Page 47 of Bulletproof
“Congratulations on your fourth platinum album, you fucking icon.”
“Icon?” Derek was floored by the compliment.
“That’s right.”
“This is so fucking awesome.” Derek beamed at his lover. “I’m so glad Bulletproof gets to hand you the award.”
“It means so much more to me that you’ll be presenting it.”
“It means a lot to me too, Trav.”
Ashley sighed in the background. “Get a room, you two.” Her tone held a playful note, rather than an annoyed one, which is what Derek would have expected. She tossed back her drink. “I guess I’ll be on my way.”
Derek’s face reddened. He had stuck his nose in their conversation and pulled Travis away from her. He had his tongue in Travis’ mouth for the last five minutes.It was exactly his intention, but he realized it was rude, and he was embarrassed at his childish behavior. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“Oh, please!” She wore a teasing smile and waved her hand at him. “I’m only here for moral support for Travis. As a friend.”
A friend? Hmm. That was pretty fucking cool.
“Congratulations,” she said, humbly. “I’m looking forwardto seeing Bulletproof receive a platinum album almost as much as I’m looking forward to seeing Reckless receive a gold record. You both deserve it.”
“Thank you.” This chick was probably the nicest, most chill chick on the planet. “You don’t have to leave on my account.”
“There’s plenty of things to keep me occupied at this party, namely, one very sexy sound tech. Laterboys!” With that, she disappeared into the crowd, shaking her cute little ass, wearing a miniskirt that showcased her long legs, making all heads turn in her direction.
Travis whistled while he looked around the room. “This is some big-dollar party. Did you get a look at the fancy lounge with the Evergreens? There’s even a fog machine. It’s like a forest covered in mist. They madethe inside look like the outside.”
Derek smiled at Travis’ excitement over such little things. He’d much rather get excited at the view in front of him.
“Did you grab any of the gourmet food they’re passing around? I must’ve had a dozen of those little bacon things.” Travis stole two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handed one to Derek. “To success.” Hetouched his glass against Derek’s and downed his champagne in one gulp.
“Thirsty?”
Travis looked around the room and shifted from foot to foot. “I’m a little nervous. I don’t know what to say once I get up there. I mean, I have a list of people I’m supposed to thank, but I can’t remember any of it. And I don’t want to be one of those assholes that reads a fake thank-youspeech from a piece of paper.”
Derek placed his hand on Travis’ shoulder and felt the tension. He wished the guy would relax and not take everything so fucking seriously. “Toss it. Either don’t say anything or say whatever comes to mind. There’s no pressure.”
The corner of Travis’ mouth twitched. “Maybe not for you, but the label expects me to act a certain way in frontof the camera. My band thinks I can’t keep my shit together much longer. And I’m worried they’re right. Not to mention the shit my head keeps telling me.”
“Hey, I’m not perfect. Nor am I a fuckin’ saint either. I fuck up all the time.” But Derek had Felix to cover his ass. Travis was basically on his own, with very little support from his band as far as Derek could tell. His handslid down Travis’ arm as he searched for something to say to soothe this sweet, sweet man with a troubled soul.
“I drink too much. I worry too much. I freak out too much. My head is pulled in a million different directions.”
“Look, Travis, just take a deep breath. Worrying isn’t going to make anything better.”
“But alcohol will.” Travis tried to shrug itoff with a transparent smile and grabbed another glass of champagne.
Bulletproof accepted their award with the usual fanfare. They were each presented with a platinum disc in a glass case, another souvenir of this remarkable ride to hang on their walls. A rep from the record label, some dude ina tux they’d met a few times but never really had a conversation with, rattled off a bunch of accolades into the microphone. A genuine round of applause followed each accreditation.
Then Felix stepped up to the mic, surprising everyone. Derek, Brandon, Alan, and Jeremy all exchanged glances. They had stood in the spotlight a million times, and each time, Felix had always stayed inthe background, happy to watch Bulletproof shine.
“The first time I saw these four men,” Felix began, “they were boys. Teenagers. Playing in a dive bar on Sunset Boulevard.” He turned and looked at each of them as he spoke. “They were young. Raw. Inexperienced. And filled with ambition. Even at that young age, they had more talent than most bands at the top of the charts today. Theywere wild, disorderly, and sought pleasure in driving me up a wall. They’ve given me an ulcer, high blood pressure, and enough stress for two lifetimes. And they’re worth every minute of it. They’re like sons to me. I’ve never been more proud of the four men standing behind me.”
As Felix gave each of them a hug, emotion sprung into their faces. Derek had a grapefruit-sized lump inhis throat, and Jeremy, the sap that he was, had fucking tears in his eyes.
Applause as loud as thunder rose from the room. It quieted down, and the host of the ceremony took over, announcing Reckless, who joined Bulletproof on stage. Derek and Travis locked eyes and never broke their gaze. The excitement that radiated from Travis could be felt from 10 feet away, and it made Derek’sheart race, as if he was the one receiving his first gold record.
Standing at the podium, Brandon was the first one to speak. “We didn’t know much about these guys before they came on tour with us, except that they had a hit single that fuckin’ rocked.” The room filled with applause. “Now we’re proud to call them friends.”
