Page 57 of Half Notes and Highlights
“No. Nothing.”
“Sorry, fellas. I didn’t realize you were so reactive. It was really hot, by the way,” he added coyly. “It’s my trailer! Look at it! I’m doing hair and makeup. Stop by if you need anything. I’ll give you the family-and-friends discount.”
The bodyguards relaxed and resumed their normal posture as the three of them stared at the trailer. It was bright pink with “Tyler Kennedy” scrawled across the full length of it in a fancy script font. A pair of open shears, a rattail comb, and two makeup brushes, proportionate to the trailer, were artistically painted before and after his name, and scrolls boarded the perimeter, so it looked like a giant picture frame. He knew Ethan had arranged for the trailer, and Tyler took care of shipping all his supplies, but he never expected the fancy graphics or anything the size of the trailer in front of him. He wanted to rush to it and inspect every inch of it, but before anything else, he wanted to see Ethan.
Several unmarked RVs were parked together not far from the trailer, and he knew they belonged to Wolf Pack. When he got to Ethan’s RV, he was overcome with excitement and burst through the door. “I’m here!”
Ethan shot up from the couch, ran toward Tyler, wrapped his arms around him and lifted him off the floor in a hug. “Finally!”
They shared a kiss that robbed Tyler of his breath, which ended way too soon.
“Are you hungry?” Ethan asked, walking over to the refrigerator and opening the door. “Do you want something to drink?”
“I’m famished and dehydrated.” Tyler found his bag, which he dropped on the stairs as soon as he saw Ethan, and looked around the enormous RV, which had slide outs and a canopy outside. He peeked over Ethan’s shoulder and into the fridgewhere Ethan was retrieving a bottle of Vitamin Water. “This is fancy.”
“Nothing but the best for my boy,” Ethan said with a broad smile and handing Tyler the drink.
While Tyler drank two big gulps, he remembered his fabulous trailer and almost choked. “What did you do?” he asked, wiping away some of the Vitamin Water that spilled down his chin with the back of his hand.
“I didn’t do anything. What are you talking about?”
“My trailer! I can’t wait to see it!”
“Oh.” Ethan let out a small breath. “You scared me. I thought I was in trouble.”
“Did you do anything that you’d be in trouble for?” It was accusatory, and Tyler hated that it came out that way, but jealousy was an evil thing. Maybe, one day, he wouldn’t have a shred of worry about Ethan and Wolf being on tour together, but he wasn’t completely there yet.
“No.”
“Good.” His tone completely changed from suspicion to elation. “I was so surprised when I saw my trailer, I almost gave your security team a heart attack. Can I see it?”
“Right now?”
“Of course, right now.” He displayed a salacious smile and ran a finger down the center of Ethan’s chest. “I’m happy to see you too, but I’ll be even more happy inside my very own trailer.”
Ethan grabbed Tyler’s hand and sailed through the door. The two security guards were still waiting outside and followed them to Tyler’s temporary salon, but there really wasn’t a need for it since the area was secure and well away from the rest of the festivities.
The inside of the trailer looked just like the trailers on a movie set, only this one was decorated with adorable neon signs,colorful artwork, and fun doodads that were perfect for a hair and makeup salon. “Who did all this?”
“I had Zoe take care of it.”
Arranging an expedited permit and all of the small details, like painting and decorating the trailer, went above and beyond anything Tyler could have imagined. It didn’t matter that Ethan’s assistant did all the leg work. It was at Ethan’s direction. No one ever went out of their way for him like this before.
Tyler had worked hard to make a name for himself and get recognition in the hair and makeup industry, and it took years. He didn’t accept any handouts or offers to move up based on reciprocation. He did it all by himself, so this genuine gesture of thoughtfulness put a lump in his throat that he wasn’t used to. He couldn’t thank Ethan enough, but he planned on trying. “This is absolutely amazing. Better than anything I ever expected. I love it so much.”
He ran his hand across the back of the styling chair and gave it a good spin, so it twirled like a top. Then he abruptly brought his hands down on the back of the chair, bringing it to a hard stop. “Your throne awaits. You’re gonna be my first customer in this new posh trailer.”
“Really?” Ethan’s eyes lit up and then he mocked gasp, bringing his hand to his cheek. “I didn’t bring my debit card.”
“This one’s on the house. Sit.”
Ethan climbed into the chair, watching Tyler with a questionable grin.
Tyler smiled mischievously and kept glancing back at Ethan with that same playful smile as he opened his boxes and found what he needed. While he organized his supplies on the counter in front of the mirror, he felt a soft caress on his right butt cheek.
“I can’t believe you wear jeans now.”
He looked at Ethan through the mirror and raised an eyebrow. “I can take them off if you don’t like them.”
