
Travis: Eyes finally closing. Interview and acoustic set later. Call you when I can.
Derek checked the time of the text – 7:12 a.m. The poor guy only got to sleep a fewhours ago. He debated on whether or not to send a reply. Afraid to disturb Travis, he decided to wait.
Derek’s day turned out to be much like Travis’. After Bulletproof shot some footage for a guest spot on an entertainment network, they visited a local LGBT youth center and played some tunes for the kids. Derek texted Travis during the day to say how much he loved the poem, and thankedTravis for sharing it with him, but never heard back.
As Derek sat around the dining table, involved in a heated game of poker with his bandmates, he checked his phone again. Disappointed, he placed his cards face down on the table and rested his head on his fist, wishing Travis was here to be his plus one.
A sinking feeling gnawed at Derek’s gut as he wondered if Ashleywas still in town and if Travis was with her. His mouth puckered at the sour taste it left in his throat. Jealous and wanting his lover, he typed a text message into his phone.
Derek: Where are you? I thought you were coming by.
He re-read the words, then backspaced over them and stared at the blank screen.
“In or out, MacAlister,” Alan barked.
Derek pulled his eyes from his phone. “I’m in.” He threw a twenty in the center of the table without checking his cards, picked up his phone again, and typed another message:
Derek: Come by. I miss you.
He sent it before he had a chance to reconsider.
“Hallelujah Goat!” Brandon exclaimed, as he pulled the pile of cash from the center of the table to jointhe stack in front of him.
Derek didn’t even realize that everyone had shown their hand and someone had turned over his cards.
“Why do you keep saying that?” Cam asked Brandon. “Is it a private joke or something?”
Brandon sighed, closing his eyes with a dramatic shake of his head. “Haven’t I taught you anything?”
Cam let out an erotic chuckle.“You taught me a lot.”
Brandon clapped his hand onto the back of Cam’s neck and pulled him in for a dominant kiss, but Cam stiffened and held his ground. They were like two bulls butting heads, staring the other down.
“Explain first,” Cam demanded.
“I was referring to music,” Brandon answered. “Hallelujah Goatis a song by Volbeat.”
“Ah, yes.The Danish rockabilly-infused heavy metal band. I know them,” Cam said, smugly. Before Brandon, Cam had never listened to hard rock, nor heard of Volbeat. Hell, he never even heard of Bulletproof. He had no idea that Brandon was a rock star when the two had first met, which was pretty fucking hilarious since Brandon thrived on recognition.
“Then I’ve schooled you well.” With a heavyjerk of his hand, Brandon pulled Cam in for a hard kiss that practically sent steam rising from their mouths.
