Page 38 of Half Notes and Highlights
“Wow,” Tyler commented.
Ethan rolled his head toward Tyler, a smile on his lips at the simple word used to describe their wild lovemaking session. “Wow?”
“It’s all I can muster at this moment. You fucked all the big words right out of my head.”
Ethan pulled Tyler to his shoulder. Tyler’s long hair was damp with sweat, but it only enhanced the scent of the coconut shampoo or hair product he used, and Ethan inhaled it deeply. “How do you smell so good?”
“My pores are filled with color, and I bleed rainbows.”
A smile almost split Ethan’s face in half. This guy had the most good-natured personality and the most hysterical comments. “You should bottle that shit. You’d make a fortune.”
“Sorry. It’s not for sale.” Getting up on one elbow so he could face Ethan, Tyler asked, “When do you have to leave for the venue?”
“There’s no show tonight.”
“On a Friday night? Are your ratings slipping?”
“Not a chance. The venue had a flood and a power outage. They canceled last night. It’s been rescheduled for next week, so we have the rest of the day and night free. We have to be up earlytomorrow, though, for a record store appearance and meet and greet.”
“They still have record stores?”
“Vinyl’s making a comeback. If you were up on things, you’d know that Wolf Pack has a newly issued LP out. I might be able to get you an autographed copy.” Ethan winked. “I got connections.”
Tyler gasped and fangirled, batting his eyelashes and bringing his clasped fingers to his chest. “Oh my God! That would be amazing! I can’t wait to tell all my friends! They’re gonna besooojelly!”
Ethan smiled at this crazy guy and his antics. “What do you want to do today?”
“I’m up for anything, but can we get food first?”
“I’m sorry. I totally forgot you just got off the plane. You must be starving.”
Tyler waggled his brows suggestively. “I am, but it wasn’t the plane ride that made me hungry. Are we going out or ordering room service?”
This was the first time Ethan had been with Tyler since the media frenzy, and he was worried about the fans’ reaction if they were seen together. On the other hand, he didn’t want to be sequestered away as if he were embarrassed of Tyler. He wanted to show off his enigmatic boyfriend so the fans could get to know him, because there wasn’t a doubt in his mind that they would love him. “We could have room service and then go out. There’s a private beach with wave runners and paddle boats if you want to do that today.”
Tyler moved closer and laced his fingers around the back of Ethan’s neck. “It all sounds wonderful. But I don’t care what we do. We can do nothing at all. I just want to spend time together.”
It wasn’t often that Ethan met someone who was interested in him as a person and not for his wealth and fame. Most peoplewanted something from him, even those close to him, so the comment hit him right in the heart and made him all warm and fuzzy inside, and he found it hard to find his voice. He silently nodded.
“I’m going to shower.” Tyler gave Ethan a quick kiss, then headed for the bathroom. He suddenly spun around. “My suitcase! One of your mountain men was carrying it.”
“It’s probably in the hallway with security. You shower. I’ll find your bag.”
Tyler wrapped a towel around his waist and stepped from the bathroom into the bedroom. His suitcase was on the bed along with a note that read, “Be back in a few. Quick band meeting.” No biggie. They had the rest of the day together. He went through his clothes and decided to wear his swimsuit, since they were going to the beach. He pulled it from his suitcase, as well as a long mesh cover up and a pair of shorts to wear over his swimsuit because he didn’t want to walk through the hotel wearing a tiny Speedo. He did havesomedecorum.
He worried his hat would be crushed, but it held up nicely. This wasn’t the plain baseball cap he bought when he and Iris went for a bike ride. This was a fabulous purple floppy hat with a wide rim and a long silk scarf tied around the top and trailing down the back which would look amazing blowing in the wind.
He found the hair dryer and styled his hair as usual, got dressed, and exited the bedroom. While he waited for Ethan, he stared out the huge window at the pretty courtyard below.
The door opened slightly, and Ethan poked his head inside. “Hi. I just wanted to make sure you were decent.” His eyesdropped to Tyler’s bare legs and a huge smile spread across his cheeks before he lifted his gaze. “The guys wanted to say hi.”
Tyler clapped his hands together, excited that Ethan’s bandmates were happy to see him. “Awesome. Come in.” Except he forgot that Wolf was among them. His gut immediately tensed when he saw the bass player, but he reminded himself to play it cool. But how the hell were you supposed to play it cool when your lover’s sometimes lover was in the same room with both of you?
Marshall approached first and gave Tyler a one-shoulder manly bro-hug with his big arms, complete with a slap on the back.
Tyler never felt so hetero.
Harris greeted him next with a warm smile and a quick hug.
