Page 37 of Half Notes and Highlights
“It’s very necessary. It’s also non-negotiable.” She tucked her tablet under her arm and headed toward the door but turned at the last minute. “Either you can send it to him, or I can have a messenger hand deliver it. What’s it going to be?”
“I’ll do it.” As soon as she left, he ran his fingers through his hair and growled with frustration. He paced, cursed, and worried, but he finally called Tyler and explained everything.
“I don’t care. I’ll sign it,” Tyler answered, not bothered in the least by the request.
“You will?”
“Sure. It’s none of anyone’s business what’s going on between us.”
Ethan stopped pacing and stared at his phone, incredulously. After their little spat, he expected Tyler to have a sore spot when it came to not disclosing their relationship to the paparazzi, but he was unphased. “Thank you. I mean it. Thank you for being such an easygoing guy.” The tension in Ethan’s shouldersevaporated, the knot in his stomach disappeared, and the scowl covering his cheeks turned into a smile. “You’re a great guy. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m kind of happy my hair got burnt and needed a top-notch hairstylist.”
“I’m not. Your hair was thick and gorgeous. But it’s only hair and it’ll grow back, if that’s what you want. And your arm had a terrible burn.”
“You never asked me about my arm,” he realized. “Why not?”
“I wasn’t going to bring attention to it. You had enough to deal with adjusting to your short haircut. I know that can be traumatizing, under the circumstances, when you’re not ready but forced to go short when you’ve had hair as long as yours.”
Ethan couldn’t believe Tyler had the foresight and sensitivity to understand. It’s something Ethan hadn’t realized, but it was true. He had enough to deal with losing his hair at the time. He didn’t need people always commenting on his arm as well. He examined the scar, which was still ugly and pink.
“Despite all that, I’m very glad that we met, Ethan.”
“Ethan? Not rock star?” It was one of the few times Tyler called him by his given name instead of a cute nickname.
The line was quiet for a moment. “I joke a lot, and nicknames are said with playful affection. But when I’m dead serious, I don’t use them. Kind of like when your mom full names you. That’s when you better listen.”
“I’m listening.”
“Good. When am I going to see you again? I don’t have any appointments next Friday yet, and I can keep that day open for a long weekend.”
“OK,” Ethan answered, not knowing what was on the schedule. Whatever it was, he’d make it work. “Let me check what city we’re going to be in, and I’ll get you a ticket.”
“I can pay for my own ticket. You’re not my sugar daddy.”
“How about just your daddy?” Ethan smile reflected the naughty thoughts in his head, and he wished they were FaceTiming so Tyler could see the mischievous expression on his face.
Tyler chuckled, sexily. “You wish. Just tell me where and when. I’ll buy my ticket. You can spring for one of those fancy cars.”
“You drive a hard bargain, but you got yourself a deal.”
After they ended the call, Ethan called Ruby and told her that Tyler was agreeable to sign an NDA.
“I’m happy to hear that,” she said, much softer than earlier. “I know you trust this guy, Ethan, but you can never be too careful, and it’s my job to make sure your interests and the interests of the band are protected.”
He understood her point of view, but that didn’t mean he liked it or being told what to do. “One more thing,” he said, boldly, because he wasn’t backing down on this issue. “Tyler’s joining me for a few days on tour next weekend.” She started to say something, but he talked over her at a louder decibel. “I told you. We’re going to be together, and that means I’m going to be flying to see him when I have time, and he’s going to be flying to see me when he can.”
She huffed. “Fine. Just remember that you promised to be discreet, and I want that NDA signed before he gets here.”
“Fine.”
As promised, Tyler signed the NDA four days later, and he joined Ethan in St. Louis that Friday.
“I love jet setting from state to state!” Tyler exclaimed, after jumping into Ethan’s arms.
One day, they were both going to fall to the floor. Ethan pressed his lips to Tyler’s expecting a small kiss, but everything about Tyler was exaggerated. With his legs still wrapped around Ethan’s waist, Tyler’s tongue invaded Ethan’s mouth andclaimed it, right there in the hallway of the hotel. The urgent kiss was animalistic and exuded want and passion, and so many other emotions. It stirred things inside Ethan that felt as if were sleeping or dormant, just waiting for someone like Tyler to come along and shake them awake.
He walked into the hotel room, still carrying Tyler in his arms and sharing wet, ravenous kisses. As soon as the door was closed, he headed to the bedroom and took this man in every way possible.
An hour later, they lay sprawled on the bed, spent and panting.
