Page 32 of Discover Me
We both head for the showers, Kellan using the main bathroom while I take the guest. The hot water feels amazingon my sore muscles, washing away the lingering sleep and easing some of the ache in my ribs. I'm careful around my cast, keeping it dry with the garbage bag and rubber band system I've perfected over the last few weeks.
When I emerge, dressed in the same borrowed clothes from yesterday, I find Kellan in the kitchen nursing a Dr Pepper. He's already showered and dressed, his hair still damp and his shirt clinging to his body in ways that definitely doesn't help my concentration.
"Would you at least eat some fruit or something?" I move to the fridge, looking for something healthy to balance out his caffeine and sugar breakfast.
"I'll grab something at practice." Kellan takes another long drink. "Usually there's bagels or donuts or something."
"That's not better." I pull out the cantaloupe we bought yesterday, grabbing a knife to cut it open. "Here. At least have some vitamins." I cut the cantaloupe into chunks, popping one into my mouth to test it. Perfectly ripe and sweet. I grab another piece and hold it up to Kellan's mouth. "Open."
Kellan grins but opens his mouth obediently. I feed him the cantaloupe, watching his lips close around my fingers. Then his tongue darts out, licking the juice from my fingers before he deliberately sucks them deeper into his mouth.
The sensation goes straight to my cock. I groan, pulling my hand back and trying to ignore the heat flooding through me. "We don't have time for this."
Kellan laughs. "But fuck, I wish we did."
Micah
On the way to the company, I feel more like myself dressed in my
own clothes. The jeans fit properly, worn and comfortable from years of use.
The flannel shirt is soft and familiar, one of my favorites that I keep in my
truck for emergencies. Even my work boots feel grounding after two days in
Kellan's too-big sneakers.
I park at the back of the company lot where Kellan suggested, finding a spot that won't block anyone important. The building looms ahead, all glass and steel and modern architecture that screams money. This is where Lunar Ransom creates their music, where Tom orchestrates his PR campaigns, where my fake boyfriend spends most of his time.
Kellan comes to me as I'm climbing out of my truck, and I notice immediately that something's off. His scent is much stronger than usual, sweet rum so potent it almost makes my head spin. It wraps around me like a physical thing, clinging to my clothes and filling my lungs.
He also seems feverish. There's a flush to his cheeks and a brightness to his eyes that wasn't there this morning. Sweat beads at his temples even though the morning air is cool.
"What's wrong?" I close the truck door, studying his face with concern.
"Nothing, just nerves?" Kellan's voice is uncertain, like he doesn't believe his own explanation. "I'm not sure. Haven't felt like this before. Maybe coming down with something."
He runs a hand through his hair, the movement agitated. "Let me show you where to be to stay out of all the chaos. Tom will want to manufacture some kind of photo shoot at some point so brace for that. If anyone asks you to do something, say no. You're not here to work, you're just visiting."
"I'm still not sure what made me say yes." I follow him toward the building, my ribs protesting at the fast pace he's setting. "This is a wild plan. Fake dating a rockstar to sell albums. It sounds insane when I say it out loud."
Kellan grins despite whatever's making him feel off. "Yeah, it is. But you're here now, so might as well make the best of it."
We enter through a side door, bypassing what looks like a main lobby. The interior is just as modern as the exterior, all clean lines and expensive fixtures. Kellan navigates the hallwayswith practiced ease, greeting staff members who pass us with distracted nods.
He leads me to a lounge area on the second floor, a comfortable space with couches and a TV and a small kitchenette. "You can hang out here. There's food and drinks in the fridge, help yourself to whatever. I should be done with rehearsal in a few hours."
"A few hours?" I raise an eyebrow. "That's a long practice."
"Tom likes us to be perfect." Kellan's jaw tightens. "Which means drilling the same songs over and over until we're all sick of them. But yeah, a few hours minimum. Sometimes longer if someone's off or Tom's in a mood."
He leans in for a quick kiss, his lips hot against mine. The fever concern comes back immediately but he pulls away before I can ask about it again.
"I'll text you when we're done. Just... stay out of trouble, okay?" Kellan's grin is teasing but there's real concern underneath.
"What trouble could I possibly get into?" I gesture around the empty lounge.
"With Tom, you never know." Kellan heads for the door, throwing one last look over his shoulder before disappearing into the hallway.
