Page 51 of Love Notes and Late Nights
“I’ll share the blanket with you.” Wolf grinned. “For a price.”
“I have to pay to share your blanket? The blanket that used to be mine?”
“Yep. Let’s see.” Wolf pursed his lips together. “A hundred bucks should do it.”
Harris slapped the fake money down in front of Wolf. “You drive a hard bargain.”
Since their chairs didn’t move, they needed to lean toward one another to comfortably share the blanket, and Harris’ internal temperature rose quickly. He wasn’t sure if the warmth that covered his skin was from the combination of the blanket and body heat, or from being close to Wolf. Now he just needed to keep the damn smile off his face and stop exchanging glances with Wolf.
A few more rounds and an argument ensued between Marshall and Ethan about whether it counted when the dice rolled off the board and landed on the floor, or if Ethan could roll again.
Harris was about to add his opinion when a firm hand landed on his knee under the blanket and sent a tingle up his thigh. A wave of excitement rushed through his chest and sent his heart racing. He tried his hardest to concentrate on the logo in the center of the gameboard, but he could see Wolf staring at him from the corner of his eye.
Wolf’s hand inched upward, so now it rested dangerously close to Harris’ length, which was growing by the second. This guy was driving him insane and playing a dangerous game. Getting jacked off under the table seemed like it would be super hot, but the thought of it turned out to be more terrifying than erotic. There was no way in hell he’d be able to handle having an orgasm in the middle of a game of Monopoly without everyone noticing—and Amy was sitting across the table!
“You two look cozy,” Tyler commented, a tiny smile turning the corners of his lips upward. “Like two peas in a pod.”
The comment made the blood run from Harris’ face, and he imagined he was pale white.
Just then, Wolf decided to cop a quick feel before retreating his hand, and Harris jumped. To camouflage his sudden movement, he grabbed his beer and downed half of it. The ale cooled him down but didn’t calm the rush of adrenaline surging through his chest. When he set the bottle back on the table and looked up, everyone was looking at him. Did they know? Did his facial expression give it away?
Wolf leaned in and whispered, “It’s your turn.”
“Oh.” Harris’ cheeks flushed. “I wasn’t paying attention.”
“We noticed,” Tyler commented, placing the dice in front of Harris.
For a brief moment, he and Tyler locked eyes before he quickly looked away, but not before seeing that quirky smile on Tyler’s face. He had to be careful, because Tyler didn’t miss a trick. He turned his attention back to the game, rolled a four,and landed on “Go To Jail” which caused a round of teasing, and the awkwardness disappeared. Thank God because this was too much stress for Harris to handle.
The plane landed in Reno before the game was over, and they all decided to pocket their fake money and take a photo to show where everyone’s pieces were so they could continue the game later.
Everyone seemed to decompress on the ride from Reno to Black Rock City, and Harris started to doze off. But once the tents and crowds of people came into view, Tyler quickly moved to the closest window and rattled on with nonstop excitement. It was cool to see someone get amped up like that. His energy was contagious, and everyone perked up.
Ethan joined Tyler at the window. “I’m glad you’re coming with me this year instead of meeting me here. I get to see the festival in a new light like this. Not just see it. I can feel it. For us, it’s no big deal. It’s just another show. But watching your excitement and effervescence makes it feel brand new.”
Tyler got all gooey and wrapped his arms around Ethan’s neck, and the two pressed their heads together and watched the car get closer and closer to the festival.
“It is very exciting,” Amy agreed, clasping Marshall’s fingers in hers. “I’ve never been to a festival this big.”
Everyone was paired off, and that left Harris and Wolf as the odd men out. It would be nice for Harris to put his arm around Wolf and not hide how much he cared about this guy. But they agreed to wait until after the tour to come clean about their relationship.
Rocktoberfest was like a vacation in musical paradise. Other than their set and soundcheck, and a few very brief interviews, they were free for the next four days to listen to dozens of bands, meet some of their favorite musicians, hang out in the desert, and eat some amazing food at the festival.
Wolf slid across the bench seat so he was close enough to put his head on Harris’ shoulder. “I’m excited to share this event with you too.” Wolf said it in a way that made it sound like he was imitating the way Ethan and Tyler and Marshall and Amy were snuggling and gazing at the crowd. It was cutesy, not mocking his friends in any way.
Harris grunted a laugh and fought the urge to wrap his arm around Wolf and kiss the top of his head. It sounded corny, but that’s what he wanted to do.
Wolf straightened up, grinning like a loon, and nudged Harris with his elbow to indicate it was a joke. But Harris knew it wasn’t.
The Suburban pulled into an area behind the festival where Wolf Pack’s RVs were parked. It was far enough away from the action to offer privacy but still out in the open, which was going to make it a little harder to be discreet. Security would be stationed outside day and night, but their confidentiality didn’t worry Harris. It was the fans and paparazzi with their eagle eyes and telescopic lenses that had him concerned about photos of him sneaking into Wolf’s RV, or vice versa, broadcast across social media. That was not how he wanted Ethan to find out about them.
“Look at my trailer!” Tyler exclaimed. “Wolf, it’s amazing! Thank you so much!” He ran up to Wolf and gave him a huge hug. “My new logo is gorgeous, and this new shade of hot pink is prettier than last year’s.”
“Glad you like it,” Wolf replied, humbled.
The trailer would serve as Tyler’s mobile hair salon at the festival, where rock stars on the lineup could take advantage of a sought-after appointment with Tyler Kennedy.
“Come with me.” Tyler impatiently tugged on Ethan’s arm. “I want to see the inside of the salon.”
