Page 39 of Half Notes and Highlights
His eyes shifted to Wolf, and they shared an awkward moment where neither made any kind of movement to offer a friendly greeting like Marshall and Harris. Finally, Wolf nodded and said a very unenthusiastic, “Hey.”
“Hey to you too,” Tyler replied, pleasantly. “It’s so nice that all of you came to say hello. I feel so welcome.”
“Ethan’s been talking about you nonstop for two days. He was driving us crazy,” Harris said with a laugh.
“Tell me about it,” Wolf murmured under his breath.
Tyler felt the jab but decided to ignore it. “Did you guys eat lunch? We were just about to order food. You can stay and join us if you like.”
“Nah,” Marshall answered. “We just wanted to say hi. We’ll leave you two alone.”
“Maybe we can have dinner together and get to know you better,” Harris offered.
“I would absolutely love that,” Tyler answered.
After the guys left, Ethan ordered room service, and they had a quick bite before a car took them to a private beach. They spentseveral hours relaxing under a canopy in chaise lounges and took a jaunt in a two-person paddle boat in the shape of a swan.
When they got back to the hotel, and after they showered, a formal table with white linens was set for five on the luxurious balcony of Ethan’s suite. “This is beautiful,” Tyler said. “So fancy.”
“I’m sorry we couldn’t go out.” Ethan came up behind Tyler and wrapped his arms over Tyler’s chest. “I’m just trying to avoid the onslaught of fans. I love them, but I want privacy too.”
Tyler turned so he was chest to chest with Ethan and stretched his arms around Ethan’s waist. “I understand. I know you have to act a certain way in public. I get it. I don’t mind. We were out today.”
“With an entourage of security at a beach only for residents.”
“I wasn’t aware you’re a resident here,” Tyler chided, trying to gloss over the resentment in Ethan’s voice and hoping to steer Ethan’s side of the conversation into a more positive perspective.
“Today I am,” Ethan answered, a smile now playing up his lips.
Tyler gazed at Ethan, a tingle setting his body abuzz. It wasn’t lust or sexual yearning, although that was always present. It was just being next to Ethan that filled Tyler with a light that hadn’t been there in a long time. He rested his head against Ethan’s chest, snuggling closer. Listening to his lover’s gentle heart beating, he let out a contented sigh.
Ethan ran his hand down the length of Tyler’s hair and kissed the top of his head. “I love being with you, Tyler.”
“I love being with you too.” Tyler squeezed his eyes shut, absorbing the growing feelings between them, a mixture of joy and fear making the little hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.
Ethan’s hands slid down Tyler’s back and cupped his butt cheeks. “I like these jeans. I can feel your body so much better through them.” He squeezed Tyler’s butt a few times for emphasis.
“And they’re so much easier and quicker to take off than those leather pants.”
A knock on the door, or more like a fist, disrupted the moment.
“I guess the guys are here,” Ethan said, sounding disappointed. “I can get rid of them if you’d rather spend the night alone, just the two of us.”
It was a tempting offer, but Tyler wanted to get to know Marshall and Harris better. Naturally, the idea of sitting in the same room with Wolf sounded awkward, but Tyler wanted the bass player to see how much Ethan and Tyler cared about one another. He wanted Wolf to see that this wasn’t just a temporary fling. He wanted Wolf to see that he had a place in Ethan’s life.
The guys all entered the suite together with cheery and happy smiles on their faces, even Wolf. That was a good sign since the guy seemed to be in a perpetual bad mood whenever Tyler was around.
Greetings were casual. No hugs or anything like that, just simple hellos, and they all sat around the couches. Ethan offered to make drinks, but the guys all wanted beer.
“That’s so boring,” Tyler complained. “Let’s make margaritas.”
“Um.” Ethan paused to look at the small bar set up in his room which contained a good assortment of full-size bottles of top-shelf liquor. “There’s no margarita mix.”
“Seriously? Margarita mix? Out of the way, rock star.” Tyler playfully pushed Ethan aside so he could examine the contents at the bar. “Let’s see what we have to work with.” He selected tequila, triple sec, a few ice cubes, a fresh lime, and two shakercups. In minutes he whipped up a small pitcher of a tasty drink. “Delish!” he exclaimed, licking his lips after sampling a glass. He poured another glass and offered it to the guys. To his surprise, Wolf took it.
“It’s good,” Wolf commented after tasting the drink. “Are you a bartender too?”
“No. I just whipped this up on the spur of the moment.” He pursed his lips. “OK. I lied. My neighbor’s a bartender, and she taught me. I don’t know how to make anything else.”
