Page 47 of Half Notes and Highlights
A happy laugh floated from Ethan’s lips. “Of course, I’m in love with you! It was impossible not to fall in love with you. You’re sweet and funny and lighthearted. You bring a smile to my face and brighten every room you enter.”
Tyler wrapped his arms around Ethan’s neck and kissed him, his entire being filled with hope and happiness. He’d never felt like this before. He never loved someone who loved him back.The giant bubble of happiness that made his heart beat outside his chest withered as his thoughts turned to Wolf, and he pulled away breaking the kiss.
“What is it?” Ethan asked, brows furrowed with confusion.
Tyler didn’t want to ask the question or say the words out loud and waited for Ethan to figure it out. But Ethan just continued to stare back at him without a clue. Exhaling, he finally said, “What about your bass player?”
Ethan’s brows pinched together, and he took a few seconds to answer. “Wolf is my best friend. We’ve been best friends since the first grade. He’ll always be in my life, but I’m not in love with him. I never have been.”
“Does he know that?”
“Yeah.” Ethan’s voice wavered with uncertainty.
“Are you sure about that?”
Ethan lowered his eyes, pressed his lips together, and remained quiet for several long seconds. “I think so. I guess I need to have a talk with him and straighten some things out.”
“Somethings?” Tyler asked. “What things? Specifically.” He needed to know that Ethan planned on terminating the friends-with-benefits part of his relationship with Wolf.
“Telling him I’m in love with you,” Ethan answered.
“What else?”
“And that me and him are just going to be friends from now on, and that’s it.”
“And that we’re exclusive now?” Tyler needed everything clearly stated because he wasn’t getting his heart broken over a technicality. He just wished Ethan would have specified these little tidbits first instead of needing to ask them.
“Yes. I’m going to tell him that me and you are in love and that we’re exclusive now, and me and him are only going to be friends from now on. Nothing more.”
That settled the tidal wave of anxiety in Tyler’s belly—mostly. “Areyousure about that? Is that whatyouwant?”
“Of course, it’s what I want.” Ethan’s happy face turned pensive. “There’s just one problem. After that whole shoe-throwing incident, I’m worried about how the fans are going to react. I’m worried they’re going to say some nasty things about you. I don’t want that. You don’t deserve that.”
Tyler gave Ethan a smile. “Don’t you know that I don’t care what anyone has to say? I don’t get my feathers ruffled easily.” He placed the back of his hand under his chin and looked up toward the ceiling. “My skin may be flawless and supple, but it’s tough as nails.”
“That’s just another thing I love about you.”
“I’ve been dealing with bullies my whole life. I refuse to give them power. I don’t care about them. I never did. I care about you and me, as a couple, and moving forward with our life. The fans are gonna have to get used to seeing us together. When’s the next really big show so as many people as possible can see what a magnificent couple we are?”
“Black Rock City. We’re playing the Rocktoberfest Festival in two weeks. Can you take a few days off? It’s four days in the desert, and it’s a blast. We’re only playing the one show, so I’ll have a lot of down time.” Ethan ran his fingers through his hair. “Besides, I’ll need my personal hairstylist on hand. The heat does a number on my hair.”
Visions of Burning Man and nonstop fun danced in Tyler’s head. Four whole days together at a festival sounded awesome, and it would be the perfect setting for fans and everyone else to see them together. To see how happy they are.
“Can you make it?” Ethan asked when Tyler didn’t answer right away.
“Yes!”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Telling Wolf that things were over between them for good was probably the hardest thing Ethan ever had to do. The bus pulled into Oklahoma City about an hour ago and everyone went to their respective hotel rooms. Ethan paced, phone in hand, because he couldn’t put off talking to Wolf for another day. He swore he’d do it the moment he got back from seeing Tyler, but he got swept away to a meet and greet and then soundcheck and then the show. He thought about telling Wolf as soon as they got on the bus, but he didn’t want to have that conversation in front of Harris and Marshall. Some things were still private.
ETHAN: Can you come to my room?
WOLF:
Ethan sighed because the winky face meant Wolf had the wrong idea.
ETHAN: I need to tell you something important
